Best Horseback Riding Lessons in Charlotte, NC

With show season starting we all are gearing up to travel to arenas and new places with our horses. I want to take a minute to make sure we all understand what working our horses or putting on their brains looks like. Watch the video of Vice and Kylee. Pay close attention to how she rides every step and isn’t a passenger princess. With horses who need more guidance we learn quickly either we are the leader or they are. Horses who are leaders tend to take us to the middle or stop and try to grab a snacks. Horses who are followers will show bad behaviors since they aren’t leaders and aren’t sure how to be in charge. So that comes across as bad or anxious. In order to make sure they know we are the leaders we need to make sure we ask the horse to work while we are on them. Notice how Kylee is asking for Vice to lower her head and get her hind end engaged by paddling her hands. Anytime Vice picks her head up Kylee will paddle, when she drops her head the paddle stops and Kylee has quiet hands. Apart from Loretta all of our horses know how to lower their heads when asked. But if we don’t ask or if we don’t stop asking when the horse answers it may appear like the horse is not listening. Notice how Kylee is clicking and using her heels before Vice breaks gait. By anticipating what she doesn’t want Kylee is able to keep an easy jog around the ring. Kylee also is very aware of her surroundings. There are other riders of all levels getting started in the ring. She doesn’t let that stop her working Vice. She is always looking ahead and changing course as needed so she doesn’t have to walk or run up on another horse. By keeping Vice moving she is reminding the horse she is in charge and we are here to work. She rides every step and in doing so has a very obedient horse. When you look ahead and plan out your ride you get ahead of any bad behavior a horse may have due to nerves, a new area, lots of activity, or just the position of the moon. Remember the horse already knows what to do so you aren’t training the horse you are practicing. As with anything we can practice the right way or the wrong way. This is a great video to watch and see the right way so you can apply it to your ride!