So it’s currently February 7th and I am taking one of my first days off weekends off in MONTHS. I haven’t been a good blogger because I’ve been so wrapped up in working, teaching, riding and planning for 2015 that I haven’t had a moment to stop and think about how to form a coherent thought for a blog. My apologies!
Now – what exactly have I learned that’s worth sharing from the past few months? Phew, where to start? (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 589As you are about to come down the center line in your Dressage test, briefly think about something that you know will make you smile. You and your horse will both relax, which will make for a happier performance. The judge will see the difference!Tip/Quote of the Day # 588“Horses can get deep to a single pole [without a groundline] and learn to do a slithery jump, like they need to at a coffin.” ~ Andrew NicholsonTip/Quote of the Day # 587From Facebook fan Jim Collins ~ "Often the simplest exercise is the most profound."Firn's Blog Post # 10Two Levels of Trust
What defines the relationship between horse and rider if not trust? What else is more striven for and more desired in horsemanship than the trust of our equine partners? What is the key to success, if not trust? (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)Tip/Quote of the Day # 586We incorporate circles into our training to promote suppleness and improved balance in the horse. But if our circles are oddly shaped, they will not improve the horse's suppleness, and will instead unbalance the horse.Tip/Quote of the Day # 585Your arm position determines your hand position to a large degree. So you must address your arms as well when you want to improve your hands.Discussion # 111: "Symmetrical" is a good word to think about when riding...Symmetrical is a good word to think about when riding... Are you sitting on the horse in a symmetrical way? Are your hands and legs symmetrical when in their "home" positions? Do you ride your figures in a symmetrical way? Do you do plan your exercises in such a way to help your horse to become more symmetrical? What other examples can you think of, that we should be thinking about in terms of symmetry when riding? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
I purchased my first saddle completely unsupervised. That is to say, I picked out a saddle from a sales catalog that I could afford and in a shade of brown that I was partial to. I was utterly clueless, and this became the first in a long line of saddles that I would own, and the rocky start of my saddle education. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
Having just moved to CA from the east coast, I was quite excited to learn that Mark Todd was coming to do a clinic here! Along with many others, I presume, Mark has always been one of my riding idols. He is no doubt one of the best and most classic Event riders of all time, and is definitely a master of cross country riding! So I was up before dawn to make the 4 hour drive to Fresno, to make sure I didn't miss any of it! Here's the recap: (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 582Open fingers do not equal soft hands. Soft hands come from relaxed following elbows, and a secure balanced seat. Open fingers causes the contact to be inconsistent and uninviting to the horse.Tip/Quote of the Day # 581"When selecting a French Link snaffle ensure the middle link is not too long, and that the holes are big enough for the bit to move freely – this will ensure your horse is comfortable in the contact." ~ Robert DoverTip/Quote of the Day # 580"Sometimes to foster a horse’s personality also means to accept that we can influence but never dominate him. We have to find subtle ways to control exuberant horses." ~ Ingrid KlimkeFirn's Blog post # 9Horses Just Wanna Have Fun
The horses and I have at last escaped the purgatory of forced rest and we have fervently gone back to work, especially Arwen. If we're going to survive our first graded event this year, we've got some work to do... (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)Tip/Quote of the Day # 579Horses and riders should both be comfortable jumping a single, simple fence that is the size of one level above where they are currently competing. Tip/Quote of the Day # 578"If you want to hear something profound, practice being a profoundly good listener." ~ Suzanne JohnsonTip/Quote of the Day # 577“Each use of the hand has to be preceded by an action of the upper body, otherwise the rider is merely influencing the horse’s head.” ~ Nuno OliveiraTip/Quote of the Day # 576Don't forget your outside leg in the circle of bending aids.Tip/Quote of the Day # 575Shoulder in to the right really strengthens the right hind leg, which will help to improve the horse's ability to do haunches in and half pass to the left. And vice versa. Tip/Quote of the Day # 574"Only the rider who is free from any contraction will have a horse equally free from contraction. A team such as this is the ideal” ~ Nuno OliveiraTip/Quote of the Day # 573The horse should be just as much "on the aids" in the stretching frame as he is in a working frame. Firn's Blog Post # 8The Dangers of Overfeeding
As an apprentice horse trainer, I've come to the conclusion that one of the most overlooked but also extremely dangerous things we can ever do is overfeed and underwork our horses... (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)Tip/Quote of the Day # 572Remember that you don't "push" your horse anywhere… you give him signals.Stop Your Habit of Pulling the Inside Rein!
Everyone knows that pulling or hanging on the inside rein is bad. It causes all sorts of problems! In addition to blocking the inside hind leg from stepping properly underneath the horse's body, pulling on the inside rein will cause horses to brace against the rider's hand, tilt their heads, pop their outside shoulder, and become crooked and heavy on the forehand. But is telling you why you shouldn't pull the inside rein really enough? No, it isn't!
