The Beauty Of A Round Yard – How This Is Benefical To Equestrian Training And Horse Back Riding!
Feb 19th, 2008 by Kenny
A 22 foot round yard is one of the best training tools any horse person can have, whether on your property or where you keep or train your horse.
A horse is a prey animal - they have eyes at the side of their heads and can see beside and behind them, they are also flight animals, built to flee at speed from predators in the wild, this has been passed down genetically through the centuries, so although you logically think your horse is safe and secure they will always have the flight animal instinct - this is why they can spook suddenly and take off at great speed. Horses prefer to be part of a herd and band together for safety with a "Centaury" looking out for danger.
We on the other hand are predators with eyes in the front of our heads to focus on our target or prey, we plan our moves.
Horses like cattle and autistic children prefer to move in circles rather than straight lines, it brings them comfort and we can use this to our advantage when training our horse - they can work from a zone of discomfort to comfort at the paces of walk, trot and canter. The round yard allows us to work from both sides of the horse both left and right, circling them right and left for each exercise, so they become familiar seeing things with their left and right eye. Even when practising riding exercises you need to lead, mount and dismount from both sides so your horse is comfortable seeing you from both sides, this is contrary to the learning 'always do everything from the left' - this was for ease of mounting when troops were lined up in the army - imagine the fiasco otherwise!
A round yard lets you when standing on the ground, send your horse out to circle around and then come back in to you stop and do nothing and relax (this is your horses favourite hobby). Monty Roberts, the horse whisperer has a video that depicts "Join UP", so that you can learn and understand the theory of how to "Join Up" with your horse.
Practise your horse back riding in the round yard, ensuring the surface is smooth to protect your horses hooves, legs and body, practising:-
Bareback riding;
Riding in the saddle;
Riding in the halter;
Riding in the bridle at the end of the rein (at the buckle);
at walk, trot and canter. When you are comfortable with the walk progress to trot etc, don't forget to circle both sides, left and right.
When you practise in the round yard you are in a smaller area which is safer for you to practise in and build your comfort zone and confidence. Practise doing turns through the centre and stops too. Remember when your not in your comfort zone you want your horse in his and when he's not in his he wants you in yours! As one trainer says "Be as steady as a fence post for your horse"! So that your horse is in his comfort zone at all times. When you build your comfort zone and confidence in the round yard you can then offer your horse steadfastness as a horse back rider, which allows you both to progress to the next sized training area with confidence and ability.
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Suzanne Garrard has a post graduate degree in education and has been working with and training horses for 15 years - including horses that when purchased lacked impulsion or were a problem horse. She is passionate about continual and further education for horse and rider advancement. If you are looking to advance your equine performance and horse back riding skills, and increase your understanding of the equine language, whilst building you and your horses comfort zones and your leadership with the horse, so you are both confident and happy - PLUS get free training tips, join the mailing list and easily access comprehensive equestrian horse back rider training! Then click on http://www.smarthorseandridercoaching.com |
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