Alpha Horse Qualities

School is a necessary, unavoidable part of horse riding. However, it can be boring – for you and your horse. If you have an upcoming dressage test, or you just want to brush up on what you already know, there are ways to make it more exciting for both of you. Boredom is the biggest killer of productivity and it can be hard to work with a horse who isn’t going forward and clearly doesn’t want to be there. So it’s time to shake up the routine and do things that will excite both of you. Incorporate the Use of Poles Poles are a great tool for training, but they often get overlooked. However, they have huge benefits for you and your horse. Forget the line formation – it’s time to do something new that will engage both of you. Try using a diamond shape – multiple if you have access to them. Riding down the middle or even diagonally will check the straightness of your lines and help figure out who is leaning. Perform circles inside the diamond and try to ride the perfect one. It will improve your horse’s bending ability, but they will never know! Now try rearranging into a zigzag, perform the same training and notice how it feels different. Ride Without Stirrups So you have an upcoming dressage test that you have been practicing constantly – you even dream about it. But, have you tried doing it without stirrups? Suddenly the routine that seemed so easy has a new level of difficulty. Take your time to perform it and make sure your weight is even on the corners and your hands stay level – these are all things that will help your horse. Practicing transitions and circles all stirrup free will improve your seat and add a level of enjoyment to what would otherwise be dull movements. Practice Hacking Just because we learn to ride in a school, doesn’t mean that’s where all lessons have to take place. Training on a hack is just as effective and will add excitement to mundane tasks. You can also create your own riding school if you prefer. Use natural markers you find outside and try exploring to find new fields/areas that are suitable. If your horse is warmed up, then they will be more willing to get to work. Try working on something outside then see the difference when you return to the ring. The uneven ground will help your horse improve their balance at the same time. Go to the Beach Is there anything as good as a day out? So why not bring your horse on your next one. The same methods can be applied as when hacking and you will be able to practice all the same things, just with the added element of fun. You can practice transitions, draw a school in the sand, see how accurate your circles are, gallop as fast as you can – the possibilities are endless. Why not go with your friends for an even better time? If the weather is suitable then try swimming with your horse, it’s the ultimate trust exercise and something you are both sure to enjoy. Play Some Games Mounted games are something we all enjoy as children, but rarely partake in as adults. This is a shame because there are valuable skills to be taken from what feels like just a bit of fun. Stopping, starting, bending – all things that are foundations of the games. Why not get some friends together to play some games? Throw the sock in the bucket, fastest round the post, relay races passing the baton. You will learn speed, accuracy, and control as well as giving your horse a chance to socialize. If you can successfully play some games without your horse shying or spooking, then you know it will be fine at a competition. Practice with Friends Sometimes a bit of company is all it takes. Remember how fun group lessons used to be when you were starting out? When the lessons stop, the group flatwork tends to stop as well, despite the fact it is a great motivation technique for you and your horse. Try riding with a buddy and going through some movements. You can do it in synchronization, tandem and help correct each other with any errors. Plus, it is a chance to teach each other dressage tests you might know and practice moves you have never thought of. Your horse will enjoy working alongside another, and if they can behave badly, try and find someone with a calm horse who can calm yours down. Keep It Simple Keep It Fun As long as you keep switching things up, you are sure to find schooling easier than usual. Flatwork can be fun and it’s just about finding a balance that works for you and your horse. Try asking your friend for company and make sure you have some rest days. If you were studying for a test, you would find it hard to focus every day and your horse it just the same.

