Strides for Success

Tag: tempo

  • Why Not All Rhythm is Equal when Riding

    Why Not All Rhythm is Equal when Riding

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    When it comes to horses, riding, and training rhythm is often misunderstood and taken for granted. I think this is because horses are generally good at creating a pattern, but also, we tend to simply accept the first version of rhythm that’s served up to us! And while that version will certainly be a pattern, it’s the quality we need to begin paying attention to.

    A good quality rhythm can dramatically transform a lot when it comes to riding and training your horse; it’s well worth your time, attention, and effort to improve.

    In this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast, I will help you to understand rhythm as it relates to your horse. How to know if you’re simply accepting what’s there, and how you can begin to improve it for you both as well.

    What is Rhythm?

    In its most basic form, rhythm is a recurring sequence. Think of it as the beats or “1, 2, 3, 4” we commonly associate with music – or your horse’s hoofbeats as he moves.  Your horse is naturally quite rhythmic… However, as I’ve said, this is probably not the best version of the sequence available to him right now!

    Walk, for example, as a reoccurring 4 time beat; meaning that each of the hooves touches down individually but in a set sequence that reoccurs over and over again. All your horses gaits have a repeating sequence or rhythm.

    Much like music, there’s a difference between a rhythm we enjoy and one that just doesn’t feel right. For riders, developing rhythm is about creating a consistent, clear pattern that feels harmonious, comfortable, and “just right” for both horse and rider.

    Step 1: Assess the Current Rhythm

    To improve your horse’s rhythm, you first need to understand what’s currently happening. Begin by observing your horse at the walk, the foundation for all other gaits. Find the sequence that repeats over and over. Then begin to question the ‘quality’ of that pattern. Are each of the beats clearly defined?  Or do they all blend together in a rushed, shuffle way?

    Action Step: As you ride, pay attention to each beat of your horse’s walk. Count out loud: “One, two, three, four.” Notice if there’s space between each beat, or if they’re running together.

    Step 2: Creating Space

    One of the ways that you can begin to think about improving the rhythm is to notice the space between the beats. So often, we only think about the beats. The 1,2,3,4.  However, if we listen or observe more closely, we will notice that it’s really 1. 2. 3. 4. . And it’s the ‘space’ that we can use as a way to gauge if we are having a positive impact or not.

    A good quality rhythm requires definition – the space between each beat. Think of this as giving each step its own time and place. This helps your horse move more fluidly and encourages relaxation and balance.

    Action Step: Notice the space between each beat as your horse walks. Using your aids, especially your half halt, see if you can begin to create more clarity between each beat But make sure you’re not disrupting the rhythm itself.

    Step 3: Rhythm versus Tempo

    What many riders find useful is to slow the temp but to allow the rhythm to remain unchanged.  However, where they go ‘wrong’ is that they slow the horse down – not just the tempo!  It’s essential to understand that rhythm and tempo are related but different. Rhythm is the pattern or sequence of repeating footfalls; tempo is the speed at which that rhythm repeats.

    Speeding up or slowing down the tempo, especially when unintentionally done, can negatively disrupt the rhythm. Instead, focus on achieving a rhythm you like first, then find a tempo that supports it.

    Action Step: Once you’ve found a rhythm you like, begin playing with adjusting the tempo.  Remember, it’s the same sequence or pattern, there will just be more or less of them, the 1. 2. 3. 4. , over a set period or distance.

    Step 4: Maintaining Forwardness

    The next challenge you might experience is that your gait (in this case the walk) will begin to lack energy or forwardness. Without forwardness, a good-quality rhythm becomes impossible.  Often by intentionally slowing the tempo too much, we can sacrifice the energy.  And this, will in turn, ruin the pattern!

    Energy, both physical and mental, is essential for rhythm. Forwardness doesn’t mean rushing – it means that your horse is engaged, active, and moving with purpose. 

    Action Step: Continue to experiment with rhythm and tempo while ensuring that your horse maintains forwardness.  If the rhythm itself changes, such as it becomes inconsistent or begins to feel ‘stuck in the mud’, there’s a good chance that you’ve lost forwardness. Re-establish and try again.

