EveryRider

Training Your Horse with Shapes and Lines

In a previous post I gave a brief description of the method of ground work in which I learned to train called Heeding.

Heeding is defined as a methodically applied directional pressure used to create a shape.  Read that part again.  My body is the most important tool in my training bag.  Until I really knew how to create a shape with my horse, the majority of my ground work was fruitless.

The horse has two lines of influence.  Heeding uses the lines of influence to indicate the shapes we want our horse to take.  By changing the lines of influence we can ask the horse to walk, trot, stop, back or turn and to do those things in the direction and speed of our choosing. 

The PRIMARY LINE OF INFLUENCE runs the length of the horse along its backbone, straight out the front between its eyes and straight out the back. We're not talking about an actual line but about the horse's perception of things in his environment. Your primary line of influence runs the same direction from your nose through the back of your head.

The SECONDARY LINE OF INFLUENCE runs through the horse's shoulders or yours from side to side. These primary and secondary lines are natural areas of attention for the horse.

Most horses are curious enough that when something new enters their space (stall or paddock) that they will naturally turn to take a look at it. If they don't, you might make a very small noise or gesture in order to get there attention.  By small I mean a small clicking or kissing noise, tapping your hand against your thigh, shaking a lead very quietly.  Then we move our secondary line just a little relative to theirs to put a little pressure on their "space."   

If they still don't turn and give you their attention, we do not make the pressure louder. We just continue the pressure until it becomes annoying enough that the horse decides he's got to have a look.   By annoying I mean similar to when you feel someone staring from car next you at a light, or someone reading over your shoulder.  You don't feel threatened but you feel a silent pressure that is "annoying" enough to look over as if to say "Did you want something?"

When your working with a horse in the round pen, body pressure works the same way. Start walking quietly behind the horse, lining up your primary lines. You obviously want to walk at a SAFE distance, as you are walking behind the horse. If you move left, the horse will turn its head to keep on eye on you. If you move right, the horse will turn its head that direction to keep an eye on what's going on. If the horse looks away from you, again make a little fuss to get his attention back on you.

Once the horse feels this pressure he'll turn and face you to put both eyes on you. This turning to face you is the first understanding. It says that even though you're following like a predator, you are actually safe. At this point I stop following, and stand perfectly still, and avert my eyes (staring him in the eye can be perceived as predatory.)

The next step is to walk directly toward the horse keeping your primary line aligned with his. If the horse says not to come any closer by starting to turn away or showing any sign of nervousness, stop and step back.  The horse shows a level of trust by how close he allows you to approach.

After doing this a few times (sometimes over a few days), the horse will start coming right up to you. When he does, move to the side and face the horse's shoulder. So that primary line on the horse's secondary line (facing the horses shoulder. You're going to use this position as a cue that tells him he's in a safe spot and he can relax. Scratch and groom him to reinforce this cue. As the lessons progress, you want to work both sides and continue building the feeling that whenever you're at his shoulder, he's safe. 

At this point he will most likely begin to follow your lead from the shoulder.  Meaning once you face forward (still parallel to his shoulder) and begin to walk forward, so will he.  Then if you wish to stop, turn and face the shoulder again and he will stop.  This is the beginning of shaping him using the primary and secondary line.  If practiced these beginning steps can evolve into free (without a lead line) lunging, backing, trotting along side you, lateral movements, and on and on. 

One more small word of advice on this exercise.   Just as you are asking the horse to pay attention to you, you must pay close attention to the horse.  It is a common mistake for a handler to miss the first signs that the pressure you are putting on the horse has become too loud. Usually the beginning signs are subtle and get increasingly more obvious but by the time the handler becomes aware that they have crossed the line, the relaxation has already been lost.  Some of the signs to look for are:  Holding their breath, Pinning Ears, a tensed back, neck, or a swishing tail. 

Heeding uses methodical, logical pressures to create a feel of a shape in the horses mind.  By paying close attention to the horse and being consistent in the way we ask our horses to move, they learn not only shapes and direction but trust and understanding. Horses are at ease when they just know what to expect.  Calm and consistent communication.  I don't think their asking too much...