Your seat is your most important asset when it comes to riding. Learning to stay on the horse is your first lesson and it can be all too easy to rush onto the next step before perfecting your posture. How you sit affects you and your horse’s performance, and he might misunderstand your commands if you are not sitting correctly. Luckily this is correctable and there are lots of little ways to make a big difference in your riding. Ride Without Stirrups This is a staple of every riding lesson when you are starting, but since your teacher has stopped asking, how often have you taken the stirrups away? Without relying on them to balance, it forces you to sit deeper in the saddle and improves your position. The better your seat, the stronger a rider you are and is especially helpful when it comes to jumping. Remove your feet and cross the stirrups over your horse’s withers. Try putting the right under the left so if you need to get off in a hurry, it will be much quicker. Once they are secure, start walking and try to keep your legs long with your hands down. It may take a few minutes of getting used to, but soon you should be fine. Once you’ve mastered walking, try trotting and try not to panic! The more you tense up and try to correct yourself, the bumpier it will be. Try using a neck strap or holding into your horse’s mane to keep your hands down and your position strong. Notice how much straighter your back is and how settled you are in the saddle. Make sure to keep practicing regularly to reap the full reward. Give Bareback a Go It might seem scary, but riding bareback was the go-to for thousands of years. It’s a great way to bond with your horse – they will be excited by the variety – and it also is instrumental in creating the perfect seat. The lack of saddle means you can feel every muscle move and you will learn just how sensitive your horse is to commands. Use it as an opportunity to test your abilities as a rider and learn to trust yourself/your horse. Initially start bareback riding on a lunge rope. Without the saddle to grip onto, it can be far easier to slip and if your horse bolts then you could be in trouble. Get used to the way your horse’s back feels and learn how you fit in with that. What points do your legs grip onto? Where should you keep them so they don’t swing? All this is possible while riding bareback. Once you have gained your confidence, try jumping! If you can master this then there is nothing to fear while riding normally. Find this exercise painful? Why not invest in a bareback pad that will provide a cushion for both you and your horse. Plus, it has the added benefit of being a little slippery meaning you will have to stay balanced and hold on tight. Ride with No Hands So now you’ve secured your seat, what’s next? Riding without hands of course! A lot of emphasis is put on having strong legs and being sturdy in the saddle, but your upper body is just as important. If you lose a stirrup while show jumping, you will need to use your core to keep yourself balanced and correct yourself. It will also help prevent errors such as losing your balancing and pulling on your horse’s mouth, which he will appreciate. It also means you will be more of a tidy rider – something judges look for while competing. It is not advisable to try this alone, but if you must – make sure it is in an enclosed arena in case something happens. Start with lunging, this way you won’t have to worry about steering and you can focus on weighting yourself deep in your stirrups. Try and keep your hands steady in one position. Don’t worry if you lose balance and they come up – just get them back down and keep going. Once you have got your confidence up, try jumping! Yes, really. You will be forced to keep your weight low and your upper body still. Practice this for a couple of weeks to see a real difference in your position. Take It All Away Now you’ve completed all the exercises – it’s time for the hardest one yet – riding with your eyes closed. This might seem like the most daunting, but without the visual clues you are forced to feel what is going on and it will significantly improve your balance. It is important to trust your instincts when you are riding and this will allow you to get a feel for your horse and what his sensitivities are. Try closing your eyes and walking in a straight line. Does your horse sway to a certain side? Now check your seat. You may be surprised to find you are lopsided. Horses are incredibly sensitive and something like this can make a huge impact on their balance. Now try riding on a lunge rope with your eyes shut – if you don’t trust yourself then you can use a blindfold to ensure no peeking. Notice how your horse moves and try to steer just using your legs. It might take a little adjusting, but soon you should be able to transition between gaits, focussing on keeping still and not jerking about. The ultimate test is jumping with your eyes closed. How do you prepare for an obstacle you can’t see? The answer is trust. Your horse will guide you (plus whoever is holding the lunge rope). Don’t let your body tense in anticipation and soon you will be flying. If you can move and adapt like this then you are sure to keep your seat in any circumstance. See the Results Once you’ve taken the time to practice all these techniques, you should see a real difference in your seat. Why not ask a friend to watch you and see if they can tell? Practice makes perfect, just remember it should be fun as well!

The question is about how what it takes to be a leader. We are not just talking about horses. We are talking about life. We are talking about leadership. We are talking about friends. We are talking about family. We are talking about your daily walk. All of these things combined we can liken it to Alpha Horse. Alpha horse is just about that. How to live a life to the max in all aspects of life. Let’s go!