I Miss Those Big Classes!

We see many issues facing the horse industry today, not the least of which is the shrinking size of our shows.  This phenomenon seems to be crossing all breeds.  There is a strong trend among show management to add more classes, breaking down each class into much smaller, mini-classes if you will.

It no longer seems good enough to have Select or Limit Rider classes to encourage amateurs and there doesn’t seem to be any attempt to fill out the general ATR and AOTR classes.  We no longer break down age groups into broad ranges like 18-35, 40-and-over etc.   So often now shows are breaking classes down to their lowest common denominator where it seems each rider can have a class of their own!

Now I ask: is this the answer to encouraging amateurs?  Does this foster competition?  And I respond with a resounding “no!”  The excitement of winning a big competitive class has gone away for many riders.  The experience of riding the rail with twenty or more other competitors is being lost at most shows.  Instead, the aim of many shows seems to be “how many ribbons can we hand out today so everyone “wins””.  Are the competitors really happy getting a ribbon in a one or two horse class?  Are they happy receiving a Regional Top 5 for a class that didn’t even fill?

We’re not developing our amateurs into the best horsemen they can be because it’s no longer necessary and I think this is short-sighted indeed.  The future of this industry depends on instilling respect for horsemanship and the traditions it rests upon.  Good horsemen, amateurs and professionals alike are carrying centuries of knowledge and wisdom – competition gives them the opportunity to test and grow that knowledge.  Good horsemen are and should be pushing the standards even higher.  Learning and teaching better techniques, developing even better equipment; breeding even better horses (but always with the betterment of whatever breed in mind) and good competition fosters that urge to improve. 

Whatever your discipline, it takes years to hone your skills as a horseman and takes years to garner a deep understanding of horses.  The future of this business rests on people who are dedicated to making and taking the time to improve.  Those riders deserve the excitement of competition and of winning a big class filled with accomplished horsemen like themselves who are riding beautifully trained horses and who have worked hard to earn their place in the ring.

I loved the excitement of winning and watching those big classes and I hope you have that opportunity too!  Talk to you soon, JD

A Little Gem!

Here’s some advice that I was taught long ago and that has worked for me for years.  I don’t see it being taught much anymore though, which is a shame so I thought I’d take a minute to pass it along to you myself.  And best of all, it’s really very simple – one of those “little gems” that can make such a difference:  When a horse softens to your aids, you must immediately also soften. 

This doesn’t mean you have to “throw the horse away” but when the horse gives, so must you.  It is entirely possible to make a stiff horse even stiffer if you don’t soften when the horse softens to your hand or to your leg.   If you don’t ease up on your “aids” when the horse softens often a battle ensues and it’s not only unfortunate but it’s counterproductive.  If this battle happens often enough the horse will become confused and then resentful and some will even become downright angry. 

This advice applies to all of your aids:  your hands, your legs and your seat.  When you don’t follow the horse’s softening with your own, you become rigid and less able to “feel” your horse.  The beautiful rapport and balance between horse and rider is lost.

Riding is all about balance, rhythm and feel and there is no feel without balance and no rhythm without balance.  I really like to teach all of my riders to ride without their hands on a longe line.  This is an old-fashioned but tried and true way to teach balance.  (My best riders were always able to advance this exercise to include riding bareback on the longe line.)   

Riding without hands on a longe line is a great way to develop or improve your seat, and from there you can improve your hands and other "aids" and your overall "feel".  With an improved feel comes the ability to soften when your horse softens.   I hope this little gem from the past helps you improve your rapport with your horse.  Talk to you later!  JD

Turning to the Future

It was with great reluctance that we recently decided to retire one of our beloved stars from the show string:  VP Midnitestranger+//, better known as “Wes” (or “Wesley” to his many, many friends north of the border!). 

It will be very sad not to load him up in the trailer for that next show but he’s put in many, many miles and brought home numerous National titles so we’re happy to see him enjoy just being a horse again as he ages (and ages very well, I might add!). 

So…. now we look to the future and with horses the future always seems bright.  The future brings a new crop of foals, new shows at which we can make new friends and it also brings new horses into the show string.  While I continue to work with some of my current stars like SS Ekspressev+// (“X Man”) and Montego Bay Star (“Montego”) I really enjoy working with the new stars of the future. 

I have just started a new mare for the show string and she is wonderful but that’s not what is important to this conversation.  She is different and that makes the future very interesting.  Yes, she will be trained with the same techniques that have rewarded us so well in the past but there will be a difference.  She will have her own style and her look will be different than the other horses before her.   She is a new individual and I am so excited about this. 

To get the most out of any horse, you must recognize how that horse is an individual.  How that horse is different from all the horses you’ve worked with or ridden before it.  I love to get to know each individual then work to bring out their strengths, make their weaknesses irrelevant and overall: allow them to shine and be the stars they can be. 

One must keep turning to the future even when it means sadly parting with the past.  Enjoy your leisure years Wes – you deserve them! 

Talk to you later, JD

Bringing a new Horse Home

Often, horses that are relocated – maybe through a purchase or to go into a training barn – have little or no experience with travel or changes in their location or routine.  Horses being the creatures of habit that they are, as well as being herd animals, often suffer from a lot of stress when a change of their “home” occurs.

Horses that have not been hauled a lot can be stressed before they even reach their new home so whenever possible I like to haul new horses with a buddy.  I load up a seasoned campaigner who can help settle their nerves during the trip through their calm companionship.  I also like to provide hay for the ride so they can eat away some of their stress.

