32/ JUNE 2021 THE RIDER


The Science of how Horses Think & Learn Navigating the warm up ring.


Tips to prepare, as horse shows reopen.


Active vision is the key to a collision-free warm up. Traffic imag- ination considers, “Where is that rider going to be” and shifts to an alternative path without interrupting the rhythm.


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


It’s not for the faint of heart. The horse show


warm up ring is a sea of horses and riders, in combina- tions of green and experienced. Each in their own head, under some degree of pressure. Time pressure. Peer pressure. Pressure to succeed.


Before wading into the warm up ring, here’s what you’ll need to go with the flow and avoid interrupting it: • Tuned up navigation tools. Highway commuters with unreliable brakes and steering put themselves and oth- ers at risk. Well established aids, transitions and lateral skills will override the distraction of an unfamiliar en- vironment .


• Navigation experience. Em- brace the busiest times in your home arena. Don’t avoid your fellow riders-find a creative way around them. Enlist friends to ride beside you. I recall a coach’s hyper- bole to her student, frustrated with the lack of space to pre- pare in the schooling ring. “Girl, you’ve got to train that horse so you can lope in the tackroom!” • Is your horse mentally ready? Test his energy on the lunge line in a separate ring. Explosions on the lead shank or under saddle will set off other horses in the practice ring.


• Have a plan. Decide which components of your pattern, course or test you intend to rehearse. The warm up ring is for reviewing the skills you’re going to require in the class – not teaching new ones. Every horse requires a custom pre-class routine. Busy minded horses often benefit from keeping their legs moving and minds occu- pied up to the moment you enter the ring . Others do bet- ter with ten minutes of “chill” time in the stall before the class. • Prepare to practice the tough stuff. We gravitate to- ward rehearsing things we al- ready do well, particularly when others are watching! Ask your horse the specific questions - lines, turns or tricky transitions required in your upcoming class. • Expect the unexpected. In the bustling horse show envi- ronment, your horse may “forget” acquired skills. Un- wanted habits may resurface. If you encounter a roadblock, avoid making an issue of it and a hazard for others. Moreover, horses don’t learn when tense - try another ap- proach or reshape the skill in simpler steps. 1. Use your Eyes –Active vi- sion is the key to a collision- free warm up. Defensive driving instructs us to lift our focus from the car’s hood or- nament and steer to the desti- nation point ahead. Traffic imagination


considers,


“Where is that rider going to be” and shifts to an alterna- tive path without interrupting the rhythm. Read the energy of the horses around you. Cut the corner to avoid animated


Big Creek Saddle Club


offers a full day of horse showing for all ages. Our family oriented shows are fun and competitive. With two beautiful show pens


we offer classes for a variety of disciplines in- cluding games riding, western pleasure, and english pleasure.


Find out more on our Facebook page - www.facebook.com/groups/2744211299/ or email bigcreeksc@gmail.com


Dates: June 13th, July 11th, August 15th, September 12th Rain Dates: October 3rdWhere: Paris Fairgrounds


ers at risk. Well established aids, transitions and lateral skills will override the dis- traction of an unfamiliar environment .


Highway commuters with unreliable brakes and steering put themselves and oth-


or ear pinning individu- als.


2. Use your ears. Listen for the coach and rider having a lesson, or having an issue. Avoid cutting between them, interrupting their line of communication. 3. Use your voice. “Passing on the right”. ”Heads up to the oxer”. Apologise if you make a warm up ring blun- der- cutting someone off or crossing in front of a jump. 4. Use your head. Be in- formed of your discipline’s schooling procedures and equipment policies. In Eng- lish disciplines, pass on- coming riders left shoulder to left shoulder. Western performance warm up rings are more “free style”, with few written traffic rules. It mostly works, with common sense, courtesy and points 1, 2 and 3!


About Lindsay Grice.


“Is it me or my horse?” Horse show judge, certified rid-


ing coach, trainer and specialist in equine behavior and learning. Lind- say Grice loves to help riders solve their horse puzzles, prepare for com- petition and enjoy the process of rid- ing, not just the result! Lindsay enjoys teaching clinics


and travelling to Ontario farms as a freelance instructor. She’s taught the science of equine behavior and learning for horse associations, courses for University of Guelph and therapeutic riding facilities. Lindsay judges multiple disci-


plines and breeds, holding judging certifications with AQHA, Eques-


At reining shows,


often two sets of circles are established -one loping left and the other right. Spins or stationary movements are kept to the inside of the cir- cles.


Try to travel the same


direction as the majority. I’ve found counter canter a useful tool. I can school the left lead even when traffic is flowing right. Pass on the inside when travelling the same direction. Avoid sand- wiching your horse between the rail and another rider. Rest your horse or


chat with other riders in the corners – not on the rail or at the gate. Avoid clutter- unnec-


essary helpers in your pit crew in the schooling ring. Know when


to


scratch from the class. If it’s not happening outside the


trian Canada. She’s a provincial Hunter/Jumper and dressage judge and also judges multiple breeds and Extreme Trail/obstacle events. She loves to share her own in-


sights and stories learned from 25 years as a competitor and horse trainer.


“Why do horses do what they do?”


world, our traditions and the evi- dence sometimes collide.


Lindsay says, “In the horse I love to


communicate the WHYs behind the HOWs of riding. “Equitation Sci- ence” – it makes life better for horses when we speak in a language they understand!”


ring, it’s not likely to happen inside! 5. Use your heart. Avoid drilling movements over and over. Cantering around that same circle or jumping that fence over and over only logs miles on your horse’s odometer down the road to burnout. While you may gain confidence from time in the practice ring, ef- ficient sessions with com- mercial breaks keep your horse sound and sane. Courtesy is conta-


gious. Defer to those com- petitors in the next class. Don’t take it personally if someone sideswipes you or cuts you off. While riding’s not technically a team sport, looking out for one another benefits everyone!


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