As you warm your horse up, you should also be using that time to check in on him to ensure that his focus is on you and not everything else happening in the arena. Having your horse's attention on you and what you're asking him to do during the warmup will help you figure out what you need to work on during your actual riding session.
If you ask him to focus his attention on you and he's stiff going one direction, or dull to your leg, you can make a mental note of it and include some exercises in your training session for the day to address those issues.
One
As I cruise my horse around the arena, I leave my reins at a drape and see how she responds to being in the arena. Within a few minutes of walking, she puts both her ears up and fixates on the cattle in the pen behind the arena. My horse has officially checked out on me and has checked in on the cattle in the pen behind us.
Two
Because her ears are focused on the cattle in the pen behind the arena, I go to my hand and leg to get control of her hind end. I use her feet to get control of her brain again and remind her to focus on what I'm asking of her and not locking on to what the cattle are doing.
Bu hikaye Horse and Rider dergisinin Bonus Issue 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Horse and Rider dergisinin Bonus Issue 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
JOIN THE CLUB!
Riding clubs of all forms can be found across the country. What should you look for when choosing—or starting—a club of your own? We asked three club leaders to share their insights
Help Is (Sometimes) Only a Phone Call Away!
Do you depend on over-the-phone advice from your veterinarian? Here's what you need to know about telehealth to help you understand what you can, and can't, expect
Strengthen Your Mental Game
Prepare your mind for peak performances with your horse by implementing these tips from reining trainer Shane Brown
Burning Off the Fresh
Whether your horse has gone unridden due to a health problem, the weather, or your schedule, a thoughtful process can keep everyone safe during his return to work
Ground Tying for Ranch Trail
There are many reasons to teach your horse how to safely ground tie
Pressure and Release
Listen to your young rider, and put your own feelings aside. Pushing too hard can drive them away from horses. Timing is everything, just like with your horse.
Nix Lazy Leading
Letting your horse slog along behind you can cause other problems. Fix it early to maintain your horse's responsiveness and respect.
Through the Eyes of Leroy
When their new horse started displaying strange behavior, owners Mike and Kris Stevens made it their mission to get to the bottom of the mystery. Now, the sorrel gelding rides in style with a pair of goggles that allow him to see the world without pain.
Things Take Time
Are you an overachiever with serious goals in mind? Learn why working harder and longer isn’t always better for your horse.
COOL OFF IN THE CASCADES
Head to a tidy horse camp in Oregon’s Cascade Mountain Range for cool summer rides among mysterious lava outcroppings and hidden springs.