When I reach the barn I always make the horses (both new and my campaigners) stand in the trailer for a good 5 to 15 minutes before unloading.  This teaches the horses not to anticipate unloading and ensures good manners.  This valuable training can really help when you stop for a break during long hauls or have to set up at a show before you can unload. 

If possible, I’ll turn the new horse out in a safe place for a short while when I get to the new barn; maybe the arena if it’s empty or perhaps a solidly built paddock if I have doubts about being able to catch them again.  This lets them stretch their legs and start to adjust to their new surroundings without the added stress of being ridden or handled.  I’ll provide water if I’m going to leave them turned out for a while but I don’t worry if the horse doesn’t drink.  Often they won’t drink when they’re excited.

When I put them in their new stall, I always make sure they have a nice big flake of hay to dive into as eating is very calming to most horses.  When I can, I’ll stall a new horse where they’re near or can see experienced, quiet horses.  I personally also like to just leave the new horse alone at this point.  Many people want to hang around the stall to watch a new horse but I’ve found this is usually more stressing than calming.  Unless there’s some safety issue, just leave them be and periodically check to see if they’re eating, drinking and manuring.

With any new horse, I withhold all grain and concentrates, such as pellets, for the first few days.  After that I’ll gradually reintroduce grain or pellets as the horse settles in.  Depending on how much grain and/or concentrates a new horse gets they’re usually adjusted to their full feeding by the end of the first week.  Even if I’m going to end up feeding the exact diet a horse had at their old home, I still follow this same process to make sure they settle in without any issues.

I don’t worry about riding a new horse right away.  I’ll handle them and turn them out for their first two or three days and if they’re quiet I’ll start to introduce them to the sights and sounds of their new grooming area and groom them.   By the third or fourth day of regular handling most horses are ready to start work again.  With older, broke horses, I like to longe them for their first day of work and maybe ride them or maybe not, depending on how settled they are.  If they are having trouble adjusting, I might “bit them up” mildly to get them mentally prepared to work and then I’ll play it by ear from there.  When I do ride the new horse for the first time I also like to give them the company of other riders on experienced horses.  I might even pony a new horse off an experienced, quiet horse to help them settle to the arena.

Each horse is different and each one settles in at their own pace but by realizing that moving is stressful and by managing settling-in with that in mind, you can help a new horse succeed.  Hope these tips help you with your next move!  Talk to you later, JD 

Good Practice Sessions

I like to emulate other good coaching and successful player strategies in my own teaching and training so let’s consider what sports like basketball and football teach us about practice sessions.  As I work through my March Madness brackets (go Huskies!) I can’t help but think of all the practice, practice, practice those players have worked through to get where they are.  They’ve honed their game and built their confidence. They’ve practiced wisely and listened to their coaches.

Just like other sports, good practice riding sessions should increase a rider’s level of confidence in themselves as well as in their horse.  Practice should also allow riders to achieve a mental attitude that is conducive of winning.  But, one of the pitfalls many riders can fall into is a lack of confidence, which often goes back to their practice sessions.  Reality is, many riders practice by themselves and often they do this rather blindly, without guidance or a plan and they often practice incorrectly and fall into bad habits.

To have a good practice session (and I'm not talking about just an exercise ride), you must ride with a goal in mind.  You need to thoroughly understand what you are attempting to do and you and your horse must also have the necessary skills to do it properly.  It is absolutely counter-productive to practice “wrong” – and often when things are going wrong, riders will just practice longer which can quickly eat into their confidence, not to mention “untrain” their horse.

Often my students will ask me for “home work”, exercises they can do between lessons.  I love this, it means they’re thinking about their progress and are enjoying their work but I take care to only give them exercises that are right for their own and their horse’s level of experience and ability and that are unlikely to go "wrong".

During solo practice sessions riders must constantly assess their riding and how their horse is responding.  Riders practicing alone must be extra vigilant and critical of their riding, trying to find ways to improve.  Riders practicing alone must ask themselves: did I use my aids correctly?  Was my timing good?  Did I feel with my hands?  How was my seat and balance?  Did I help or interfere with my horse?  And most importantly: how did my horse respond?  Horses will always show us the way, they will never lie and will teach is to be better horsemen if we listen to them.  Your horse is a great teacher but only when you “listen”, feel and work as a team.

Sometimes good practice will mean taking a step back in the level of difficulty you’re trying to work through.  For example, if an exercise of multiple lope-overs is not improving, go back to a single lope-over or some less complicated maneuver.  Don’t ever make the mistake of thinking that grinding away at the problem will fix it.  Back down to something you both do well, then talk through your problems with your trainer during your next lesson.  Only good "practice makes perfect”, practicing "wrong" can eat into your confidence and and undo your progress.

Work with your coach or trainer to decide what exercises are best for you and your horse to ensure your practice sessions take you and your horse where you want to go!   Talk to you later, JD.

Venus, Mars and Pluto

Mares, stallions and geldings that is; yes, mares are from Venus, stallions from Mars and the geldings must be big boys from Pluto.  What I mean is, mares and stallions have very different behaviors and geldings live in a slightly different world unto themselves.   I love the old adage that goes “you tell a gelding, ask a mare and suggest to a stallion”.  There is so much truth in that old statement!

Horses are each very unique individuals but often I find that geldings are usually pretty easy to deal with because they are not as complicated as mares and stallions and they aren’t dealing with raging hormones.  Not all geldings are easy of course.  Their temperament can be affected by many factors such as prior handling and how old they were when they were castrated.  Some geldings will retain much of their stallion aggressiveness but most geldings show little or none of that aggression.

