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  Discussion on New to western
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Member:
Gwen

Posted on Sunday, Dec 26, 2004 - 11:57 am:

I was wondering if anyone knows some good ways to enhance my sense of feel while riding. It has been brought to my attention that I am too mechanical when I ride, and too afraid of making mistakes. It seems that this might be a big change for me in terms of thought processes in general. Any of you super experienced trainers know of some excercises that will help me?
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Sunday, Dec 26, 2004 - 2:16 pm:

I'm not a "super experienced trainer" just someone that's owned and ridden horses most of their life. Are you refering to how you ride while taking lessons, working in the arena, or just out on the trail?

There are some great books out on the mental aspects of riding, as well as riding in balance with your horse. However, it sounds like maybe you are just thinking too hard and thus trying too hard. If that is the case, I'd suggest spending some time just playing and relaxing while on your horse.

Put on some good music and ride around the arena listening to the music, not thinking about what you are doing. Ride bareback and just relax your body into the horse and move with the horse. Go on a trail ride with some friends and chatter away with them and forget about trying to ride "right" and just enjoy the company and the scenery. ....you get the idea. Then, when you are in your lesson or doing arena work, periodically do a mental check and try and get that relaxed feeling back.

A good trick is to take a very deep breath, hold in a second, then let it out very slowly. When you let the breath out, visualize that your body is a balloon and that you are squeezing the air out of your "balloon" starting at the toesm then legs, etc. all the way up. This, at least, works for me. Also, as suggested in another discussion on the board, singing or humming seems to help relax your body and the horse both.
Member:
Sunny66

Posted on Sunday, Dec 26, 2004 - 6:00 pm:

Oh Good ones Sara! I agree, singing and laughing are great ways to achieve relaxation.

To enhance feel, my personal preference is lunge lessons with no stirrups and with eyes closed. Try it once and you'll be hooked (:-)


Member:
Gwen

Posted on Sunday, Dec 26, 2004 - 8:16 pm:

Thanks girls. Those are great ideas that I will try. I plan to stick to trails only for the winter. I just have to find some! I just brought my horses home, and the only person around with horses says that there aren't any. It is pretty wooded though, so maybe I will make some.
Unfortunately, my trainer isn't a big fan of lunge lessons. She says that my issues surround affecting my horse rather than solely my position. She wants me to learn to "read" him and be able to problem solve strategies within those situations. Apparently now I just look to her for answers. (I do.) Does that make sense?
Member:
Sunny66

Posted on Sunday, Dec 26, 2004 - 8:37 pm:

I had a trainer that said that too. Beg her for lunge lessons...even if they are only for 5 or 10 minutes at the start of your lesson. I wish I had begged years ago. I'll be 41 tomorrow and I'm just now starting to feel what my horse really feels like(;). You'll be amazed.

You can only fix what you can feel.

I'll leave the the more complicated issues to Christos, Chris, Kim, Sara etc. Give them some examples and they'll give you answers (;)
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Sunday, Dec 26, 2004 - 9:30 pm:

I've never met a trainer that wouldn't also give lessons. I've always learned when I've taken lessons - even at times when I thought I wouldn't. I agree with the riding on a lounge line. If your trainer won't agree to put you on a line, maybe a friend could help you. If not, can you use the arena alone? If so, find a quiet time of day and just go out by yourself, DrOp your reins, close your eyes and concentrate on the rythem of your horse relaxing yourself down into the movement of the horse. Don't try and ride "properly" or brace yourself against the horse's movement; just forget everything except the movement.
Member:
Christos

Posted on Monday, Dec 27, 2004 - 4:54 pm:

Being mechanical in the saddle is your trainer's fault, Gwen.
If you're being trained in circles and fixed patterns for ages, repeating the same exercises again and again, what else can your riding be but mechanical?
Correcting this and improving your feel is actually easy and fun.
All you have to do is to forget you're in the saddle from time to time. Forget there's a horse under you. Sing a song, watch the scenery, look all around, talk to a rider next to you on a long ride, or whatever else takes your mind away from the technicalities of riding.
The best way, of course, is to participate in some kind of equestrian games, like the ones kids play in pony clubs. They're incredible fun and they dramatically improve one's skill and feeling.
Member:
Gwen

