There are no problem horses, only problem Riders

There are no problem horses, only problem Riders.

Many riders buy horses that soon develop problems; blaming the horse the rider will soon sell that horse and buy another, believing that will solve there problem. Unfortunately those same problems are likely to develop again.

To become a good rider you must first establish dominance over the horse. This should most importantly begin with your ground work; leading, grooming, lunging, etc.

Developing basic riding skills starts with balance. A rider should sit squarely and evenly on both seat bones with the spine perpendicular to the seat. A riders shoulders should turn with the shoulders of the horse, while still keeping there back and head straight and upright.

With balance a rider should develop feel for the horse so to feel what a horse is about to do and prevent it. To develop feel for a horse it must be done without tension. If rigid and tense you are independent of movements of horse instead of with him.

Along with balance goes the use of aids and the understanding of there use. The basic aids are voice, hands, legs, seat and weight.

Your voice aids are used in conjunction with the other aids to reinforce commands and for reward or corrections. Never over use your voice for corrections.

Reins are used to contain energy and momentum created by riders legs & seat. (like elastic) and for steering the reins are used in conjunction with each other; the inside rein is the indirect rein (slightly over the withers) and the outside rein is the open leading rein (slightly out away) used to balance and support to achieve required bend and to regulate speed.

Your legs should be used with the reins when turning by pressing the inside leg at the girth and putting a slight amount of pressure in the stirrup of the outside leg ( which drops your weight or seat bone to the outside) and the horse will move under that weight.

Understanding all the scales of riding will help all riders develop comfortable and pleasant riding skills. The scales of riding are rhythm, letting go (the horse), contact, impulsion, straightness and collection.