From Facebook fan Elise Vandover ~ "I often tell my students that the outside rein is like the vinyl wall of an above-ground pool; elastic, stretchy and flexible, but enough of a boundary to keep the 'water in the pool'."
Remember that to balance your horse in front of a fence you do not necessarily have to slow down. Many times you simply need to change the shape of the canter stride - i.e. bring the horse into a more uphill frame.
I just read a Facebook post today, from a very dear friend. She was given a trunk full of equipment including tie-downs, draw reins and an assortment of other “training aids.” Her dilemma was to toss it, because she trains by classical, time proven methods (IMO, a true horsewoman!), or to “not waste it” and give it away, knowing it could very well be used on young horses in training. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)Tip/Quote of the Day # 1195
Stop looking for that "perfect" take off spot, and focus on the quality of your canter. A horse that is well balanced, with the right amount of impulsion for the jump at hand, can comfortably leave the ground from just about any reasonable takeoff spot.
Many horses and riders dislike trotting fences... and for a legitimate reason! Because it can require even more patience to trot a fence than it does to canter one! And since we are never required to trot a fence in the Eventing world, it is common for riders to decide that they don't need to spend a lot of time working on this skill.
Trotting fences, especially bigger ones, is a lot like eating your veggies... you may not especially like them at that moment, but they are good for you! Not only will they force you to wait for the base of the jump, but they will teach your horse to... (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
"In practice, do things as perfectly as you can: in competition, do what you have to do." ~ William Steinkraus
Tip/Quote of the Day # 1193If your horse tends to anticipate picking up the canter when performing the simple change, add a downward transition to walk or halt, or maybe a 10 meter circle in trot, before picking up the canter again. Don't let your horse pick up the new canter lead until he is waiting for you. Tip/Quote of the Day # 1192
"When the horse jumps, you go with it, not the other way around." ~ William Steinkraus
When galloping along between fences - no, not really. Although the ability to switch to the inside lead to make an upcoming turn will certainly make it easier to keep the horse balanced (and less likely to slip and fall around turns.) But there is an important point here that I want to bring up... something that most riders never think of, and can make a difference in their horse's soundness... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer) Tip/Quote of the Day # 1191
A running martingale that fits correctly does not come into play unless the horse tosses its head, or tries to stick it straight up in the air. It should not be used to keep the horse's head down.
After being abroad for two months, nothing felt better to me than climbing into the saddle and working Lucy. One of the many things I love about her is that you can leave her on stall rest for a week or not ride her for two months and she will be the same exact horse as when you stopped riding. She has a wonderful mind and attitude for work (now that we've established a relationship) and the biggest challenge is working through her tension. (Click on Blog Title above to read full entry)
Read enough Dressage theory, and you will eventually hear the term, "Legs without hands - hands without legs." The extreme interpretation of this is the mantra of the French school of Dressage. (Read all about the different schools of Dressage here.) And one might conclude that the German school of Dressage is what promotes using hand and leg aids at exactly the same time - therefore giving the horse conflicting aids. But that is not actually the case... (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
"Don't let over-jumping or a dull routine erode the horse's desire to jump cleanly. It's hard to jump clear rounds if the horse isn't trying." ~ William Steinkraus
A social media post came thru my newsfeed today, wherein the poster complained about the recent riding at the Falsterborg (SWE) show. She used the words “rough” and “abusive” and feels that type of riding is prevalent in today’s FEI CDI rings. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 1181"Amateurs ride from movement to movement. Professionals ride from half halt to half halt." ~ Robert DoverTip/Quote of the Day # 1180"If your horse makes a mistake in the test, don’t punish the horse ever. It’s the easiest way to get a 4, and it makes us judges really cranky at you. We think, ‘If she’ll do that in front of all these people, what does she do to this horse at home?’ You must never train through emotion." ~ Janet FoyThe Pre Flight Checklist
So often I see riders warming up by just going round and round the ring in both directions in the walk, trot, and canter. And while this simple exercise will warm the horse's muscles up... this somewhat aimless warm up routine is NOT the best way to prepare a horse for an athletic performance - particularly when we are talking about jumping a course of fences.
Before you attempt a Dressage test or a course of fences, you need to make sure that all of your buttons work reliably! (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
Things will not get better on their own - it's up to us as riders to ensure progress. This means being proactive, working hard, and using every available tool to improve your knowledge and skills.
