Tip/Quote of the Day # 801From member Karen Barbato ~ "If YOU think it's work so does your horse...when you head out to ride think of it as heading out to PLAY, giggle a lot and make it all a fun game. You and your horse will be smiling when you are done."Tip/Quote of the Day # 800From Facebook fan Liz Chilcott ~ "Preparation is 90% of execution."Tip/Quote of the Day # 799It’s just as easy to train a horse to be dull to the aids as it is to train them to be sensitive to the aids.Tip/Quote of the Day # 798From Facebook fan Sascha DeAngelo ~ "Instead of gunning it to a scary fence, hold the horses head between your hands, and his body between your legs, and keep a steady deliberate pace."Tip/Quote of the Day # 797From Facebook fan Lynn Sullivan ~ "It's easier to stay fit then to get fit.....old saying but applies to horses as well as riders."Tip/Quote of the Day # 796Those who think that riding is only about getting on and "doing," and don't make the time and effort to read and educate themselves about all the details and concepts involved, will not get very far. Tip/Quote of the Day # 795
The secret to sensitivity in horses is not in the rider's physical strength, or even their technique. It is in their commitment to thinking about what happened, being definitive about what they are asking the horse do to, and giving clear and immediate feedback to the horse after each application of an aid.
Tip/Quote of the Day # 794Definition of Cadence: Lift, an element of suspension, with an even, regular rhythm. You have to get the horse where he carries himself in balance, then you can have cadence. Tip/Quote of the Day # 793"If you get left behind jumping up a bank, your horse will HATE you!" ~ Jimmy WoffordDiscussion # 135: What do you see in these 3 drawings of a horse's hoof?Of these 3 drawings of a horse's hoof, one shows a normal, correctly shaped hoof... and the other 2 show common faults (which are farrier related.) Which one is the correct hoof? And what is wrong with the other 2? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 792From Facebook fan Alexis Soutter ~ "A steady hand with a soft, following elbow invites a steady, soft contact from the horse. Working the bit or being busy with your fingers invites a false frame."Tip/Quote of the Day # 791You will find that you become most productive when you have a specific goal for each training session. Be flexible, of course. But know exactly what you plan to work on for every ride. Aimless riding is simply exercise. Tip/Quote of the Day # 790
Many horses think walk time is "break" time. If you want to ensure that you get good scores on your walk work, you have to convince your horse otherwise in your daily work.
The line where collection begins is a blurry one. It's further complicated because too many of us who try to produce it don't quite know how to, and for mercenary reasons some horses are rushed into tests which require collection before they have the strength or understanding to pull it off correctly. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 789"The only way to improve/influence horses' paces is to ride forward in a balanced way." ~ Carl HesterTip/Quote of the Day # 788"Nothing is as impressive or as valuable for the training as being able to control the impulsion and the desire to go forward to such an extent that the rider is able to bring his horse to a standstill from an extended trot or canter without the slightest effort or disturbance. Conversely, departing immediately from the halt into an extended gait is an equal proof of the absolute desire to go forward." ~ Alois PodhajskyDiscussion # 134: What common mistake is this rider making? And what effect will this have on her horse? What common mistake is this rider making? And what effect will this have on her horse? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Good for you for being aware of this situation! I see many riders who don't seem to notice that their horses have insufficient topline muscles - and they sometimes ask or expect too much of them, resulting in unnecessary resistance. Making the time and effort to build up your horse's topline strength will go a long ways towards turning him into a happy partner and a willing performer! (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Tip/Quote of the Day # 786Every time you let a horse get away with something, you're training him to do it.Tip/Quote of the Day # 785"You've chosen a sport that requires you to be motivated by failure." ~ Kyle CarterTip/Quote of the Day # 784When giving the aid to canter, let your outside leg sink back and down as the last part of your canter aid. If you lift your leg up and back to use it (as so many incorrectly do), you will end up losing your seat to some degree, and may also end up sitting crooked.Tip/Quote of the Day # 783Acceptance of the outside rein is key to resistance free downward transitions.Basic Suppling Exercise # 4
This basic suppling exercise is particularly useful for horses that sometimes have difficulty with changes of bend, and for those that tend to want to fall to the inside on their turns! It is suitable for riders at all levels. (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 782If your horse does not offer to stretch near the end of a workout, there is a good chance that you didn't have him working correctly through his topline during your ride.Discussion # 133: Which rider has a better lower leg position coming off of a drop fence, and why? Here are two top riders with very different leg positions coming off of a big drop. Which is stronger and why? With the rider in the weaker position, what will be likely to happen to the rider's position after landing? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
I think the best thing to do in this situation is to... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer) Tip/Quote of the Day # 780Always remember that your horse might be quite different to ride in the show jumping phase when it follows the cross country. You may need to adapt both your warm up strategy and the way you ride on course.Photo # 68: Hailey would like a conformation critique for her horse, a 16.2 hand Appendix! (Click on Photo Title above (in blue) to read the critique of this photo)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 779Secure your reins by keeping your thumbs pinched on top, but keep the rest of your fingers more relaxed. Gripping the reins too firmly with all of your fingers will tend to tighten your forearms.Tip/Quote of the Day # 778For those of you who know you ride in stirrups that are too long over fences (which is quite common), spend some time practicing with your stirrups 3 or 4 holes shorter. Then when you put them down a few holes (leaving them a few holes shorter than your initial length), you will be more comfortable with the change.Tip/Quote of the Day # 777If your horse struggles to maintain a consistent rhythm, think of using your breathing to help him stay regular. This is one reason why counting is so useful, as when you count, you will breathe in that rhythm.Tip/Quote of the Day # 776If you are able to do a good walk to halt transition, you have a good basis for all downward transitions.Improve Your Canter to Trot Transitions!