    Step 5: Moving Out of Walk

    Each gait has its own unique rhythm and tempo:

    Walk: As I have mentioned, the walk is a four-beat gait. This coupled with the fact that it is naturally slower, makes it easier for riders to work with. But this is also why we, the riders, can end up having a longer-term negative impact on it. So be careful!

    Trot: The trot is a two-beat gait. This can often feel really fast (think sewing machine!), or really slow (think dragging the back legs and barely moving forward!).  Play with using your aids and how you post to influence the rhythm. And then work on how well you can maintain through different movements and patterns.

    Canter:  The canter has a natural 3-time beat. The second beat is made up of two hooves moving together in a diagonal pair. However, the rhythm is often compromised if the tempo is too slow. The ‘diagonal’ pair that creates the 2nd beat no longer moves together, and then creates a 4-beat rhythm. This is not canter!  Forwardness here is crucial.

    Action Step: Work on each gait individually. Start by noticing what the current rhythm is and then, the space in between the beats.  From there, play with the tempo inside of that gait, without changing the rhythm.

    Step 6: Maintain Rhythm Through Changes

    Once you understand and are comfortable identifying the sequence and tempo at a basic level in each gait, you are ready to begin practicing how to maintain it.  This can often feel like a challenge when you add transitions, turns, and circles into the mix.

    However, practicing this will help you to establish a consistent rhythm that serves you and your horse regardless of what you’re doing. Not just when conditions are perfect!

    Remember, rhythm isn’t just about “having a beat.” It’s about creating a consistent, clear structure that helps your horse move in harmony with you. Once you can identify where you and your horse are right now, you can then begin to create clarity around every single beat going forward.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

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  • [Training Scale] Part 1 – Finding Rhythm in Your Training

    [Training Scale] Part 1 – Finding Rhythm in Your Training

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    Rhythm is often a funny thing when riding.  The reason for this is that rhythm, in the true sense of the word, is any beat that is on repeat… And, most horses tend to have a beat or two that they repeat.  This leads many riders to struggle with rhythm.  Their question is “if there already is a rhythm, why is it something to work and develop?”.  And that is a mighty fine question…

    All rhythm is not made equal when it comes to horses, riding, and a general way of going. As riders, we need to find the correct rhythm that we want to repeat; and then make that happen regardless of what questions we ask…

    What is ‘Good Rhythm’?

    I often find that it is easier to begin explaining what ‘good rhythm’ is not. Have you ever been on a horse that feels like they are ‘sliding’ rather than walking?  It kinda feels like their legs are moving so quickly, that they might be moving together? But they’re not jig-jogging or trotting? They are also not gaited…

    The challenge here is that instead of being able to clearly identify a distinct 4 beat rhythm in each stride of the walk, the ‘beats’ are overlapping a little.  The left legs feel like they are almost moving together, and then the right legs.  Resulting in that ‘sliding’ feeling we just spoke about.

    Any rhythm is not a good rhythm when working your horse.  The indistinguishable beat produced by the horse ‘sliding’, while it is a rhythm – it continuously repeats itself – is not the rhythm we want in the walk. 

    A ‘good rhythm’ in the walk will have a clear one-two-three-four, one-two-three-four, one-two-three-four, on repeat.  Clear, distinctive beats that repeat consistently over a period of time.  This applies to the one-two, one, two, one-two, one-two, of the trot.  And the one-two-three, one-two-three, one-two-three, of the canter.

    Can Rhythm Be Improved?

    Okay, so once we can see what a basic ‘good rhythm’ sounds like in walk, trot, and canter, the next question often divides people.  Some riders believe that no, we cannot improve rhythm.  Doing so, or trying to do so, is asking the horse to do something unnatural for their unique abilities and as a unique individual.

    Similarly, there are other riders who believe the exact opposite; yes, you can totally change and ‘reform’ your horse’s rhythm to be different and better.  I’m not a huge fan of absolutes and ‘cookie cutter’ approaches when it comes to horses.  I tend to land somewhere in the middle of this debate…

    I believe that we can ‘enhance’ the rhythm each horse naturally has, particularly when it comes to helping them develop balance and strength through correct training methods, consistency, and time. 

