What's Inside
Search the Site
Tip/Quote of the Day # 1988
No matter how balanced a horse is moving, he will never be in self carriage if he has a rider that is hanging on his mouth.
Did you enjoy this article? If so, please share with your friends! Look for the share buttons on the far right side of the page. Thank you!
Related Articles:
- Video # 312 and Question # 331: This is Rachael!
- The *Volume* of Your Aids
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1613
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3440
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3342
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1893
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1860
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1741
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1662
- The Crest Release, the Automatic Release, and Everything In Between (With Pictures!)
- Do You Know What Skills You and Your Horse Need to Have Before Entering a Novice Level Event?
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1367
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1336
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3799
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3771
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2975
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2876
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3171
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2764
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2469
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2105
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1520
- Guest Blog post # 74: "Imagine (there's no pulling)" by Bill Woods
- Video # 90: This is Vita and her newly off the track TB!
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3688
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2062
- Quin's Blog post # 2: The Ultimate Answer to Riding, the Universe, and Everything
- Help to Ensure That Your Horse LIKES His or Her Job!
- A Test of Your Flatwork Training (For All Levels!)
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 964
- Video # 81: This is Sarah again, this time on cross country!
- Question # 318: My horse and I are continuing on in training and he has really become much more balanced over all in the show jumping. Before he used to land and have such a large canter stride that it seemed like most of my focus was...
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1491
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4155
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3381
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2534
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2488
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2284
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2107
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1960
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1861
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1793
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1621
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1580
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1461
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1422
- Signs That Your Performance Horse Might Be Sore
- Riding From "Front to Back"
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 825
- Does Your Horse Show This Positive Sign After a Flatwork Session?
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4453
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4334
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4170
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4085
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3585
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3503
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3400
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3245
- Video # 323, and Question # 355: Rose would like some help with her 6 yo Connemara mare, who tends to be tense and rushy.
- Sport Psych in a Minute, with Dr. Haefner - Video # 59: Coping with Stress and Anxiety: Part II - Connection
- Sport Psych in a Minute, with Dr. Haefner - Video # 58: Coping with Stress and Anxiety - Part I: The Worry Bucket
- Sport Psych in a Minute, with Dr. Haefner - Video # 57: Desperately Dependent or Fiercely Independent: Finding the right balance
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2510
- Sport Psych in a Minute, with Dr. Haefner - Video # 56: How long will this take??
- Sport Psych in a Minute, with Dr. Haefner - Video # 55: Filling Your Treasure Chest
- Sport Psych in a Minute, with Dr. Haefner - Video # 54: The Power of a Plan
- Sport Psych in a Minute, with Dr. Haefner - Video # 53: Personality Part 2: Internalizer or Externalizer
- Sport Psych in a Minute, with Dr. Haefner - Video # 52: Personality Part 1: Past, Present, Future
- Sport Psych in a Minute, with Dr. Haefner - Video # 51: Who do you compare yourself to... it really matters!
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2336
- Sport Psych in a Minute, with Dr. Haefner - Video # 50: Horses as mirrors: Does it work the other way around?
- Sport Psych in a Minute, with Dr. Haefner - Video # 49: Respect: Essential for horse and rider
- Sport Psych in a Minute, with Dr. Haefner - Video # 48: Working with horses is complicated... that's a good thing
- Sport Psych in a Minute, with Dr. Haefner - Video # 47: Courage... Is it as simple as "Cowgirl Up" ?
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2273
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2158
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1902
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1816
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1762
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1697
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1433
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1398
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1122
- What Does it Mean for the Horse to be "Between the Rider’s Hand and Leg"?
- Develop an Independent *Hand* - an Essential Skill That is Key to a Good Rein Connection!
- The Problems in the Eventing World Today! (written in 2014) (Current freebie!)
- How to Train for Self Carriage at the Gallop
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4377
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4080
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3307
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2813
- Video # 325: This is Bridget doing a Dressage test!
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2782
- An Exercise to Sharpen Your Horse's Response to the Outside Aids
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2509
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1870
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1831
- The Adjustability Exercise
- Video # 95: This is Krista and her horse Sparky!
- Photo # 73: This is Kjersti!
