For equestrians, the allure of instantly possessing the skills, movements, and performance levels seen in others can be strong. While we intellectually understand that progress takes time, the definition of “time” can vary significantly among riders. When training and riding your horse alone, strategic time management is paramount for making consistent progress. This article explores key areas to consider, ensuring both you and your horse move forward in training and development while maintaining enthusiasm and engagement.
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Setting Achievable Outcomes: Beyond “Better”
“Better” is not a goal; it’s a feeling. While feeling better is positive, it doesn’t always equate to actual improvement. We must move beyond vague aspirations and establish measurable outcomes. Instead of aiming for “better canter transitions,” strive for “clean canter transitions that occur a split second after the cue.” Similarly, instead of “better trail rides,” aim for “the ability to ride 3km independently, unaided, and consistently relaxed on trails.” As you and your horse progress, these outcomes can evolve. For instance, “clean transitions” can become “transitions maintaining consistent contact,” and “3km relaxed trail rides” can evolve into “10km challenging trail rides while remaining relaxed and trusting the partnership.”
Assessing Your Horse’s Capabilities and Current Standing
It’s crucial to honestly assess whether your horse possesses the inherent ability and willingness to achieve your training goals. For some riders, this may involve acknowledging that their aspirations might not align with their horse’s natural talents. A responsible rider recognizes their horse’s unique abilities and adapts goals accordingly. For those confident their horse is suitable, the focus shifts to their current level of understanding and what they need to develop. Simply assuming a horse can perform a task because they’ve been observed doing it in a pasture is insufficient. Ask yourself: Will your horse have the capacity to perform this task happily in the future? More importantly, what specific steps and learning are required for your horse to achieve this desired outcome correctly?
Leveraging Existing Knowledge and Addressing Past Training
When training horses, it’s easy to focus on the challenges and the retraining required. However, consider viewing your horse’s existing knowledge, both positive and negative, as opportunities. What does your horse already understand that can be used to help them grasp a new concept? Just as humans use prior knowledge to learn, horses do too. By actively seeking ways to explain new concepts using what your horse already knows, you can significantly shorten the learning curve.
Conversely, some of your horse’s “learned” behaviors might be hindering progress. An example is an off-the-track Thoroughbred (OTTB) who was trained to rear on command when a handler was in front of her. This unwanted behavior, triggered by an unknown cue, made it incredibly difficult to retrain her. The key was to celebrate all desired actions and ignore the unwanted ones. Over time, she unlearned the old response and began to understand the new expectations, a process that required time and the rider’s guidance to help her understand the outdated command.
Strategic Time Allocation in Training
Ultimately, the most critical aspect is being realistic about your timeframe. Does your training plan accurately reflect your current capabilities and resources, including your available time, financial situation, and focus?
The secret to strategic time management, regardless of its abundance, lies in clearly identifying what needs to be accomplished. As you engage in training or retraining, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of your horse’s training “gaps.” Knowing these gaps allows you to tailor each training session to effectively address them, ensuring that every moment spent with your horse contributes to meaningful progress.
Happy Riding,
Lorna
References
- Strides for Success. (n.d.). Exercises. Retrieved from https://stridesforsuccess.com/tag/exercises/
- Strides for Success. (n.d.). Planning Your Rides. Retrieved from https://stridesforsuccess.com/tag/planning-your-rides/
- Strides for Success. (n.d.). Training. Retrieved from https://stridesforsuccess.com/tag/training/
- Strides for Success. (n.d.). What To Do. Retrieved from https://stridesforsuccess.com/tag/what-to-do/