A Perfect Moment

Its easy to bemoan the labors of horse care in winter.  Each day is full of tedious chores, of blankets and buckets,hay and manure.  For weeks now I've been counting the days until spring. I find myself checking the ground as I walk to the barn hoping for signs of anything green.  Its true that I'd give just about anything for a 70 degree day, or too see just one horse clean, but I have to admit that today I find myself in awe of the magic of winter.

This morning was the most beautiful yet since acquiring this farm. Everything was covered in a blanket of white.  Everything looked perfect. There are no signs of the ankle high mud at the fence line, the repairs that need done, or the paint that has faded. It's easy to get overwhelmed with everything that needs done whether its fixing the barn or finding the time to work your horse. Today I'm taking a few minutes to record a perfect moment of these less than perfect horses on my less than perfect farm and just be thankful that I have any of this to complain about.

Natural Horsemen and Artificial Aids

I am an advocate of natural horsemanship in that I believe change in the horse industry is long overdue. In the past most horses were used to serve human beings for working purposes, transportation, military, and agriculture. Now, the overwhelming majority of them serve to entertain us. There was horse abuse in the past, as there is horse abuse today, but today for different reasons. People often abused the working horses in the past, because of their lack of understanding and expertise, as many of these people were not horsemen and used horse for work. Now abuse stems less from ignorance, but much more as a result of vanity, greed and the desire to win at all cost. Horses of every breed and in every form of showing can be subject to some sort of abuse, but the abusers don't necessarily represent the whole of the industry. 

So, overall the shift toward gentler methods is a big step in the right direction. Natural Horsemanship is based on the philosophy that any dedicated horse person be the best they can be, but not at the cost of the trust and friendship of their equine partner.

This a great philosophy, and I'm glad it has gained the popularity and respect of horse enthusiasts.  More horse enthusiasts means more job security for people like me, and a kinder breed of enthusiast is obviously good for horses. A lot of the Natural craze today is a result of really good marketing by a few savvy horse people.  I would love to have been the one with the foresight and business sense to market the"Natural Horsemanship" brand in an attractive package with "must have" accessories.  The reinvention of the horsemanship wheel  sold as the alternative to more conventional training was brilliant. However, It did more than make a few horseman famous. It  gave horse owners the courage to question bad trainers, to become advocates, and to seek better ways to communicate with their horses. 

The downside of the way natural horsemanship is packaged and sold is that most programs offer a very limited and superficial understanding of horses and horsemanship. The problem is that while the heart of this "natural movement" is of good intention, there is a division created by implying that "classical", "old-style", "old-fashioned" methods - and, in fact, all methods but their own - are cruel and abusive. The reality is that Natural Horsemanship principles can be incorporated into all work or sport with horses, to help produce a better performance, to help produce a better horse.  It is important that we realize that Natural horsemanship training is a means to an end, not necessarily the end itself.   

I recently spoke with a fellow Meredith Manor graduate who took a job as a Instructor/Rider for a "Natural Horsemanship" barn. When it came time to get horses ready for lesson season she came across a new mare that was given to the school by a boarder who could not pay their debt.  She was to begin riding the mare so she could be used as a lesson horse for the program as well.

The first time she tried to mount the mare, and the horse began to walk away, refusing to stand still.  She decided to work the horse on the ground a little more first, attempting to get the horse relaxed and focused. When she eventually was finally able to mount the mare she asked the horse to walk on.  The mare pinned her ears and again refused.  She remained quiet and relaxed with her hands forward not restricting in anyway, asking again with a little more pressure.  The mare moved forward begrudgingly only to stop at the gate and again refuse to walk on. 

At this point the owner entered the arena and explained that she had been having the same problem with the horse and just to keep after her she would eventually go.  Within a few minutes the mare became increasingly defiant and finally began to rear.  The rider leaned forward opened her hands and tried to send her forward.  At this point it became obvious she had no intention of complying.  She had obviously played and won this game before.