Posted on Monday, Dec 27, 2004 - 5:46 pm:

Thanks everyone! I know that you all can't see me ride, so this question might be tough to answer. I am actually excited to focus on the fun stuff for a while. Now a major issue that I have had is crookedness. It has even created some long term muscular problems with my horse. So something I will need to work on is being equal and straight. While I am working on my sense of feel, do I throw away my contact and not worry about my rein connection?
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Monday, Dec 27, 2004 - 6:09 pm:

Yes, if you can be safe doing so. That is the big benifit of being on a lounge line - you don't have to worry about control of the horse. If you can't be on a lounge, but can ride in an enclosed arena, then drape the reins across the saddle in front of you so you can use them if you have to, but try and not use them. Don't worry about direct contact with reins or how your horse is moving...as long as he's going at a pace you can sit.
Member:
Christos

Posted on Monday, Dec 27, 2004 - 7:04 pm:

Yes, Gwen,
I believe it is better to ride without a contact until you're really comfortable in the saddle.
This way you will also learn to control the horse with your seat and legs and not need to rely on the reins all the time.
Member:
Gwen

Posted on Monday, Dec 27, 2004 - 8:06 pm:

Thanks again! It is so weird to go so far backwards when I have been riding for so long! If it is right for the long run though, I'm doing it!
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Monday, Dec 27, 2004 - 11:50 pm:

Don't feel bad. I think we all have to "go back to basics" every once in awhile regardless of our skill level, especially when switching from one discipline to another. At least I know I do.
Member:
Redmare

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 28, 2004 - 12:11 am:

Hi Gwen-

I found your comment interesting about "going so far backwards." I guess we all feel like that sometimes, but if what you're doing improves your riding it can hardly be called backwards!

I like to do an exercise I call "ride the horse the way he's going." I work in an arena by myself or with an understanding riding buddy. I ask the horse to move forward at walk or trot, then i sit there and enjoy the ride. No steering, no cues. Every horse reacts differently, sometimes amusingly, to the exercise. Some will go straight for the gate, while others will go on the rail for a while, then stop and get confused. If you've been training a specific thing lately, like sidepass, the horse may go the the spot where you usually practice and sidepass his heart out! Horses who are overcued will usually shut down. If none of these options sound like fun, that's OK, because you're learning what you need to work on. you're also learning how to follow the movement even when you're not controlling it.
Member:
Kckohles

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 28, 2004 - 7:44 pm:

Hi Gwen,

My take on this is a little bit different. When I read your question I refer to (what I think you are talking about) it as being in your head versus being in your body. You are thinking about how is should be or how it has been or how is was or how it is going to be rather than BEING with what is right now. Being is different than doing, while you ride you are probably doing, rather than being. Being requires that you be in the moment right now, not in that past or in the future. The past and the future are where our minds dwell, our self is in the now. This sounds very out there I am sure but I can tell you from student after student that if you get out of your head and into your body you won't be a mechanical rider. An easy way to practice this, and it is something that needs to be practiced, is to ride along and feel your feet, get down into your feet, all the way to your baby toe. Don't think about your feet, feel them, be in them. Your horse will immediately respond when you get in your body and out of your head. Their feet will actually strike the ground softer, their energy will stay in their body rather than thud out into the ground. When you feel this your immediate response will be to think about it and get back into your head, don't think, be. You already know how to ride you don't need to think about it, trust yourself to do what there is to do, experiment with being. Thinking and being in our heads is very familiar so it takes practice to stay present and in our bodies. Riding in the moment creates feel because you can deal with what is right now, rather than what you think is right now or will be or has been. Living in the moment their is great peace.

The past is history,
The future is a mystery,
So live in the present.

Two great books about this are The Power Of Now, and Practicing the Power of Now.
This seems abstract but it really is the key to feel.

