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')
This is a great question! Rhythm is so important, and with come horses it can be so challenging to maintain! Think about the fact that every time the rhythm changes, something changed to make that happen. Often what happens is that the horse has become tense or anxious (maybe because the rider has?), so the rhythm becomes quick or erratic. Or the horse is losing energy, which will make the rhythm slower and more labored. But commonly it is due to a loss of balance, which can cause the rhythm to change in every possible way. Here are some things to think about, and some exercises to try, to help you improve your horse's canter rhythm... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer) Tip/Quote of the Day # 555“The collected trot is that which desires to be in the extended trot. Do you feel the extended trot alive in it?” ~ Robert DoverDiscussion # 108: This is how many riders ride through their turns! Take a look at these two pictures... This is how many riders ride through their turns! The rider on the left is cantering through a right turn to a jump, but the rider on the right is merely walking on a cirle to the left.And these are both quite experienced riders! What effect do you think this will have on their horses? And what should they do to fix this problem? Do you think YOU have this problem?? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 554To check that you are maintaining enough forward energy when you collect your horse, ask yourself if you could easily jump a big fence with the walk, trot, or canter that you have.Tip/Quote of the Day # 553If your instructor is the type that teaches you the reasons behind each aid or exercise used in each specific circumstance, you will become a more educated rider with a greater ability to be productive on your own time. So many do not - and with this type of instructor, you are much less likely to become an independent rider.Tip/Quote of the Day # 552You can tell how correctly a horse works on a regular basis by looking at his musculature. If his neck muscles are "upside down", or if there is any lack of topline muscle between the withers and the croup, the horse does NOT work correctly over the back on a regular basis.Firn's Blog Post # 6On Attitudes and Goals
As we stand on the threshold of 2015, the time for setting goals and dreaming dreams is upon us. We're busy grinding off some rusty edges and working off Christmas Eve dinner (which has such a depressing habit of depositing itself soundly in the region of one's waistline) in preparation for the new year, the new competition season, and all the hard work that comes with it.
Ha ha! No, wide behind was definitely not a comment about anyone's physical appearance! In Dressage terms, it means... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Tip/Quote of the Day # 549
The mouth is never the real problem, what you feel in your hand is a reflection of what is happening behind the saddle. Get the back relaxed and swinging, and the hind legs active, and the horse will feel like putty in your hands.
Is your horse hard to stop sometimes? Does he tend to drag you to the jumps? Or do you just feel like you are maybe a little out of control when galloping through a big open field?? If so, don't feel bad... you are not alone! Many riders have trouble with their brakes! And this problem can range from mildly annoying to outright dangerous! If your horse tends to get strong, then this article is for you! Read on to find out how to reinstall your brakes! (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
