It’s a rare thing to find someone who can allow the horse total freedom while mounted – especially for the first time – without trying to cause the horse to go his way. True horsemen are admired for their ability to ride by the seat of their pants. I want you to learn to be able to do this, to become part of your horse as you ride. The best way to learn to do this is by riding freestyle.
In the last two articles, I talked about the need to become good with horses on the ground to gain their respect, and to teach them to understand what we will want on their backs. Freestyle riding is done with long reins and no contacts, saddled or bareback. You can use a snaffle bit, a bosal, a rope halter or a Natural Hackamore. As you advance, freestyle can mean no reins, a string around your horse’s neck, or nothing on head or neck at all. But you don’t start that way. What I am going to give you is the concept behind why freestyle is going to help you and your horse achieve more harmony together.
I use freestyle riding to develop an independent seat and self-carriage in the horse. Getting away from short reins and constant contact will teach communication with the whole body instead of just steering with two reins. Short reins then become an option that can be used for teaching, reinforcement, communication and refinement rather than a necessity for control. In my opinion, most people have not earned the right to ride with contact. They need an independent seat first.