A major difference between an “Advanced Rider” and the other riders is the ability to do a completely different thing with each hand and each leg all coordinated for the same purpose.

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Beginners have difficulty doing something different with more than one hand or leg at a time. This is why most beginners don’t really use their legs and are just using mainly their hands.  Or their hands mirror what their legs are doing and vise-versa giving the horse arbitrary signals.

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Riding well is a long process, you not only need to have complete control over your entire body: your hands, legs, arms, feet, back, neck, head and also your horse’s.  The best way to coordinate and really get control over yourself and your horse is to do a lot of walking with your horse.

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I never understand why some trainers/instructors rush the process of training a rider. Of course you can get bored with only walking but the walk really improves ALL of the other gaits.  Things unravel too quickly for an uncoordinated rider at the faster gaits.  Riders who go too fast too soon develop fear.  Once a rider is reasonably able to control the horse, it is normal for some riders to have fear when moving to the next level.  I would want a rider to have fear because they are actually in danger.  A rider that cannot control a horse is in danger and fear is warranted.

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By taking your time and developing your skills at the walk, it’s best for the horse and rider. I know not all riders will be at a high level of competition due to lack of talent, dedication or desire but most riders desire to improve.  I would like for all riders to improve and have a partnership with their horse.  This is done by being conscious of every part of your body and every part of the body of the horse.  Practice doesn’t make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect. If you want to be a master horseman going slow is the fastest way to get there.

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Pay attention as you ride to feeling and knowing what every single part of your body is doing. Once you can control every inch of yourself, move up to the next gait, and then the next one and you will find yourself an expert in no time!

5 Comments to Horse Back Riding Lesson - Coordinating Your Hands and Legs

Popstar(omg)
January 18, 2010

That is such a good tip. I love how you talked about taking your time at the walk it is so true. It’s also good for training a new horse to start at the walk. I LOVE this topic,I think all of it is so so true!

dcastro
January 20, 2010

Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I hopefully will be expanding on the topic in the coming weeks.

rebecca
January 24, 2010

thanks,i was with a instructor that as soon as i got my confidence up on walking and trotting she wanted me to go straight into loping . i wasn’t comfortable doing that, so for then on she didn’t seem to intersted in teaching me.my first lesson begin right before my 4oth b-day

rebecca
January 24, 2010

love your site, thank you

dcastro
January 26, 2010

Hi Rebecca, I’m sorry that happened to you. Did you find another instructor that is a better fit for you?

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