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Training Tips

By

Gail DeStefano

"You want me to do what?"

Many times during my lessons when I feel the student is ready, I ask them to drop the reins and ride without them. This does depend on which horse they may be riding (this can only be done with a quiet, calm horse) and if the ring is empty. I then proceed to have them do different exercises, starting with their arms.  Keeping their arms straight out (like a sleepwalking cartoon) they are to move their arms up and down in beat with the horses trot, one arm goes up and the other comes down.  It takes a few tries to get the idea, but, then they get into the rhythm. Up, down, up down.   This exercise really helps with feeling the horses trot.

I then have them place their hands on their hips and turn their shoulders in the direction they are turning. If they are tracking to the left, they will bring back the left shoulder and bring their right shoulder forward. The belly button should be directing the turn and the waist must move not stiffen.  If done correctly, the elbows will move with the shoulders. The weight in your saddle and your legs will shift and the horse will turn.  The students are always surprised as they are trotting along the long side of the ring and come to the end (many go to grab the reins to turn the horse) I ask them to not touch the reins but, to look and turn their body in the direction they want to go. Hmmmmm, magic.the horse turns!  I then have them do this off the fence, letting the horse go where he wants (making sure all jumps are down and no other riders are in the ring).  I then start them at the walk. They are to practice changing directions by only shifting their weight by turning their shoulders. Some horses may need encouragement with the rider placing a little more weight in one of the stirrups depending on which direction they are trying to turn. Other horses need the leg pressed against them.

Once the student gets the hang of trotting without the reins, the next step is to try and stop. I have to laugh because not one student says "Whoa!" They first try sitting but, keep bouncing, which in turn causes the horse to speed up. They then sit and grip and lean back, again this causes the horse to speed up.  I explain to them that they must just stop riding and sit deep into their saddle leaning back slightly, sitting tall and NOT gripping (using the legs to stop is more of an advanced move, not used yet).  Just stop their movement in time with the horse.  Just stop riding and say whoa. The goal of these exercises is to teach them to ride with a soft hand. I want them to use their bodies to direct the horses, not the reins.

Bouncy hands are another issue.  If you watch horses ridden by a rider that keeps their hands still you will see a happy horse.  Keep in mind that if your hands move too much by moving up and down or pull at the horse's mouth with each step, you are causing the bit to bang around against their mouth. This makes for a horse that wants to get away from your hands.  The horse may begin showing behavior issues.  The horse may begin dropping its head, tugging the reins out of your hand, keeping its head too high, trying to run off or trying anything to get away from the annoying pressure from your hands.

To help correct this problem, I like to keep the student without reins and have them hold a crop as if they had the reins. I have them do a rising trot, keeping an eye on what their hands are doing. Elbows must be bent and that straight line from the elbow to the bit must be imagined. The arms cannot be kept stiff and straight.  When the reins are used there must be a give and take with the hands.

The last exercise I love to have the students try can only be used in the summer.  You know, one of those really hot summer days, the kind of day that one time around the ring you are sweating.  I use a paper cup (one from my morning coffee) and fill it to the top with water. I have the students take the reins in one hand and hold the other arm out straight to the side, towards the inside of the ring. I ask them to trot and not spill any of the water. This is very funny to watch and the students love doing it. If the water spills on them or the horse they love it, even if the goal is NOT to spill the water. They try posting first and then a sitting trot. They are not allowed to look at the cup. We then check how much water is left in the cup once they have trotted around. The more they try the better they get. For the advanced students I have them cantering holding the water. I have a few that have even jumped with the cup!  I love when they come trotting back to me beaming and showing me the cup with most of the water still in it.  Like I always say "Riding should be FUN!"