Endurance riding can be very hard on a horse’s emotions. There are ways to avoid this happening, but if it does, read on and this will hopefully help you deal with it.
First we need to understand why it is hard on the horse. The horse is a herd animal, designed by God to flee when frightened. Safety and security are found in the herd atmosphere. In an endurance ride the horse may find himself seeking comfort in the herd, his competitors. However, we, his rider, are his partner, but we may find our horse preferring the “pack” and following what the group is doing, not doing what we, his rider, are asking.
Before we get ourselves belly deep in emotions, let’s see what’s happening and deal with it before it becomes a doggone, dirty rein wrenching problem.
The horse finds security in his buddies. Then we begin to notice when the lead horse speeds up, our horse is happy to follow. Soon this progresses into our horse anticipating a change in pace. Then when we can no longer tolerate our horse racing along, ignoring our requests to slow down, we may find that he is adamant about going along with his friends. Refusing to walk, he has developed the “jig,” and depending on the energy in the group, we may soon be dealing with a full-blown tantrum.
Many people will tolerate this behavior or, finally at their wit’s end, in desperation sell the horse and buy a new one. However, unless they get a handle on their problem, the new horse will develop the same or a similar pattern of behavior.
Many of us are masters at teaching our horses what we don’t want, then blaming the horse instead of taking the credit ourselves for our own shortcomings.
If your horse starts off before your cue, whether it’s walking off or speeding up in a gait, it is time to do some preventive work.
What are some warning signs that we are headed down this one-way path to destruction, and what can we do about it?
• Make sure your riding time is divided equally: riding by yourself and with other horses. Vary the position you ride at in the group. Don’t always lead or plant yourself in the rear. I like to ride my horse out in front of the group, but also ask him to slow down and ride behind the group, and other positions within the group.
• Vary your speed. In each gait, you should have a range of paces within each gait, this includes gaited horses. I cringe when I hear, “I can’t ride with gaited horses they go too fast.” Well, let me tell you, they might go to fast but there are a lot of horses that have the reverse problem, especially at a flat walk. Just think how pleasant the trail world would be if all horses had a wide range within their gaits!
• Riding in reverse or leaving the bunch. Better to practice before it gets to be a challenge. There is nothing wrong with taking another path or going home by yourself. If your horse is already an emotional disaster, try riding a little farther away from the group then coming right back. Your horse may not be ready to go cold turkey! Take every opportunity to ride off, even if only a few feet or around a bush or two.
• Horses that jig. No, this is not a gait, your horse is not walking, nor is it trotting! Your horse simply has a case of ants in his pants. Stopping the horse is not the answer, and might even cause the horse to rear. Alternative circling will solve this problem, but only if you use one rein at a time, keeping your free hand on the buckle. Be sure to release the horse as you circle him back so he has the opportunity to walk on a loose rein. As soon as the horse takes one nonwalk step, it is imperative that you don’t think twice but start immediately. Note: He may walk at some point, it might only be a step or it might be a power walk; be aware of this and don’t miss this important opportunity to reward him.
• On an endurance ride, try riding with different people as well as by yourself. I rode with eight different horses on my horse’s first competitive ride. I went by myself at one point when I felt he was thinking of becoming a groupie. Endurance riding is no different than any other equine sport, yet some people go through horses like toilet paper. Hopefully, like me, you’re one who wants your horse sane and sound for the long haul.
For more information on riding with us privately or in clinics, call 608-868-5432.
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