Understanding why riding to music works...

Heit · 08-09-2009, 06:41 PM

I took this from a blog from Ruth Poulsen on Barn mice...

I am amazed at how perfect music can improve and enhance a horse's movement and the rider's rhythm! When music fits the horse and rider, both the quality of the gaits and movements improve. The music enhances both the artistic aspect and the technical side of the ride. Because rhythm is maintained!
After years of studying the effects of music I learned a few things.

Studies show that music affects our physiology. Slow music slows the heartbeat and the breathing rate as well as brings down blood pressure. Faster music speeds up these same functions.

Listening to your favorite music is good for your cardiovascular system. Researchers have shown that joyful music has a healthy effect on blood vessel function.

Riding to music increases your endurance and feelings of well-being. Studies show that exercising to music improves endurance by 15% and improve the "feeling states" so, people derive much greater pleasure from exercise. (Those cool endorphins!!)

Many hospitals use music to treat patients with stress-related illnesses to stimulate the brain and relax the body.

Music affects both sides of your brain, so whether you are a left-brain logical thinker or a right-brain artistic thinker, music helps you ride better.

Even animals react differently to various types of music. Given a choice, rats will choose calm classical music over hard rock every time.

Music can also influence brainwaves. Faster beats make you more alert and slower beats help you relax.

Music creates a long-lasting change in brainwave activity. That means that music can bring lasting benefits to your state of mind, even after you've stopped listening.

Music filters out background noises so that you and your horse can concentrate better.

Music acts as an INTERNAL metronome to help you maintain a regular rhythm.

Music puts you in a more positive state of mind, helping to keep depression and anxiety at bay.

The bottom line is... it's fun to ride to music!

www.ruthhoganpoulsen.com

Horsed · 08-09-2009, 06:43 PM

I listen to my ipod when I ride all the time. I know that my horse gets all jazzed up when I'm listening to really up beat music and she's really calm when I listen to slower songs. It definitely affects the way I ride!

savvylover112 · 08-10-2009, 09:45 AM

i no i tried listening to my ipod today and it was great riding to the music

Sheza_Angel · 08-10-2009, 09:59 AM

I need to try this it looks like. Sure would be nice to see it's effect on my hot little cow pony.

mftx4 · 08-10-2009, 10:09 AM

Lots of folks will use 'rythum beads' on their gaited horses and feel it helps youngsters to 'get the gait'. I know my mare likes country and depending on the song is how she wants to travel.

LRHenneman · 08-10-2009, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mftx4

Lots of folks will use 'rythum beads' on their gaited horses and feel it helps youngsters to 'get the gait'. I know my mare likes country and depending on the song is how she wants to travel.

What are rhythm beads? Perhaps you mean rhythm beats? A trainer I worked with in the past did have some rock songs that she sang to her horses under saddle to help with their gaits. I just say "good boy" to Beau when he's gaiting. He seems to listen to it.

I think people concentrate more on the music when riding and it takes the edge off of their anxiety so they don't overreact or transmit their anxiety to their horses.

mftx4 · 08-10-2009, 12:31 PM

Nope, rythum Beads. A string of beads either with dangles that touch the horse as it gaits or tiny bells that make a sound as the horse travels in gait. They are made long enough so that they rest in the center of the chest, much like a necklace for prople. I'll see if I can find a picture.

mftx4 · 08-10-2009, 12:34 PM

Rhythm / Speed Beads

mftx4 · 08-13-2009, 09:57 AM

I understand the music thing too. Many of my friends carry small radios and now MP3's on their horses. I've read about gaited horse trainers working to music.

Heit · 10-19-2009, 10:13 AM

i love the idea of the rhythm beads... maybe i will try wearing them myself, probably will do the same thing when i sit the trot.... i have been using Ruth's cds for a month now, and they are really helping me keep everything together!! i found them on www.ruthhoganpoulsen.com

