Three C:s to check before riding.

-Connection

-Confidence

-Cues (aids)

This is a modified version of a horsemanship structure I learned when first starting pony clubbing. The meaning is to assess your horse (and yourself) to keep you and your horse under threshold and communicating well.

Back then the focus was more on an obedient horse, in my teaching I focus more on a horse that sees the environment as a resource and is fine communicating any uncertainty about it back to the rider. Whether the rider sits on the horse or work from the ground.

Connection: how’s your two way communication working? Is your horse an active participant in their training?

Confidence: are you calm and relaxed in the environment you work in? Do you have an exit strategy? Remember your own relaxation as well. Avoid situations where one of you feel to afraid to have connection.

Cues (aids). Is it clear what’s what? Can you communicate with different body parts. From halt and go to sidemovements, depending on your level. I meet a lot of horses who think the reins are for moving forward (!). Not ideal in most situations.

Everything doesn’t have to be perfect all the time. But a baseline of all three Cs will help you succeed and help you structure your sessions.

For more on my training and teaching, check: rewardbasedriding.com