Developing leadership skills with your horse on the ground is a great first step in learning to
ride, no matter what discipline you pursue. A well-trained horse will yield to the slightest pressure from a halter or a touch in any direction it can move. Riding then becomes a continuation of the horse's willingness to yield to pressure. Here are a few exercises you can use to test your leadership skills to determine if your horse is ready for work under saddle. Does your horse willingly:
- Lead from both sides with very little pressure on the halter or lead rope?
- Match your strides when being led. Does he walk faster when you do; slow his pace when you do; stop when you stop; and step backwards when you step backwards?
- Move his shoulders to the right and to the left, ideally without any physical contact at all.
- Move his hindquarters to the right and to the left, again with minimal, if any, physical contact.
- Lower his head when asked.
- Stand quietly, and squarely, while being tacked or as you move around him.
- Can you drive him in a circle, changing direction from right to left, without resistance, e.g. bucking, kicking out or ear pinning. Although the different training methods may use different words to describe these exercises, the goal in all disciplines is to have an attentive animal that yields to the lightest possible pressure and does whatever it is asked with willingness, rhythm, relaxation and straightness. Classical riding has employed these "work-in-hand" techniques for many years while Western horsemen have brought them to our attention in recent years by referring to them as "groundwork".
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Once you master leadership skills on the ground, the next step is to move them to work under saddle. This can present some new challenges, even if you are 100% in control on the ground. While working with students at the Hong Institute in Copenhagen, Denmark who were studying animal behavior, it was surprising to
see that some of the students who had the best leadership skills on the ground, had the most difficulty transferring those skills to work under the saddle. Many advanced students who could perform the ground exercises with ease and grace and had willing and attentive horses but experienced problems while riding. These included bucking, rearing, stopping, running or an unwillingness to move forward.
What happened was that once the students were out of their comfort zone, which required that both their feet be on the ground, they unintentionally gave up their leadership to the horse. This most often happened at the very start of the ride, at the mounting block. Setting the Stage for A Successful Ride
Having a horse move or walk off as you are trying to mount is not only annoying, it is very dangerous. Many injuries to riders occur as they are trying to mount. By using the leadership skills you have worked so hard to develop on the ground, you can set the stage for a safe and successful ride by not turning control over to your horse during the mounting process. Using a mounting block is easier on you and your horse but the same steps apply if you must ground mount for any reason. Before you mount, look around to see what your horse might be distracted by. If your horse has trouble standing still and is easily distracted, having him face the door that opens to the pasture where he can see his buddies playing will make it more difficult for him to focus on you. You can make the process more successful, especially in the beginning, by making certain you are in an enclosed area, with minimal distractions. Begin by leading your horse to the mounting block. Make certain he is standing squarely, with his weight balanced equally among his four feet. Sometimes riders can set themselves up for a problem by not ensuring that the horse is physically in balance before mounting. An unbalanced horse may need to move its feet to maintain its balance as it works to compensate for the rider's weight.
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If your horse moves forward every time you mount he may simply be demonstrating a learned behavior. If, for example, you ask your horse to go forward as soon as you mount he may have developed an association between mounting and moving. Instead, try to build an association between mounting and standing still!
If your horse moves backward or sideways every time you mount he may be telling you that he doesn't enjoy what is next. Take the time to "tune in" to your horse's body language and determine exactly where the problem is. If you think your horse is standing squarely but still moves during the mounting process check for the following:
- does your saddle fit correctly?
- were you careful not to dig your boot into his side as you put your foot into the stirrup?
- did you mount softly? Or were you in a hurry to get your seat in the saddle you plopped your weight on top of the horse, causing him to lose his balance.
- does your horse enjoy his work under saddle? Is it fun and challenging or perhaps too challenging for him?
Once you are mounted, you want to make certain your horse stands quietly while you take a few moments to organize yourself and determine where you want to go. If your horse moves forward and you have not given him the aid to do so, your horse has taken on the role of the leader by setting the direction and most likely, the gait.
If you allow your horse to do this, you cannot blame him--even if it escalates to the point where he trots off as soon as you touch the saddle. By not correcting this behavior you are reinforcing it every time you allow it to happen. Be firm and consistent, but not punishing, with your correction.
The mounting process itself intimidates many riders. If you are a "nervous
mounter", you will need to make certain it a pleasant experience for both you and your horse. First, be sure your tack is secured and fits properly. A loose saddle that slips may cause you to mount too quickly and is dangerous! Second, a mounting block will lessen the distance you must travel. Third, if you need to, use a knowledgeable assistant to hold the horse and the saddle steady. There is no shame in doing this, especially to prevent an injury or reinforcing a bad habit.
Following these steps in the mounting process is the best way to set the stage for a good ride. Use your leadership skills to lead the horse to the mounting block. If your horse won't stand quietly and squarely, ask again until he does. There's no point in adding the next step, which is putting your foot in the stirrup, until the horse will stand
quietly. If the horse stands quietly, then put some weight in the stirrup. But if the horse moves, don't rush and jump on. Start over by leading the horse away from the mounting block, bring it back, setting it up to stand squarely, and so on. By breaking every part of the process down into manageable steps you can ensure it will be successful. If you have problems at any stage, go back to the step where you were successful and repeat that. Then add the next step. Depending on your horse and how long this has been a problem, it may take one session or it may take several, to get your horse to stand quietly. Remember to quit when you have made progress even if it means not going beyond the mounting stage. But even if you don't get to ride for several days, this time will be very well spent. Your horse will have learned a very important lesson that can lead to safer and more enjoyable rides in the future.
Building a better relationship with your horse requires a solid foundation in leadership skills and the basics. Trying to skip over these essential steps simply does not work. Excusing bad habits by saying " that is just the way he is" is not fair to you or your horse, especially since bad habits tend to get worse over time. What starts as tolerable can quickly become, at best extremely annoying and at
worst, dangerous. Correcting a bad habit is much more difficult and time-consuming than preventing it in the first place. The time you spend to develop effective leadership skills will pay off in a safe, fun, relaxed and positive relationship that you both enjoy.
Jonelle Reuland, owner and trainer of Gateway Riding Center, Oswego, Ill., uses an integrated approach to riding that combines leadership skills with classical riding techniques to help the horse develop balance and flexibility while the rider develops timing, feel and a secure seat. You can reach her at 630-554-1446
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