A down side that I’ve found to geldings is that they don’t usually have that extra “try” when the going gets tough.  Things like a late, late evening class or a minor discomfort might put off a gelding where a mare or stallion will usually “tough it out”.  I find that generally, geldings just don’t have the heart of a mare of stallion but they do retain the playfulness of “the guys”.  In their play geldings usually really like to face-fight, rear, and pretend to strike.  For this reason, some geldings do not do well if turned out with mares.  I personally like to keep geldings and mares separated.

Now mares: apart from estrous cycles, they too exhibit their own behavior.  They can definitely be opinionated.  Mares are more likely to kick when expressing themselves.  Mares will kick up their heels when turned out, for the pure joy of it all.  They’ll also kick as a defense behavior or when they’re just plain mad.  There are more problems grouping mares together than grouping geldings.  Finding a single dominant mare that will nicely rule and manage the herd is definitely an advantage.  Most herds of mares (anything more than two should be considered a herd) also consist of a second-in-command, a lieutenant so to speak and there are very definitely pecking orders in a herd of mares: top tier, middle tier and bottom of the herd.

And as for stallions, of course it’s always about getting the girls!  So often I see people either being too lax and letting their stallion get into dangerous behavior or they over discipline their stallion which can make them angry and frustrated.  Frankly, I don’t believe that most people should handle stallions but all stallions are different, just like all mares and geldings are unique.  The trick is to know the horse.  It also makes a big difference if the stallion is being bred and how frequently.  What is allowed in the breeding shed should never be allowed outside that area.  Stallions “talk”; they nicker and neigh to mares and geldings and this can quickly lead to more aggressive behavior.  The girl smiles and the guy flirts harder….  Allowing a stallion to talk can be the beginning of a very dangerous escalation.  Stallions are always fighting primal urges and can quickly start fighting with their teeth and front legs. 

Stallions also want to control mares.  During breeding they control the mare by biting a nerve in the neck so biting is part of a stallion’s natural behavior.  Biting towards humans must never be tolerated as it can very quickly get out of hand.  Stallions also play aggressively with their head and neck so when disciplining a stallion from the ground it’s important to make sure the horse doesn’t think you’re just playing with him.  All that said, stallions can have long and loyal relationships with their  humans when there is respect and the right amount of control and discipline.  I think too that they will give more “heart” when asked, if you have a good relationship with them.

All horses are their own individuals but stallions are even more pronounced in their proclivities.  Stallions must have regular work and exercise.  It helps release their sexual tension and is a great aid in getting them to relax and then focus on whatever it is you need them to do.

It’s all about individuals – both in the horses and the people who handle them.  Some of the worst “mares” I’ve known were geldings, some of the strongest hearts I’ve seen were in mares and one of the most affectionate horses I’ve known is a stallion.  So whether you like Venusians, Martians or the boys from Pluto, get to know your horse and celebrate him or her as a unique individual but never forget the indelible traits that he or she carries.  Talk to you later!  JD

It's a Process

To quote Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson "it's a process".  Oh, how true. You must respect "the process" and go through each and every step of that same progression with your horse, showing patience all the way through.  This is how champions are made!

Too often, people want to rush their horse's progress and, just like a quarterback who's unsure of himself runs out of the pocket before letting the play develop, the results are usually not great.  Just like that play, horses take time to develop - sometimes, a lot of time.  But, the discipline it takes to give a horse the opportunity to develop properly will yield many benefits, not the least of which are dependability and longevity.

This philosophy goes along with another Seahawks axiom: "learn the fundamentals and do them as well as you  possibly can".  Strong fundamentals are so important for both horse, and rider.  It can be tempting to jump ahead and start doing things you see others doing but, without understanding the fundamentals that the technique is based on you have no foundation to build upon.  The better you are at the fundamentals then the more solid everything you build onto them will be. You and your horse will make true forward progress.

In short, there really are no short cuts in horsemanship.  It's taken Russell Wilson a lifetime of play and four years with the team to develop into the quarterback he is today.  Don't rush, respect "the process", go through the steps and use your own off season to improve both your and your horse's fundamentals!  Talk to you soon, JD

Merry Christmas to all!

As I take a break today between baking pies, roasting peppers and starting the prime rib for tonight's feast, it makes me think what a wonderful time of year this can be if you break your routine and make time to enjoy friends and family and everything else that makes the season great.

I like to break the routine at the barn too this time of year.  The horses all know their jobs, there aren't any pressing shows for a month or two and clients are busy with their own families so I love to let the horses take a break too.  We still work them and make sure to get them out but rides are shorter, courses are less complex and we definitely just take some days off (especially "Seahawks Sundays!").  I think the break in routine is good for them mentally.  We all recharge our batteries a little before the new year starts. 

I hope you can take a break to enjoy the season too and from my family to yours - both two legged and four legged - Merry Christmas!  Talk to you soon, JD.

Why it Pays to Think Like a Horse.

I find that it’s really helpful in day-to-day interactions with horses, as well as in my training regimen, to understand how a horse “thinks”.  This understanding is not only an aid in training but often can alleviate or head-off situations that might otherwise lead to frustration or even anger for all concerned, including the horse.

First, it is always dangerous to put human rationale into a horse’s behavior.  Horses are absolutely not rational beings; they do not have the capacity to function that way.  Horses are prey animals who survive by living in herds and by instinct.  They are what are sometimes called “fear/flight animals” and their very survival in the wild depends on instinct, not rational thought. 

Every foal is born as an essentially wild creature.  The training process often begins the day they are born as we humans begin to build their trust.  This is why many people believe in handling foals at birth and why it’s so important that you work with the mare so she is trusting too, of the people who will handle her foal.  It just makes everything so much easier!

