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Cross Training with Western Riding |
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Written by Kevin Spoors
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So you’ve never wanted to rope steers and ride the range or to be the sweetheart of the rodeo. Many British riders find themselves thinking ‘What would western riding have to offer me?’ Contrary to the old films and horse operas, the foundations of western riding can be of huge benefit to show jumpers, Eventers and dressage riders wanting to cross train and pick up useful new skills. With it’s emphasis on relaxation, balance, responsiveness, and rhythm, riding Western can help you and your horse to ride better, communicate better, and above all to perform better.
Many riders find the need to do some problem solving somewhere down the line. We all get stale and bored- including our horses. Sometimes this comes out in undesirable behaviours, and sometimes time exposes holes in our current schooling programs. When challenges appear, including issues such as the heavy or sluggish horse, overly reactive or forward animals, lack of responsiveness, or inconsistency and tension occur, they can often be helped by cross training; for interest and to add different skills to your normal routine. Since horses are ’simple’ animals by human terms (they can’t read articles like this, and doubtless don’t spend their free time worrying about show results), the answers are often found when horsemanship and communication are boiled down to its essence. It is often said when encountering difficulties to step back and work on the basics. Working with Western riding allows a horse and rider to have more basics at their disposal, more building blocks to create a firmer foundation to their competition riding.
Above all, riding should be fulfilling, safe, and FUN for both horse and rider. In any competitive discipline, it is always important to remember that we all need some time out, a chance to ‘decompress’ from the grind of normal training. It is vital for emotional and mental wellbeing, particularly for those that have concentrated the majority of their time on one discipline. When putting total focus into one area we not only run the risk of ‘tunnel vision’ and spiralling into patterns of behaviour that we don’t desire, but we are risking burnout for ourselves and our horses. There are many ways to avoid this; going for hacks, riding in the country, or western riding. Whatever you choose, don’t forget why you love horses. Take the opportunity to strengthen the bond with your horse and always remember to keep smiling- your horse will feel it and smile with you.
First published April 2006 edition Equestrian Now! SouthWest
(C) 2006 Harmony Horses Limited, All rights reserved
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