One of the most frequently seen mistakes across the levels in the Dressage ring is that of an unbalanced canter to trot transition - where the rider does not sufficiently prepare for the downward transition, and the horse falls heavily onto the forehand. You have probably heard it said before that you need to prepare for your transitions. But what does this mean exactly?? And what do you do if you try to prepare, but your horse doesn't respond? Read on to find out! (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 775"On the whole, there are only few mouths that cannot be taught a good rein contact by giving the horse the appropriate degree of balance, provided it is otherwise well conformed." ~ Borries v.OeynhausenTip/Quote of the Day # 774Always be aware of the amount of tension you carry when riding, and whether you are breathing softly and evenly, or holding your breath. Talking or humming quietly is a good way to ensure you keep breathing throughout your ride.Tip/Quote of the Day # 773Imagine the rider's body as a tree… the rider's seat and core need to be engaged and strong like the tree trunk, their long draped legs are the roots, and their arms are supple, movable branches. Question # 261: I have had my 8yr old gelding about 3 months, previously he had done lots of hunting in his native Ireland but no competing. We have completed four BE 90 classes......And though he scores well dressage I feel he can drift out on circles, it's more obvious show jumping when especially turning away from the warm up, then yesterday, on quite a twisty and technical (for a 90) xc course I had difficulty turning, I kept losing him through his shoulder when turning in front of a jump. We were clear but because of this problem we incurred lots of time faults. I appreciate this is all new to him and further schooling will help but I was quite alarmed when he was doing it xc, especially as there were lots of skinnies and a relatively difficult corner fence. I couldn't ride straight on any lines I had walked, and just had to let him go on whatever approach we had. Are there any articles on your site I should be reading please? Many thanks (Susan)
Hi Susan!
This can be a common problem, especially with big, powerful, and foward going horses, or horses that aren't properly engaged behind. And yes, there are a number of articles on the site that should help you! Check out... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer) Tip/Quote of the Day # 772You must train your horse to understand that he should stay at whatever speed you put him in until told otherwise. Remember that every time you allow your horse to make a decision about his speed or energy level (or don't realize that he has done so), you are training him to make these decisions on his own.Question # 260: My horse is lazy and behind the leg regularly. I have worked hard on getting her more responsive by doing the things suggested on this website - following up immediately and consistently. However, my mare doesn't really care about......the whip, even to the point that I have put welts on her. One big whack doesn't do it. I have had more success with three or four rapid smacks but it ends up looking like I am beating my horse. And I usually have to repeat it several times in a schooling session. I ended up taking off my spurs and stopped supporting the "forward" with my legs in order to prevent her from getting dull and non responsive, but her apathetic attitude worries me that I have no tools left. What do you suggest? (Frankie)
Hi Frankie!
I have worked with a few horses like this over the years! It can be very difficult to teach this type of horse to respect the rider's leg aids and keep them regularly in front of the leg. But it can be done! It sounds like you have done all the right things so far, and I totally agree about taking off your spurs. With this type of horse, the louder your aids get, the more they tune you out. We have to find a way to ignite that spark in her brain, so that she will begin to truly think forward. What has worked for me in this situation was to teach the horse to... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer) Tip/Quote of the Day # 771If you attempt to teach your horse to jump, to go through water, or to jump over a ditch when the horse is not first trained to go instantly forward from the leg, you are not setting yourself up for success.Tip/Quote of the Day # 770 Imagine an open ditch as a triple bar, so that you come close to the edge on the takeoff, and ride forward across the back edge. Doing so will make the jumping effort easier for the horse, and give him confidence.Tip/Quote of the Day # 769Dropping and picking up your stirrups at all three gaits is a good exercise to test the security of your seat. And you will be glad you practiced this regularly if you ever lose a stirrup at an important moment!Guest Blog post # 59: "Tendon and Ligament Injuries" by Dr. Corine Selders
Owning a sound horse is a blessing that many horse owners have but do not appreciate, until the horse is lame. There are many reasons why a horse may become lame (limp), such as arthritis, wounds, disease, foot problems, sprained /strained tendons &ligaments, and even broken bones. This month’s article on tendon & ligament injuries is going to cover a topic close to my heart, as my own horse has finally recovered from a ligament injury after two years, and is now competing at horse shows with his new owner. (Click on Blog Title above to read full entry)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 768A good trainer will know what you are capable of, and may sometimes push you slightly out of your comfort zone, asking you to do something that you would probably not attempt on your own. This can be a great opportunity to make a big "deposit" in your account of confidence!Dressage Canter Adjustability Exercise
Transitions make up much of your Dressage Test. This is true at all levels, but is especially so as you move up the levels... where you now have transitions within the gait as well as between gaits. And if you want good scores, you must be able to make smooth, balanced transitions! Here is an exercise which will help to improve the adjustability and rideability of your horse's canter in the Dressage ring: (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 767“The small and ring fingers can yield but never the thumb.” ~ Nuno OliveiraTip/Quote of the Day # 766Lightness is not the looseness of the contact, it is the way the horse moves over the ground - with real hind leg engagement.Tip/Quote of the Day # 765“You need to produce a walk. So work at the walk as well as the trot and canter. Get a good feeling of the body working in the walk. The walk is a mirror of the training of the horse.” ~ Christoph Hess