    This means that, yes, each horse has their unique way of going.  However, through correct training, riders can ‘polish’ what is already there so that it becomes both more apparent and more beneficial to the horse’s way of going in general.

    How Do You ‘Develop’ Rhythm?

    I think that it is first of all important to understand the essential relationship that exists between rhythm and relaxation.  In my experience, when one is lost, the other will follow suit very quickly soon afterward!  In fact, many times the reason the rhythm is not ‘good’ to begin with is because of a lack of true relaxation in the horse and rider. I have written and spoken a lot about relaxation previously HERE, HERE & HERE (with more links at the bottom of each of those posts).

    Relaxation, in horse riding, is a word we use to describe how well the tension is being managed in both horse and rider in direct relation to the movement or task being performed at that point in the ride. 

    This means that the relaxation involved in walking to the arena and while warming up will look very different from the relaxation required to jump a 1.4m jump. Neither is better, neither is more correct.  They are different based on the question begin asked.

    To begin working on developing rhythm, it is first essential to identify if there is true relaxation present.  From there, depending on what you are doing (the question you are asking), simply allow your horse to move forward. As he moves forward, a pattern or beat will become noticeable.

    The rhythm that you experience when your horse is walking, trotting, or cantering while relaxed is the rhythm you can begin working with to enhance as you move forward. 

    And What is Tempo?

    Now, this is where I need you to pay close attention…!  So many riders think that rhythm and tempo as the same thing.  And that those words can be used interchangeably.  They are not and they shouldn’t! Rhythm and tempo are related to each other, but they are different.

    Tempo is how often a single rhythm occurs in a given measured space.  This can be measured using time or distance. 

    How often did the one-two-three-four, one-two-three-four, one-two-three-four, of the walk occur between two set poles for example or two points in the arena.  Or how often it repeated in a 15-second duration of time.

    When the tempo increases, or decreases, the rhythm remains the same.  It will just happen more or less often in a given time or space. 

    Maintaining as You’re Working

    Once you have a baseline, the next part of really developing your horse’s rhythm is to notice how this baseline changes when you ask different questions. For many riders, they may notice that the beat remains the same, however the tempo increases or decreases.

    An example of rhythm remaining the same but tempo increasing is often seen when a rider asks their horse to transition into canter through trot.  The one-two, one-two, one-two, of the trot begins to repeat itself far more quickly.

    Similarly, this can go the other way when a rider rides through a corner or bend.  The one-two, one-two, one-two rhythm of the trot decrease in how often it repeats.  The pattern or beat itself remains, but the tempo (how often that rhythm occurs) becomes less.

    I think that noticing where there are changes to both rhythm and tempo when you ask different basic questions of your horse is where you can begin when it comes to working on this. 

    Putting All the Pieces Together

    Again, the true rhythm will only really be there when there is also true relaxation and forwardness.  As you begin working with your horse, look for where any of these are being lost and really notice the effect it has on the rhythm.

    Many horses will become unbalanced, literally taking an ‘odd step’ that feels different to the others.  This will cause the one-two-three-four, one-two-three-four, to change.  Maybe it will feel like one-two—-threefour, or something else.

    Also keep in mind that the bigger the questions, the more likely it will be that this basic will be lost. 

    However, coming back to the basics again of relaxation, forwardness, and rhythm will allow you to begin working on developing the necessary strength in your horse to sustain a truly consistent beat throughout the ride.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

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  • Canter to Improve the Trot

    Canter to Improve the Trot

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    Have you noticed how, very often, there are only two ‘gears’ when trotting; a good, forward trot or a bland, shuffle trot? However, changing from the latter to the former can often be one of the more difficult aspects of trotting.  If so, have you ever considered using the canter to improve the trot?

    Sounds too good to be true, but very often a good, forward canter can be the simple catalyst from that mediocre flat shuffle, to that wonderful springy and engaged trot.

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    However, like everything worth doing in life, the canter must be of good quality, and the transitions both into and out of the canter from the trot will often dictate just how effective this technique will be to your horse’s schooling.

