helpful hints needed!

[angel_16]

i was just wondering if anybody out there had any aids they used to help their horses perform better. i don't mean in the ring, but out hacking, and just general riding. i am a newer rider, and would like any advice people have! i ride two shared horses once or twice a week, and they seem to be bored of the usual routine. any suggestions how to make riding more fun for the horses, and easier on the rider? thanks!

[hlstarmie]

The aids you use depends on the problem your having. What exactely is the problem?
If the horse is bored then no aids are going to change that. Could you try varying the work he does, maybe a bit of schooling, lunging, different hacks out perhaps make him more happier out on hacks by half way letting him eat some grass not in the same place all the time though!
If you can give more info then i will try to help more.

[Nancy]

We usually go out in a small group on the trail. Instead of just following head to tail, take little detours. Our horses like to be in site of each other, but we will go down little side trails, or ride ahead and then come back to the group at a different pace than the rest. Don't always do the same thing in the same spot. Pick different spots to trot or gallup or whatever.

Have fun and the horses will have a good day too.

[angel_16]

the main problem is that he is sort of a shared horse. he is one of two riding horses at a heritage park where i volunteer about twice a week. most of the others that ride him simply walk him around the town for hours upon hours, because as a volunteer, our job is too help the visitors experience the town the way it would have been in the 1800's. he is getting up there in years, and there are very few other riding trails around the park i can take him on. i don't have alot of tools(lunge-lines etc.) and i try to vary the way i ride him (sidesaddle, bareback, english, and western) but i am running out of ideas. if you know of any simple excersices, or things like that i could do while riding him to make it more fun and interesting, i would certainly be greatful! (p.s. thanks for your helpful hints!)

[hlstarmie]

Your job sounds great i would love to do something like that!
I can only suggest a bit of schooling on hacks but then thats not fun is it. If there are no trails maybe you could just explore a differnt route to what you have been before maybe you will come across a bridle way or something.
Have you got a school where you are?
If you have you could set up a little obsticle course with things you find around the yard, buckets, brooms (not forks!)etc. time yourself going around it. You could also make some sacks at home to add a bit more fun. Fill pillowcases or bin liners with straw and jump off the horse pick it up and get back on and take it around the course to make it more difficult!
Sorry i cant help anymore im out of ideas!!!

[LindaAd]

I used to do schooling exercises on hacks - especially changes of pace: walk twenty paces, halt, walk 18, halt, walk 16 and so on down to walk 2 then back up again. Or trot and walk. Or walk trot canter, walk trot walk. Or leg-yielding across the road (if there were no cars around).Or alternate sitting and rising trot, and changing the length of stride. It mightn't sound very interesting, but it seemed to wake my lazy pony up and made him think. It also made him very responsive. But what he liked best was going out with other horses - do you do that?

[angel_16]

thanks for all your tips. i got a chance to use some of them out today, and they seemed to work! :)