Being assertive!

[Mistertron]

Ok my RI has said my riding is coming along fine (did a much better canter this week without holding the saddle! yay!) but i do need to be more confident and in control. I know i am far too soft and the horses know this and play up sometimes.

So any tips on being more assertive! and showing the horse who's boss so they will listen to me more.

Thank you.

[Tots N Dots]

I have started treating Pickle more along the lines of my kids rather than babying him :o we have a much better relationship, so I just view him as a naughty toddler having a tantrum, I tell him to shut up and get on with it :o
rofl!

[Nazdaq]

Hey mistertron, I have this problem as well, although I can't get the balance right, either I am too soft on them or too firm with them and they shoot off! I am too soft with some things such as steering so horsie goes where they like, but too firm with leg aids....its weird. That didn't really help, just thought I would say you are not the only one. :D

[Mistertron]

Tots N Dots - lol!

Nazdaq - Thanks, it is good to know its not just me. As for steering..yep my RS horse generally decides on how big our circles are going to be!

[Tanyajayne]

Tots n Dots that is exactly how I have been told to handle Bryony when she is being nappy - just pretend she is one of my kids.:D

[baybabe]

im a big softy too but the more you let them away with the more they chance there luck.:) .be brave.

[Afellpony]

You have to tell then what YOU want them to do otherwise they'll just take charge. (The natives are terrible for this as they all seem to like doing their own thing). At the start of the lesson, let the horse know what you want, even if you have to give a little tap with your stick. Try keeping the horse between your hands and legs so you've got him in a position where he'll find it dificult to argue with you. It is quite difficult with riding school horses though as they have so many different riders on them - and, unfortunately, some riders let them get away with things more than others. So, that puts you at a distinct disadvantage.

[Kathryn128]

Well, i'd just remember that although they are giant cuddly animals they are often v.opinionated and have a mind of their own, and will use it to their advantage and your disadvantage if they feel like it.

Take charge from the very start, and be very sure with your aids (not harsh!), just know exactly what you want to do, when you want to do it, and that the horse does it!

I know that's easier said than done, but a lot of it's really in the mind, and if you've got the right attitude, the horse will pick up on that and feel less inclined to mess you about!

Don't know if that helps, but i hope so!

[Nazdaq]

Kathryn, I am nice and firm in my leg aids, but I need some work with my hands as I am too soft becuase I am scared of pulling on the horse's mouth. Sometimes though I think I am a little tough on my leg aids to compensate with the softness of my rein aids....how can I find the right balance of both? (Sorry for a slight thread hijack Mistertron!) :D

[Blair Witch]

Don't be too hard on yourself, this is a very common problem and is seen in all my students. lol

You have to understand that your riding a 1000LBS animal and a good sharp kick won't kill him. With time you'll know when your horse is acting up and you should be taught how to fix it. My philosophy is "Ask, Tell, Demand". If you want your horse to canter, ask him nicely and give him a few seconds to think about the request, then proceed to ask him harder then wait. If he doesn't respond take your legs off and give him a good sharp kick followed with a vocal command. Make sure your asking him correctly though and that he's capable of doing what is asked of him.

[Tots N Dots]

im a big softy too but the more you let them away with the more they chance there luck.:)
tell me about it, I really used to "baby" Pickle, well he is a baby ;) but like everyone has said, he got very opinionated and took charge! I now take a lot less flack from him and he is a much happier pony :)

[Pibstar]

it took me 6 weeks to get molly to canter and i was doing NOTHING WRONG! My leg aids etc were right. But I was not telling her who was boss, riding and on the ground. A RI got on to show me, gave her one good tap with the crop. Since then i dont have to do much, just move my leg a litte, no crop or kicking...... if they know your boss and wont stand for it they normally do as their told......well not always but most of the time.

[*toHorse&Away*]

You have my sympathies. I am still doing the same, hate to think of hurting then but then when you put it in context with how rough they can play at times out in the field, its doubtful anything me or thee could do to really bother than!
Its probably better to set the tone early, ride with a purpose and back up your aids if they are not listening straight away. Its kinder than constant nagging :)

[Mistertron]

Kathryn,(Sorry for a slight thread hijack Mistertron!) :D

no probs :)

[eml]

Setting out at the very beginning to get the horse to understand that you mean what you say is essential. My RS horses and particularly ponies can sum up a rider in the walk from the yard to the school and waste little time in checking out their assessments, however if you get it right in the first five minutes they will then acknowledge that you do want them to work and will willingly cooperate for the rest of the lesson.

Most frustrating for me as RI is the little ponies become very opinionated about what a rider is capable of and cannot be co-oerced even when being led into doing anything (eg cantering) if they feel the rider is insecure.

Assertive is probably the wrong word ...confident that the horse will do what you want is better..for kids I describe it as like 'bossing your little brother/sister around'.

[coss]

i find just sitting up and thinking postively tends to do the trick.
if the horse mucks about, sometimes saying, "shut up" out loud helps as it gets it out and makes you feel better. try to make your position extra good and that often makes the horse listen. if you sit up and pay attention the horse will pay attention :)

[ridingstar]

Most RS horses are masters at working out their rider and many will do the minimum amount of work possible during the lesson. However, they have a job to do and during the lesson they must listen to you and do as you ask. If they do not then, you must make sure that there are consequences for them and a stick can be your friend here.

I recommend that you always carry a stick and get comfortable with using it whenever your horse plays up during the lesson, hard if necessary when your seat is sufficiently secure. He will respect you for it, knowing that you are no pushover, and your riding will progress far more rapidly.