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    Updated 13 May 2017

    If anyone has horseback riding tips or tricks, put them here! It can be in a project or you can put it in the description (everyone is a manager). Only add horsey people, though.
    I'm going to have to put these tips in a project because the description ran out of space. :P Also only add horse projects.
    ~~~~~Tips & Tricks~~~~~
    Horseback riding tip for Western: Sit on your back pockets, that way you are naturally leaning back. When you ride western you want to lean back unless galloping or jumping, that way you are asking your horse to move forward using their hindquarters. ( @Equine_Stories)

    When you are using spurs and you're trotting, be careful not to accidentally kick your horse (I've done that before) and try to move with the horse. You'll stay in the saddle better. (-EquestrianGirl-)

    If your horse bucks at the canter, move down into a trot. It is very very hard for a horse to buck at the trot. Alternatively, put them on a circle and get them to bend. It's also harder for a horse to buck when they're not on a straight line.
    ( @WhoaDazzle)

    It is impossible for a horse to buck when their nose is near your toe... If you move them down to a trot, that encourages them to buck at the canter because they learn that it is less work when they buck because then they get to trot... I agree with the bending part completely! ( @Equine_Stories)

    If you are having a hard time keeping your leg still over fences, do 5 minutes of no stirrup work a day on the flat to strengthen your legs. ( @HarnessTheWind)

    When in rising trot the faster you rise, the faster your horse goes and the slower you rise, the slower your horse goes. If you find it hard to get your horse in to the corners, then gently pull back on the outside rein and your horse should keep closer to the corners (I think the second tip is right. I am not sure...). ( @HoRsE-aNd-PoNy-6)

    @Ivypool101:
    First one: Heel exercises! If you're like me and have a horrid lower leg, these are extremely helpful. Stand on a step, toes on the edge and hang your heels over. You should feel tension in your calf muscles. This should help with those pesky heels (only do this for one or two minutes!).

    Tip two: Don't consistently kick. "kick kick kick" will only add pressure and restrict your horse's movement. Instead, look for ways to encourage the horse forward - don't force it! Use your seat and vocal aids, accompanied by minor leg aids, to get the horse moving forward. Don't rely simply on leg aids; you need an equal ratio of all aids. (Note from @Equine_Stories:
    On your "don't kick kick kick", I have a suggestion, tap three times lightly and as soon as they take one or more steps forward, stop kicking until they stop walking. If they don't move on the first three kicks, kick hard ONCE then return to the three taps... This teaches your horse that if he moves forward on light taps, he doesn't get kicked... Everything else I find very helpful)

    Three: To get a nice straight back, roll your shoulders back and push your pelvis forward. Your back should follow your shoulders naturally.

    Four: Strengthening your core will help you do just about everything. It will help you balance and stay in motion with your horse as he moves, whilst applying the correct aids (and not losing position). You need a strong core to be able to ride the sitting trot. Riding without stirrups is very helpful in this way.

    Five (bit of a long one, lol): Suppleness is very important for both horse and rider. I do stretches before every ride and during the warm-up (shoulder rolls, high knees, ankle circles, arm circles, lunges etc.). The warm-up is probably the key factor in schooling sessions. By the end of the warm-up, your horse should be responsive and moving forwardly. Suppleness is something that should be established, so that the horse can bend and flex correctly, as well as have an improved performance.
    To do this, you can use plenty of different methods. Lunging is an easy one. Only do this for ten minutes at a time, as not to put a high amount of pressure on the horse's muscles - make sure to work on both "rein", so that he stays balanced. Carrot stretches can be done on the ground, and are very effective. When you're riding, different sized circles will encourage him to bend. Walk is easiest to complete, whilst canter asks for a greater amount of balance, which is why you should work up.

    Your crop is your friend. Instead of having to kick a ton, just a light tap can often get your point across much better. It's also useful for encouraging them to yield the shoulder and can be used for extra encouragement to jump. As long as you never ever misuse it, a whip is a wonderful tool. ( @WhoaDazzle)

    Western Tip: When you are riding your horse two-handed, pulse your pressure... Instead of tugging at the bit or their head, do little taps of pressure with your hand so don't do just one consistent pull, a few short pulls should get the horse to turn your way... ( @Equine_Stories)

    Horseback riding tips & tricks

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