    What Makes a Good Trot?

    So, before we go any further, let’s chat quickly about what exactly makes a good trot.  The trot itself is usually quite easy to establish a rhythm, the 1.. 2.. 1.. 2.. almost setting itself up each stride.  The trouble for many riders is then regulating the tempo of that rhythm.

    If the rhythm is the 1.. 2.. 1.. 2.. the tempo is how often that 1.. 2.. rhythm occurs in any set period of time or distance.  

    For example, take the long side of a 60m arena.  By adjusting the tempo of the trot rhythm, you can either have a lot of ‘quick’ 12121212s occurring, or you can have fewer 1…… 2…… 1…… 2……. happening in the same distance.

    So when many riders begin trotting, establishing the rhythm and tempo is often not a problem.  But as soon as they begin to make adjustments to the trot, one (usually the tempo) or both can very quickly become erratic.   Those adjustments can be half halts, shortening the stride, lengthening the stride, or asking for a transition either up or down to a different gait, or within the gait itself.

    In fact, even just beginning to activate the hind quarters and connect the horse a little more very often results in a loss of rhythm and tempo.  This is where we see many horses either begin to run in the trot, or become heavy and lean on the rider’s hand.

    Canter to Improve the Trot

    Riding the canter to improve the trot will help riders to firstly become more quiet in the saddle. It also improves the riders skills in noticing if the gait itself is a quality one to begin with

    Because of the transitions between trot and canter, riders may want to rather ride in a sitting trot when riding the trot.  However, I strongly suggest just using the sitting trot for the actual transition.  Post or rise to the trot when working in the trot.  The reason I say this is because, in order to improve the quality of the trot, the horse must first engage his hindquarters.

    For this to happen, the energy being created there must be allowed to connect through, underneath the rider and saddle, from the back to the front

    Using Your Energy Wisely

    However, it has been my experience that when working between trot and canter for any length of time, riders tire quickly.  This causes them to begin ’slouching’ through their upper body and this, in turn, results in them ‘shutting down’ that flow of energy necessary for the horse to truly work in a quality trot.

    So, for the duration of this exercise, I suggest working in rising or posting to the trot where you can, to give both yourself and your horses back a little break!

    Start with ‘Forward’

    Start by asking your horse to work in what you would consider a forward-going ‘working trot’.  Focus on the rhythm and then the tempo, particularly as you work through corners or change rein.  Can your horse remain to maintain consistency in both?  Many riders wonder if the trot is indeed a ‘working trot’.

    The next part of the exercise will quickly tell you either way if your trot is working, or shuffling!

    Using Canter to Improve the Trot

    Using Half Halts to Prepare

    Begin to prepare your horse for canter.  Use your half halts, but all the while paying close attention to the aforementioned rhythm and tempo.  I also think noticing how straight your horse remains through the transition is important.  Do his hindquarters swing or drift?  Does he ‘curl’ around your inside leg?  Or perhaps he is bracing against your inside leg…?  If you notice any of the above, take this as your cue to begin working through these more basic evasions, before you allow your horse to canter.

    You may find maintaining the rhythm and, in particular, tempo as your horse transitions into canter from the trot rather difficult.  This is what your focus should be on throughout the schooling session.

    Think of ‘you ask – he responds’

    Working Forward in the Canter

    Once in the canter, firstly make sure the canter is moving forward and actually taking you somewhere.  One of the reasons we can use the canter to improve the trot is because the canter often has naturally more energetic and rolling energy with it.  Having to push and kick at every stride is not forward.  But it is important to note that allowing your horse to run like a wild thing around the arena is also not a forward canter.

    The canter can be classed as ‘forward’ if the energy is taking  you somewhere and that somewhere is dictated by you.  You can influence where it goes and how much is allowed ‘out’ at any give time in the gait

    The Canter to Trot Transition

    Once you have indeed established a forward canter, you can begin thinking about transitioning back into the trot.  Again, maintaining the rhythm and tempo is vitally important.  What is also important is the fact that you ‘allow’ your horse to trot.

