Classical Music

[Medalia]

Hello!:
This is mainly for dressage people, but all who ride with music are also welcome to answer.

Well, what kind of music do you like to ride with? If Classical, does anyone listen to Pachelbel? Beethoven? Bach? Motzart? Shubert? I listen to Pachelbel, and Bach in Classical.

Has anyone used music to inspire their horses? Thanks!

[Myrmex]

Now THAT'S a good idea! I need something to keep my horse's attention in the school... he doesn't hack out very well at the moment, thanks to too many tractors speeding round the lanes (no off-road riding round here) so we're stuck with mainly school work until the hay and silage are in. Problem is, he's bored stiff and starting to show it. Been through all the permutations of walk, trot and canter, polework and one small jump (school isn't big enough for more). I'll get out the stereo tonight and see how he goes. Not sure about the classical music though - how do horses like Metallica?!

[Moke]

I usually ride with music when at my barn indoors. At Christmas, I love this jingle tune that she has. It's really fun to trot to, and the horses love it. I like riding music with a lot of bells in it if i am doing trotting work, to get them in the grove. Also, for a canter, i like classical music, and that would probably be good for dressage.
To get your horse in an acitve walk, I would suggest a four beat tune, a two beat for trot and a long slow, flowing tune for canter. I would suggest for a musical ride the bells.

[Medalia]

Metalica!!Well, My pony loves Back Street Boys, Nsync, and Sky.

Anything is possible. :) LOL

[KB]

So Myrmex, I'm really curious - how did they like the Metallica? I listen to all kinds of rock and was curious about the horses. My guys didn't appear to mind - but weren't interested either when we've had the radio on at the barn. Haven't tried to ride to anything yet though.

[Sarah]

hello!

I went to a fantastic dressage to music demo run by our riding club a few months back. They said that any music was suitable (so long as it doesn't scare the horse!) but use a 4 beat track for walk, 2 beat for trot and 3 beat for canter. One of the things they did which looked fantastic was they played a sailors hornpipe and did simple changes to it which just looked briiliant - and like the horse was dancing.

horses are very rhythmic animals and really will move to the beat so it can help to steady a horse that is constantly changing its speed in one pace to play music to get it moving in time.

Their top tip for doing actual competitions was to learn how old the judge is! I suppose an old judge might not be as appreciative of Metallica as one in their twenties - or am i just being ageist!

have fun!

bye!

[This message has been edited by Sarah (edited 16 July 1999).]

[Myrmex]

I don't think the Metallica went down too well with the neighbours, but the horse didn't seem to mind! He had great fun spooking at the scary noisy box thing, so I guess he wasn't bored. Maybe I will try some classical though (if only to stop my neighbours murdering me!)

[ClaireB]

My horse loves music, it makes him much lighter to ride but rather more bouncy! I did a dressage to music course earlier this year - just a few friends and our local instructor - and I had to pick something really calming and repetitive otherwise he just cantered all the time. I used music by Jean-Michel Jarre (which gives an indication of my age!) but it is good and rhythmical. He loved the Can-Can too. Next time I'm going to be braver and just let him bounce around. It's good to lunge to music too, helps the horse keep a rhythm, most of them adjust their steps to keep time. Enjoy it!