Prepare, Prepare, Prepare.

Lise LeBlanc
Mar 12
5 min read

One of the most important lessons Ive learned in my studies is the importance of preparation - in everything we do. My work today involves preparing horses for riders that lesson with me. I need to make sure the horse is fluent and understands his work, so that the rider can become better at the language of riding, and listening to the horse.

When we look at the tasks we ask horses to do with us, whether sport or recreation, it is important to frame them in terms of 'how well we prepare the horse'.

Elix working the gate at his first show.

Too often we assume the horse is able to do what we want, and it is only a matter of asking properly. Riding correctly should ensure the horse give us the desired result, right?

No.

I, used to think this way, too.

But riding correctly is only half the equation.

It's a lot more than that.

Let me break it down.

First, horses are not born ready to carry us on their backs. They may be shaped with an inviting seat for us, and willing to carry us, but it's not their purpose. Just because they allow us to sit on them, enlisting them in partnerships, doesn't mean they 'already know' how to do anything.

They need to be prepared for riding.

Many are not. And this leads to a lot of frustration which often results in force used.

When I say force I mean things that are often considered standard in riding arenas.

Won't go? - Kick

Won't stop, or turn? Pull.

Won't listen? Kick, pull, whip.

Horse spooks or explodes? Punish.

Horses never win when guessing how to navigate complex tasks, whose responses to inconsistent communication are punished, and whose attempts to communicate are ignored.

I see horses working hard to appease riders, but are confused about aids (language) riders are using, and often getting it wrong. To make it worse, they often are under several different riders, traded or sold frequently. This means they have to adapt to new environments and expectations, and new languages over and over again. Horses are frustrated. Their good nature is often exploited because they just shut down. No one explained this better than Anna Sewell.

I have clients that admit they used to be frustrated thinking their horse was just being bad.

My clients are mesmerized, after a few months of training, how clearly they can communicate with their horse when is prepared. Also, my clients are often surprised how calm and happy their horse now is to work.

Horse are social, sensitive and tolerant beings. They are curious and seek interaction, communication, feedback, acceptance. It's in their nature. They like working with us! In fact I am in awe every single day at how much my horses desire to play with me. They enjoy our partnership because it is based on mutual communication and understanding.

Riding is an interactive, highly sensitive, integrated communication feedback loop. Sharing language in real time. It is pretty cool to both horses and riders!

Nester learning all about the Working Equitation bull obstacle.

'Aids' are a language that we use to communicate with the horse and prepare them for the eventual work we will do together. Prepare. We need to teach them this language until they understand. Until they are fluent. Then they are ready to work with a rider who rides correctly.

But riding correctly means also listening to the horse. It is a two way conversation. A feedback loop.

If rider focuses too ,much on being a 'good rider' it can create a barrier to listening to the horse, which can leave the horse feeling isolated. Beyond the physical 'self-awareness' riders must be present to listen.

Prepared horses are best to teach riders this integration.

Not green horses.

As the rider must prepare, so must the horse. Horses need to be learning about humans, relationship, language, his own physical balance, flexibility, strength and the integration of the tack, which supports our communication.

That's the bare start.

Here's the bulk of what 'preparation' means.

Lucy on the lunge preparing for bend, balance and strength to carry a rider.

Each new step requires many small steps in preparation.

Each movement requires preparation. The horses must understand fluently what we are asking him to do. And he must be ready, prepared. physically to do it.

When the horse fails, the only question is 'what did I miss that would have prepared the horse for this movement'?

The horse does not fail to bother us. The horse fails because we expected results without supporting him. Preparing him. When we focus on the preparation instead of the result, horses are happier, predictable and easier to ride.

A friend asked me lately,

"why are you not scared to start young horses at your age.

Aren't you concerned of having an accident? "

My answer was, "While it's always a risk to work with horses, I find when they are prepared horses are very predictable. Confused horses, and horses that are frustrated by poor riding are much less safe'"

Focusing on preparation is the best way to have a pleasant riding experience.

Learning to 'prepare' the horse is learning to 'feel' the horse is ready to offer. This 'preparation awareness' focuses the rider on reading the horse and reduces rider tendency to ask for something that is not yet ready, and which the attempt to answer will be unpleasant.

My teacher, Master Nuno Cavaco, said to me,

"Sometimes ,I just know the horse is ready to give 100% a movement, and I can feel it's going to be amazing. So ,I don't have to ask for it. It was there."

It took me a while to understand this, but he further clarified, that once a movement is done - the energy to do it is expended. It is important when riding to be present each moment and to read the horse, so that we can prepare him for what he has to do. That he has the right balance, strength and energy and execute, and to exit the exercise properly. This requires vigilant listening to the horse's communication, and quick decision making in the saddle.

Also, when we focus on the preparation - everything that leads up to the execution, and we praise the horse at this precipice - we ensure an expressive positive result. Ive we over perform - we risk training a task to be dull because as the horse expends his energy, he will have less expression.

The preparation IS the most important focus.