Instinctive riding

[RachelB]

Just a random musings post, but something got me thinking today. I used to work really hard at riding to get it right, I'd always know what I was doing with each part of my body and I'd know what I wanted the reaction to be, even if it didn't necessarily happen! I got thinking today as I was at a local RC dressage comp, and in the warm-up I managed some lovely walk-canter transitions without really trying. Later, as we were going home, Cookie's owner asked me how I'd managed to do it and I couldn't tell her. Years ago I would have been able to remember and describe where each part of me was and exactly what aids I had given, but now that has been replaced with a "feeling" that I get - I know instinctively whether I've got it right or not. It's strange to think that in maybe two years, I have come on that far and can just "do" things without explaining how I've done them. I (usually) know why I've given a particular aid, it's not that I'm applying random aids and hoping it will work.
So anyway, my point is, do you feel you are an "instinctive rider"? How long did it take for you to achieve this? Is it necessarily a good thing that I don't know how I've done something, just that I have achieved it?
I hope that makes sense, dressage always frazzles my brain for a while afterwards!

 

[Parkranger]

I think alot of it is down to riding the same horse? I know when Ty's feeling tense and I can tell when he needs a little tweak and which way when schooling him - that's only through knowing him.....

I'm certainly not a rider that could get on any horse and just know what to do - that's a instinctive rider in my book!

 

[RachelB]

Yes, I see what you mean. I suppose it may be that we've formed enough of a partnership now to not have to think too much about how to do everything. Although I still feel that this does, to a degree, transfer to other horses. I ride a few different ones at work and I sometimes get the same "feel" for them, but nothing like what I get when I ride Cookie. I don;t think I even get that when riding my own!
I certainly didn't mean that I could get on any horse and just do it, quite the opposite as I'm a huge wuss! Maybe not instinctive then... (I did have trouble naming this thread actually!)

 

[Parkranger]

definately can be transferred to another horse - so much is down to confidence I guess....some horses I'll get on and feel comfy, others I just can't get to do what i want them to and that's all down to my complete lack of ability! haa haa

 

[viola]

My theory is that on avarage you will have five stages of learning to ride:
1) When you know nothing, do as told and walk in the dark
2) When your theory is good, you understand why/when/with what result and you do things matching the theory; this is a studious stage.
3) When your muscle response is quicker than your real life thought and you get results without knowing how you have done them - this is a stage many good competitive riders are at.
4) When both theory and instinctive riding come together and you are bothered to conciously investigate what you are doing and what is the cause; and you can no longer do things well but also teach others how to do it well
5) Neverending polishing of the stage 4.