Horses definitely respond to the herd leader.  They instinctively follow the lead mare so, when handling horses, we should aspire to be perceived as the “lead mare” or lead horse).  In other words: aspire to be the dominant one in the relationship.  This is why keeping a horse thinking about you when you’re riding rather than say, a spooky corner in the arena, so often works. 

Each time you reverse a horse or change directions, it’s good to remember that the horse often sees things as being completely different.  Maybe everything is going A-ok but then you reverse and suddenly the horse is spooky, well, this is the reason:  Horses have fantastic memories.  They may remember where you are but it looks different, the light is different, the shadows different, it’s just not quite the same (as it might look to you and me) and that difference will usually be perceived initially as “bad”.  Again, this is how they survive in the wild.  They must remember where the winter grass is or where the water is or even, where it’s safest to graze.  This works often to our advantage but if a horse has a bad experience it can also be very difficult for the horse to forget and learn that things are now safe. 

Horses also have very strong powers of association.  They can associate one action with a reaction for a good 6 seconds but after that they have no idea what relates to what.  So, if they’re being disciplined or rewarded, you need to be quick about it or your action might just cause frustration or be moot.

All training is based on a horse’s ability to remember and associate and on a horse’s need to rely on a herd leader.  A leader the horse can trust and respect.  With trust and respect comes the will to accept training and be an enjoyable companion for humans!  I hope this encourages you to “think like your horse” more often.  Talk to you soon!  JD

How Tight Can You Go?

Or......use your space wisely!  For years, I have been teaching my students that making elliptical or oval figures is more difficult for a horse and rider than just riding an arc that follows a circular path.

Recently, I was giving a clinic and a hunter-jumper friend of mine expressed the concept this way: don't go big to go small.  I thought "bingo!" that's it in an easy to understand statement.  In other words, don't go wide - or out in an elipse - when what you need is a tight arc. 
   
Most people understand the concept of attempting to make circles that are truely circular, not ovals or egg shapes etc.  But, when you put Trail obstacles in front of riders and ask them to ride a tight pattern, often they start widening. Then they're struggling to put the horse back on track to go over or through the obstacle. and it simply does not work.  Instead, they end up with impossible right angle turns and approaches that are off to one side.

So, in short, keep it simple.  Don't over think the course, ride arcs the way they naturally flow.  Don't ride like you're trying to get the trailer into a tight gas station, instead, arc your horse's rib cage around your leg and see how tight you can go - don't go big to go small!   Talk to you next week.  JD 

Confinement and Containment

I heard an interesting comment from a fellow trainer the other day and the subject just keeps coming up in various forms so I thought I’d start to ponder it with you today.   The comment was:  “I don’t believe in confinement”.

Well, hmm…… that’s an interesting comment because at its most basic: all training is based on confinement.  The very idea of collection is confinement between the hands and legs of the rider.  Asking a horse to load in a trailer, go into a wash rack or even to be stalled is asking a horse to accept confinement.

The process of accepting confinement starts when most horses are babies and we halter them for the very first time and when we first turn them out in fenced areas.  And certainly no horse is born knowing how to be tied, bridled or saddled, that all has to be taught. Confinement allows a horse to live with and alongside humans and not only be safe for people to be around, but to keep from getting hurt by us and our things as well.

For a horseman, confinement and containment are interrelated.  A horse that accepts the confinement of being a domesticated animal has taken a big step towards accepting the containment that is “collection”.  Collection is really containment that puts a horse in balance by asking for momentum while using hands to keep that momentum from just going forward.  So, the horse that “collects up” is containing or “compressing” his body.

Another aspect of all this is the mental component of containment.  Horses must accept all these changes in their life, which is quite unnatural in their natural state.  But, in doing so, it allows us to care for them and most horses now live without hunger or thirst, fear from predators or suffering from the extremes of weather.  It will never cease to amaze me how the horses I’ve turned out during the day in their pastures cry to be let back in as the day goes on.  They know their stall means food, water, blankets and generally: a safe place to spend their night.

I guess what I’m really saying is that there is a trade-off between horses and humans, a bargain if you will.  We use horses for work and pleasure and by doing so; horses get a different level of care and attention than they would in the wild.  The trade cannot happen though, without some confinement.

I’ll talk more about this in a future blog.  Talk to you next week, JD

Man-made Stiffness

I have written often about suppleness in horses and how to achieve it.  I have also explained the concept of each horse having two distinct sides: one hollow and one stiff.  So, today I wanted to write about a related concept:  resistance or “man-made stiffness”.

Often I see people, trainers included, working to supple a horse only to have the horse become stiff and resistant.  The important word here is “resistant”.  When working with the horse, you must always find their stiff side, that’s a given.  If a horse is stiff on one side of the bridle he will also be stiff all through his beck and body on that same side.  And, you should never forget that after softening a horse’s stiff side, you will need to go to their hollow or “soft” side to help the horse balance.  But, you must also remember that there’s what I call a “golden moment” – that instant when the horse softens and the rider must soften as well or new issues start to occur.

Over and over I see people making the mistake of not giving or even relaxing when a horse begins to soften or “give” to the rider’s aids.  Once this happens, horses become stiff in a new way.  This man-made stiffness is because there was no release or “reward” for giving to the aids.  The rider keeps asking and the horse starts resisting and the rider keeps asking, often demanding more and more, and the horse continues to resist, often to the point of becoming angry but definitely to the point of man-made stiffness.  The golden moment of give and take has passed and it’s now an unfortunate battle. 

