Have you ever ridden to music? At first glance, riding to music might seem like an unnecessary distraction for the rider, but it actually has a number of advantages. So whether you have speakers in your arena or would have to rely on your iPod (use external speakers, not ear buds, when riding), here’s why you might want to start up the tunes when you mount up.

Check Your Tempo

Music has a steady tempo, and most of the time that tempo doesn’t change. Riding your horse should be the same way – once you’ve established a tempo at a particular gait, your horse should continue on without varying his speed. Listening to music can serve as a reinforcement, since it provides you with a steady rhythm and can help you to monitor your horse’s rhythm.

Music can also present an excellent exercise for you and your horse. Create a playlist with songs that include a variety of different tempos. As each song comes on, ask your horse to move at the song’s tempo, and focus on keeping him at that tempo. This exercise can help you to gain better control over your horse’s speed, rhythm, and collection.

Calm Both Rider and Horse

Listening to music while riding is advantageous because of its excellent calming abilities. Repetitive, rhythmic, and familiar, music can help to soothe both a nervous horse and a nervous rider. If you’re riding on windy days or on days when there are audible distractions, music can help to keep both you and your horse focused and relaxed.

Music has additional physical effects on your body when you’re nervous. Singing along to music can help to further relax your body. Focusing on the words of the song serves as a distraction from your fear, and singing requires that you breathe and relax your upper body. As you breathe and move your upper body, this freedom of motion will also transfer to your seat and legs, helping to reassure your horse.

Distract Yourself

Recovering from a fall? Working on regaining your confidence after a scary incident? Sometimes we can become so fixated on our nerves that we get “stuck” in our riding. Music can provide just enough of a distraction that we can forget about the concerns that are holding us back.

Similarly, if you’re a super-focused rider, music can help to relax you and distract you, which can result in a better, more enjoyable ride. If you’re always focused on micromanaging yourself and your horse, it can be difficult to enjoy the ride and see the bigger picture. Listening to music can help to slightly distract you, letting you relax and let go for even just a few minutes.

So, think you’ll give it a try? There are a number of ways that listening to music can improve your ride. Just be sure to keep the volume low and stay safe.

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Original Source: The Advantages of Riding to Music by Classic Equine Equipment