30/ FEBRUARY 2022 THE RIDER The Science of how Horses Think & Learn


After the Season: make the most of your winter riding!


choose from south of the border, here in Canada, during the winter months the show season comes to a halt for most people. The upside is the op- portunity to assess our goals and make what- ever changes are nec- essary. Step back and ask yourself … • What was it that you enjoyed most and least about the past riding season? • What are your future


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


Fall fairs, championship


shows and award banquets signal the end of another riding season. So how did it go? Did your


shows, rodeos or competitive trail rides meet your expecta- tions?


Maybe not. Stuff happens.


And so we look toward the next year.


And with winter months


still looming, we need some goals to get us off the couch and out to the arena on those cold nights!


Although there’s no shortage of


Let’s get physical. Sometimes a horse just hasn’t “been right” over the season. On again, off again soundness issues need to be diagnosed and addressed once and for all. Rider fitness and fun Keeping in mind that “A


year-round equine events to change is as good as a rest,” cul-


goals? • How can you best meet those goals, taking into consideration budget and time commitments? For some riders this will


mean starting with a new horse. For the rest, it’s a good time to change the program or direction with the horse they have. Here are some ideas to inspire you over the winter…


tivating non-equestrian skills and interests, may contribute to better riding. Studies show athletes stay in the game longer by supple- menting their training with other activities in the off-season. De- velop your stamina with aerobic activity. Coordination with danc- ing. Could yoga help with bal- ance? Guitar lessons with rhythm? What about quick deci- sion-making by “gaming” with your teen?


A total vacation. Giving your horse a com-


plete rest, with turnout only, can be beneficial, mentally, for some horses - especially a seasoned horse who knows his job. You might supplement with some lungeing, and ponying, in order to maintain fitness. Some horses take too long to bring back to fit- ness and sanity after a lengthy time off. Continuing to train throughout the winter might be a better choice.


Get to the root of an issue. The off-season is a good


time to address a training issue that’s been put on the back burner. Is there a show ring habit that began to emerge, or a skill that lost precision? Time to get to the root of the behaviour. My job description involves being a “horse detective” – looking for


clues as to why a horse is show- ing resistance, tension, or simply lacking the sparkle he once had. Another training aid from


the tack store may not solve the problem. Rarely is a new bit the magic bullet we hope for. Off-season’s the best time


to approach training roadblocks from a new angle, experiment with different techniques or re- build the foundation altogether. Because things may get worse before they get better, it may not be practical to “open up a can of worms” in the middle of show season.


Boarding school Riders hesitant to part with


their horses during the summer months might consider off-sea- son to send them for professional training. A reputable trainer can find the weak spot, and then sys- tematically reschool the “phon- ics” to eliminate areas of confusion. Maybe your horse needs a new job. An expert in their field can lay the foundation for a new discipline or event. Are there ground issues


such as clipping, tying up, trailer loading, standing at the mounting block or riding in a crowded en- vironment, which, if addressed, would make next season more enjoyable?


Equitation tune up Riders as well as horses get


stuck in ruts. 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? Spend some time in the saddle without stirrups or look for op- portunities to try riding horses more or less finished than your own. For a fresh perspective, at- tend a clinic or even a few les- sons with a trainer you’ve always admired.


Take time to bond. For those who spent the


season boarding at a professional training barn, one-on-one time with their horses may have been 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 grooming, barn chores and even


The off-season is a great time to…study your rule books


...try a new discipline


…or give your horse some time off


trail riding with friends fills your tank, now is the time. A new direction. Equestrian athletes can al-


ways learn something from an- other discipline. Try some trail obstacles or switch from english to western or vice versa. Dres- sage patterns challenge accuracy. Introduce your horse to cattle at winter team penning or roping events. You may discover that your horse has an unknown tal- ent!


Study. Catch up on some reading


or sign up for a webinar. I read a lot and make it my goal to be a lifelong learner. Winter clinics, online courses and magazine ar- ticles are terrific ideas to get you going.


So, unless you’re studying


a rule book, reading a horse mag- azine or watching a training video, get off the couch and enjoy the winter with your horse!


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 learn- ing 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


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