My friend asked the owner if she would mind retrieving the whip she left sitting in the corner.  The owner glared and replied with a harsh tone "We don't beat horses here"  Surprised, she tried to explain the whip was going to be used as a reinforcement of leg to get the horse forward, not as a punishment.  The owner refused and told her to just keep asking, she would "come around".  Again the rider put her leg on and again the horse reared. When she came down this time the horse actually began backing up taking more than ten steps backward before stopping once again.

At this point the owner decided the horse must be sore and rather than creating a big fight that they should just take her back to her stall.  I cannot think of a worse possible way to handle this situation!  Not only did the mare have zero respect for the rider, but now her negative behavior was being reinforced.  So next time she doesn't want to work you better believe she is going to do the same thing or worse.   

There are many people, all well-meaning, and all interested in the kind and sensible treatment of horses, following a particular Ideology or method religiously with no solid foundation of knowledge.  You need to be able to stand back and look at what is actually going on in order to separate the substance from the hype.  Understanding the tools available and how to use them is part of working with horses.  Certainly artificial aids have the potential for misuse but, they can be extremely useful communication tools when used correctly.

“Natural” aids include the legs, the rider’s weight, the hands, and an independent seat. Anything else an “artificial aid.”  For that matter a round pen is an artificial aid.  If you are using the arena wall or the corner to help you shape your horse’s movement from the ground or the saddle, it becomes an “artificial” aid people use to shape their horse’s activity.  Round pens are not cruel and for that matter neither are whips, spurs, or flash nose bands. 

Artificial aids should never be used to punish the horse.  There is a difference between punishing and enforcing.  Enforcement means re-enforcing something the horse already knows, re-minding or re-focusing his attention. That's  different than correcting the horse because he's done something wrong.

A dressage whip should serve as a reminder rather than a punishment.  The rider must be sure that the horse completely understands the request being made  before using a whip or spur to reinforce. For example if the horse does not respond to the rider’s increased leg pressure,  a quick tap of the whip can  be given immediately. If  you repeat a request that the horse understands perfectly well 3 times before telling with the whip you will need twice as much pressure the next time the horse ignores the leg aid.  It is similar to a child pretending not to hear you not responding until you say his entire name.  Until you yell out  "John Michael Smith get down here right now!" does he heed the warning knowing this time your serious.

Whips and spurs are no more abusive than your hands or your seat or your legs. You can use your hands or your legs in an abusive way and you can use a whip or spurs to convey the subtlest communication.  The goal is to use the artificial aid to reinforce the natural aids so that the rider can use the lightest possible aids to communicate with the horse. The problem comes in when artificial aids are misused by people who either don't know or don't care. For instance, if you are not yet rolled in at the thigh, or you do not yet have  good control of your legs then you are not ready for spurs. You shouldn't use spurs to constantly drive your horse forward or to attempt to push him into a leg yield.  Its all a matter of using the tools responsibly.

We might be better off changing the name to "Logical Horsemanship"  or "Responsible Horsemanship" .  Maybe then we wouldn't get so caught up in the term natural.  There is no one perfect recipe for training every horse.  Horses are as individual and distinct is the person training them. Natural Horsemanship advocates that discount every "old school" trainer or every method that we don't understand or agree  with are no different than the horseman who refuses to acknowledge their may be a benefit to utilizing kinder methods.  Learn in as many ways from as many horses, and people as you can, because in the end we learn just as much from the good ones as we learn from the bad. 

Fit to Ride?

   

As the new years resolutions fade, and the winter blues set in, I've been doing a lot of thinking about getting back into shape. Since horses are my "real job” I spend most of my time in the barn. I muck, I feed, and groom, turn in and out, I ride, I train, and teach. Running my own horse business is a dream come true for me, but it can also be physically demanding and mentally draining. You would think being that active all day long would be enough to keep you in top riding shape. No such luck... Don't get me wrong, I do benefit from the physical work. With the way I've been eating since thanksgiving only needing to lose 10 pounds is a blessing.

