Most teachers have nefarious designs on your mind—ones that they may not admit to. You just may want nuts and bolts explanations of the "which leg goes where" variety. Most times that's not all you're going to get... (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
Some horses are naturally great at following their rider's eye when jumping courses. They are so attentive and attuned to their rider, that they always seem to know where the rider is intending to go next, even before they are given any other signals. Other horses are not quite as focused on their riders, and could be better at reading their rider's body language and focus, and following their eye. These horses often require strong turning aids on course, and are likely to be seen resisting and fighting their rider through the turns.
This can be improved however! And if you have a horse that needs improvement in this area, it will be well worth the effort that you put into working on this. As when your horse is thinking about following your eye on course, you will find that your rounds will become much more fluent. The improved harmony between you and your horse will be evident for all to see! Read on for a simple exercise to teach your horse to better follow your eye, which has an added benefit of improving your ownfocus and eye control! (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 998“I start by stretching the horse and trying to make him relaxed and supple. It’s a bit like gymnastics with a horse, dressage is. You wouldn’t expect a gymnastics person to just go and start their workout; they do a nice stretch in the warm-up first.” ~ Charlotte DujardinTip/Quote of the Day # 997“When you train at home, do one thing at a time. Pirouette one day and half pass another, so you have time to do each thing with quality. You might choose canter work on one day and trot work on another.” ~ Kyra KyrklundDiscussion # 143: How would you ride this fence? Let's say that this ramp jump is a classic "ski jump" type fence, with a steep downhill slope on the landing side. How would you ride the approach? Taking into consideration that this is a big, solid, rampy jump with some width to it... and balancing that with the steep downhill landing that your horse will not see until he is at the takeoff point - what speed would you want to have coming into this jump? What type of canter would you want? And in what position should you be in on the approach? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
This is a great question, as more and more riders around the country are losing access to the kind of land that makes it easy to condition our horses for Eventing! One has to be creative and think outside the box! (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Tip/Quote of the Day # 993When preparing for a jump from a galloping position, one should always sink down into the heel before any touching of seat in the saddle, and only then should you take the mouth if necessary. Taking back on the reins first will almost always cause resistance.Tip/Quote of the Day # 992"Stop being a passenger, and start being a pilot." ~ Mark ToddTip/Quote of the Day # 991The horse that is the fastest on cross country is often not the one that is allowed to gallop at a greater rate of speed, but rather one that is highly adjustable, and is ridden on economical lines.Tip/Quote of the Day # 990When schooling a green horse through complexes where the last element is a tricky jump (skinny, angle, corner, etc), it is smart, if possible, to school the last element first. This will set you up for success as you then jump through the whole complex, as your horse will be more likely to put his eye on and correctly read the jump coming out.The Most Productive Way to Begin Each Ride
As with most things in life, a good strategy is key to you getting the most out of your daily rides. If you can begin each ride in a way that sets both you and your horse up for a successful schooling session, you will find that you will feel less stagnant and frustrated with your riding, as you will make more progress as a team!
