32/ NOVEMBER 2020 THE RIDER The Science of how Horses Think & Learn


Preparing for the horse show exam. 7 tips to be ready for next season. Part 2


holding me back. And there’s no shortage of tradi- tions in our horse industry!


6. Practice the tough stuff. We all gravitate toward doing things that come easily and avoid the things we’re not particularly good at. Trotting around an oval in an arena will not yield the same dividends as asking my horse the tougher questions - specific lines, tighter turns and transitions at specific points (late transitions are costly mistakes on the judge’s score card!). When you practise at home a little tougher than is actually required, the course, pattern or test at the show will seem elementary in compari- son. Practice a plan B for every Plan A. There are few sports with more variables than riding. We have a 1000 lb, partner that doesn’t speak or think “human”. We have judges with preferences. Weather conditions fluctuate. Competition venues vary. And even the re- quired patterns, courses and tests differ. My favorite motto is “Over prepare and then go with the flow”.


By Lindsay Grice. Equestrian Canada coach, horse show judge, specialist in equine behaviour.


“Good luck!” it’s heard countless times a day at


the horse show in-gate. Yet we know better – horse show success is more than luck! “The meeting of preparation with opportunity


generates the offspring we call luck.” — Anthony Rob- bins This week, the announcement that final exams are can- celled was, no doubt, the silver lining for high school students, in a year marked by cancellations. Yet, in the horse world, despite cancelled competitions and fairs, I meet riders eager for their next exam- taking lessons and enjoying the homework. They’re preparing for next season. And they’re repairing from last season. A horse show validates the skills you’ve ac-


quired in the classroom of the training ring when tested in a different environment – the competition ring. Steps skipped in mastering the phonics and formulas of horsemanship will show up later in the exam! As a judge, I am giving and grading your next


horse show “exam”. As a coach, I help you study for it! So here are my final 3 tips to prepare for your next competition:


5. Study those you respect and do your best to emulate the qualities you admire. Glean insights from horsemen of varied disciplines. Ask questions…especially “Why?” Read more. There’s a wealth of reputable, ev- idence-based information on equine health and train- ing. The more I research the facts, the easier it is to question and reject trends or traditions which might be


7. Learn from the last show. Though it may make me wince to re-live it, every mistake is a learning oppor- tunity! On the other hand, what ingredients con- tributed to the successful moments – how can I reproduce those?


8. (Bonus!) Take a break. Standing breaks within each session. Weekly breaks from schooling. Sea- sonal breaks from horses. Pushing ourselves creates stress. And stress is a good thing! It stretches us out of our comfortable ruts. Stretching and pushing builds physical and mental muscle - as long as it’s balanced by rest. Living in a constant state of tension increases cortisol levels. The result? Rider burnout. The horse’s welfare suffers. Interestingly, it seems the Biblical model of a Sabbath weekly day-off, regular multi-day celebrations and times of reflection and


About Lindsay Grice. A horse show judge and certified riding


coach with a special interest in equine behav- iour. After 25 years as a competitor and horse trainer, Lindsay enjoys teaching clinics and trav- elling to Ontario farms as a freelance instructor. She’s taught the science of equine behaviour and learning for horse associations, courses for Uni- versity of Guelph and therapeutic riding facili- ties.


Lindsay judges many disciplines and breeds and serves on an EC judging committee


Why do horses do what they do? “In the horse world, our traditions and evidence sometimes collide – I love to help riders solve their horse puzzles with logic, patience and eq- uitation science.” www/lindsaygriceriding- coach.com


The Fire Horse


their expected roles, and better relation- ships with their human partners. Through my classes and daily con-


tacts, I encourage others to develop closer bonds, appreciation and mutual trust with animals, and a respect for all life in this world.


Chapter 22


Horses appoint a horse to oversee everything in their paddock. In rare circumstances, after the


By Lauren Bode All content copyrighted


My mission statement: Having developed and practiced


my talent for years, I speak for animals. I willingly provide a voice for the


non-human creatures of our world, in the hope that I may assist them to obtain greater health, better understanding of


original horse who had been the over- seer of the horses who live outside in their paddock 24 hours a day, had been sold or moved to another farm. In this instance another horse takes over that role. It is remarkably interesting to watch this game, as I call it, although it is not a game, not by a long shot. Watch- ing the interaction after speaking with one of the horses who had just taken on this role.


Initially he will be tried by the oth-


ers to see if he was capable enough. Pa- tience is needed by the chosen gelding or mare. This indoctrination is some- times interrupted as said horse is taken to a show, taken for a ride in the arena


worship, really leads to human flourishing, even in the 21st century! Even the animals were to be given the day off. If you’re not enjoying your hobby, it’s


not a hobby. It’s a job. And for those of us, for whom it is a job, let’s enjoy the process – not just the result!


As a judge, I am giving and grading your next horse show “exam”. As a coach, I help you study for it!


A horse show validates the skills you’ve acquired in the classroom of the training ring when tested in a different environment – the competition ring


or a trail ride. He will go off with the human reluctantly, the rider will notice the difference in the animals’ behaviour, but at that moment is not interested in the herds reaction, simply because they have to focus on that particular horse. Time constraints may cause a human to hurry that individual horse out of said paddock. That horse one cannot help but no-


tice will turn his back on the herd most of the time, eating or just not getting in- terested in their antics too much. That horse my friends, is the protector of the herd. He will sound an alarm, silent or loud for them to know that danger is close by. They will either start running around in circles or heading to the direc- tion of safety, towards the barn. It is not only in cases of predators approaching the herd that the overseer takes over, but also in times of distress. A horse caught in the fence may


not be able to move from a certain posi- tion all night. One of the horses will be the designated nursemaid for that horse and will spend the night or all day with said horse, making sure that s/he is com- forted by their presence. In cases like these, I speak with the


horses, after I have listened to them. try- ing to understand what is happening, I ask them questions, not prying ones, just enough to satisfy my curiosity so that I


can relay this message to you my friends. Its eye opening to say the least, to


find out their motives for choosing an overseer. A well-tried horse with lots of ex- perience will be chosen and this is not a


single ballot, everyone must have a say. No one is turned away from voicing their concerns and no one can disagree after he has been put into that position. Understanding this is especially important to most horse owners.


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