Boundless Ranch: Eight Rules Equestrian Riders Should Follow

A qualified equestrian rider should not just regard the horse as a "riding tool", but a partner who works side by side with him on the field.

The following eight guidelines are established and followed by children from the beginning of equestrian training, laying the foundation for them to become an excellent rider in the future.

End training on a good note

At the end of training, be sure to give the horse a positive impression. This will help the horse make a good impression of work training. If you always end the training with the impression of tension, anxiety, entanglement, and resistance, the horse will develop emotions of resistance to work over time. If during the riding training, the rider teaches the horse a new thing, but the horse does not finish it very well, it is best to do a few exercises that the horse has mastered well before the end of the training, not too much, to help the horse build self-confidence , to end the training session with a good and positive impression.

learn to feel the horse

For equestrian riders, learning to feel the horse is crucial, both in riding and in daily care. During the riding process, feel the body movements of the horse, whether the horse’s attention is concentrated, the movement of the forelimbs and hind limbs, the overall state of the horse, whether the horse’s power is sufficient during the forward process, etc., all of which need to be experienced by yourself An experience that cannot be expressed verbally. In daily care, learning to understand the body language of the horse, the current state and mood of the horse can help the rider better understand the horse, better establish a relationship with the horse, and better communicate with the horse during riding. Cooperate.

set a goal

Set short-term and long-term goals, give yourself a goal to work hard for, make steady progress, and visualize your training progress. Setting short-term small goals can not only help riders clarify their own training plans, but relatively easy-to-achieve goals can also help motivate riders to keep moving forward.

Learn about saddle fit

The saddle is a crucial part of equestrian sports. If the saddle is uncomfortable, it will greatly affect the health and overall comfort of the horse, and it will also greatly affect the rider. The rider needs to have the most basic understanding of the saddle, how the saddle is placed on the horse's back, what kind of saddle is suitable for his horse, and whether there is any discomfort in the saddle by observing the sweat stains and white hair on the horse's back.

become a confident rider

Be a confident rider, give yourself confidence, and give your horse confidence as well. Learning to be relaxed and patient on horseback while improving riding skills can help riders build confidence better. During the training process, do not do things beyond the scope of ability, and train steadily according to the plan. In addition, encourage the horse in time after completing the rider's request, and at the same time give the horse time to rest and relax; be patient when encountering bottlenecks, and don't get angry with the horse.

don't mess with the reins

Many riders, especially beginners, will only control the horse by pulling the rein, but in fact, the rein is only a small part of the rider's connection with the horse. The balance, feeling and connection on the horse's back should be felt mainly through the legs and the seat. A truly harmonious movement with the horse is only possible if the rider has established an independent seat. During the ride, maintain a close but light connection with the horse, keep your hands sensitive, and feel the horse's mouth at all times. Use the rein when you should use it, and when you should not use it, firstly, you should not pull the rein randomly, secondly, you should not pull the rein with brute force, and thirdly, you should not blindly pull the rein.

know your horse

As a rider, you should get to know your horse, find out if it has any unique idiosyncrasies, or if there is anything that needs special attention. When there is anything wrong with the horse, the rider can find out and realize it at the first time, and do it with a sense of responsibility. rider.

thank your horse after the ride

In terms of strength and size, the horse is far superior to the rider, but it chooses to trust you and respect your instructions. After the ride, thank your horses for their obedience and dedication to keeping the rider safe.