4-H'ers: Can you multi-task in the saddle?

Over the years I developed flash cards to carry with me while instructing. I ran into a stack of the cards the other day. Here are 10 of the questions. (Answers, and why the ability to answer in the saddle is an important skill, follow.)

 1. Which knot can be used to tie a rope around your horse’s neck?

2. A horse that lopes on the left lead in front and the right lead behind is doing what?

3. True/False: A hackamore is a bridle without a bit.

4. True/False: The judge will call for the trot in Western Pleasure.

5. What three gaits will the judge call for in Western Equitation?

6. True/False: You should wrap the lead shank around your hand for a stronger hold.

7. True/False: The lope is an easy, rhythmical three-beat gait.

8. Name a four-beat gait.

9. True/False: All curb bits must have a curb strap.

10. Which is an example of a safe trail riding rule? A) gallop up and down hills; B) never ride off until all riders are mounted; C) go on a trail ride by yourself.

 Answers:

1. A bowline knot can be used to tie a rope around your horse’s neck.

2. A horse that lopes on the left lead in front and the right lead behind is cross-firing.

3. True: A hackamore is a bridle without a bit.

4. False: The trot is an English gait and will not be called for in Western Pleasure. The correct term would be a jog.

5. The three gaits called for in Western Equitation will be the walk, jog, and lope.

6. False: You should never wrap lead shanks or reins around hands or arms. The horse is very strong and you could get hurt if he pulls back suddenly.

7. True: The lope is an easy, rhythmical three-beat gait.

8. Four-beat gait: The walk.

9. True: All curb bits must have a curb strap.

10. Safe trail riding rule: Never ride off until all riders are mounted.

Why this is important:

A great way to build a young or green rider’s independence in the saddle is to keep them talking. When riders are talking and riding at the same time, they tend to forget about depending on body parts to do everything, and start letting their “soft eyes” (Sally Swift – Centered Riding - book link at left) and other peripheral senses take over, which contributes to better horsemanship.

In the Colorado 4-H horsemanship advancement tests, riders at the higher levels are expected to explain what they are doing while they ride. To build mind and body independence, you can also ask riders to answer relevant questions they might see on the written portion of their horsemanship tests or at a Horse Bowl competition.

(Karin Livingston is a 4-H leader and the author of the young-adult horse novel, Winning Bet, available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble online, IndieBound.org stores, and to librarians and retailers through the Ingram Book Group.)