Riding to Music

[SaddlePsych'D]

Is this a thing people do? I mean more in the school rather than hacking, I don't think out hacking it would be a great idea as wouldn't hear what's going on (cars etc).

It came to mind for a couple of reasons. One being I have been feeling low a lot lately and on my drive home today a song came on and I noticed how it lifted me, and I wondered if I had a bit of a soundtrack when I'm in the school it might help me feel more positive (and drown out my worrying brain a bit!)

The other reason was from watching some GP to music (another poster shared on here recently, I think it was at Hartpury just before Christmas). My favourite competitors were not the Dujardins or the Hesters (not that I didn't think they were good, they obviously are!) but the ones where the music was the most 'fun' - Christmas songs, Tarantino songs, Madonna songs etc. It just looks so fun and fun is what I need in my riding at the moment. Share horse and I aren't likely to be breaking out the GP moves any time soon but it might help our rhythm?!

 

[J&S]

Just sing aloud to yourself, (and horse) it really relaxes muscles in your shoulders that in turn take tension from your hands. Its a Mary Wanless thing.
My favourite warming up song was "I need a little help from my friends!!"

 

[JackFrost]

I'm trying to do it. I have the luxury of occasional use of a school with a sound system, and enjoy having music on. The key to riding to music is knowing your horse's beats per minute (normally in trot) and finding music you like that matches the movements of your horse. On the internet now there are lots of sites that tell you what 'BPM' songs are. The trickier thing is finding what BPM your horse is, trial and error may be needed. But even if you are just walking it's nice having the music on, classical is pleasant IMO. Yes, it can help with schooling because rhythmn is a fundamental.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I love having a play at our annual RC camp. Otherwise, I'm well away from the proper stuff.
I've used the likes of brass band music, but found things like the Wombles music brought a grin for trotting, Gangnam style and also the Banana Splits them are a good beat for canter.
Old 70s kids programme theme tunes are my main choice ? ?

 

[Roxylola]

I suggest to lots of my lessons to sing a little song either out loud or mentally, to help focus on rhythm - wheels on the bus is good for trot work. Nothing wrong with having your phone in your pocket with a playlist on. I'm not a fan of headphones but you can also get Bluetooth wrist speakers

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Old 70s kids programme theme tunes are my main choice ? ?

I would pay good money to see a freestyle dressage with this theme

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Just sing aloud to yourself, (and horse) it really relaxes muscles in your shoulders that in turn take tension from your hands. Its a Mary Wanless thing.
My favourite warming up song was "I need a little help from my friends!!"

I will give this a try, might not be relaxing for anyone else around me!

 

[Cloball]

Where I used to work had a sound system for shows and we'd often put music on to school. I found it helped loads with jumping confidence. There's a song I listen to even now and find myself cantering down the street ?

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

I'm trying to do it. I have the luxury of occasional use of a school with a sound system, and enjoy having music on. The key to riding to music is knowing your horse's beats per minute (normally in trot) and finding music you like that matches the movements of your horse. On the internet now there are lots of sites that tell you what 'BPM' songs are. The trickier thing is finding what BPM your horse is, trial and error may be needed. But even if you are just walking it's nice having the music on, classical is pleasant IMO. Yes, it can help with schooling because rhythmn is a fundamental.

I've got some video of us trotting so guess I could try to work it out from that. Alternatively could try some kind of BPM roulette and see where that takes us! A long (very!) term goal would be to try and put a little freestyle together so good to know how it's done properly.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

I suggest to lots of my lessons to sing a little song either out loud or mentally, to help focus on rhythm - wheels on the bus is good for trot work. Nothing wrong with having your phone in your pocket with a playlist on. I'm not a fan of headphones but you can also get Bluetooth wrist speakers

I really need to sing when I ride anyway I think, I hold my breath without realising it until my instructor says something like "that was nice but can you do it again and breathe this time"

Will try with my phone but the wrist speakers sounds good. I've got a minirig but suspect I'd have to have it antisocially loud in order to hear it round the school.