While every horse and rider is, of course, a unique team, and may have different things that they need to focus on... here is a list of ideas of things to do at the beginning of each ride, that will help the majority of riders: (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
This is actually a fairly common problem, as the excitement of jumping can really get some horses fired up! It is important that you handle the situation correctly every time your horse ignores your half halt, or his response to your them is not likely to improve! Read this article for an explanation of how you should respond in the various situations. And here is a very important tip for you, on how to make half halts between jumps more successful... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Tip/Quote of the Day # 988Riders are often incorrectly told to lean back and against the reins when their horses get strong. Not only will this not work, but it will usually make the horse even heavier in their hands.Tip/Quote of the Day # 987Doing the same thing day after day hinders growth. Think about how that might apply to your riding.Tip/Quote of the Day # 986Even if your horse is beginning to distract you with fussing against the bit, or tossing his head when jumping, keep your top priority on maintaining the rhythm.Tip/Quote of the Day # 985There are some horses that will have a hard time jumping show jumping jumps cleanly at the bigger jumps when ridden like a hunter. A much higher, "jumper" type frame, will help them jump their best.Tip/Quote of the Day # 984Do you want your horse to relax his jaw?? Use exercises that will truly engage his hind legs. That solves the problem at the root cause (which is a tense, rigid back, and hind legs which are not properly carrying the horse and rider), rather than solving the problem at the symptom (which is the horse feeling rigid in the jaw.)Tip/Quote of the Day # 983“Bad jumping can happen at any speed. I have watched some of the most brilliant, stylish jumping I have ever seen at the Maryland Hunt Cup, where the fences vary from 4 feet to 4-foot-10 in height and the average speed for this 4-mile race is about 800 meters per minute. At the same time, I have watched novice eventing riders skidding around like a hog on ice at 350 mpm. The thing I want you to remember is that speed and balance are not mutually exclusive." ~ Jimmy WoffordMaking the Best Use of the Terrain on Cross Country
You will do much more galloping between jumps than actual jumping while on a cross country course. And at most events, that involves negotiating terrain that varies from mildly rolling hills to steep slopes. It is important that riders know how to use this terrain in such a way that it makes the job the easiest and most efficient for the horse - taking the least amount of gas out of the tank! (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
Don't panic! Since it sounds like he seems otherwise very bold, and appears to like the water once he is in it, I think there is a good chance that your horse will come around about this. There are some very specific things that you want to do when schooling the water from now on, that will set you up for the best chance at success, however. And that is to... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer) Tip/Quote of the Day # 981"Don't be distracted by criticism. Remember the only taste of success some people have is when they take a bite out of you." ~ George MorrisTip/Quote of the Day # 980From Facebook fan Joan Dunlap ~ "You must conquer your own fears, lack of knowledge and short-comings before you can even start to help your horse with theirs."Tip/Quote of the Day # 979Think "uphill" in your lengthenings. Yes, the horse should be allowed to lengthen its neck slightly into the lengthening, but you still want to feel like you are on a motorboat - nose up, butt down.Guest Blog post # 69: "Learning Lows - Part 4" by the famous Bad Eventer!
I used to live by the mantra, "Frustration begins where knowledge ends." If I was having a hard time with a horse, I would stop and think, "What don't I know about this situation?" It could be that I just didn't have enough tools in my tool box to get to the right answer. Maybe I hadn't done my homework and I was asking for something more advanced than we were ready for......
And then there is the Dunning Kruger effect.... (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 978Remember that even a cow can jump a 3 foot fence from a standstill - if it wants to. So never worry about whether or not your horse has enough scope to do lower level eventing or jumping. The bigger issue is whether or not you can keep him balanced at the canter.Tip/Quote of the Day # 977The smoothest and easiest canter to walk transitions come when the horse can canter at walk speed.Tip/Quote of the Day # 976"When you relax your arms and feel the reins softly you need to feel that your horse wants to step into the contact. If you do not then he is behind your leg and seat." ~ Yvonne BarteauQuestion # 281: My mare has always had an issue with bucking/pulling upon landing in the next stride after landing from a fence when doing cross country......It’s inevitable the first few times, even with proper warm up. I've had her since she was a yearling and she is now 10. I'm sure if I was a better rider, this wouldn’t happen. She also has always had difficulty with holding the left canter lead. I'm sure chiro would help. What are your suggestions? (Ellen)
Hi Ellen!
