When it comes to training your horse, sometimes it can be difficult to stay motivated throughout the season. Often all it takes is a small setback for negativity to creep in. Below we’ve compiled a list of tips for surviving the season and getting the most out of your training.
- Believe in yourself. Never say you can’t do something or it’s not possible. If you start to doubt yourself, you’ll start to look for obstacles that maybe aren’t there.
- Try to train come rain or shine. Consistency is key. You want your horse to know what’s expected of him so ask it consistently, whatever the weather.
- Never try to cut corners in your training. The more you put into it, the more you’ll get out.
- Try to keep things simple. Don’t overcomplicate. Your horse has enough to learn and will lose focus if more and more is introduced.
- Don’t add pressure. This goes hand in hand with the last point about simplicity being key. Your horse needs to be completely relaxed before you can ask questions of him.
- Prioritise. If you are competing in several classes or at a three-day show, for example, save your horse for the class that matters most. Don’t try to win everything as it’ll add pressure to an already tense horse and also tire him out.
- Teach your horse to drop his head. A head held high spells an uptight horse, while a head held low signals a relaxed one.
- Always end a training session on a positive note. Some sessions won’t go to plan but you want your horse to feel positive about the overall experience. Even if it means ending with something simple that your horse is guaranteed to do easily, it’s worth it for the sake of future training sessions.
We hope these tips help in some way this season, and we’d love to hear your own if you have any. What one piece of advice would you give on training? Comment below or email us directly and we’ll add your thoughts to the blog: [email protected].
Written by: Hannah