- How Many Gears Do You Have in the Canter?
- Improve Your Canter to Trot Transitions!
- Dressage Canter Adjustability Exercise
- Video # 80: This is Sarah, doing a Training level stadium round!
- A Trainer's Responsibility! (That's YOU!) (Current Freebie!)
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4221
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4135
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4115
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3773
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3654
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3442
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3392
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3226
- Guest Blog # 117: IT’S A HOLD UP! by Bill Woods
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3095
- Is Your Free Walk Really FREE? And Do You Make Good Use Of It?
- All About Nosebands & Bridles
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2527
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2269
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2131
- All Roads Lead to Rome.... Or Do They??
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1990
- Question # 341: Amy has a question about a new horse she is riding, who is not a big fan of flatwork!
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1877
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1875
- Quin's Blog post # 3: How are you and your horse communicating?
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1715
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1625
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1611
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1464
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1337
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1321
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1295
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1267
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1215
- Guest Blog post # 80: "The Professional Edge: Classically driven or Client driven?" by Bill Kraatz
- Question # 289: My ottb was trained before me with draw reins, and now he over flexes to where he touches chest almost at trot even when i let the reins loose. I drive him forward but he keeps doing it. How do i stop him? (Eileen)
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1016
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 855
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 720
- Question # 200: Is a Nathe bit legal for dressage in eventing? Also, would a plain mullen mouth eggbutt by the most similar to the nathe for the horse? Thinking I might want something a bit more … sturdy for show jumping and cross country...
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 52
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4486
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4447
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4412
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4304
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4303
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4237
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4236
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4234
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4215
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4118
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4057
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3850
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3822
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3748
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3734
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3712
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3674
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3627
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3626
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3601
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3524
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3479
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3462
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3385
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3384
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3332
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3331
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3310
- There Are Always Two Sides to Every Story - Even Between You and Your Horse!
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3214
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3196
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3185
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3162
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3112
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3088
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3077
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3014
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2961
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2935
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2907
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2845
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2822
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2727
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2710
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2608
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2585
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2571
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2543
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2540
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2457
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2343
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2334
- A Mental Trick to Help You to Think More About Your Horse's Hind Legs When Riding & Jumping
- Sport Psych in a Minute, with Dr. Haefner - Video # 46: Safety and Security - Essential tools for learning.
- Sport Psych in a Minute, with Dr. Haefner - Video # 45: Confidence: State or Trait...it matters
- An Exercise to Help You to Refine Your Turning Aids
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2137
- A Simple Exercise to Help You to Relax and Reset the Position of Your Shoulders When Riding
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2053
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1987
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1970
- The Ultimate Rider Hand Position Fix!
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1897
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1878
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1826
- Dr. Haefner's Blog post # 9: A Different Take on a Performance “State of Mind”
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1815
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1813
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1787
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1753
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1719
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1706
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1648
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1643
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1626
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1623
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1615
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1575
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1574
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1492
- Lateral Work as "Medicine" For the Dressage Horse
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1417
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1412
- Does Your Horse Pick Up the Canter With His Haunches In?
- The Function of the Rider’s Elbow Joints
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1258
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1204
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1154
- Keeping the Older Horse Going Strong
- Tall and Short Rider Problems!
- Are You Riding With Your Reins at the Right Length?
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 442
- Keep Your Aids Dynamic
- The Mysterious Half Halt (Current freebie!)
- 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!
- Question # 336: Kelly has a question about an OTTB that she is trying.
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1670
- Video # 101: This is Kellyn and her horse, Bauer, doing their Novice level show jumping round!
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1314
- Question # 294 and Video # 92: My question is about banks, specifically jumping down....
- Photo # 70: This is Anna! (Current freebie!)
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 924
- The Classic Galloping Position
- Video # 87: This is my lesson from today. This is my new 4 year old OTTB (never raced, just race trained).
- Does Your Horse Try to Pull You Out of the Saddle?
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4499
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4497
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4495
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4457
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4425
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4313
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4216
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4151
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4020
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3636
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3291
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2921
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2891
- Video # 324: This is Bridget and her 5 year old horse's first course at 75cm!