08-09-2009, 06:41 PM	#1
Heit Full Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 25	Understanding why riding to music works... I took this from a blog from Ruth Poulsen on Barn mice... I am amazed at how perfect music can improve and enhance a horse's movement and the rider's rhythm! When music fits the horse and rider, both the quality of the gaits and movements improve. The music enhances both the artistic aspect and the technical side of the ride. Because rhythm is maintained! After years of studying the effects of music I learned a few things. Studies show that music affects our physiology. Slow music slows the heartbeat and the breathing rate as well as brings down blood pressure. Faster music speeds up these same functions. Listening to your favorite music is good for your cardiovascular system. Researchers have shown that joyful music has a healthy effect on blood vessel function. Riding to music increases your endurance and feelings of well-being. Studies show that exercising to music improves endurance by 15% and improve the "feeling states" so, people derive much greater pleasure from exercise. (Those cool endorphins!!) Many hospitals use music to treat patients with stress-related illnesses to stimulate the brain and relax the body. Music affects both sides of your brain, so whether you are a left-brain logical thinker or a right-brain artistic thinker, music helps you ride better. Even animals react differently to various types of music. Given a choice, rats will choose calm classical music over hard rock every time. Music can also influence brainwaves. Faster beats make you more alert and slower beats help you relax. Music creates a long-lasting change in brainwave activity. That means that music can bring lasting benefits to your state of mind, even after you've stopped listening. Music filters out background noises so that you and your horse can concentrate better. Music acts as an INTERNAL metronome to help you maintain a regular rhythm. Music puts you in a more positive state of mind, helping to keep depression and anxiety at bay. The bottom line is... it's fun to ride to music! www.ruthhoganpoulsen.com

08-10-2009, 09:45 AM	#3
savvylover112 Full Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 101 Images: 2	i no i tried listening to my ipod today and it was great riding to the music __________________ ~~Patch and Phoebe, my horses, without you two anything is nothing~~ Some people just live to p**s you off deal with it

08-10-2009, 09:59 AM	#4
Sheza_Angel Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Gulf Coast Texas Posts: 5,218 Images: 10	I need to try this it looks like. Sure would be nice to see it's effect on my hot little cow pony. __________________ Tara: Magnum (RSD Dark Victory x Magnums-Anastasia) '09 Arab colt Secret Again (Secret Hello x Miss Bridget) '01 OTTB gelding Angel '01 QH cross mare Kassey '01 TB/Paint mare I Have Been Gobbled by Thom Turkey!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Riding to MUSIC	Heit	Horse Training	1	06-30-2009 06:05 PM
Riding to Music?	Emma&Slim09	Horse Chat	10	01-23-2009 10:56 PM
Riding With Music	BarrelBaby18	Horse Chat	12	06-01-2008 05:37 PM
Music & Riding help please!	hesmychampion	Horse Training	7	09-05-2006 09:18 AM
Riding music...	emmy14	Horse Chat	14	06-13-2004 01:50 PM

08-09-2009, 06:43 PM	#2
Horsed Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 830 Images: 9	I listen to my ipod when I ride all the time. I know that my horse gets all jazzed up when I'm listening to really up beat music and she's really calm when I listen to slower songs. It definitely affects the way I ride!

08-10-2009, 10:09 AM	#5
mftx4 Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cordova, Ill. Posts: 2,095 Images: 48	Lots of folks will use 'rythum beads' on their gaited horses and feel it helps youngsters to 'get the gait'. I know my mare likes country and depending on the song is how she wants to travel.

08-10-2009, 12:31 PM	#7
mftx4 Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cordova, Ill. Posts: 2,095 Images: 48	Nope, rythum Beads. A string of beads either with dangles that touch the horse as it gaits or tiny bells that make a sound as the horse travels in gait. They are made long enough so that they rest in the center of the chest, much like a necklace for prople. I'll see if I can find a picture.

08-10-2009, 12:34 PM	#8
mftx4 Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cordova, Ill. Posts: 2,095 Images: 48	Rhythm / Speed Beads

08-13-2009, 09:57 AM	#9
mftx4 Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cordova, Ill. Posts: 2,095 Images: 48	I understand the music thing too. Many of my friends carry small radios and now MP3's on their horses. I've read about gaited horse trainers working to music.

10-19-2009, 10:13 AM	#10
Heit Full Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 25	i love the idea of the rhythm beads... maybe i will try wearing them myself, probably will do the same thing when i sit the trot.... i have been using Ruth's cds for a month now, and they are really helping me keep everything together!! i found them on www.ruthhoganpoulsen.com