MAY 2022 THE RIDER /29


7 Errors To Avoid After You Ask For More Energy - And Solutions By Kathy Farrokhzad.


What happens when you ask your horse for more energy? The simple answer is


that he should reach further underneath his body with his hind legs, go straight and en- ergize within the gait. The hind legs reach deeper un- derneath the body, the en- ergy “flows


through”,


allowing for a rounder top line, a more active back, and a bouncy, straight feeling. Your horse’s response to the bit should improve all on its own. However, it’s easier said than done. As you probably al-


ready know, there are many different unwanted things that can happen when you use your leg and seat aids to ask for impulsion. You will likely dis-


cover that there are a variety of responses to your request. Most of them won’t be what you’re seeking - the straight, strong and true gait that you are asking for. However, the horse doesn’t know any bet- ter, and it is your job to know exactly what you’re looking for, and to teach the horse correctly from the start.


You might think this ar-


ticle comes from a negative perspective, but in my expe- rience, it is as important to know what you don’t want, as it is to know what you do want.


As Edison is quoted as


saying, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Here are 7 things that


can happen instead. The quicker you can recognize these miscommunications, the sooner you can address them. In fact, it would be best if you could correct


these mistakes as they hap- pen, before the horse loses more balance and then must completely regroup.


1) Inside shoulder “drops.” This is what we some-


times call the “motorcycle lean.” It happens on a circle or turn. Along with cutting the turn short in an awkward angle, your horse will likely fall into the circle, making it smaller than you want it to be. The horse will lower the inside shoulder and you will feel like you are hanging on an angle. If this happens, try to


stay upright yourself despite the horse’s lean. Also, you can use a little leg yield and outside rein half-halt to im- prove the horse’s balance.


2) Outside shoulder


“drifts.” This is the opposite of


#1. In this case, the horse will step outward, making the circle or turn larger than it should be. He will also often have his neck bent to the inside, while he contin- ues to step in the opposite direction from your active inside rein. In this case, shorten


and straighten your outside rein to catch the shoulder. Avoid using more pressure on the inside rein. If your horse’s flexion goes to the outside because of your out- side rein, finish straighten- ing the outside shoulder and then go back to flexion to- ward the inside after the cor- rection. Once again, keep your own body upright and balanced - avoid leaning along with your horse.


3) Hind end shifts to the outside. The horse points to the in- side with the front end while


the hind end points to the outside. This can happen on a straight line off the rail. Sometimes, the rider causes the horse to move on an angle because of an overac- tive inside rein. To correct, your inside


leg can ask for a small leg yield, just like in #1. Use your direct (straight) outside rein to ask the horse to bring his shoulders to the outside.


4) Hind end shifts to the in- side.


Many horses do this as


they transition into a canter. It is also common for young horses to collapse through their hips even in trot, mostly because they are still weak and uneven in the pushing power from each hind leg. Sometimes, a little


extra impulsion may be all it takes to get the hind legs working more evenly.


5) Faster gait. This is the most com-


mon response you’ll get from young and older horses alike. Often,


the rider


doesn’t recognize the in- crease in leg speed and so the horse just moves along faster.


A series of well-timed


half-halts will help keep the horse’s tempo the same even while you are asking for a little more power from the hind end.


6) Change of gait. Horses will also change


gait in response to a leg aid, mainly because it is often easier for them rather than to loosen more through the back and let the energy go “through” the body. If your horse changes


gait when you ask for more impulsion, gently transition


back down to the original gait and keep on riding. Try again with your leg aids but you might want to add the half-halts in so that you can discourage a gait change be- fore it happens.


7) Short stride/hollow back.


Some horses might


tense in response to the leg aid. There may be many rea- sons why a horse will change his posture - whether because of lack of balance, discomfort, falling to the forehand, rider bal- ance errors, or other prob- lems that require the horse to tighten through the top line.


In this case, make sure


that you are not causing the horse’s tension. Adjust leg pressure, rein length (some- times longer, but also some- times shorter, depending on the horse’s needs), balance (make sure you don’t lean forward when applying your leg aids) and do use half- halts after the leg aids. The horse might tense just be- cause he feels like he has to run faster. I’m sure there are other


things that can happen when you ask for more energy. In any case, you should be “lis- tening” carefully enough to identify what the response was, and then take steps to catch any imbalances and send all the energy forward and straight. Keep in mind that you’re looking for a deeper stride in the hind end, a more bouncy, energetic back, a softer top line and better overall connection. When you know what


you don’t want, you will find what you do want quicker and more consis- tently. Bio: Kathy Farrokhzad is an


Sell Your Farm Property in The Rider’s Real Estate Pages!


Viewfinder is looking for an experienced, confident rider to take him to the next level. This handsome 7-year-old stands 16h, and has a sweet


nature and very athletic movement. He is a forward ride, but will make a lovely eventer, or jumper for the right rider. If you're interested in meeting “Viewfinder” please contact LongRun!


EC coach and author of the Horse Listening book col- lection, Goal Setting For The Equestrian: A Personal Workbook, and the creator


of the Practice Sessions on- line program. If you liked what you read here, check out her blog at HorseListen- ing.com for many more arti-


cles about horses, riding and life in general. She is also a private online tutor for K-Gr. 6 children at SchoolSuccess- Mastery.com.


Call (905) 387-1900


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51