We’ve all watched sports games where the referee calls interference, but who is calling it on you and your horse?  How may you be interfering with what is natural for him?

Most every movement we ask a horse to make is natural to him.  It’s just communicating the right signals to get the response we’re looking for.  It doesn’t matter if it’s dressage moves, jumping, pole bending, pivoting on the fore, or a roll back.  These are all natural maneuvers for a horse.  Even thinking of the Lippizzan Stallions performing a capriole through the air, these moves were taken, and used by the military for combat purposes.

Let’s just think about each of these movements, what the horse uses them for, and how we interfere.

• A horse will jump something to save his life, but not necessarily 5 foot.  Some enjoy it more than others.
• Have you ever seen an animated horse prance in place?  Perform flying changes while playing in the field?  Dressage.
• Have you watched your horse running through a bunch of trees, bending and weaving?  Pole Bending.
• When you come with a halter to catch your horse and he’s not interested?  Pivot on the fore or hind to avoid you.
• How about when another horse goes to kick them, or they see the horse-eating boogie man behind a bush.  Roll back.
• When you turn them out on a cold morning have they ever leaped in the air just for the joy of it, possibly kicking out?  Sign them up for the Spanish Riding School.

These are all natural movements for horses.  When we’re trying to get them to do a specific movement, we just confuse them with our signals.  It takes time and patience to teach them this signal equals this movement.  But it’s wonderful when you get that aha! moment.

So how do we interfere?  Usually with our body, balance, or not a clear signal.  Of course we did nothing wrong, it must be the horse.  He’s either ignoring us, or he’s just stupid.  Whoa!  You need to rethink this whole mind-set.

• Try running holding a wiggling child or dog.  Messes up your balance doesn’t it.  How steady is your balance on your horses back.  Is it in the right place at the right time?
• Try carrying something heavy on one side.  Kind of pulls you to that side doesn’t it?  Most people aren’t even aware that they are riding crooked.
• Try laying on the floor flat on your stomach, have a child sit on your shoulders and try to get up.  Horse trying to lift off for a jump with you on his front end.
• Your horse is trying to pick up a lead, pivot on the fore or hind.  Where is your weight? Are you helping or hindering?
• Going around a barrel or poles.  Are you fearful and off-balance?  Or are you moving with, and helping your horse?

See if you can spot what you are doing wrong the next time you try any of these maneuvers, and then think what you can do to help your horse in the future.

A horse and rider combination is like “Dancing With The Stars.”  If one partner is doing the Cha-Cha and one is doing the Tango it’s just not going to work.  You both have to Waltz together.  One must lead, that would be you, and one must follow.  It must be a smooth, flowing movement as one.

That’s my whole point, becoming one with your horse.  Try it, you and your horse will like it.