The combination of cold, stress and exhaustion can make it difficult to muster the motivation to do what I know I should. I've been procrastinating, I admit it... Even now as I compile my latest research on rider fitness, I am sipping on a warm cup of coffee with plenty of cream and sugar with a slight taste of chocolate from the dipping of my delicious fudge covered toaster pastry. The good news is most of what I've read says admitting the problem is the first step. So, with that last indulgence out of the way let’s get started. 

Riding is an athletic sport involving two partners: a horse and its rider, each dependent upon the other. To do well, both need to be physically fit. But too often riders spend most of their time conditioning their horse and neglect their own fitness. One of my favorite mantras while teaching is  "You have to control yourself before you can control your horse." This could be interpreted as meaning to keep your temper or emotional state under control, but the actual meaning is somewhat different. If you are fully in control of your own body - if you are strong, flexible and balanced, then you will be able to sit correctly, stay out of your horse's way, tell him quietly and clearly what you want.
 
To "ride," therefore, requires muscle strength in all parts of your body so that you can apply the appropriate aids effectively to your horse. You have to have enough control over those muscles so that you can use some at one time and others a few seconds later. How can you expect your horse to be balanced underneath you, if you aren't strong enough to stay quiet, steady and balanced on top? While it is true that excess weight can interfere with self carriage, but being a fit rider is not strictly a weight issue.

That being said it is important that we take our own conformation into consideration.  At my fittest I weighed in at just under 135 pounds. I was toned and defined, strong and supple. I am not a little girl, I never have been. I have curves. Thanks  J-Lo for making it popular to have a little junk in the trunk, but unfortunately its not the “ideal rider’s body”. I know at least a few of you out there know what I'm talking about. You have an instructor that keeps shouting out to “pull your backside underneath you” to “straighten your lower back” to which you reply “I am.” Try as you may your body betrays you.

 Our own conformation is also in part determined by genetics and heredity. Our athletic aspirations can be limited by these factors as well as our present health and physical condition, previous history, injuries past and present, current fitness level and nutritional status. We don’t all have legs sprouting out of our ears that wrap around the horses barrel. We are not all natural born athletes. It can be frustrating to watch so called “natural riders” seem to progress with such ease, while some of us have to really work at achieving proper body alignment. Try not to get too hung up on comparing your self with the ideal physique.  The difficulties in obtaining the position of a balanced seat can be over come with a conscious effort.  I have seen mediocre and “overweight” riders become extraordinary riders as they learn to to supple, strengthen, and balance their own bodies.

There are several forms of exercise that compliment riding. Some are programs in and of themselves and require lessons. Other simpler forms such as walking, hiking or swimming certainly will help you stay fit.  If you pick a structured form of exercise to support your riding, please be sure to pick a sport that covers flexibility/stretching, strength training, balance, and most importantly equal use and development of both the left and right sides of the body ( ambidextrous ).

If I had to pick one form of cross training to help you get fit to ride it would definitely be Pilates. I noticed a difference in my riding after 5 workouts, and I saw changes in my body within 10 workouts. Pilate's - focuses on strengthening the 'core' of your body, which is very important in riding. Pilate’s is the only form of exercise I have ever found that truly worked my lower abdominal muscles. It attacks the dreaded pouch below the belly button that we all love to hate. Pilates not only makes you stronger and more flexible but it also allows you to work up a sweat, which I never achieved through yoga. If you can afford it, enlisting the services of a professional trainer is an excellent way to get on the right path. Consider having your barn bring in a trainer specific to equestrian riders' needs and train in a group.

This series on Pilates in The Horse Magazine for Rider is full of great exercises with detailed instructions and pictures. There are also several books written with the equestrian athlete in mind.

As riders, we all have different goals and aspirations and our fitness programs should reflect them! There is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to riders or rider fitness, therefore we each need to assess our individual needs and that of our horses in order to build sound fitness programs that are as unique as we all are!