The basic concept that’s often forgotten here is that when the horse gives, the rider must give back.  It’s a two-way street if you will, and it can all happen – and pass – in the blink of an eye.   True, if a horse “takes” the bridle rein you must “take” it back.  But here again, you must also soften or “give back” to the horse as soon as the horse yields or, you start to create stiffness.  If you’re working on leg yields for example, as soon as the horse softens his shoulder and rib cage while going forward, you should soften the cues and encourage the forward.  Or, if you are just sitting on a horse asking him to give to your leg, stop asking as soon as the horse yields. 

The list of examples could go on and on but hopefully you get the idea.  It’s all about that golden moment of give and take!   Talk to you next week.  JD

Fundamentals

To my great surprise I see that many aspiring riders who come to me for help have not been taught what I feel are the fundamentals horsemanship.  Yes, many coaches put students on lounge lines to get their balance and they give their students exercises on horseback to aid in their agility.  But, I’m thinking of something different…

Horses are herd animals and we have become a society primarily of people who have very little or no experience with a herd of anything, let alone horses.  Most people need a lot of help just understanding the basic personality of horses.  There has been a lot of research on how horses learn and how they remember things, etc., but often I find that previous to me, no one discussed this with my new student nor was the horse’s part in all this really even considered.  Just sitting securely is not enough.

Too often, lessons avoid things like discussing and learning about the “feel” of the horse’s mouth in a rider’s hands, or say, how the rhythm in a rider’s seat can affect the gait.   Basic knowledge of how a horse moves mechanically is so often never discussed beyond the basic gaits.  I think it is important to understand why some things work and why some do not.  Why some things work on some horses and on others they are just a disaster.

I also believe all students should be taught the basic mechanics of bits, how bits should fit and why they work in a horse’s mouth.  This leads to a discussion of horse mouths and then onto why teeth are important, and then on to a general discussion of basic, everyday equipment.  Such things as why the basic aids work and why basic rein techniques are so valuable are often left un-taught.  It’s not enough to just tell a student what to do; I think it’s crucial that they understand the “why” and “how” of what they’re doing so they’re not just “doing” – they’re learning!

Yes, I am on a soapbox here but, horse ownership is dwindling, registrations are down in nearly all breeds and horse show attendance is shrinking.   I believe by teaching the art of horsemanship and not just telling a rider how to sit for a few laps around the ring, we can get and keep more people interested in horses and all that’s involved with them.   What a wonderful thing for all of us, and for the horses that depend on us!

Horsemanship can be a life-long pursuit – it certainly has been for me!  Next time you have a lesson, make time to ask "why" and "how".  It will be the start of a wonderful conversation that I hope will last you a lifetime too!  Talk to you next week, JD.

A Fast Growing Event: English Trail

In the horse show world nothing is static.  Events develop, new events are added, rules change and rules are added as needed.  The relatively recent addition of English riding styles to Arena Trail.  English Trail is still in its infancy as an event and is sure to evolve as more people participate.  Today we’re seeing primarily hunter-type horses join in this new event but it’s open to any English style horse so I expect we’ll see Saddle Seat, Show Hack and other English styles join in as riders learn how fun this challenging event can be!  

English Trail is a working class with between six to eight obstacles which the horse and rider must maneuver around, over and through while exhibiting confidence, curiosity and athleticism.  Obstacles are taken from the original Western class so include bridges, gates, back-throughs and of course walk-, trot- and canter-overs.  That said though, English Trail is not just Western Trail in an English saddle; the courses are usually spread out more than Western Trail to accommodate the longer stride of an English-type horse.  

 The event is designed to show the athleticism, willingness and overall training of the horse.  It takes a lot of practice at home so your horse is prepared for the obstacles it might encounter at the show.  The English Trail horse should be solid in its walk, trot and canter gaits and bold enough to get through the obstacles before starting out in this new event.

 English Trail gives an excellent opportunity for an English type horse to perform in a working class that is not a jumping or driving course.  To excel in this event, horses must be able to stride out to a 4’ to 4.5’ trot and a 7’ to 8’ canter.  Riders who typically work to that stride on the “flat” should also be prepared for a small jump, typically a cross-rail of no more than 2 feet (1.5’ for amateurs, 2’ for open classes).  And of course, various other poles may be raised just as in the Western version of the event. 
    
As with other English events, the horse is shown with two hands so this class is an excellent opportunity to work an inexperienced Trail horse that is beyond its junior horse years.  Additionally English Trail horses need not be as collected as you’d expect of say, a Hunter Pleasure horse.  The horse must be collected yes, but to a degree that gives them freedom to use their head and neck as they travel over and around the obstacles.  English Trail can also be a welcome change for that ring-sour horse that’s learned to anticipate the announcer’s call!

To meet the requirements of this event, one must be in proper attire, meeting the USEF or breed specifications for the “flat” version of their English discipline.  Today, a strapless hunt cap or derby is generally accepted but protective headgear may be worn without penalty.  The horse must also be tacked up in its corresponding and proper flat class equipment.  You’re currently not required to braid as you might for a flat class.  This may evolve but I prefer not to braid as a tightly braided mane might inhibit a horse’s ability to lower his head in a walk-over or bridge.

To post or not to post is also an evolving topic.  Poles in trot-over obstacles will usually be set accommodate a posting English trot but I advise my riders to sit the trot when executing serpentines or any other trotting obstacle that requires arcing, circling or is too compact to accommodate a solid posting stride.

English Trail will continue to evolve out from under the shadow of Western Trail so if you’re looking for an event that can help you add miles to your green Trail Horse or that challenge the abilities and intellect of you and your old partner, check out the English Trail classes at your next local show.  Talk to you next week!  JD  (And to see pictures of English Trail in action, watch for coming pics of Gina Heinricks and Montego Bay Star: Region V Champions in PB Western Trail AATR, English Trail Open and English Trail AATR - Congratulations Gina & Montego!)

