30/ APRIL 2023 THE RIDER
The Science of how Horses Think & Learn A Fresh Perspective:
2. A COMMITTEE VOLUNTEER. What an eye-opener to join a horse club executive or horse show volunteer team. One never complains again after catch- ing a glimpse of the work involved be- hind the scenes!
8 different viewpoints to clarify your riding goals. head behind the vertical.
6. A DIFFERENT DISCIPLINE. Ma- neuver through obstacles. Try a dressage pattern or jumping. Even spend some time in a different saddle – it builds new muscles and insights.
3. AN OUTSIDER. That non-horse person who supports you in your pit crew at the shows, or accompanies you to the barn. The outsider can have some valuable observations – • Q. Why do you do it that way? A. That’s the way we’ve always done it. • Q. Is it normal for… (a coach to yell that much, a bridle to cost that much)? A. Hmmm…maybe there ARE other options…
By Lindsay Grice. Equestrian Canada coach, horse show judge, specialist in equine behaviour.
As a horse crazy girl, I remember
cresting one of the Caledon hills on a trail ride at Teen Ranch. The view, for this 10 year old from the GTA, where the only hills are suburban “berms”, was a completely new perspective. A new show season inspires new
riding goals. If you feel your riding’s a little stuck, consider these 8 different perspectives.
1. ARTICLES. Read stuff by experts and specialists in various horse fields - saddle fitting, therapeutic farriery, den- tistry.
4. A COACH OR CLINICIAN. As a coach, I act like a mirror to reflect the aids and timing of a rider, some aids un- intended. If a rider’s stuck, I search for ways to rephrase a concept so it clicks. As a clinician, I may simply express the concepts of the participant’s coach - just in different words. A note of caution – too many professional perspectives can scatter your focus. Often it’s better to ride out one coach’s system until you’re getting stuck.
5. A JUDGE. Read your rule book. You’ll find helpful adjectives and phrases to describe the standard to which the judge is comparing. After reading the scoring system, we realize it’s not that the judge didn’t like my horse, but rather she didn’t like the penalty 5, wrong lead or the horse’s
About Lindsay Grice. A horse show judge and certified riding coach with a special interest in equine behaviour.
After 25 years as a competitor and horse trainer, Lindsay enjoys teaching clinics and travelling to Ontario farms as a freelance instructor. She’s taught the science of equine behaviour and learning for horse associations, courses for University of Guelph and therapeutic riding facilities. 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 equitation science.”
www.lindsaygriceridingcoach.com
7. YOUR HORSE. What’s it like to be a horse? Does my horse understand me?
Does he share my goals? Although we’ll never know for sure, there’s a wealth of research to give us a view into the equine mind.
8. THE GREATER WHY. That “mountain top” view prompted the 10 year old me to marvel, “Wow – this must be what God sees!” Muting the voices from our
screens or the barn-aisle opinions of oth- ers for a bit, may awaken a perspective that life is more than horse shows.
• Why and I doing this? • Do my riding goals fit my life priori- ties and values? • How can my riding fit into my desire to make a difference in life and be part of a bigger story than just my own?
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