Palm, Lynn: Right Match

PALM PARTNERSHIP TRAINING

Right Match of Horse and Rider

By Lynn Palm | http://www.lynnpalm.com/

Use your common sense when evaluating a horse's size in proportion to the rider.

The bottom line with this partnership is that this horse knew just when to take control and intimidate his rider. His laid-back personality was not mean; he was just trying to get out of work! The rider's mistake was to make her first reaction to praise and baby her horse hoping to give him security around the “spooky” object.

If you have been following my articles, you know how strongly I believe how important finding the right match of horse and rider can be to meet your riding goals, personality and lifestyle, and skills. Many of you have emailed me at “ASK LYNN,” with questions about how to choose a horse among several equine individuals who might meet the criteria. Consider the horse's size and age when looking for a new horse. A horse's size should be in proportion to the rider's size. This is especially important for woman riders. Ask a friend to help you evaluate how well you and your potential new equine partner measure up together. Have your friend stand a minimum of 50 feet away from you while you are mounted on the horse. You can ask the friend to video you, so you can participate in the evaluation process. The “picture” of you together should show a rider in proportion to the body size of the horse. You should not appear to be “too short” for the horse, nor should your legs appear too long for the horse's barrel. A horse that is light or long backed or one that has a narrow frame is not a good match for a heavier rider. These riders are better proportioned for a wider built, short backed horse, with more width across the loins for strength and a more substantial frame. Riders with short arms may be uncomfortable with a long necked horse and could have more difficulty connecting the balance with their hands and the horse's mouth.

A common question I get is how important the age of the horse is for rider. Many of you are novice riders with a busy lifestyle. Your best match will be an older, experienced horse who will require less training from you. This partner will allow you to focus on improving your riding skills, rather than facing the frustration of spending time training an inexperienced horse that should receive training time 6 days per week! Young, inexperienced horses are best left to the experienced rider! I observed an athletic woman rider, with a strong personality, schooling her “laid-back” horse. Even though he was very quiet, he always found things to be insecure about. He would spook, and then buck, with this rider.

Any horse that bucks has excess energy. This horse was letting it out through spooking and bucking.

I taught this rider how to properly longe her horse to the point of achieving a light sweat before she rode. This gently “humbled” him and defused the excess energy. After this pre-ride preparation, they had the best schooling session in the 5 years she has owned him.

Lynn's Training Tip…

Longeing can be a very valuable tool in your horse's training. When properly executed, a structured longeing session can further your horse's fitness and conditioning as well as solidify his response to your body position and verbal commands. It allows you to evaluate your horse's attitude, responsiveness and movement before you begin any work under saddle. Let me teach you how instrumental the longe line and the longe whip are in achieving the utmost control and responsiveness in my video “The Art of Longeing,” one of the videos in my 6-part Longevity Series. It will strengthen the bond between you and your horse as you achieve a good balance and clear communication. Longeing adds a wonderful variety to your training and working with your horse, especially for those days when you don't feel like riding. Just go to my website www.lynnpalm.com and click on “Boutique” for more details. Until then, follow your dreams! ~ Lynn Palm

To learn more about Lynn's educational programs at Palm Equestrian Academy in Ocala, Florida, her Ride Well clinics across the United States, saddles, DVDs, books, as well as trail and Western dressage competitions, and more, please visit her website at http://www.lynnpalm.com, or call 800-503-2824. Lynn can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.