Backsliding (Regression)

     Sometimes horse just go backwards in their training.  If it happens to you here are some things to consider.   Horses, like some people, don’t learn on an even trajectory.  There are many ups and downs and plateaus. 
     After a horse has regressed and then proceeded to “relearn” something, the horse will usually be more solid in his learning or mastering of a maneuver etc.  I’ve experienced this first hand many, many times but it’s actually been proven in laboratory tests too – with mice though, not horses – but the proof is in the results!   When horses come back after a regression they often exhibit more confidence.  Many times even seeming “happier” with the work they are asked to do. 
     I think it’s important to figure out what caused the horse to regress in the first place.  Sometimes it’s as simple as they need a break from hard work.  Other times it can happen after a long show or tough competition where the work was demanding and maybe a little over their comfort zone.  In some cases I change up their work for a while and then go back to the “old” work and viola!, we have good results.  In other cases I may decide that more of a change is needed and I’ll even back down on their bit, or spurs or whatever’s needed to get them back to a level they’re confident at, then we patiently work our way back up from there.
     Just break things down to a level the horse is confident in and be patient.  And, more likely than not, he will be a better trained horse than before the regression.   I can’t say it enough though; the most important thing here is to be patient, to not get frustrated with the backwards step.  Just calmly go back through the work, retraining patiently as you go, and you’ll be surprised how fast you’ll be back where you want to be.
     Horses learn by repetition, and they learn by making mistakes.  They learn in an uneven pattern but they will always go forward if you take the time to help them through whatever difficulty they are having.  Remember: it’s all about building confidence!  Talk to you next week, JD

Know the Rules

     I'm at the Region 5 Sport Horse Championships this week and can't even begin to count the number of times I've watch the TD (steward) call people out for various rule violations - some minor and some fairly serious - and in every case avoidable if only people had read the rules. 
     Before you enter a show or a specific class, be sure you know the basic rules that apply and what will be expected of you.  All breeds and associations have rule books - almost all are online now - that allow you to easily check everything you need to know.  You can read up on everything from allowable length of hoof, legal bits and equipment, and even placement of numbers and proper attire and, so much more.  Read the show's premium materials carefully too to ensure you understand the rules of the show ground and how the show will be conducted.
     In show after show I see good horses disqualified because their bit was illegal or something as simple as a chin strap was wrong.  I have seen riders score a zero (no score) for handling a gate improperly in a Trail class or disqualified for accidentally riding on course before the class.  I've watched stewards (rightly so) remove illegal martingales and other schooling equipment.  I've watched exhibitors be asked to leave the grounds because they violated a show facility's rule, and on and on and on.....
     It is advisable to not only read the rules carefully but to also seek help to interpret them from someone who has a deep working knowledge and understanding of the type of show or classes you wish to enter.  I also advise everyone to watch a few classes before entering them as this helps you get a "feel" for what will be expected of you. 
     By watching classes you'll get an understanding of what is expected in terms of tack and attire, right down to little things like where to properly pin your number.  The old saying "when in Rome, do as the Romans do" is good advice!  This advice also applies if you are changing the breed you are showing.  Each breed has it's own particulars and even peculiarities.
     Not knowing the rules is disrespectful to the other exhibitors, the judge and the class itself.  If you're going to show, set yourself up for success by getting ready both on and off your horse.  Always work on improving your riding but, also make time to read and understand the rules that apply to the discipline(s) you've chosen.  Talk to you next week!  JD

Starting Your Horse in Arena Trail

As I mentioned last month, Arena Trail is all about a willingness to negotiate obstacles and most importantly, agility.  The Arena Trail horse must negotiate obstacles with style and ideally never touch a thing.  Horses must be able to work over and through obstacles and turn and circle in tight spaces – all of which can be very challenging.  Working up to and through the maneuvers of Arena Trail can be very rewarding for both horse and rider no matter whether you just want to vary your work-out routine or your goal is to show your horse.   

To get off to a good start in this exciting event, your horse must already have solid, consistent gaits.  For Western horses, a lope with a 6 to 6.5 foot stride and a jog trot of 3 to 3.5 feet is ideal; with an English horse I add at least 12” to each.  The walking stride for all disciplines is typically a 1’ to 1.5’ but you should be able to shorten or lengthen your horse’s stride at a walk as needed (and don’t confuse short with slow.  Short means a short stride, possibly even a hoof’s length in distance.).

 The beginning horse should also have all the basic moves you’d expect of a “well broke” horse.  This includes a back-up, side-pass, turns on both the haunches and forehand.  The horse should circle well and turn easily, showing little or no resistance.  The horse will need to be supple in order to do good Arena Trail.

 I like to start my beginning horses with a simple jog/trot obstacle to negotiate.  The jog or trot is a good training gait and helps a horse achieve cadence and well as confidence over poles.  The first time I ride a horse over poles I set out just three poles.  A single pole with two poles about 20’ away that are a jog (3’) or trot (4’) stride in parallel, depending on what horse I’m riding.  Then, I jog/ trot the horse into a well cadenced gait and when I have it, I jog over the single pole and around and through the open space between the two parallel poles.  

This may sound simple but it can prove challenging enough for the beginning horse and the goal is to build confidence.  If all goes well, I’ll start to build on the routine - going over the parallel poles then around and through them, developing a good arc and maintaining cadence.  I may go over the two then loop back around and halt between the parallel poles to work on a balanced halt.  In a later session I may back between the two poles to work on a straight and unresisting back-up.   

