Take our quiz to see which! If you have to ask this question chances are fairly good that you're the later but just in case you're wondering you may want to take our quiz to be sure.
1.
Are there days when going through the "in" gate feels more like you're riding through the gauntlet? 2.
When you ride on the rail do you feel like an Indy car driving being smashed into the wall? 3.
Do the words "tally ho" cause you to grab on to the nearest piece of hair or anything within your reach? 4.
Does throwing your body forward and grabbing onto something sound like a good strategy sometimes? 5.
Can you feel your horse laughing from time to time? 6.
Do you feel like your horse is on a tractor beam moving toward the horse in front of him? 7.
Do you feel a strong impulse to have a glass of wine or other libation before each ride? If these questions seem silly to you then you may pass on reading the rest of this article.
For the rest of you by all means please continue.
Now for some serious questions! 1.
Do you know what it means to have your horse in front of your leg? I'm referring to impulsion and having your horse moving up into your hands for a "connection".
2.
Do you understand the concept of an opening rein, a direct rein and the importance of your outside rein when it comes to your horse's balance? 3.
Do you stop your horse with your hands or your seat? Hands (reins) are really quite ineffective compared to your seat.
4.
Do you support your horse through its downward transitions? Most people collapse in their position trying to stay soft and with their horse causing their horse to loose its balance.
5.
Do you understand the importance of diagonals and leads and the role they play in your horses balance? Most of those questions relate to your horse's balance and that would sum up the difference between you actually being a rider or just going along for the ride.
If you can properly affect your horse's balance then "congratulations" you may be well on your way or perhaps have already arrived when it comes to being a rider.
If you're not sure how to answer the last five questions and you don't like your answers to the first seven then you may want to consider getting some help in the form of training.
For the greatest value I recommend a good Dressage trainer, someone whose ego isn't too big and teaches in terms you understand.
If the trainer doesn't make sense, speaks in what seems like a foreign language or talks down to you, find a different trainer.
It's not a matter of time spent on your horse that improves your skills.
Without proper training you will only continue to perpetuate and find new and bigger bad habits often at your horse's expense.
Time practicing proper instruction is the only way you can get to the point where you can consider yourself a "rider".
1.
Are there days when going through the "in" gate feels more like you're riding through the gauntlet? 2.
When you ride on the rail do you feel like an Indy car driving being smashed into the wall? 3.
Do the words "tally ho" cause you to grab on to the nearest piece of hair or anything within your reach? 4.
Does throwing your body forward and grabbing onto something sound like a good strategy sometimes? 5.
Can you feel your horse laughing from time to time? 6.
Do you feel like your horse is on a tractor beam moving toward the horse in front of him? 7.
Do you feel a strong impulse to have a glass of wine or other libation before each ride? If these questions seem silly to you then you may pass on reading the rest of this article.
For the rest of you by all means please continue.
Now for some serious questions! 1.
Do you know what it means to have your horse in front of your leg? I'm referring to impulsion and having your horse moving up into your hands for a "connection".
2.
Do you understand the concept of an opening rein, a direct rein and the importance of your outside rein when it comes to your horse's balance? 3.
Do you stop your horse with your hands or your seat? Hands (reins) are really quite ineffective compared to your seat.
4.
Do you support your horse through its downward transitions? Most people collapse in their position trying to stay soft and with their horse causing their horse to loose its balance.
5.
Do you understand the importance of diagonals and leads and the role they play in your horses balance? Most of those questions relate to your horse's balance and that would sum up the difference between you actually being a rider or just going along for the ride.
If you can properly affect your horse's balance then "congratulations" you may be well on your way or perhaps have already arrived when it comes to being a rider.
If you're not sure how to answer the last five questions and you don't like your answers to the first seven then you may want to consider getting some help in the form of training.
For the greatest value I recommend a good Dressage trainer, someone whose ego isn't too big and teaches in terms you understand.
If the trainer doesn't make sense, speaks in what seems like a foreign language or talks down to you, find a different trainer.
It's not a matter of time spent on your horse that improves your skills.
Without proper training you will only continue to perpetuate and find new and bigger bad habits often at your horse's expense.
Time practicing proper instruction is the only way you can get to the point where you can consider yourself a "rider".