    There is a split second, that you will feel, when your horse actually takes that step that transitions him from the canter into the trot.  In order to do this he must ‘land’ into the trot. And you must ‘allow’ or ‘soften’ through your hand so he can indeed move forward into the trot

    This is also where I suggest posting or rising from the first step.  This way, when you have ‘allowed’ him to continue to move forward, that energy in his hind quarters can indeed connect with the front end.  It will feel like he is ‘swinging’ underneath you.

    Feeling the Difference to the Trot

    Many riders find that the first time they really ride a good trot with their horse, the bounce is a little too much for them.  Again, rising or posting will help you initially.  Then, later, as you become more supple and allowing through your body, you can start moving with your horse and this new energy in sitting trot.

    You can use the canter to improve the trot both in the saddle and on the ground.  The same principles can be applied when lunging your horse with the added bonus of actually being able to see the results, rather than feel them

    Keep in mind that in order for your horse to improve and develop himself, it is your responsibility to establish and maintain that straightness, rhythm, and tempo.  Work towards being able to move up and down, through your horse’s gears, without losing any of the above.

    It is also vital that your horse continues to ‘move forward’ at all times; taking you somewhere.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

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  • Rhythm and Tempo and Adjusting the Stride

    Rhythm and Tempo and Adjusting the Stride

    Do you sometimes find yourself confused about the differences between rhythm and tempo and adjusting the stride of your horse when riding?

    Is is all a bit confusing whether or not while adjusting your horse’s stride, you are continuing  ‘maintain the rhythm’ or keeping a ‘consistent tempo’?

    In this blog post I want to quickly help you begin to identify the difference between rhythm and tempo, so you can work on improving and maintaining both in your riding.

    Begin in Walk

    I am going to suggest starting your work on rhythm and tempo in walk with your horse.  Begin by trying to identify the 4 time beat of your horse’s footfalls while he walks around the arena.

    Every stride your horse takes in walk should have a definitive 4 beat rhythm to it.  

    Those four beat; 1, 2, 3, 4,   1, 2 ,3, 4,   1, 2, 3, 4,   1, 2, 3, 4,  including the ‘quiet space’ in between the 4 and 1 make up the rhythm of your horses walk.   Think of it like the beat of your horses ‘walking dance’.  It is repetitive and ongoing as you walk around the arena.

    The Difference Between Rhythm and Tempo in the Walk

    Now, if you were to suddenly push your horse forward to a faster walk, those hoof falls would probably become 1,2,3,4, 1,2,3,4, 1,2,3,4, 1,2,3,4, .  Notice how the elements of the rhythm are the same as above, but they happening much faster?

    The rhythm is the sequence of footfalls within each stride.  The tempo is how often this sequence occurs in a given or set period or distance

    The tempo can be faster or slower…  Same rhythm, but just repeated more often in the same amount of time or space, or less often as the case may be if you were to slow things down.

     

    Rhythm and tempo and adjusting the stride

    So Rhythm is the actual pattern of the hoof falls; Tempo is how fast or slow they are occurring in a given time or space.

    Starting to Work in Trot

    Once you can identify the rhythm in the walk, I suggest picking up trot.  Spend a little time in firstly establishing the 1, 2, 1, 2, rhythm of the trot.

    If your horse was to suddenly change into the 1…, 2…, 1., 2.., 1…, 2., 1.., 2…, beat of the trot; his rhythm would have changed.

    When you can feel and count the rhythm of the trot, you can begin to experiment a little with changing the tempo up and down.  However remember to maintain the same rhythm throughout the trot itself.

    Keep in mind that often, when we are adjusting the stride, we don’t want to change the tempo or the rhythm, but we still would like to adjust the length of the stride.  Here, we ask our horse to cover more or less ground while continuing to maintain the same tempo and rhythm in the trot.

    Your horse can do this by either lifting his legs higher with each stride, to shorten the distance covered.   Or stretching his legs forward more with each stride, to increase the distance covered.

    This involves quite a lot of discipline and training for your horse to achieve.  It also involves you asking the correct questions and giving the correct directions at the correct time.

    I have more information for you on improving the trot and on basic rhythm listed below

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

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