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Escarpment Magazine Fall 2012
Equitation tune up...
Riders develop habits, which need to be addressed
as well. Was your trainer constantly reminding you about your hand position, or that you were
leaning to the left? Is it time that you learned to pick up that diagonal by feel once and for all?
Have someone videotape you, or lunge you on your horse with the goal of focussing on your
position. Spend some time in the saddle without stirrups or look for opportunities to try riding
horses more or less finished than your own. Attend a clinic, or even a few lessons with a trainer
you’ve always admired.
A total vacation...
Giving your horse a complete rest, with turnout only, can
be beneficial, mentally, for some horses - especially a seasoned horse who knows his job. You
can supplement with some light lungeing, and ponying, in order to maintain fitness. I think this is
a better alternative to sporadic schooling sessions. I find that a horse ridden only once or twice
a week takes too much lungeing before he is settled enough to learn anything and this is probably
harder on him than regular work. Some horses take too long to bring back to fitness and sanity
after a lengthy time off and with these, continuing to train throughout the winter is a good choice.
Take time to bond...
For those who spent the season boarding at a profes-
sional training barn, one on one time with their horses may have be limited to supervised lessons
and schooling at shows, with the trainer doing most of the mid-week tune ups. It may be a good
time to move him closer to home. Ask yourself what you enjoy most about your hobby – is it show
ring success or the actual time spent with your horse? If you dream of daily grooming, barn chores
and even trail riding with friends, now is the time.
A new direction...
Keeping in mind that “ A change is as good as a rest,” try
varying the program by experimenting with new skills. I may have students start jumping or can-
tering poles. Some start on trail obstacles or switch from english to western or vice versa. You
may discover that your horse has an unknown talent! Finally, a rider benefits from a change in
the routine as well. Over the years by spending December and January riding and teaching less,
I approach the new year with greater creativity and enthusiasm. Catch up on some reading about
new techniques, visit equine trade shows, or simply take a vacation. Enjoy the winter!
|E|
The off season
is a good
time to
address a
training issue
that has been
put on the
back burner.
Maybe your
horse needs
a new job.
ESCARPMENT EQUINE
|
after the season