No matter if you are very busy in horseback riding lessons on a horse provided by your school or riding your own animal, it is necessary that you are able to maintain your horse in full attention. If not, you will not get much out of your lessons. The horses provided by horseback riding schools are known for nodding off in the middle of lessons, because they become weary of the routine nature of the sessions and the repetitive nature of effective teaching. It can be specifically difficult for newcomers to alter the horse's activity at the same time they are trying to remain focused on giving aids properly and directing the horse accurately.
However, a major component of learning to ride is to gain the ability to change the routine sufficiently to prevent the horse from sleeping off during the session. Luckily, some trick exists which will help maintain the horse's keep on focus. Select the tactics that you are capable of undertaking and put them to work in making the horseback riding experience more enjoyable.
Those involved in horseback riding lessons may wish to inquire with the teacher to see if they might put the techniques to work prior to starting the session. Maybe you might suggest that the entire class give them a try.
1. Walking Techniques
Take the horse for a walk on a light contact one time through the arena, using two reins. Next, traverse a 20 meter circular path, beginning with the horse's easier side, using a heavier contact. Demand longer steps, then the shorter ones and followed by the longer. Ease the pace prior to beginning the path in the opposite direction. Before turning the horse around, take him for a straight line walk for a full horse length. Request the horse to again switch between long and short steps.
The horse now ought to have a heightened alertness to your aids, as you are continuously changing movement, which requires his attentiveness. Next, ride the horse in figure eight patterns, maintaining a constant cadence and focusing on easy changes between the left and right sides. Be sure to walk a full horse length prior to switching course, and get the horse ready for the next bend.
2. Trotting Techniques
The preceding techniques may also be used while trotting and can be very helpful in keeping the horse from becoming accustomed to a particular direction and from leaning on a particular single rein. Present changes between trotting and walking, and then return to trotting once more. Try hard to make easier changes, in order to get the horse to listen compliantly to our aids and starts to accede to your contact. Riders of a more advanced level may perform trotting serpentines on the arena in three equal loops: riding it from one longer side to the other one, request that the horse complete a couple of walking strides prior to ramping back up to a trot. The horse will begin to respond your aids, which is a positive thing, though you should make use of your legs to assure that you are always moving forward. It is important that the horse not become anxious as he begins to expect a shift downward. Therefore, you do not want to consistently request walking at the same spot.
3. Canter Techniques
Request lengthening as you reach the long side and gain control of the horse prior to reaching the short side, consistent switching from canter to trot and then a resumption of canter, incorporating canter changing to walk, will help your horse remain at attention, as lengthening and shortening the horse's stride on the circular 20 meter paths. The preceding techniques will assist in maintaining your horse's attention, as it changes his accustomed routines and adapted his body to the desired movements, facilitating his cooperation. Helping the horse enjoy the things asked of him will result in more enjoyable horseback riding lessons for you.