- Rider Leg Aids
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2502
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2462
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2381
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1885
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1881
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1873
- Question # 339: Kayla has another question about how to stay with her horse's motion over jumps.
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1774
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1617
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1596
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1562
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1470
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1434
- Question # 314 and Video # 99: This is Susanne!
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1383
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1376
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1195
- An Exercise to Improve Your Cross Country (For Riders at Every Level !)
- Dressage Canter Adjustability Exercise # 2
- An Important Skill to Practice For Riding a Cross Country Course
- Making the Best Use of the Terrain on Cross Country
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 978
- An Ian Stark Jumping Exercise (For the Very Brave!) That Will Sharpen Up Every Horse!
- Question # 272: We have a HUGE problem with distances when jumping, my horse never seems to know where to put his feet. Do you have any advice? (Lija)
- Video # 83: This is Lija doing a show jumping round!
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 824
- The Snowball Effect - and How to Keep it From Happening to Your Riding!
- The Rein Back
- Video Discussion # 49: How to ride a square halt.
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4449
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4319
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4213
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4040
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3952
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3740
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3715
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3634
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3509
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3409
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3322
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3175
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2809
- An Exercise to Help Teach Your Horse to Seek the Connection
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2200
- Question # 344: Question about pulling down on the bars of the horse's mouth...
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 2052
- Training and Conditioning the Young Event Horse
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1855
- Video # 106 and Question # 320: Kayla asks if her horse looks to be accepting the bit as she lunges him in side reins.
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1583
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1564
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1431
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 1284
- 3 Signs That Your Bending Aids Are Working Correctly
- Question # 297: Suggestions for how to figure out when you're ready for a double bridle and also how to possibly figure out which curb? I currently ride in a French link snaffle bradoon. (Jennifer)
- Question # 296: I have a question about "bitting up" versus moving up....
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 986
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 984
- Bonnie's Blog Post # 4
- Horses That Wag Their Head From Side to Side
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 751
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 749
- Question # 248: My horse leans and pulls on my hands all of the time. So I recently switched him from a regular snaffle to a slow twist. And that worked, he is now lighter in my hands. But he has developed a new strange bad habit...
- Discussion # 109: Let's discuss the very common rider habit of posting with their hands!
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 427
- Question # 194: My horse has become very heavy on the forehand. I have worked with 2 trainers, 1 dressage, 1 H/J and each has tried to show me different ways to stop her from pulling. One tells me to pull when she pulls back, the other says to hold...
- The Different Schools of Dressage
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4511
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4502
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4493
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4487
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4476
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4470
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4467
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4455
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4444
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4442
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4441
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4431
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4430
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4421
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4414
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4411
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4409
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4394
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4386
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4384
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4381
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4379
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4374
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4373
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4370
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4369
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4360
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4359
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4344
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4339
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4331
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4329
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4323
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4320
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4302
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4293
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4286
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4283
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4280
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4276
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4272
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4268
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4264
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4263
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4261
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4259
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4256
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4254
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4246
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4245
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4219
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4204
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4194
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4185
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4183
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4180
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4175
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4164
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4159
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4153
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4143
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4137
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4134
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4132
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4130
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4123
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4112
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4108
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4103
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4099
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4088
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4084
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4078
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4075
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 4042
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3999
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3979
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3975
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3969
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3966
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3963
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3962
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3951
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3950
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3949
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3948
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3947
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3939
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3922
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3918
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3904
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3887
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3885
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3868
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3866
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3862
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3852
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3846
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3840
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3838
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3832
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3810
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3805
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3801
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3796
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3795
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3789
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3776
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3760
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3749
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3735
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3733
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3732
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3731
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3728
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3719
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3703
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3700
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3697
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3690
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3687
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3682
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3678
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3660
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3658
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3652
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3644
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3637
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3611
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3605
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3604
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3602
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3594
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3592
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3582
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3581
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3572
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3566
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3546
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3545
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3543
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3527
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3526
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3523
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3517
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3513
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3511
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3506
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3497
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3490
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3488
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3486
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3484
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3477
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3476
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3472
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3471
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3469
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3461
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3451
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3429
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3410
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3391
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3380
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3377
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3354
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3343
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3337
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3325
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3324
- Tip/Quote of the Day # 3320