These exercises are also good for riders.  The poles can help with your “aim” (always work the center of the poles). Poles help improve rider’s legs to keep their horse arced and striding evenly.  And, riders need to look ahead in Arena Trail so practicing turning your head, but not your body, to look at the next obstacle can help with overall “feel” for a horse.  Look up, look where you’re going next, aim for the center of that pole.  (It’s helpful to paint stripes on your poles or wrap them with colored tape.  This not only helps the rider “aim” for the center, it gets the horse used to seeing and working around different obstacles.)

As my rides develop and I think the horse is ready, I’ll set up a lope obstacle.  Unlike the trot/jog poles, I’ll start with just one pole, somewhere about five or six strides off the rail and at a right angle to one of the arena walls.   When the horse easily lopes that one pole, keeping a correct stride, relaxed frame and of course, not swapping leads, then I’ll add a second parallel pole about 6’ (lope) or 7’ (canter) but I’ll also keep a single pole somewhere nearby to go back to as either a warm-up or as encouragement if the double poles prove to be more of a challenge than I expected.

I like to then add all those poles – the trot/jog and the lope/canter – together as the horse and rider develop and get ready for transitions between the poles.  Jog/trot to lope/canter and vice versa.  And all the poles can be jogged/trotted at any time if you need to back down a bit to rebuild some confidence.

I work all my beginning Arena Trail horses with two hands because I can control their shoulders easily that way.  It’s important that the horse be “good in the bridle”.  If the horse is pulling or rooting with his nose, it will be impossible for him to go over poles in a pleasing manner and as obstacles get more complex, it will just be impossible to do the work.

About this time, I like to set up cones to jog the horse around and through.  I set them up wide, about 9’ apart to begin with, then serpentine through them.  I also add in side passing over a single pole and stopping and standing quietly by the gate.  Until the horse can stop at a gate and stand patiently, I don’t go any further.  The next step will be opening and closing the latch (or rope) while the horse stands still and, separately, side passing up to the gate and standing still.

During this beginning phase, as the horse develops, I add lots of small and large circles with stops and pivots.  I add back-ups in an “L” to both the right and left as.  I’ll continue the serpentines at a jog, setting the cones more narrow as the horse’s skill grows and I’ll start to teach a nice, simple lead change – and later a flying change – because it’s not just great for Arena Trail, I think it’s the hallmark of a “well broke” and “handy” horse!   Talk to you next week, JD

Ride With a Plan

(Hi everyone - I've been tied up with some other things lately so got a little behind with the blog but all's well and I'm back now and have several more written and ready to go so........ read on!)

     Those of you who know me know that I strongly believe that everytime you touch a horse "you're either training it or untraining it".  So whether you ride for fun or for show, it's can be really beneficial to have a plan in mind when you begin any ride.  First, you must have a general goal or aim in mind.  Maybe you just want your horse to walk when it's on the trail next time it's out with other horses.  Or maybe you need to work on improving passing on the rail or backing up in a straight line before your next show.  Ideas can run the gamut so look critically at your rides and determine what part might benefit from a thoughtful strategy.
     I advise people to identify problems or weak areas but there is also always room for improvement on most everything and since horses are animals, not machines, they are always changing.  Horses are not static so they're never fully "set".  And riders keep learning for their entire "riding career".  Even the best broke horse and most accomplished rider can benefit from a "tune up" ride.
     So, after you have identified your goal, you'll need to think of the exercises - for horse or rider - or perhaps the patterns, that will help you and your horse achieve the goal.  I also really like to vary my rides.  I find that horses blossom under training regimens that differ daily, offering different challenges for their body and mind.  This really helps keep a horse "fresh".
     Those exercises might include reverse arcs to help with shoulder issues, or backing up a step at a time to overcome an issue with rushing.  Exercises might be for you too - such as riding without stirrups to work on your posture or looking up and "aiming" at something in the distance and riding a perfectly straight line to it - feeling your horse and making sure they never lean on your hands or legs.  Or, you might ride with a focus on your own shoulders to make sure one isn't drooping to the inside.  Exercises for your horse could include putting out a cone and attempting to ride a perfect large circle around it, then spiraling down to a perfect small circle (harder than it seems! Don't let your horse lean in - everything must remain balanced!)
     Side passes, shoulders in (or out), canter/lope a circle-halt-pivot-canter/lope-repeat, shorten a walking stride to one step-count to five-one step-count to five, trot or jog over a pole and on and on and on - the possibilities are nearly endless but different exercises and routines all accomplish different things. 
     To incorporate a plan into your training ride you must also understand what the different routines and exercises accomplish and you need to be able to ride them properly so ask your trainer or a professional to suggest some "home work" if you're not sure where to begin.  And remember that something that works with one horse may not work well with another.  You'll also find that given your horse's discipline, some exercises just are not appropriate, maybe even counter productive - like trying to teach an English horse to do roll-backs.
     I hope this gives you ideas about how to ride with a plan next time you're enjoying your horse!  Talk to you next week, JD.

Arena Trail 101

     Arena Trail is about negotiating obstacles such as poles or logs and bridges.  It’s about handling gates of all shapes and sizes and occasionally even negotiating water hazards and dragging things.  Often courses are decorated with flowers, plants and bushes or other items to pique a horse’s curiosity.  Sometimes courses will even have a theme such as a farm (visualize toy tractors everywhere – yes, I’ve seen it) or even old cars! 

     Whatever the Trail course or its obstacles it can be a blast to watch the “go” of a well schooled horse that is confident and trusting, curious and athletic.  Trail is not only fun to watch, more importantly: some amount of training for this event is of benefit to all horses and riders – be they Western or English – and regardless of whether you show or not. 

