TOOLS OF THE TRADE

TOOLS OF THE TRADE: RIDING TOWARDS SUCCESS

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY HEIDI CRNKOVIC

“One of the things that makes horses rewarding and occasionally difficult animals to work with, is their affinity for learning. This also means that anytime you’re handling a horse, trainer or not, you’re providing reinforcement for previous training, or teaching a new set of skills (for better or for worse)”.

Setting the tone for your ride often begins before you step into the saddle. Assuming we’ve already met the horse’s needs by providing a quality diet, hoof care and well-fitting tack, we’ll provide a few tips to help you set out for success from the moment you step into pen, pasture or stall:

1. ATTITUDE:

Assess your horse’s attitude when you go to catch them. Do they turn away, walk (or run) away, or worse, pin their ears or act aggressively, or do they react calmly and allow you to halter them politely and easily? A horse that reacts with resistance may need more work on the ground before you place yourself in a more vulnerable position in the saddle.

2. LEADING:

Is leading your horse similar to flying a kite? Or does he willingly give to the halter, stopping when you stop, backing softly and willingly when pressure is applied? If not, work on gaining his attention and focus on the ground.

3. STANDING:

Does your horse stand quietly while tied and saddled? Perhaps he needs to spend a little bit more time standing tied and learning or being reminded of patience. Even though it isn’t directly connected this tying tool will help greatly with leading, mounting and even riding. Plus, it’s just nice to have a horse that has a “park” option.

After you’ve gotten some of these pieces put together with a little bit more consistency, I like to take into consideration my part in making the horse comfortable and confident as I prepare to step on.

1. SADDLE PAD:

“Tent” or pull your saddle pad up between the gullet of the saddle to provide wither relief.

2. CINCH:

Secure your front cinch first, but don’t pull it all the way tight (and certainly don’t cut him in half with it) until your horse has had a moment to take a breath or two, and maybe even until he’s untied.

For example, my sequence goes something like this: snug cinch, attach back cinch and breast collar, untie and bridle, tighten cinch a little more, walk the horse a few steps, tighten up the rest of the way, walk a few more steps and then mount. This isn’t a long process, but you rarely make one cinch-ie if you give them a little time to mull it over.

3. MOUNTING:

Mount your horses and make them stand quietly. You’re rarely in as vulnerable of a position as you are when you’re pulling yourself up onto a pony with one foot ready to get snagged in a potential death trap. Take the time to do it right.

I have a little bit of a similar process when mounting as I do when saddling. I might pull the saddle a little bit before I step on, so they know I’m coming and then climb up. Some days, I might pull their head around a little bit while they stand there, and other days, I might just sit and enjoy the scenery for a few minutes before I turn them around in another direction and then walk or trot off. A key component to keeping a horse good to mount and stand is not allowing the horse to take a step forward at any point while you’re mounting them. It sure helps to keep them that way if you make them turn around and ride off in the opposite direction.

4.THE END:

Probably just as important as the beginning of the ride is the end. If they’re hot and sweaty, rinse them off. If they’re antsy about being unsaddled and fed, let them stand tied and wait. Take the time to put them away correctly, and they’ll be better next time you take them out. The goal is to end on a good note each and every time.

Thinking about a few of these pieces that will help in the making of a good horse or the keeping of an honest one honest. In turn, you’ll improve your rides, your horse, and your mood. Stay tuned for more tips and tricks, and in the meantime, enjoy the ride.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: With an innate fondness for Western heritage and a lifelong passion for the agricultural industry, Heidi Crnkovic is a New Mexico native and a New Mexico State University graduate with a B.S. in Agricultural Science. Heidi’s professional career has been dedicated to the ranching and cattle industry and currently, she is a 4-H agent for Otero County. She and her husband Kenton live in Tularosa, New Mexico with their daughter, Abigail who is a member of Otero County 4-H’s Cloverbud program