What do you think it is that makes horses go well for you??

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Obviously there is the skill factor, but i personally believe it comes down to confidence.

If I'm feeling confident I can see a stride to every fence and everything just feels right, if I'm being pathetic, all goes to pot.
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What do you guys think??
 
On the more intricate note of how the horse works for you with respect to outline, rhythm etc - I think it's all down to attention to detail.

As I watch different riders on horses at college it's amazing how different they go for each of us, I mean most of us all LOOK the same in our position, balance etc, but the horse goes different.

For example, a horse called Rohan, easiest horse in the world to ride, now I have a very secure lower leg position but I tend to collapse my middle and round my shoulders, Rohan goes fantastic for me, working through his back and really pushing from behind. Then when another girl gets on him, who actually has a better position than me, if you took stills she would almost be perfect, but the horse goes round with his nose in the air.

Skill, precision, the knack?
 
I agree a positive attitude can carry you along way. Jumping is literally a leap of faith - if you don't have confidence in yourself your horse will sense your doubt and hesitation, if you don't trust your own judgment why the hell would they?!
 
I guess for me I'm thinking more of jumping, but interesting to here all views!!!
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I get really confused with the whole "good seat" comments and all, I have no idea!!
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When do you have a good seat?
 
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I don't jump, but do schooling and dressage and for me it's awareness and understanding.

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I think the moment you get on a horse and take up the rein the horse knows whether this is going to be an easy ride or I'm going to have to work here.
 
When it stays in the saddle is my guess.

Re: Jumping, confidence, without a doubt.

I know quite a few people who drop their reins over a fence, and their horses have gradually lost confidence jumping, personally I think the contact is telling the horse you are still 'there'. Obviously give them their head over a fence but dont drop the reins as some horses are like "where the hell has she gone?!"

Also getting infront of the movement could be another, I used to ride a pony, fantastic jumper but with the dirtiest stops, literally at the last split second. I learned if I kept my shoulders back until I was definately sure he had taken off, he was a star... But go into auto-pilot and start to lean forward a fraction of a second too early and you were buried, well and truly!

It's just all about knowing the horse, and being able to adapt.
 
I think you have to respect the horse and the fact that they are so sensitive, both physically to how you ride them and distribute your weight etc, and emotionally, with respect to whether you feel confident, feel like riding etc. So you have to genuinely feel confident so that the horse has confidence in what you are doing and asking them to do, and you have to make sure you don't ride them unnecessarily harshly so that they can do what you ask of them easily and without pain (which would discourage them). Horses are generally willing, they just need to be given clear direction with as few mixed messages as possible.
 
I find port is usually a good starting point with everything hardcore like teamchasing- I only fell off at B&BM last year because I was sober- look how well I did this year and I was hammered.
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Showjumping usually comes down to my warm up- if I get him going nicely in the warm up but don't bore him, we get a nice rhythm and I can see strides, otherwise it's just rushed and messy.
 
So - get drunk before hand is the way forwards - certainly works for Sal and Caf!
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All still to do with the confidence I think!
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Even if it is induced by port!!
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Tons of over enthusiastic praise when the horse does something right ! Horses are very willing to please
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I once schooled a pony whos rider booted whipped and shouted at him. He reflected this by being nappy and disgruntled in temperment shall we say whilst being ridden - imagine teenager with attitude lol. I started the basics with him, rode him quietly with polite aids and every time he did the tiniest thing right I praised him loudly and happily - yes I sounded off my head but it worked quickly, he stopped napping and became very eager to please - fantastic pony a very very good learner.
 
This is such a good question! I ask this all the time, as sometimes Boris goes so well and then other times it all goes to pot ... if only I could work out what causes him to go well/badly then we would rule the world!

A big thing I think is working hard ... so many people at my livery yard seem to ride their horses once a month and then complain about them being naughty!
The other thing is concentrating on the moment - whenever I start thinking about an upcoming competition/lesson instead of what I am doing that's when you can be sure Boris will pretend he is being possessed by a devil!
 
I have a cob I ride for a lady> He is called Rocky and is amazing for me to ride. Works over his back, responsive to my leg and will drop his head to an outline. She gets on him bearing in mind she backed and broke him in as a 4 year old (He is now 8) he just takes the pee and she has to really beat him up to make him move anywhere! Getting him on an outline is a differant matter.. With regards to Rocky I think its respect. He doesn't respect you, he doesn't work for you.

I own a TB called Poutu and when other people get on her she is.. ok but doesn't go as well for them as she does for me. There are select few that can get her working over her back, leg yielding, turning on the forehand etc. She definately picks her rider. For Poutu if you are confident she trusts you and goes well for you.

I suppose at the end of the day ( I risk sounding like a Parelli freak) its down to your relationship with the horse. If you and a horse just don't get on, and its a complete clash character wise, the horse dosen't go well for you.

I think some of this made sense
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