Getting out of the Rut

We’ve all been there in riding and training. Progress seems to flow amazingly, and we feel like our goals are just at our fingertips, and then weeks go by with seemingly no progress if not regression. It’s frustrating and depressing, and suddenly that goal seems so far away again. Whether that goal is to ride a leg-yield or master one-tempis, the feeling is the same.

So what can we do? How do we crawl out of this riding rut? When I find myself in this position, I remember a phrase Karl Mikolka used as a theme to a clinic he gave here several years ago: “Change your way of thinking.” Changing your way of thinking is the best way to get yourself out of the rut. Look for a new angle and see if you can find the root of what’s holding you back. I find the best way is to start with the easiest to fix issues and then work from there.

Training Angles

Some ruts are expected; it takes time refining one way of going before the horse is ready for the next movement. So, shake it up! If your shoulder-in is good but haunches-in just won’t come together, try shoulder-in on different lines, curved or straight. Horses are almost as lazy as we are when it comes to exercising, and you might think you’re doing an exercise well until you put it to the test and use it in different context. Add transitions, make a pattern incorporating it. Before long, the tough exercise will suddenly come along as you address the subtle weaknesses or imbalances. Change up your exercise routine; focus on different things each day, like trail riding one day, cavaletti another, lateral work another, and turning exercises another.

However, sometimes it isn’t just a matter of time and development. Sometimes, a muscle imbalance sneaks in with either horse or rider. It’s easier for us as riders to see that in the horse, but it’s much harder for us to see it in ourselves. This is why regular instruction is so necessary. Every rider has some tendency toward an imbalance, even the top riders. Regular longe lessons are priceless but not always easy to access. Riding in a clinic is often helpful, as instructors are human and may miss something, especially with regular students. That outside perspective helps to catch those and provide a new way of thinking about a problem. Using a personal trainer to help you identify and correct muscle imbalance is also really helpful.

But what if you’ve changed up your patterns, looked to find muscle imbalances in your seat, tried riding in a clinic, and still you can’t figure out why you’re stuck? This happens; you can go to lessons and clinics and say: “I’m stuck in a rut and can’t figure out why,” and the instructor may way, “I can’t either.” I’ve seen it happen both with a problem that no one can seem to solve as well as a problem where the rider and instructor are scratching their heads because everything seems to be right, yet the pair just isn’t progressing. Both are equally frustrating, and both require looking at the whole picture.

Equipment

In these cases, the easiest thing to do first is look at your equipment. I can’t tell you how much time I’ve lost in training from saddles that just weren’t quite right. I’ve learned a lot on this journey about saddle fit, and it’s taken me years to find a fitter that works well with me (shout-out to Kinetic Equine in Charlotte, NC! No, she didn’t ask me to say anything; I just really appreciate her because of her classical background, eye for biomechanics, and willingness to listen). While I am not a saddle fitter myself, here are some observations I have made about the classically trained horse regarding saddle fit. First, the classical horse needs a lot of room for the back to engage. This means that there has to be room for the muscles in the back to expand under the seat and for the scapula to come under the saddle freely. There also has to be room for the back to lift and come through like a wave from the pelvis up through the loin and under the rider’s seat.

Therefore, the saddle should have relatively even pressure on the back, and some of this pressure should be spread down the sides of the saddle. I like to run my hand under the panels and from the top to the bottom of the front to feel whether it is even or if my hand gets hung up on a pressure point. However, since I’m not a fitter, there isn’t much I can do if I find one of these issues except tell my fitter what I find. I keep different saddles around to try on horses that may be complaining about their saddle, but the best thing to do is call a certified fitter who has training in biomechanics.

One of the worst things you can do, however, is try to “make” your saddle fit. If you have a fitter come out and they say, “the tree shape is wrong,” no amount of sheepskin or gel inserts going to fix that. It’s just not. So, look for a fitter who works with all kinds of saddles, not just one brand, as that brand may not work for your horse. Fitters that take time to be educated in biomechanics and anatomy are your best bet. However, be prepared for them to say you need a new saddle, even if they don’t have one in stock that fits. Just as we outgrow shoes, horses can outgrow a saddle shape or size. We as riders also may outgrow a saddle shape or size, and a saddle that fits us poorly can introduce problems in our seats. As a trainer, I like to be there for my students when they’re trying different adjustments or saddles if possible. I can be eyes on the ground that is familiar with the horse/rider pair and can help the student and fitter identify if the pair look better, the same, or worse. A good trainer should be able to do the same. Some trainers are sponsored by specific brands, which usually have specific conditions, so don’t be offended if your trainer declines to help with a different fitter and brand.