KIM
Member:
Gwen

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 29, 2004 - 8:51 am:

That was deep, Kim! It was really interesting though. And I think it definitely pertains to what is going on with my riding. I tend to have a hard time sort of controlling my thoughts so that they are constructive. Often I trail off thinking about how terrible this ride is going! I will go out and grab that book! Thanks again to everyone for providing great ideas! -Gwen
Member:
Ajudson1

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 4, 2005 - 8:34 am:

Just getting caught up with this post. I understand what you are saying Gwen. I have a tendency to read,and read, and sometimes watch videos about riding and training. Then I try to remember it all, and find myself stiff in the saddle. Add to that I try to teach my daughter how to ride using the same methods!!! She does best when I just let her BE.

What I find is when you quit thinking so much and just "ride", you do so much better. I can probably count on my fingers how many times that has happened in 35 yrs of riding, so I have to work on it also.

The advice to just let a horse go in the arena really works. DrOp the reins and just be in the moment.

I never thought to apply the "Power of Now" to riding, but that is very neat advice. I have the tapes by that name, and it makes so much sense. The hardest thing to do is not fight your thoughts, because then they come back more and more. That's called giving them power.

When your are trying to control your thoughts the way to do that is just realise that is all they are. Thoughts. Not something that "IS". Not a fact. Not a Feeling. Just a thought. So acknowledge that it is a thought, and let it go.

I have a problem with negative thoughts going round & round in my head so this works for me. I worry too much about what might happen, what has happened, what if.......or worse yet, it's not perfect so why do it? and boy is that a problem when applied to riding or training!!!

I would recomment buying the tape/cd to listen to. Listen to the Power of Now while soaking in a hot tub, or drifting off to sleep. Get in the "NOW"... It really helps to stop those thoughts from having any power.

Betcha our horses are totally in the NOW. Doncha think?

Member:
Gwen

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 4, 2005 - 8:30 pm:

Thanks Angie. I have started listening to The Power of Now in my car on the way to and from work. (Not sure if this is a good idea-I found myself nodding off!) Anyway, it is really enlightening. I am finding that I am so far from being in the now. I am completely controlled by my thoughts! I am really excited to learn how to stop thinking all the time and just be. I think it is going to help a ton! Just in the past few days, I have found that I am a little bit more peaceful. Just curious, how profoundly (or not)has the book affected you in your life in general?
Member:
Kcovell

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 5, 2005 - 7:53 am:

Gwen
I saw where the topic was Discussion on New to Western, but most of the posts appear to be from english riders. Are you riding western or english?
Many many many years ago I rode english, but I've ridden western for awhile now. The best adivce I was ever given was when you get on your horse totally relax your body kind of like you have no bones. Let the horse walk and go with his body movements. After awhile you kind of feel like you and the horse a connected.
Another thing is to bond with your horse from the ground. My horseshoer tells me that my horses treat me like I'm one of them (of course I'm the boss horse). Once you are relaxed on the ground with your horse and have his respect it's alot easier to relax in the saddle.
Sorry I went on and on. One more thing when someone tells you something about your riding listen to what they say, but do what feels right for you.
KC
Member:
Ajudson1

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 5, 2005 - 8:26 am:

Gwen,

The audio book "The Power of Now" has been a wonderful addition to my "life plan". As someone who has suffered from CFS and the depression that goes with it I am always searching for ways to improve my health physically, emotionally and spiritually.


I find myself saying "get in the now, this is what matters right now" on a regular basis and it's really been helpful in all areas of my life.

As you may have gathered from my post above I hate to do anything unless I can do it all. So I kinda "idle". Now I know that just visiting each horse, brushing them or just a few minutes doing things in the stall on a lead rope all add up. Now I can focus on just the horse, not worrying about what I "should" be doing back in the house. Or what my husband or kids think I should be doing.

I have been more focused, more organized and more relaxed. I would say that "The Power of Now" was one of the books or audio books that really did make a difference.

