Maintaining the Horse's Length of Neck in Transitions (Current Freebie!)

I will never forget the first time that I attended the USET training sessions down in Ocala, Florida many years ago..... I was so excited to watch all of the top Event riders receive dressage instruction from Grand Prix dressage trainer Sandy Pflueger Phillips, who was the dressage coach for

Tip/Quote of the Day # 4586

Tension meeting tension = double the tension. If your horse becomes tense, you must be able to stay relaxed, or you will make it worse.

Tip/Quote of the Day # 4585

"You can see suppleness by observing how the rider can sit on the horse and not on top of the horse." ~ Susanne Miesner

Monitor Your Horse's Stress Levels, For Best Results in Training

Horses become incapable of learning when they go past a certain level of fear, anxiety, or stress. This means that if you keep hammering away at the horse, trying to teach them something when they are currently overwhelmed with stress, it will not work.

Tip/Quote of the Day # 4584

If you are hoping to improve the scores on your medium and extended gaits, improve your collected gaits.

Tip/Quote of the Day # 4583

From Facebook fan Dorothy Smith ~ "In riding, as In a dance, one leads, one follows, but both must love to dance for it to become art."

Does Your Horse Like Rein Contact Right Up to the Point of Takeoff at a Jump? Or Does He Prefer a Soft/Loose Rein in the Final Strides? Find Out Here!

To get the very best out of every horse when show jumping, riders need to really think about the specific way that each individual horse needs and wants to be ridden between the fences. Let me help you to figure out what kind of horse you have!

Tip/Quote of the Day # 4582

Give your older horses even more time to fully warm up before any challenging or strenuous work.

Tip/Quote of the Day # 4581

"Sit on your bum. If you do that you’re part of the movement. If you squeeze with your thighs you can’t sit. Stay soft in your hips, draw yourself into the saddle and keep the calf just against his rib cage." ~ Bettina Hoy

A Spanish Riding School Exercise to Increase the Collection in Your Horse's Canter

This great exercise, direct from the Spanish Riding School, will increase the collection in your horse's canter. It will also improve your counter canter work, and is a great way to build towards canter pirouettes. Get ready for better scores in your horse's canter work!

Tip/Quote of the Day # 4580

In addition to the suppling benefits provided, basic lateral work helps the horse to understand that the rider's leg creates engagement of the hind legs, rather than merely speed.

Tip/Quote of the Day # 4579

It is perfectly normal to feel nervous at times, but you DO have the ability to control and redirect your thoughts. Like anything else, it is a skill that you have to work at.