You’re riding along and all is well… until all of a sudden your horse literally jumps out from under you. Or maybe you’re in mid-working ride and your horse is wound as tight as a spring; you just KNOW he’s about to explode any second… been there? I have! “Just relax and your horse will relax too.” Right? Easier said than done! Don’t miss out on this absolutely invaluable information below… 5 tips for those anxious moments.
- Don’t look at the object or area of fear. Focus your eyes on a spot in the distance and ride towards it. This prevents you from acknowledging the object as something fearful and keeps your eyes, head and balance up and forward.
- If you have a horse who’s perpetually spooky, try riding with a breastplate. This will give you something to grab if he wheels or bolts, other than catching him in the mouth when you yank the reins out of fear.
- If the horse is contorting its body to look at an object in or near your ring every time you go past it, instead of fighting to force him not to look at it, force him to look – but keep working. Ride a leg-yield or half-pass (or even a simple outside bend) that puts the horse’s eye on the object, but follow it up with strong leg aids that force him to continue stepping forward and working.
- If your horse is walking like a tense ball about to explode, pick up the trot and start riding figures like serpentines, figure-eights or small circles. Use half-halts to get his attention! Concentrate on the geometry of the figures and the rhythm of the trot. Ignore everything else. Some top riders sing while they’re doing this to force themselves to breathe consistently and release tension, and the rhythm of the song helps them create a consistent rhythm in the trot.
- Remember, the hardest thing for some horses to do is walk on a loose rein. The loss of contact with the rider can feel like abandonment, and they’re more likely to become anxious or startled. Although being able to walk on a loose rein is a must, be patient with horses who struggle with this concept. Begin by trying brief periods of loose rein, increasing the amount of walk over time.
*courtesy of myhorse.com
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