 

[Cob Life]

I play music out of my phone, I’m on a private yard. Normally it’s whatever I fancy that day, sometimes it’s slow and chilled country, sometimes it’s more up beat 80s. I find it really motivates me on the days that its wet or I'm tired, or relaxes me and gets me into more a of a rhythm on the days I’m tens.
I do have a few playlists where I worked out his BPM for walk and trot (canter is still a bit iffy at the moment), I find these best for tense days.
I‘m lucky enough that blue doesn’t mind standing still for me to change to a different playlist. With the mare I don’t use music as I have to focus on her and her body language more than with blue but a lot of her work is groundwork

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Where I used to work had a sound system for shows and we'd often put music on to school. I found it helped loads with jumping confidence. There's a song I listen to even now and find myself cantering down the street ?

Brilliant! What's the song? Haha

 

[McFluff]

I have a mini speaker that I use , but only if I’m on my own. It helps create a bit of atmosphere and the right tunes do lift you. Finding the right tunes is a bit trial and error.
Personally I don’t like riding with headphones - find it stops me fully focusing on my horse and I’d worry if others in the arena that I could lose awareness of where they are.

 

[Cloball]

@SaddlePsych'D
It was a terrible mix cd from a local DJ but did feature Love don't let me go (Guetta).
I like the dancing and flying bit less so the rolling and crying.

 

[Red-1]

I sometimes get the speakers out on the school for a lift. I just play different stuff, part of the enjoyment is in listening to the music and deciding what gait to accompany it, and then adjusting the gait so it is a perfect match.

I like different music for different horses.

One of my favourite CDs was a compilation of old advert music. A real variety of songs I can recognise. Other than that, just anything I enjoy.

 

[Muddywellies]

I used to hire an indoor arena with a sound system that I always switched on. Love riding to some funky choons and I'd go as far as to say I ride better and my horse is more relaxed.

 

[Keira 8888]

I do this!

Here are my top three that Prince loves:

Simply the best; Tina Turner

I will Leave a light on: Paul Walker

But his absolute favourite! Sweet disposition by temper trap! He dances to this one ???

 

[scats]

I play music out from my phone while I ride. Its usually blues/blues rock such as Joe Bonamassa, Gary Moore or Stevie Ray Vaughan.
It’s great for distracting Millie from little sounds and I find makes her less spooky.

 

[Baccara]

Yes, its something I do all the time in the school. Amazon Prime music on my phone, shoved into my bra, and choose any country and western selection. And the music seems to fit what ever Im working on. It certainly seems to relax me and the horse. Also great fun.

 

[pete1710]

Have never tried this before, has anyone had any bad experiences with this before?

 

[ISH_lover]

I ride while listening to my fav movie sountracks (usually Star Wars and how to train your dragon) I find it really helps me relax and focus, especially those days where my brain is going a mile a minute. I was actually given a Stride speaker for Christmas, it straps onto your wrist like a watch and allows you to pause/change songs/adjust volume while only taking one hand off the reins. I love it

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

I ride while listening to my fav movie sountracks (usually Star Wars and how to train your dragon) I find it really helps me relax and focus, especially those days where my brain is going a mile a minute. I was actually given a Stride speaker for Christmas, it straps onto your wrist like a watch and allows you to pause/change songs/adjust volume while only taking one hand off the reins. I love it

Oh I never thought of film soundtracks, that's a good idea (I love how to train your dragon). I've still not got round to actually riding with music this week as haven't been in the school other than to do a lap each way (working on nerves!) but I'm inspired by the different ideas on this thread and have started a Spotify playist.

 

[Caol Ila]

Ideally, a fast Cape Breton strathspey for trot and swingy Cape Breton reel for canter. A slow strathspey is epic for passage, but most of us punters can't do that. One can also canter to Irish and Scottish jigs, played slow-ish, but with lots of lift. Usually, they're a bit too quick. Most Irish players play reels too flat and/or fast to be useful, but if they get it bouncy enough, you can trot. They don't swing their reels as much as Cape Breton players, which is less good for canter. Reels will never be as good as strathspeys for trot, though, because reels (in any tradition) always go ONE two three four, whereas strathspeys are ONE two THREE four, with far more lift.