It is never fun when horses develop the habit of bucking after fences. It can even become quite dangerous if the horse gets carried away with it! Since you also mention issues with the left lead canter, my first thought is... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Tip/Quote of the Day # 975When doing movements like turn on the haunches, pirouettes, haunches in, and half pass, even the most experienced riders have to remind themselves to sit over their inside seat bone throughout the entire movement. Consciously thinking about stepping into the inside stirrup every couple of strides during these movements is necessary to avoid any tendency of the rider's weight slipping to the outside.Video Discussion # 91: This video discusses getting your horse to truly think forward to improve your trot lengthenings. This video discusses getting your horse to truly think forward to improve your trot lengthenings. What are your thoughts on this video? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to watch video, and read this educational discussion)Tip/Quote of the Day # 974Quote from Bert de Nemethy ~ "When I think of the rider's aids, I am reminded of an anecdote that is told about one of the world's great pianists, who was asked how difficult it was to learn to play the piano as he did. "It is really not difficult at all," he replied. "You only have to figure out which fingers go on what keys, and for how long. Then you practice for the rest of your life so that you can do it up to tempo." Communicating with the horse is about the same."Tip/Quote of the Day # 973If you don't ride well into the corner, it will have a negative effect on the next movement. The short sides and corners are what set you up for every movement.Tip/Quote of the Day # 972Since many lower level horses anticipate the transition from canter to trot in the Dressage test, it can be a good idea to do a few canter circles when practicing tests at home, instead of just one. This way the horse will not learn that when doing a test he does a quick canter, and then is done. It is also a good idea to canter past the letter that you will be doing the downward transition at in the ring. These measures can help to prevent the very common "falling from canter into trot early" problem.Tip/Quote of the Day # 971Don't use gadgets or your hands to make a "frame", use exercises to change the way the horse carries his body. When he is carrying himself correctly in balance, with his hind legs underneath his body, he will magically become round.Tip/Quote of the Day # 970It can be a clever time to work on the beginning of a piaffe, or "half steps", when you are out hacking and your horse gets a bit excited and "prancy." Take advantage of the moment, to ask them (and allow them) to do what they are offering you in their excitement. And don't forget the reward!Tip/Quote of the Day # 969As you finish a course, ask yourself if you are finishing with the same pace that you started with. If the answer is no… the next question you need to ask yourself is which speed was better for your horse's jumping - the way you started, or the way you finished? Then make sure you use that information on the next course that you jump.Tip/Quote of the Day # 968When you have a green or looky horse, it can be helpful to go a little more slowly on the approach to their fences to let them take it all in. Don't be afraid to come back to the trot if you need to. Rushing them through the approach when they are already rattled will not help them gain in confidence.Question # 280: When using side reins or surcingle for lunging, do you allow the side reins to be of equal length or do you make the inside rein slightly shorter? (Melanie) Hi Melanie!
This is an age old question that has a VERY clear answer in my book! (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer) Tip/Quote of the Day # 967"You can trot and cry at the same time. And if you can’t, this isn’t the sport for you." ~ Kristin CarpenterTip/Quote of the Day # 966From Facebook fan Lee DiGangi ~ "If YOU breathe, your horse will breathe. Especially true with tense mares."Tip/Quote of the Day # 965"Only when the horse is straight, the hind legs can be induced by correct collection to carry more weight and, correspondingly, be gymnasticized by increased flexion. This improves the balance and the suppleness, and it strengthens the haunches for the greater demands to the necessary degree." ~ PodhajskyGuest Blog post # 68: "You May, You Must!" by Bill Woods
There's a time (we hope) in everyone's riding where a transformation takes place. It's when you start to find your "voice" and begin to exercise it. Before this can happen, riders struggle through some predictable stages. Typically, even while working on their own, their heads are filled with the scolding words (not even intentionally directed at them) by their teacher reminding them of their assorted malfeasances and inadequacies. When they get past this stage and their confidence grows, they begin to have a “voice”.... (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 964Always challenge yourself to use as little hand as possible in riding any exercise. The more freedom your horse has up front, the more expressive his movement will be.Tip/Quote of the Day # 963
"When I think of the rider's aids, I am reminded of an anecdote that is told about one of the world's great pianists, who was asked how difficult it was to learn to play the piano as he did. "It is really not difficult at all," he replied. "You only have to figure out which fingers go on what keys, and for how long. Then you practice for the rest of your life so that you can do it up to tempo." Communicating with the horse is about the same." ~ Bert de Nemethy
