The Key to Building Confidence in a Horse
I had a conversation with a student of mine this last week. We were discussing the topic of confidence in a young horse. A horse needs to have confidence not only in themselves, but also in the rider. As we humans saddle up and mount a horse we change their center of gravity.
Our added weight, coupled with it's position over the horse, shifts their center of balance upwards a little. In essence, the horse becomes top heavy while carrying the load of a rider.
This change in balance can be troubling to a young or green horse. An element that can be amplified when a rider has issues with their own balance. If a rider leans inside or outside during turns, the horse darn sure has to compensate.
The same is true if a rider shifts forward, backward or gets jostled around in the saddle. All excess movement coming from the rider throws a horses balance off to some degree. Balance that, to a horse, can be a matter of life or death. A horse that falls over in the wild gets eaten.
Confidence, then, is established slowly in a green horse. As the horse learns how to carry the added load of saddle and rider they feel more sure of their steps. The ability of the rider to balance in the saddle helps establish a consistent feel of balance under load.
If we ride with a consistent seat and position, a horse learns where the new balance point is and relies on it not to waiver.
As a rider remains balanced through all gaits we can help build the horses' understanding of how to perform movement in relation to the new center of gravity. A horses' stride will lengthen forward, backward, and side to side.
Balance is not the only confidence booster. A horse needs to gain confidence in a riders' abilities also. There are times when horses feel that running away is their only way to survive.
Horses have lived this long by being able to quickly get away from predators. If a horse is unsure of their riders' ability to go with them they brace up. Holding tension in muscles, associated to them, with fleeing a situation.
Confidence can be built through riding on a loose rein at all gaits. This lets a horse know that their human can actually ride and will not disadvantage them in dire situations.
Constantly traveling with tension in the reins will lead to a troubled horse. They need to feel freed up in the feet to relax. By always holding a horse in, to contain their movement, a rider is lighting the fuse on a time bomb.
The ability to contain a horse and collect them is a must. Always traveling that way is a mistake.
A horse should be able to listen back to the rider on a loose rein. Establishing this in an arena or safe area is the key to success. When we then take a horse somewhere new, the rider becomes the source of confidence.
Eric riding with softness and balance. Notice the horse’s ears are forward and his expression is happy.
Set this up for you and your own horse. Let them know that you can ride. Don't be afraid to ride on a loose rein at all gaits. Walk, trot, lope, fast and slow walk, fast and slow trot, fast and slow lope, even at a gallop.
If slightly unsure of your abilities to see this through, you might ride with one rein shorter than the other, ready to shut a horse down with one rein.
Try it though. Get to the point where you and your horse are sure of each other. Build confidence in the both of you. I assure you a calmer horse in the end.
Happy Trails!
Eric