Saddles aren’t the only equipment that may need tweaking. Bits can make a huge difference, as well as the bridles. Finding a bit fitter is more challenging, however. This is when you’ll need to make some educated guesses if you can’t find a fitter. Some horses like more play, some like less. My two general go-to bits are the Fulmer snaffle (full cheek with a loose ring) and a loose ring. I keep bits that have both a single and a double joint. Loose rings are excellent for horses with tight jaws, as the play helps them relax. Fulmers move less and are thus “quieter” but still have some of the loose ring play. However, eggbutt and D-ring bits are “in-between” and come in more mouthpiece shapes. Some horses like Baucher bits, though this is not a design I use often. My main approach to bit fitting is to start as simple and mild as possible and stay that way. Occasionally, I find horses that prefer something more unconventional, but I start simple first.

What about bitless? As a rule, I don’t go bitless often because the bit has a suppling effect that is hard to replicate. However, bitless can have its place, such as with horses with tumors or nerve problems. There are many different types, from the Micklem bridle to bosals to even the cavesson. Currently, competition rules prohibit bitless riding, but if you don’t compete in dressage, there’s nothing stopping you from trying.

There are many different bridle designs now, and it is daunting choosing one. I have found fewer bridle issues than saddle or bit issues, but that doesn’t mean a horse may not require a special bridle design, especially after an injury. Some protest anything like a drop noseband or flash, while others like the support to steady the bit. Some horses are very sensitive about the poll and may require something with more poll relief.

In short, there are many options for equipment, and it takes finding a qualified fitter to help as much as they can. In areas like bit and bridle fitting, it may be easier to try some different options. Your trainer may have a collection of bridles and bits you can use to try without investing in them yourself. Much of the time, getting the right saddle and bit makes a world of difference. However, you may adjust your riding, adjust your equipment, and still be stuck.

Bodywork and Other Therapies

Bodywork and other therapies are never a bad idea to incorporate, even if all is going well. However, I will add that you should never limit these to just your horse. As equestrians, we tend to spend our money on these things almost exclusively for our horses, but what if that means we let our own bodies go awry and start to create issues for the horse? These therapies help both horse and rider not only feel better but also prevent other issues. Sometimes, both horses and riders find themselves stuck in tension and movement patterns, especially after an injury or equipment problem. Bodywork can help with helping the body “forget” its defensiveness. It can also identify a problem that may be even more serious. My favorite therapies include PEMF, chiropractic, acupuncture, Masterson bodywork, and massage, though PEMF is my go-to for most things.

While massage, PEMF, or other therapies may not be able to “fix” something like arthritis, ulcers, or kissing spine, they can point the owner and vet toward it. If changing riding and equipment doesn’t help get out of the rut, and repeated bodywork doesn’t seem to help, it’s worth a deeper workup. Some things can be subtle; ulcers can be as obvious as mild colic and biting with girthing, or it can be as subtle as just being “dull.” A good relationship with a vet is necessary beyond just the basic shots and Coggins. A good vet will listen and help the owner find what the problem is.

Another piece of the puzzle that makes a huge difference is nutrition. This is much more complicated but makes a huge difference. Some horses need more protein or fat for energy or muscle building fuel even if their body condition is good, and others may be deficient in vitamins or minerals. I find vitamins and minerals to especially be key, and I keep up my education and watch the horses constantly to try to avoid holes in their nutrition. I recommend taking some nutrition courses and seeking the advice of an equine nutritionist before going out and buying a supplement. Like human supplements, many are not “proven,” and there is no law saying they have to be. Herbal supplements can also be very helpful, but you have to be careful that you get the right ones. A good acupuncture vet can help with specific needs, and there are vets and herbalists who can do virtual consultations as well.

Conclusion

Getting out of the training rut is not always simple, but the good news is that there’s something you can do to get out of it. Going down your checklist from riding techniques to equipment issues to bodywork/veterinary/nutrition issues can help you find what needs to happen to climb out of the rut.