I would not listen to any audio book like that while driving!!! Please don't get in a wreck! I listen to various spiritual or self help/hypnosis tapes or cds while going to sleep.

Maybe Gwen you should get a seperate post going in a more appropriate section just on this idea of more spiritual growth or inner harmony or whatever we'd call it.???????

When you find yourself riding "as one" it is just beautiful. You seem to think about going somewhere, or changing gaits, and your horse does it. Sometimes you don't even realize that you even thought about where you were going....I find that happens when riding in the woods. When exploring the forests I am not thinking "training" and so the being one with the horse happens.

Best of luck, NOW!!
Member:
Dtranch

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 5, 2005 - 8:33 am:

Lots of good points here. My experience with teaching is that most people struggle because they are trying too hard to do it right. Posture, seat, head, etc. As some have stated here, the most important thing is feeling the horse, and learning to relax and move in concert with the horse. Having said that, however, the next important ingredient is keeping the toes up and heels down. I tell my beginners to forget everything else they have read or heard and focus only on the feel of the horses movement, and the position of your toes. As the toes go down, the upper body goes forward and you lose the balance and feel. The best exercise is to ride with no hands and feet out of the stirrups, in a safe area, and with a partner, longeing for you if possible. Close your eyes and get in rhythm with your horse. Most importantly, quit trying so hard to get perfect ... that is the one thing that will surely keep you from even moderate success.
DT
Member:
Kckohles

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 5, 2005 - 11:50 am:

Gwen,

The reason that you were nodding off is that your mind doesn't want you to hear what is being said, it is trying to prevent you from hearing the material. What is truely amazing is that the thing we need to hear the most is the thing that we prevent ourselves from hearing. When you get present to that happening rewind the tape and listen again being aware that the info is something that is confronting for your mind.
I think listening in your car is fine just be aware of what your mind is doing. And don't listen for long periods. Listen for a little while and be with what was said. Listen actively like you are studying for an exam.

Our minds spend a lot of time judging, thinking about whether we agree or disagree, is that true or false, is that right or wrong. Rather than judging things try them on, literally like trying on a dress that you were sure that was going to look horrible until you put it on. Just "try on" some of the things and see how they work for you.

The Power of Now will free you from the constraints of the past and allow you to live right now. Our minds are comfortable in the past and the future, but the only thing that we can decide about is right now so it is a pointless pursuit to dwell where we have no power. Keeps us safe but not powerful or present.
Gwen, the Power of Now will transform not only your riding but your relationships, your work, pretty much any place you apply it it will free and empower you.

KIM
Member:
Lhenning

Posted on Thursday, Jan 6, 2005 - 10:43 am:

Gwen,

Another thing that has helped me get focused on the present is writing my experiences in a log. I put down in words what happened during my riding that I was happy about and what I'd like to improve on. I keep track of how my horse felt/ acted that day and on how we related to each other. After a period of time and especially when things haven't gone well, I go back and re-read the entries which helps me see the progress we are making. That in turn helps me see that each day is a small moment in the entire training/ riding experience so one bad day is not the end of the world. There will always be another good day to follow. As others have said, the key is to relax and this has helped me to stop trying so hard to see great improvement in a day, and instead to focus on tiny steps. Try to choose one thing you would like to improve on, such as relaxing your hips, and work on that. Then evaluate yourself in writing each time until you are ready to continue working on another area. After awhile, you will see progress. Just be aware that it takes a lot of time and practice, and seeing it in writing will give you the encouragement to know you are making improvement.

Linda
New Member:
Deedles5

Posted on Thursday, Apr 13, 2006 - 11:45 pm:

One way to lose your stiffness, which in my opinion is a sort of self awareness and self consciousness, is to find someone who has a gentle, yet sensitive horse. Ride this horse bareback, with a halter or a sidepull. You will have a lot less to worry about, no seat, stirrups, reins, etc. Just ride, feeling the horse under you, his foot movement and your balance points. It is very instructive, and you will carry some of that carefreeness to your saddle riding.
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