SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!

Sidelines MagazineSidelines Magazine

  • LOGIN
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Subscriptions
    • Flipbook
    • Subscribe Options
    • Order Individual & Back Issues
  • Podcast
  • Marketplace
    • Business Ads
    • Directories
      • Barns, Farms, Trainers & Clubs
      • Equestrian Services
      • Real Estate
      • Tack & Feed Stores
    • Equestrian Gallery
      • Stallions
      • Horses & Ponies for Sale
  • Advertise
  • Blogs
    • Show World
    • What’s Happenin’
  • Partners
  • Contacts
    • Contacts
    • Employment
0
Sunday, May 07 2023 / Published in Sidelines Feature, Sidelines Spotlight, Weekly Feature

Well Rounded Horsemanship: The Importance of Knowing Your Horse

By Rob Jacobs

 

From an early age, I was able to spend time in the barn with my horse doing a variety of things with them, ranging from tacking up to noticing how much water they drank each day. I started riding at a local barn not far from my house in Maryland. The program required that we groom and tack the horses for each ride. We learned how to feel their legs to ensure there were no injuries or uneven heat in the horse’s limbs. We also learned how to read the horse’s emotions and energy levels each day to better understand how the horse was feeling in that moment. Even the best horses have days when their mental and emotional capacity may be lower than normal.

Those who are most successful with their horses are the ones who have the skills to pick up on the subtle changes in their horse. The detailed instruction around learning more about the horses off their backs has proven incredibly beneficial to me as I now work with horses professionally in a variety of ways. Whether I’m judging a horse show, giving a clinic or teaching the select clients I have in Seattle, having a solid foundation in horsemanship is continuing to serve me well.

There are many components involved with good horsemanship that extend further than tacking up your horse before your lesson. Another component is learning how to sense minor changes in your horse’s physical well being. Horses are athletes and experience similar ailments to what humans may experience. Some of these include soreness in a different part of their body or an injury. Injuries in our sport may start as a minor injury to a specific part of the horse. Over time, if the injury is not noticed or the horse is worked too hard, the severity of the horse’s injury may increase. Whether the injury is a mild external scrape or something internal, horsemanship skills give the equestrian an awareness that there is a change in their horse. With that heightened awareness, an equestrian is better able to notify the proper team of people, whether it’s the farrier, vet or horse trainer.

It is also important to know your horse’s sensitivity level. A horse’s sensitivity level will play a part in determining any changes your horse may be experiencing. There will be times throughout one’s equestrian journey when one works with a horse that has a low level as it pertains to their pain tolerance, and some horses they work with may have a higher level. It also helps to learn and acknowledge the parts of the horse that are more sensitive to the horse, such as the coronary band or eyes. These areas of the horse are more sensitive than a larger, more muscled part of the horse.

My intention in writing this column is to encourage our young equestrians to learn more about what happens with their horses when they’re unmounted. Knowing your horse well in the barn, in the paddock and otherwise will provide you with skills that will enhance your experience with your horse. I’m an advocate for having help when needed, such as having grooming assistance at horse shows; however, I never support hiring help to replace good horsemanship skills. I encourage you to work with your trainer to find the right recipe for you and your horse.

 

Photo by Heidi Bee Photography

Share this page:

  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
Tagged under: Heidi Bee Photography, horsemanship, Rob Jacobs, Seattle

What you can read next

George Charriez: Turning the Four Elements Into Art
Will Faudree: Resilient and Ready for More
Coagi Long: A Lifelong Journey With Equine Affaire

Download Sidelines Digital now from your favorite app store!

Sidelines Magazine - Apple store   Sidelines Magazine - Google Play store   Sidelines Magazine - Amazon store
Update iOS app. Re-download Google Play and Amazon app.

Stallion Gallery

Visit Stallion Gallery

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • DELRAY EQUESTRIAN CENTER
    Hunter/Jumpers/Ponies/Equitation/ Dressage/Western Pleasure/ Training/Showing/Sales/Camps Delray Beach, FL Matt & Courtney Dunmire 561-495-4701 www.delrayequestriancenter.com

    [Read more]

  • LAINIE WIMBERLY - BRIGADOON SHOW STABLES,INC
    Hunters, Jumpers, Equitation National Championships from Ponies to Grand Prix Training, development of horse and rider North Salem NY 203-470-1258 Brigadoon Lainie

    [Read more]

RSS Sidelines Blogs: What’s Happenin’

  • “Jump for the Children” Benefit Horse Show Celebrates 40 Years & Over $3 Million to Duke Children’s
  • Woodside Recognizes the Best in the West
  • Get More for Your Money with an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage

RSS Sidelines Blogs: Show World

  • Naomi Dachis: Rising Up After Being Kicked Down
  • Maria Rasmussen: Navigating a Sea of Change
  • Madison Stewart: Following Her Family’s Equestrian Path

Category

Recent Posts

  • Naomi Dachis: Rising Up After Being Kicked Down

    By Jessica Grutkowski Portraits by Ella Peteres...
  • Maria Rasmussen: Navigating a Sea of Change

    By Jessica Grutkowski Portraits by Melissa Full...
  • Madison Stewart: Following Her Family’s Equestrian Path

    By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Kacy Brown It wa...
  • Jake Parker Wymard: His Passion for Horses

    By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Kacy Brown When ...
  • Jenny Cunningham: Creating the Content of a Great Dressage Life

    By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Kacy Brown They ...

Copyright © 1987 - 2025  Sidelines Magazine
Privacy Policy · Returns & Refunds Policy · Hosting by Lucian Web Service
· Login

TOP
Get the Sidelines Scoop — your weekly look behind the scenes.Sign me up!