Many people are stuck at home right now. Some of you are still able to work with your horse while others aren’t. Either way you might be looking for some things you can do with your extra time at home to continue to improve your horsemanship.
Here’s a list of a few things:
Read training books or articles
Now is a great time to further your educational. There are so many great books that cover any topic from horse care, behavior, training, riding, and more. Check out the link below for some of our recommended titles though this is by no means and exhaustive list. There are dozens more wonderful books. Let us know in the comments what your favorite books are.
Watch videos
Going along with the idea of using this time to further your education, there are a ton of great videos out there, many of them free. You can check out our YouTube channel to get you started. We have a great line up of videos planned that we will be posting throughout this quarantine time so be sure to subscribe to get notified when those become available.
https://www.youtube.com/user/tuskeydressage
Take a virtual lesson
If you still have access to your horse now is a great time to take a virtual lesson. Take a video of you working with your horse- anything from work in hand, long reining, riding, dressage, or liberty- and then send it to us. You’ll receive constructive feedback on ways you can improve and what to work on next. We are offering these at a discounted rate now through June 1st. Email tuskeydressage@gmail.com for more information.
Work on your fitness
Now is a great time to get in shape! We all know that riding is a very physical activity. It requires strength, flexibility, and balance. The better shape you are in, the easier it is to communicate with your horse through your aids and the easier it is for your horse to carry you.
I highly recommend yoga to all of my students. Yoga is excellent cross training for riders. The skills you develop in yoga including proper breathing, body awareness, and body control are also skills that are necessary to be a good rider. Many studios are offering online classes right now.
Set goals and plan for the future
Sometimes we get so busy that we get caught up in the day to day routine and forget to think about where we have been and where we are going. Now is a great time to reflect on the improvements that you have made with your horse and set goals for what you would like to accomplish next. Start a journal, logging things you are working on, things to improve, things you have learned, and goals and plans for the future.
Your thoughts
What are you doing to improve your your horsemanship during this time of being stuck at home? What books, articles, or videos have you enjoyed? What exercises do you do to improve your fitness? Let us know in the comments!
Learn more
Interested in learning more about dressage and liberty training? We offer lessons and training at Dover Stables in Waterford, WI and travel throughout the Midwest to do clinics in dressage and liberty training. Contact us to start your journey towards a better connection with your horse!