Suggested Reading:
Less than Perfect Rider
Fitness, Performance, and the Female Equestrian
Equestrian Pilates

 

Close Your Eyes and Ride

How much does the mind have to do with becoming a good rider?  What is the connection between what we think and what we do?  Is it possible to change our mental programming, allowing us to enhance our awareness, learn new skills, become confident riders, all without leaving the comforts of home? 

When you are hungry driving home from work, you begin to imagine what you might have for dinner. As you review the menu in your mind, your mouth begins to water. Perhaps you visualized the ingredients you would need for your meal. You picture going through the motions of slicing the fruit, grating the cheese, opening the can or even pulling up to the drive thru. Chances are the more you thought about it, the more hungry you became.

In contrast, imagining the sights and sounds of a tension-packed meeting may make your head pound and your blood pressure rise. You may wake up from a night mare in a sweat or screaming, frightened and disoriented. You have to calm down and remind yourself that it was only a bad dream. These are just a few examples of the powerful effect that mental images can have on the body.

The mind cannot differentiate between reality and what is imagined. When you visualize something, your body responds as if you were actually doing it. Visualization is the ability to create mental images that simulate experience. The mind doesn't care whether or not something is imagined or something we actually do. Our muscles can actually learn new skills and refine the mind-body connection through visualization. Obviously you can't increase muscle tone daydreaming in your bedroom, you can however, use the power of imagination as an aid to create what you want to accomplish in your riding.

One researcher became fascinated with sports psychology after working with the NASA program, watching the astronauts rehearse everything on earth, again and again in a  simulated  environment before they went to space. He then decided to study the characteristics of peak performers. One of the main things his research showed was that almost all of the world-class athletes and other peak performers are visualizers. They see it; they feel it; they experience it before they actually do it. They begin with the end in mind.

That sounds great, think positive, imagine the perfect ride... blah blah blah... but how can I put it into use in a practical way. Can I imagine my self riding the perfect dressage test, do an I dream of Jeanie folded arm wink and ride in to reality? No, not exactly, at least not that simply or that quickly. Successful visualization and mental practice still takes practice. Start a little smaller. Let's say a 20 meter circle.

The night before, or morning of your next ride give this a try...

1.Clear your mind - I usually do this in bed, when its quiet and there are no distractions. Use    whatever works for you to clear the clutter. Some people like to mentally rehearse after relaxing exercise - yoga, tai chi, or even just stretching. Its not important how you relax, but relaxation and ability to focus are absolutely essential.

2. Bring forward what you want to Learn - Overcome - Prepare for. Employ all your senses. Visualize every detail. The clothes you’re wearing, your tack, the weather outside, the footing in the arena. Imagine your state of mind (positive and relaxed). Imagine your body being free from tension, whatever vices or tension completely vanished.

3. Now begin to imagine your ride. Sally Swift the author of Centered Riding, refers to this as playing your inner video tape. Recall how your horse feels, this rhythm and cadence. Each step around the arena. Picture yourself in perfect posture, executing each maneuver correctly. If you are envisioning a circle, ride through the entire circle in your mind. Repeat it as though you were actually doing it. No detail is too small. Visualize the end of your perfect ride in just as much detail including putting the horse away

Remember to imagine every movement in a positive way. This requires practice for many of us, as we all employ a lot of negative self talk when we ride. “This horse never listens to my leg”, “My transitions are never right” “I always mess this up”

An open mind and the ability to eliminate negative thoughts about your ride are the keys to successful mental rehearsal. Whether your practicing for a competition, practicing when your unable to ride, or working on resolving fear issues visualizing yourself and your horse performing these movements in your mind you will improve your physical performance. 

So the next time you hit a brick wall, don't ride an endless circle.  Take a little time to gain control of your mind as well as your body. Contrary to accepted belief the conscious mind does not ultimately determine our actions. Will power and determination can help you reach goals for the short term, but it is the subconscious mind that creates the permanent change in behavior you need to ride like a natural.