- Get fitter
The top professional riders know this, but as amateurs a lack of fitness can often get eclipsed by work, family and simply the time involved in riding & managing horses. So anything you can do to improve your cardiovascular fitness is only going to help you ride better. Ideas might include HIIT sessions (high intensity interval training sessions – google it!), swimming, jogging, exercise classes or DVDs at home. Something is better than nothing 😉
- Get assessed by a physiotherapist
A good physio who understands horse riding is invaluable. They’ll work with you to identify your asymmetries, assess & deal with any pain or stiffness (lower back pain anyone?) and give you exercises to ride more effectively. This is definitely worth the time & money!
- Pilates
Ooh I do love Pilates. There a many people out there who offer Pilates classes specifically for equestrians, however virtually any Pilates will help to improve you to improve your riding. Do it!
- Video
As hideous as this feels, ask a friend to video you riding your horse. Watch it back in the comfort of your own home, and try to be impartial in your analysis; make a list of all the things that you do well when riding, and all the things you would like to improve. Make a priority list of three things to work on. Do keep the video(s) as a record of your progress; it’s great to be able to look back & see how far both you and your horse have come.
- Have regular lessons
Whether monthly, weekly or daily (!!), lessons with a qualified, professional and experienced instructor should be both enjoyable and help you to improve. Make sure you know what your homework is and be disciplined in doing it.
- Ride a variety of horses
It’s so very easy to get used to riding just one horse; challenge yourself to either have lessons on a schoolmaster or ride other horses (which are suitable obviously). You’ll start to see things from a whole new perspective & develop skills you never knew you had.
- Learn from the professionals
Have lessons, go to demonstrations, clinics, conferences, go with friends to their lessons, take notes to remind yourself of different techniques/approaches/ideas/sayings. It can be hugely inspirational to change your environment & see how elite riders work.
- Be kind to yourself
Many riders are really horrible to themselves! I’ve heard things like “I can’t ride!”, “I’m so stupid, why can’t I do this?”, or “I’m such an idiot, what is wrong with me?”. Would you ever speak to anyone else like this? No. Of course not.
When you feel like this, try to take a step back & take the pressure off yourself. Remember that riding is a constantly evolving learning process and while we’re aiming for perfection, it’s a long journey which will have both good and bad days.
Try not to beat yourself up too much.
- Get reading
I can say this as I’m a BIG reader of books, but I absolutely love learning more about riding. This really helps to give me ideas when I’m feeling unmotivated; different ridden exercises, ways of thinking as a rider, finding the advice of experts in their field. If you’re not into books, there are plenty of established equine magazines and online resources to help inspire you.
- Remember that you are supposed to enjoy it, and so is your horse!
Sometimes, we put ourselves under so much pressure to have our horse working a certain way, or to achieve a certain goal, that is has a huge impact out our riding & relationship with our horse. Take a step back & remember that is should be fun for you both (but that doesn’t mean it will always be easy!). Smile, giggle at your horse, sing; do anything that diffuses tension & stops you worrying about what anyone else is thinking about you!
