Riding with a Metronome

[Stitch_In_Time]

My horse is a green 4yo and she tends to rush a bit at the trot. My trainer kept telling me to slow my posting, and I kept telling her that I was trying (though I’m sure it didn’t look like it!). I would just get stuck in the horse’s rhythm and couldn’t break the cycle.

I watched a video of a clinic where the clinician talked about tempo and mentioned that most horses trot at about 75 beats per minute. With that useful nugget of information I downloaded a metronome app on my phone and headed out to the barn armed with headphones. After I warmed up at the walk I turned the metronome on and started trotting and the difference was amazing. Her rhythm stayed much more consistent, and when she did start to rush I was able to stay consistent and correct her much faster.

I learned from this experiment that my natural posting tempo is too fast. I’m not sure if its always been that way, or if my last horse’s much smaller size and shorter strides (she was a ~14.3h APHA, new one is 16.1h Hanoverian) trained me into a faster tempo? Either way I think the metronome is going to be a game changer for me, I can retrain my brain so that I am not constantly pushing the horse past her comfortable tempo. She seemed quite relieved that her rider finally figured it out!

Has anyone else tried riding with a metronome? Did you find it useful at all? I think I might try it at the canter next time also.

[TwoStrideLine]

I have not ridden with a metronome, but have made my own by setting a desired tempo with clicks from my mouth.

My horse is the opposite of yours, and can be lazy at first. So i make a tempo to where I want to be, and within a couple strides we are there.

It has helped tremendously, and I actually think the horse likes the audible help as well. LOL

[pluvinel]

I have ridden with a metronome…but I mostly like riding to music with a strong 4/4 beat. Any real “dance music” is 4/4.

Which is most of 1980’s disco (Donna Summer, Thelma Houston…etc)…of course, YMCA…and the music from the 1950’s…think Beach Boys, Ventures, etc. Although some of the early Beatles also had straight 4/4 time and no syncopation.

[Roni4444]

It really helps me when I do this from time to time to ensure I don’t slow the tempo when working on more collection. I also helps to not “over” drive. The rhythm usually sticks in my mind for some time

[Ganesha]

You can also sing to help with this! Baa Baa Black Sheep, Jingle Bells, etc

[atlatl]

I have ridden with a metronome and found it to be very helpful.

PSA: you can buy the same Yamaha metronome sold on a certain online dressage equipment sit for much less on Amazon.

[Willesdon]

I find that simply counting, either aloud or just to myself, really helps. Four beats for the walk, two for the trot, three for the canter. Just try counting, aloud or in your mind, first as the horse is moving normally then slow the count and then speed it up and see how rapidly the horse will respond by slowing and speeding up. It is a really useful tip for any horse that is getting too fast - not least because counting aloud makes you breathe and relax. It also is really helpful in training oneself into a regular rhythm.

[Stitch_In_Time]

[QUOTE=atlatl;9032069]
I have ridden with a metronome and found it to be very helpful.

PSA: you can buy the same Yamaha metronome sold on a certain online dressage equipment sit for much less on Amazon.[/QUOTE]

I bought a little clip on metronome on eBay for <$6.00! It has a headphone jack so I won’t annoy anyone I happen to be riding with. It should be here next week.

@Willesdon;9032153

I find that simply counting, either aloud or just to myself, really helps. Four beats for the walk, two for the trot, three for the canter. Just try counting, aloud or in your mind, first as the horse is moving normally then slow the count and then speed it up and see how rapidly the horse will respond by slowing and speeding up. It is a really useful tip for any horse that is getting too fast - not least because counting aloud makes you breathe and relax. It also is really helpful in training oneself into a regular rhythm.

I actually tried counting, it worked to a certain extent, but then I would end up counting faster with the horses rhythm instead of maintaining the same speed. I honestly think I need some time with the metronome to reset my brain to the correct tempo, once it starts to feel normal then I’m sure counting or singing will work just fine!