Living on The Edge
How to ride with a daring and free spirit. Being a rebel is one thing, but being a safe rebel rider is all the more fun!
1. Make a thrilling trail ride all the more satisfying by setting up some poles or non-splintering pieces of wood on your normal route for a home made cross country course.
2. Rough riding. Depending on your area, trails can seem so... designated sometimes. Exploring new trails you haven't been on yet is always a plus, and going off trail is breathtaking. Make sure to grab your helmet, cell phone, and some spare bravery (just in case you drop yours somewhere along the way). I recommend putting some splint boots on your horse as well. Be aware of animal burrows and private property.
3. Giving your horse a bath... while sitting on her back. Yes, I did see this in "The Greening of Whitney Brown", and I love love love the concept! I did this with my old horse and he seemed to enjoy getting scrubbed clean a lot more when he knew I was getting just as soaked up there as he was.
4. Bringing music on trail with you is a great way to get your adrenaline pumping. I definetely recommend a playlist such as:
- "Save yourself" by Jory
- "That's my kind of night" by Luke Bryan
- "Bartender" by Lady Antebellum
- "Mama's broken heart" or "Platinum" by Miranda Lambert
- "Kick The Dust Up" by Luke Bryan
- "Better Dig Two" by The Band Perry
On the softer side...
- "Wild horses" by Natasha Beddingfield
- "Monsters" by Sarah McLachlan
- "My little girl" by Tim Mcgraw
5. If you're planning on doing some arena riding, why not test your flexibility instead of your horse's for a change? You can begin with some around the world at a halt, then maybe at a walk. If you are up for a challenge, try riding backwards at a jog or a lope. Then take your saddle off and perform this bareback. Side saddle, standing up, with one foot in the stirrup and one foot out (in a sort of arabesque), and with your arms out are all exciting tests of trust between you and your bud. Trick riding is incredibly fun, and is an adaptable sport to get into.
6. Think about joining a local team. Some ranches offer drill team, which is quite the family to a part of, so don't miss out!
7. You can join a city parade, volunteer to teach at a riding camp, or even to give rides to children with disabilities.
8. Train your horse bridleless. Doing this bareback tends to come easier, so you get the most contact through your leg as possible. Start by teaching her to stop either on voice command, or by tapping the heel of your boot way up in the front of her chest and saying "whoa" in a deep, commanding voice. Then you can begin by switching her bit out for a softer one, all the way down until you reach a hackamore or a plain bitless bridle. Ride in a halter, and then with just a rope around her neck. When you know you are both ready, take a leap of faith and remove the rope.
