Try Something New – Day 27 Being A Better Rider

Try Something New

Being a better rider means putting yourself out there. If you want to get better at something, you need to do it over and over. Repetition is a good thing, it instills habits. But sometimes it can also turn something you love into a chore. So that is why for day 27 of our challenge we are going to try something new.

It doesn’t have to be way out of your comfort zone, but I want you to try something new, that you don’t usually do with your horse. For me, I am going to work with Ethan under western tack for awhile. When I bought him, he was a western horse. He was used as a rodeo horse at a local college. So I thought it would be fun, and a little different, to put Ethan back into his element. For the time being,  Ethan will be ridden western style for a while. Will I continue riding him western? I have no idea, we will see where this leads. But I want to work him, so western it is.

And I have the added benefit of now having a western saddle, which will hopefully mean my husband will ride with me more!

Think Outside the Box

My riding style has been English for as long as I have had Frisby. But when I started riding, I only rode western. Western riding isn’t completely new to me. But going to a heavier, and different saddle is something I’m not used to doing. By changing things up a bit, I will be keeping the work interesting for me and my horse.

But I have to start this right, so back to lots of ground work, for the both of us! This is not simply throwing a western saddle on my horse and going down the trail. Lots of ground work, and getting my horse used to the new tack that he is wearing.

This is a lot of repetition of exercises I have already done with Ethan, but it will be a different style of riding. He may take to it quickly, I don’t know, but that is something I am wanting to try.

Investment in Time

In order to ride western, means I had to get a new saddle, bridle, saddle pad, and everything else that goes along with western riding. A lot of the training I do with my horses is based around Clinton Anderson’s Method. The method is a way of training and working with horses using a pressure and release style of riding. This can help you with your riding no matter what style you ride. You can watch his videos on YouTube, and the one that has been the most helpful for me is a series he has about working with a rescue horse named Cider.

I have watched this series a lot, and I think you might find it helpful too.

One of the most important things I have learned from Clinton Anderson is that if your ground work is strong, this will establish the best foundation that can be transferred to when you are in the saddle.

Investment in Tack

I would love to say I ran out and bought all new western tack from Clinton Anderson. But as I am not made of money, or lack of common sense, I chose a more sensible approach. I found a saddle similar to the style he uses for around $400.00, along with a western headstall, bit and rope style rein. Some of the equipment I already had, like protective boots for Ethan, and an official Clinton Anderson halter, lead, and stick and string.

I have really been focusing on my ground work with Ethan after my fall, and it has been very helpful. Not only is it making me work more with my horse, but he is being respectful of me, and I am ready to saddle him up today, and see how it goes.

Just Do It

I’m not saying you need to rush out and buy tons of new equipment to do something different with your horse. You can do anything. Go for a trail ride, take your horse for a walk, or ride bareback. All I am suggesting is for you to try something new with your horse to reignite your passion for riding. I think you will find by trying something new with your horse, you will develop a deeper relationship with your horse. And you might find something new that you love to do!

Don’t forget to do your plank exercise, and cross off day 27 of your challenge. We are almost to the end now, but you might just be beginning a new path with your horse.