Question # 299: My OTTB was recently diagnosed with some major back pain associated with saddle fit (I guess two different saddle fitters looking at it 4 different times wasn't enough!).......The vets recommended chiropractic adjustment, acupuncture and some other therapies, as well as work on strengthening his back and core since it is underdeveloped due to pain from the saddle (my saddle is too big for his back, it sits past his last rib). He has always been adjusted regularly, and we are working on easing him into acupuncture (so far he is not a fan) with the help of some other therapies to help relieve his tension. My question is, do you have any groundwork exercises to improve his back and core strength until I find a saddle that fits him better? My current plan is to hand walk him up and down long gradual hills 3 times a week with maybe some lunging 2x a week between those days. He is in decent shape other than his back, and we are shooting for a schooling show and clinic 5 weeks out contingent on finding a better saddle and his comfort/strength level. We would shoot to do a Combined Test at Beginner Novice, we have competed successfully through Novice I just don't want to push the height so close to his reconditioning. Once we find a new saddle, I plan on implementing your other exercises recommended for building a topline and for horses with tense backs, I just want to start on the ground so we don't lose too much conditioning! Thank you so much! (Natalie)
Hi Natalie!
Sorry to hear that your horse has become sore in his back! The key to building back strength, whether in or out of the saddle, is to make sure the horse is really using those muscles when he moves. This can be surprisingly hard, as horses can be experts at holding their lower back muscles still and tight while moving... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Tip/Quote of the Day # 1178
We always talk about not riding with too much inside rein, but it is also possible to ride with too much outside rein. Holding too strongly on the outside rein will prevent the horse from bending to the inside, and may cause him to tilt his head.
"My father always said, 'Things just take time.' He did not believe in quick tricks or things like draw reins. Rather than using such things, he said it is better to go on the circle and do things like half-halts and transitions to get the horse under himself and light in your hand." ~ Ingrid Klimke
Professional trainers and instructors are faced with a continuing dilemma. Is teaching accomplished along classical methods that have been proven over time OR does the Pro acquiesce to the client and do what they say (the goal in most cases of getting little Johnny or Janey a ribbon or the horse moving up)? (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 1174If your horse is too sensitive to your leg, don't respond by taking your leg off. Simply practice lots of downward transitions to work on getting your horse to wait for you, while quietly accepting the presence of your legs lightly on his sides. Tip/Quote of the Day # 1173
"Necks that are pulled in stop the muscles of the back developing and interfere with the natural paces." ~ Reiner Klimke
Be extra careful when conditioning both young horses and older horses. Young horses have tendon/ligaments/bones that have not yet been strengthened. And the older horse’s ligaments and tendons tend to become less elastic and resilient over time.
"If we ask novice riders how much of their focus is on the horse’s head, most of them, if they are honest, might say 80 percent. But the head is perhaps 10 percent of the horse’s body, so be sure you are not using 80 percent of your focus on 10 percent of the horse. Ride his body and influence it." ~ Kyra Kyrklund
Tip/Quote of the Day # 1169"Every horse is different and requires their own special attention; however, staying true to the basic principles of dressage and remembering that “art ends where violence begins” is an adage I have lived by." ~ Robert DoverTip/Quote of the Day # 1168"If you act like you've only got 15 minutes, it will take all day. Act like you've got all day, and it wil take 15 minutes." ~ Monty RobertsTip/Quote of the Day # 1167"When you are in the Comfort Zone, you can ride without thinking. In the Stretch Zone, you are working on something you can’t do by habit. In the Panic Zone, you can’t think clearly and are paralyzed. These zones apply to both horses and riders. If both horse and rider go into the panic zone, they lose control, and it spells trouble for the future. Some horses go into the Panic Zone very quickly. They need riders who are comfortable." ~ Kyra KyrklundThe Power of Your True Intentions!
I am going to share two personal stories with you... One is an experience of my own, and the other involves a student of mine. (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
When jumping into deep water, you must approach at a slower pace. Too much speed jumping into deep water will make it much more likely for the horse to fall on landing.
Riders who ride with stirrups that are even slightly too long are often the first ones to stand up and jump up the horse's neck when they get to a jump!
Discussion # 149: How would you ride this complex?How would you ride this ABC complex with a drop fence to a bending line of skinnies? Would you jump the first skinny (the B element) absolutely straight, and then have a sharp, quick turn to the C element? Or would you approach the B element from a slight right to left angle in an attempt to "set up" slightly for the C element? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Always keep in mind that narrow fences, angles, and corner jumps can feel even harder near the end of your cross country course. Mental and physical fatigue (of either horse or rider) can make a stupid mistake more likely to happen.
From Facebook Fan Joan Dunlap ~ "They are horses first ... beautiful, living, breathing beings ... what they do for us is secondary and should come from their heart .... don't ever let the ribbons or money rule (or ruin) your relationship with them."
