Many nervous riders are co-dependent with their horses. Are you always making a correction? Do you concentrate more on what your horse is doing than where he is going? Do you have a difficult time keeping a secure and relaxed seat? Do you find yourself leaning forward, never finding the middle ground between urging your horse forward or restraining him? Is your time in the saddle relaxing or just hard work? Are either you or your horse tense?
You could be co-dependent. This article suggests an exercise to take the first step forward, replacing dependency with leadership making time in the saddle more enjoyable for both you and your horse.
Co-dependent Riders Seldom Relax
Insecure or inexperienced riders often apply constant rein or leg cues to keep their horse balanced and under control. Others depend upon the reins for balance. This habit may be evidence of a poor seat, co-dependency, or both.
Horses can become dependent upon this constant stream of input when subjected to it day after day. The weight of the rider’s hand on the reins and the constant leg and spur pressure become crutches. Horses that depend upon the rider’s hands and legs for balance never develop the confidence needed to perform well and be a safe partner for their rider. Horses who can never escape the pressure of bit and spur will eventually learn to ignore it, rely upon it, or rebel against it.
Self-Carriage
Good self-carriage is evident when a horse is well balanced at all three gaits; walk, trot, and canter. When working in a circle their shoulders remain level and their spine assumes the same curve as the path they are traveling. Good self-carriage also includes working with proper weight distribution on the fore and hind quarters.
How do you know if your horse has good self-carriage? Some horses are born with it and others learn it. Other horses are born with it and lose it when trained by riders with poor skills.
Horses with poor self-carriage usually stop on their front ends, jarring their rider up and sometimes out of the saddle. Horses who easily take both leads and work in both directions equally usually have good balance and carriage.
When you and your horse depend on each other to hold things together your horse will not carry himself well. It is difficult and frustrating trying to learn the skills necessary to perform well in any competitive event, much less to simply enjoy safe and delightful rides on the trail, when each of you serves as a crutch for the other.
Let Go Of The Reins
The first thing you need to do is let go of the reins – but not for long. If your horse is safe to move around an arena or pasture without bucking or bolting go ahead and begin this exercise.
Hold draped reins in one hand. Draped means loose but not so loose you can’t pick them up easily if necessary. Relax.
Sit correctly and quietly and ask your horse to walk. As long as your horse keeps moving let him go wherever he wants. All you need to do is redirect him if he is about to hit a fence or quit in a corner. Your horse needs to build confidence every bit as much as you do.
Once your horse is walking quietly on a loose rein, give just enough cue to barely get him to lift into an easy jog or trot. Begin with a set number of strides at the trot then return to the walk . How many strides you set depends on you and your horse. Repeat the walk-trot transitions until your horse begins to relax and move easily on the loose rein.
Co-dependent horses that are usually quiet may get nervous and begin to speed up when you remove the crutch they depend on. At first your horse may not know what to do with his new freedom. If your horse gets too fast bring him back to a walk and continue until he is relaxed again.
The Pay-off
Continue to build new habits of confidence, not co-dependence. The difference between trying to ride your horse and actually riding him is huge. Once you experience the pleasure of partnership, the reward will be well worth your effort.
Lynn Baber - Lynn Baber, Christian writer specializing in leadership, relationships, and all things equine.
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