Remember that the way the human brain works, (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 571"Good riders forget about the bad things. Inexperienced riders think mostly about the bad things. There are many roads to the top of the mountain, but the view is always the same from the top." ~ Kyra KyrklundTip/Quote of the Day # 570From Facebook fan Jennifer McGinley ~ "I'm realizing this concept more and more recently. If you establish the canter you need (balanced, adjustable) and keep the horse on his feet. Your horse can jump from anywhere. We are learning that you can actually ride forward and powerful to the base. If the set up is right, they can jump from anywhere, safely, with balance and still remain adjustable on landing to set up for B & C elements!"Video Discussion # 80: This video shows a good exercise to work on to improve the quality of your canter when jumping!This video shows a good exercise to work on to improve the quality of your canter when jumping! What do you think about this exercise? How do you think working on this might help you improve your show jumping rounds?
Much like the way the horse is "in front of your leg" when he is responsive and thinking forward, he also needs to be "in front of" your inside leg to be responsive and bending properly.
Let's have a discussion about this quote: "Don't try to see a distance. Your horse has a pair of eyes and you need to let him use them. The more you do in front of a fence the more you will distract them." ~ Chris Bartle
It seems that the US is a country (and really the only country) divided between the two mindsets - on whether the rider needs to pick the jumping takeoff spots for the horse... or if the rider should set the horse up properly, and then let them do their job. So many of the most successful trainers outside of the US have spoken up boldly about this concept, yet it seems many do seem to not listen to it, or believe in it.
Think about it.. If we squelch our horses' very natural instincts to look after themselves when we are training, what is going to happen to us when we are out on cross country, and we eventually make a mistake (which is inevitable)? That horse, having had the initiative trained right out of him, has a much greater risk of hitting a jump or even having a rotational fall.
Putting it another way… if YOU were about to go running and jumping over hurdles, would you want someone else having control of your striding and footwork? Or would you be safer if you watched the jumps yourself and took care of your own feet? Your thoughts?? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Unless you answer to "Nuno" or "Willi" (where the W is pronounced like a V) when you train, you really need reference points. If your internal gyroscope is so finely tuned that any deviation from perfect balance is immediately detected, disregard everything which follows.... (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 565The intensity of your half halt is about the strength of your seat and core, and the push into the connection... not the amount of pull on the reins. Tip/Quote of the Day # 564"Suppleness in the back is the most important basic you can give your horse. When a horse is not supple in his back, it’s a big deal for him. Horses store a lot of emotion in their backs. If you have ever hurt your back, you know how painful it can be. It occupies your every thought." ~ Scott HasslerAre You Riding With Your Reins at the Right Length?
Your rein length is crucial to your success in riding, particularly in Dressage. Throughout your rides, there will be many different ideal rein lengths, as there is an optimal length for each individual situation. Obviously your horse will need to have a longer rein when working long and low, and a shorter rein for collection. But since every horse is unique, the precise length of rein needed at any given moment will vary with each circumstance.
One thing is for sure, however... if you are riding with your reins either too long or too short, you will find it difficult to properly ride forward into the contact. Which means that your horse will be much less likely to happily move into the connection. Here is how to tell if your reins are too long or too short, and what will likely happen if you do ride that way... (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 563The more balanced and collected the horse is, the more narrow the track he can travel on. The highly trained horse would be able to canter on a balance beam. Discussion # 109: Let's discuss the very common rider habit of posting with their hands!One of my biggest pet peeves is watching riders "post" the trot with their hands - letting their hands move up and down with their upper body while posting. And it is unfortunately seen in riders at all levels! Who can tell us why this happens with beginner riders? And for bonus points, who can tell us why so many experienced riders still do this?? I would truly love to know! ;) Also, what effect does this action have on the rein connection? In other words... why is this such a bad thing? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 562A successful jump is more about the approach than the jumping effort itself.Tip/Quote of the Day # 561To help your horse perform a true medium or extended trot, think about maintaining some of the elevation that you have in your collected trot as you move into it.Tip/Quote of the Day # 560"The sequence of an aid is not complete until you soften it." ~ George WilliamsTip/Quote of the Day # 559
"It can be difficult to analyze your horse's performance whilst you are also concentrating on not falling off." ~ Jimmy Wofford
In the world of horses, to be a good rider, you need to attend lessons and read books. To become an outstanding rider, you need to be a barn rat. (Oh, and joining My Virtual Eventing Coach would help, too. Just sayin')
Tip/Quote of the Day # 557The opening inside rein gives the horse the indication that the turn is about to happen. The outside aids actually make the turn happen.