     Most horses like the change in routine that Trail schooling brings.  It can help others gain confidence in the arena and working over poles can improve nearly every horse’s striding.  Arena Trail also gives riders a chance to vary their work, add new warm-up exercises to their routine and often improve their “feel” and general riding skills.  No matter what your goal, schooling for Arena Trail can help you become a closer and better partner with your horse – and you’ll have fun in the process!

     Modern Arena Trail is all about maneuverability, willingness and most importantly, agility.  The Trail horse must negotiate obstacles with style and ideally never touch a thing.  Horses must perform back-throughs, side passes and must be able to turn and circle in tight spaces which can be very challenging.  Trail horses must walk, trot, lope and halt when asked, with no resistance.  Often the courses are tight and transitions must be exact. 

     So…. Sounds like fun, yes?  But where do you start?  Arena Trail is an event that takes time and patience to train so it’s best to start out with simple maneuvers and build over time – much like teaching someone to read, you start out with the ABC’s, then a simple word, then get more complex as the student learns.  No matter what your horse’s true age, if they’ve not negotiated Trail obstacles before, they’re a new student and you not only want them to learn, you want to build confidence!

     I like to begin with one or two jog/trot poles or one lope/canter pole.  Trail is judged, in part, on striding over the poles and sometimes between the poles so, the jog poles for Western horses should be set 3 to 3.5 feet apart.  For an English horse, you’ll want to widen that to 4 feet.   As a horse grows more skilled in Trail the measurements can be more approximate but when I’m schooling a beginning Trail horse I take great care so the measurements should be as close to “perfect striding”  for the average horse as possible.

     I’ve had some beginning Trail horses that were curious and interested while others weren’t so sure about the obstacles.  Starting simple gives the horse the confidence it needs to build up to other, future obstacles and this simple start gives both horse and rider a good exercise in collection, striding and balance, used in a practical sense.

     During this starting phase those two jog/trot poles make a good starting back-through obstacle (though sometimes I have to widen them to build confidence).   I find it’s best to start teaching the back-through by walking the horse forward through the parallel jog/trot poles, asking them halt, then slowly asking for a straight back-up.  I’ll save teaching the horse to back into the actual obstacle for later, when they’re confident backing through simple obstacles. 

   A great thing about starting out with Trail though, you can always reduce things to their simplest common denominator.  Firstly, a horse must always be able and willing to do maneuvers without poles so I never teach maneuvers over poles until a horse is comfortable without poles.  For example, until a horse can lope or canter correctly, I’ll not lope or canter it over poles; the same thing can be said of the jog/trot and even the walk.  Until a horse can back up nicely, in a straight line, without rushing, I’ll not try to teach them to back through an obstacle.  You get the idea.  And, if a horse is afraid of the poles, I just encourage him or I’ll have him follow a veteran over or through an obstacle and before you know it, he’s doing it on his own.  I never punish an inexperienced horse over poles, I believe in letting the poles teach the horse!  And most of all, I believe in having fun while you learn and I hope this article makes you want to learn more about Arena Trail. 

     Talk to you next month with more on Arena Trail!  JD 

Bits

     There’s an old cowboy saying…. “a bit should fit a horse’s mouth like boots fit a cowboy’s foot”.   So, if a bit hangs too low or is jammed to high both can be uncomfortable and can discourage a horse from learning to “carry” the bit properly.
     Many people including professionals often don’t understand that a young horse has a shallow mouth because its teeth have not grown.  So an older horse might very well be comfortable with a thicker bit but that same but can be too much for the younger horse’s shallow mouth.   I usually bit up young horses with an average or slightly thicker-than-average bit.  Some older horses benefit from thicker bits depending on what you are trying to accomplish.  A note here:  You can usually tell if a horse is comfortable or not by how much he is chewing and adjusting the bit in his mouth. 
     Horse’s mouths change with age and they also change with training.  Horse’s mouths become educated and they learn to accept bits as their training progresses.  I’ve found that wet mouths make for better mouths but it’s not necessary that a horse be “drooly” to have a good mouth.
     The conformation of individual mouths must be considered also.  Some horses have narrow, shallow mouths with thin lips and some have wide mouths with lots of depth.  Some are small and some are large.   The thickness of their tongue should also be considered as well.  Horses with thick tongues will need bits that offer tongue relief.   
     Young horses often do well with bits that have some play and “pre-signal” in them.  It is just the opposite though for finely-tuned older horses.  The discipline you are training for also makes a difference.  Some horses just need to pack the bridle willingly and quietly while others must do complex maneuvers.  
      When fitting a curb, I look for one or one and a half creases at the corners of the mouth.  Classically, the curb strap should be adjusted so two of your fingers can fit between the strap and your horse’s jaw and the curb shanks should have a 15 to 30 degree swing but the mouthpiece should not rotate too much in their mouth.  And, with a snaffle I look for one to two creases at the corners of the mouth.
     With any equipment, the user – in this case the rider - is a major factor.  With the bit, the rider’s hands can be an issue.  Some bits are just not appropriate unless or until the rider has developed “soft hands” and has a real feel for a horse’s mouth.  
     I expect to and do change bits, sometimes frequently, as my horses age and develop and as they evolve through their careers.  Take a good look at the bits you use and if you’re not sure how each one is designed to work talk to your trainer to learn more.  Bits aren’t just common pieces of equipment; they can be fascinating studies in leverage and pressure and often, workmanship too.   I hope you enjoy learning more about them!  Talk to you next week.  JD