40/ MAY 2014 THE RIDER


The Need For “Yes” Speed - While You Ride Your Horse


than one to let your horse know his efforts are appre- ciated and he is on the right track. Just as you need pos- itive reinforcement, your horse needs to know that he can find his “happy place” while you are on his back.


methods of petting the horse and saying “good” certainly help to communi- cate your positive message. But did you know that there are many other more subtle ways you can say “yes?”


“quieter” aids will enable you to realize that commu- nication between rider and horse occurs as quickly as we can think - actually, no. It happens even faster than that.


ally connected to our horse through our seat and legs, our “discussion” speed can happen as quickly as our central nervous system can respond to the horse’s movements. In the long run, we might become even faster in our discussion


Because we are liter-


your riding skills, you will begin to recognize the ongoing physical commu- nication you have with your horse during your ride. This communication goes much deeper than a verbal discussion we can have with our human friends. Better balance and


The Need for “Yes” Speed. As you develop in


The two tried and true


By Kathy Farrokhzad. There are more ways


want to say “yes” quicker than speaking or petting is that things can happen very quickly on a horse’s back. So while you are flying off to the left riding through a buck, you might want to be saying, through your body language, “Stop the buck - GOOD!” instantly. Many a horse will find relaxation and security in the rider than can follow them in their language pattern and speed.


municate this quickly through your aids, the onlooker will not have any inkling about the many and varied messages being sent back and forth between you and your horse. However, the experienced onlooker might notice the telltale sign: an active yet calm horse working enthusiasti- cally in sync with his rider. And of course, the rider appears to be doing noth- ing.


“yes” quickly enough to help guide your horse effectively and efficiently while you ride?


9 Ways to Say “Yes” While Riding


maker or breaker of the inside hind leg. This means that it also affects the horse’s balance pretty


1. Release through the inside rein. That inside rein is the


So how can you say When you can com-


than we can think (thereby leaving the “thinking” moments for when we are off the horse’s back). Another reason you


When you want to commu- nicate harmony with your horse, try softening through your calves and even your knees. Work on lengthen- ing your legs from the hip so that there is only a soft angle in your knees, and your legs can therefore “drape” along your horse’s sides.


ent than the seat release. When you open, you in effect create an open space to invite the horse into as he is moving. So if you want to do a leg yield to the right, you can encour- age a “yes” when the horse steps right by actually opening in rhythm to the right direction. This is tricky but the results can be awe-inspiring.


4. Opening of the seat. This is a little differ-


much all the time. So if you can find an excuse to give a little “yes” through the rein, you will discover a significant method that communicates comfort and strength to the horse. He will appreciate being able to bring his hind leg under- neath his body so that he can balance both you and himself better.


2. Release through your seat.


almost as powerful as the inside rein release. While you ride, you can either brace your seat, ride pas- sively or release. Most of the seat control comes through your lower back, which communicates your messages to your horse


The seat release is


through his back. So if things are going well, you can let loose through your lower back so that you can synchronize your move- ment with the horse’s swing.


3. Softening of


than we need to with both the knees and the legs.


legs/knees. We often grip tighter


the


Once a horse learns to release his topline into an active stretch, he will always look forward to a stretch in either walk or trot.


favorite romp that makes


6. Do his favorite move. Most horses have a


5. Stretchy walk/trot break. Ah! The stretchy!


them happy and lets them know that things are just great. Find out what your horse likes best and let him play once in a while after a particularly challenging maneuver.


7. Celebratory hand gal- lop.


“stride out” when things go well. So instead of slowing down to a walk or halt, go for a run! Amp things up, get hot and sweaty and hear the wind whistle in your ears! You might be surprised to realize how much your horse likes this once he knows he is allowed to stretch out once in a while!


Teach the horse to


how you used to be able to jump up into a loved one’s arms as a child? You could hold yourself in a way that allowed them to hold you up for a long time because you were holding your own body tone to help them out. In the same manner, you can control how heavy your body feels to the horse. Say “yes” by light- ening through your seat, holding your torso in a


8. Lighten through the seat and body. Do you remember


more toned manner and allowing the horse to have a bit more freedom under- neath you as you ride.


9. Flowing through your body with the horse’s movement. This is the most


important “yes” you can give your horse. If you can follow through not only your seat, but through your whole body, commit to the movement and “be there”, you are able to give the strongest “yes” communi- cation possible. And this can be done instantaneous- ly, long before you can even open your mouth to say the word “good!”


Next time you ride, try some of these tips and see what your horse says.


So there you have it!


Bio: Kathy Farrokhzad is an EC coach and author of the book, Horse Listening – The Book: Stepping For- ward to Effective Riding. She is also the writer of the blog, www.Horse Listen- ing.com. If you liked what you read here, check out her blog at www.HorseLis- tening.com for many more articles about horses, riding and life in general.


College of Veterinarians of Ontario revises exam


examination is high stakes for both the applicant and for the public. The suc- cessful completion of this


Guelph – The College of Veterinarians of Ontario is re-engineering its local knowledge exam to ensure new applicants are aware of the rules and regulations surrounding the practice of veterinary medicine in this province. “The local knowledge


exam means the applicant is able to practise veteri- nary medicine in Ontario and also demonstrates to the public that the applicant is knowledgeable of the legislation, regulations, standards and guidelines that govern the profession,” said College Registrar and Chief Executive Officer Jan Robinson. “The Col- lege is redeveloping the exam to ensure it is current,


valid and reliable. The added opportunity is to make use of an online for- mat.”


exam blueprint at its March meeting. The exam will consist of 100 to 130 multi- ple choice questions which will be able to be complet- ed in less than three hours. The exam is partially an open-book test and will be offered in a proctored or


Council reviewed the


core topics applicable to all licensed veterinarians prac- tising in Ontario. Areas of focus include professional- ism, scope of practice, information management and professional account- ability. Applicants review the College’s legislation, regulations, policies, guide- lines and standards to pre- pare for the exam. “The exam needed to


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and serves the public inter- est through the regulation of the practice of veterinary medicine. Accordingly, veterinarians are licensed, facilities are accredited, standards and policies are developed and maintained, and an investigations and resolutions process is avail- able. The College licenses approximately 4,500 vet- erinarians and accredits over 2,100 facilities in Ontario.


be brought up-to-date with both its content and its for- mat. This is a substantial project and the College looks forward to introduc- ing the refreshed exam to new applicants in 2015,” said Robinson. The College protects


monitored setting. Questions will explore


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