In a nutshell, it's your ability to read and react to situations. For that, you need awareness and speed.

Most instructors focus on balance. It's true you also benefit from being balanced, but what does balance even mean without awareness and quickness of adjustments?

On the ground, awareness means balancing and positioning yourself or the horse to minimize the risk of injury. It's the same for riding; only while riding, you need balance in your seat to help you stay on top.

To help horse enthusiasts stay safe, I intend to break down the factors to make it memorable.

Twin safety factors:

[ ] Read the situation (awareness)
[ ] React to the situation (speed)

Reading requires learning about body language that leads to negative potentialities. Head toss, ears back, posturing, tightened back and neck muscles, pinched tail or swishing tail, hardened eyes, etc. All these are indications of potential problems.

Reacting to situations requires balance AND speed. A bronc rider is the most athletic, fastest-reacting type of rider. They make thousands of quick adjustments to stay on top. Speed is their ally. But you don't have to be a bronc rider to react appropriately. What you do need is some speed.

Speed is an overlooked aspect of people training. If instructors worked more on speed to improve a rider's position and control, it would make for a safer experience.

Just the other day I watched a rider make a long, slow fall to the ground after the horse spooked. She rocketed around the arena one full circuit. She had all the time she needed to shorten the reins, to adjust her legs and seat, but she didn't move quickly enough and the horse's momentum took over. Sadly, the fall was avoidable if she had practiced speed adjustments with her reins and seat prior to riding.

At home you can improve your speed by simply holding and handling a small rope while sitting, watching TV or drinking your morning coffee. Or you could toss and catch a tennis ball. I'm amazed how many people are climbing on a horse but they cant catch a tennis ball when it's thrown to them. Speed of your hands and seat change everything.

Speed helps your balance. Most people imagine a balanced rider as unmoving or stoic. But the opposite is true. A balanced rider makes a thousand small adjustments to stay centered.

Try walking a tight rope. You'll notice your hands and body move often to adjust for center. It's the same with riding. It just so happens that the speed of adjustments keeps you centered better than slow, cumbersome adjustments.

I have gone into repeat mode now. So instead of droning on, here's your homework...

Toss a ball. Handle a small rope or piece of bailing twine; speed up your arms, hands, and fingers. Sit on a yoga ball and lift your feet. Practice speeding up your body to find your center.

Work on yourself before your next ride and see how much better you are.
Thanks for reading, dear horse enthusiasts.
Until next time.

​I'm Don Jessop, I'll see you soon.