Tip/Quote of the Day # 448If your horse is tense in his topline while jumping, he wil likely be slow with his knees and hang his legs. Use judicious flatwork between jumps to encourage him to relax and let go.Tip/Quote of the Day # 447Be careful with jaw flexions. If not ridden forward over the back into the flexion, they create a false frame with no real connection. You might think he is correctly connected because he feels soft in your hand when his jaw is flexed. But true lightness is not in the looseness of the contact, it is in the way the horse moves over the ground.Kirsten's Blog Post # 6
How to Condition a Beast Eventer
Conditioning you say?
So you want to get your beast eventer as fit as possible! You want your draft cross (or other non tb horse) to be fighting fit out there on xc galloping right along with those nimble thoroughbreds! Said thoroughbreds get fit walking to turnout everyday where as you have been consistently riding your beast for MONTHS and find you are still running out of steam on xc... What are you to do?! How do you condition a draft horse? (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 446Turn your horse from the middle of his body by using your seat. And use both reins together to turn him from his shoulders. Turning with the inside rein only turns his nose, leaving the rest of his body to derail.Question # 234: I recently acquired a 6 year old OTTB that was severely neglected and abused. :( Although he is remarkably improved both physically and mentally, he still has aggressive tendencies towards me......When I first got him, you could not touch him past his wither without him pinning his ears and swinging his haunches over to try and kick me. I've done a lot of exercises with him with a halter and lead to get him to respect my space. Some days are better than others at this point, but we still have trouble when currying. I use very soft brushes now and a soft rubber curry comb as well and he definitely likes it better, but when asked to move over or when I brush/curry his haunches, he sometimes pins his ears and tries to kick. This is all done while in cross ties... He is also aggressive during feeding time with me when I go into his pen to give him his supplements. He pins his ears and tries to charge at me. I don't want him to disrespect me and I don't want him to fear me either. Have you ever had any experience with this type of behavior before? I would love any and all advice you have? (Kealy)
Hi Kealy!
First off, good for you for taking on a rescue horse! Unfortunately, horses that haven't been treated well at some point in their life tend to carry those scars with them for a very long time. And while he will likely get better and better as you develop your relationship with him, you will probably always see signs of his past in his behavior. I would recommend that you read this article on the horse/rider relationship, and apply everything you read there to... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)An Exercise to Test the Foundation of Your Jumping (Current Freebie!)
Have you ever noticed how some horse and rider combinations are just so smooth that almost every jump looks the same? They seem to take every jump right in their stride, and appear to be in perfect harmony. The reason these riders are capable of performing so fluidly is because they have a solid base or foundation of jumping skills. How solid is your jumping foundation? Here is a simple test to find out... (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
I actually see this happen a lot to some degree. Either the horse is afraid of the whip, or the horse is annoyed by the whip, and acts out or threatens the rider when they think about using it. In both cases, (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Tip/Quote of the Day # 444The stirrup bar placement on your saddle can make or break your position. Make sure you choose a saddle that will allow you to be in balance. Discussion # 99: Balance or grip over fences, which works better and why??It is very educational to be able to compare the specific details of different horses and riders who are at exactly the same point over a jump. Both are obviously great riders, but these two riders have very different styles and positions. Because the first rider's center of gravity is so far ahead of his feet, that iron strong knee grip is necessary to keep him secure. And the second rider is in such a good balance that they could completely relax their leg and be just fine. Balance vs grip, as a means to staying on a horse, are the two options we have. Which one is better or more reliable in each of the three phases of Eventing? And why? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 443Remember that whatever you are used to usually feels right to you. You will often have to step out of your comfort zone if you wish to improve.Tip/Quote of the Day # 442Self carriage is not just for Dressage! Your horse should carry himself as much as possible in all three phases! Never attempt to hold your horse up!Tip/Quote of the Day # 441"The rider has to do something. The horse must not only understand what you want. He has to feel motivated to take you up on your offer. You can sit there all day and dangle your hook in the water, but if your horse isn’t interested, you’re going to come up empty, fish-wise." ~ Bill WoodsTip/Quote of the Day # 440Lateral work is most beneficial when the horse stays relaxed in its body. It is not generally a good idea to "push through" a movement with tension present. It's a much better idea to come out of it, circle, improve your connection, and start again.Guest Blog Post # 42: "I'm Melting!" by the great Bill Woods!
It's 20 years ago. I "sort of " know how to ride. (At that point I'd already been doing it for almost 30 years and ridden I-1.) I'm having a lesson with Maj. Lindgren. The horse—a lower level one—is on a 20 meter circle. The horse is going forward. His outline is round. The circle is accurate. But Lindgren keeps shouting, "He is not through. Push him through!" Not much changes because, honestly, I don't really understand what he means.
So now, years later, the worm has turned. It's my time to explain the inexplicable—to put physical sensation and mental connections into terms not so generic or esoteric that I'm doing nothing more than talking to myself. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 439“A good hand is the one that can resist and yield when necessary and receive with precision the action created by the legs.” ~ Salomon de la BroueDiscussion # 98: Let's talk about the "electric butt" syndrome!Let's talk about the "electric butt" syndrome! You've probably seen some riders (or maybe it's you!) who always seem to make their horses hot or strong. This type of rider can usually produce great results when riding the lazy type, but is often not a good match for the horse that already wants to be hot. What do you think it is exactly that this type of rider is doing to cause the horse to feel like they are being constantly driven forward? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)Tip/Quote of the Day # 438Always sit the trot for a least a few strides before asking for a transition to canter or walk.An Exercise to Increase Pushing Power Behind, and Improve the Quality of Your Lengthened, Medium, and Extended Gaits
A variation or extension of the "walk two steps and trot again exercise", this exercise is a great way to improve pushing power behind - and will therefore improve the quality of your lengthened, medium, and extended gaits. And since it teaches the horse to stay "sitting" on his hocks as he increases his push, he learns how to keep a more uphill balance when he moves more powerfully. Which will lead to more quality collection afterwards. Read on to find out how to do it! (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 437Work on a horse and that horse gets better. Work on yourself and all your horses get better.Question # 232: My OTTB has trouble with anxiety, grabs the bit and makes upward transitions on his own. When is it appropriate to change bits? (Anonymous) It can be so hard to know when it is appropriate to move to a different bit, or when the problem is more of a training issue! Read this article for a full description of which horses tend to do better with more bit, and which type of horse can become even more anxious and difficult to ride with more bit. Since you say your horse is the anxious type, I would say that it sounds like he is likely the second type mentioned in that article: (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer) Tip/Quote of the Day # 436"His mouth foams, plays with the bit, and the beauty of his position shows that he is proud of himself under his rider. And this is the concept of the true rein contact; it is based on the previously achieved balance which relieves the forehand so much that the hand feels merely a steady, regular and light contact with the mouth." ~ Borries v.OeynhausenTip/Quote of the Day # 435"School figures should not be regarded as an end in themselves but rather as a stage in a particular aim, that of control of the horse. Initially, they will be practiced in the school but an early opportunity should be taken to perform them outside so that the rider may learn to cope with extraneous influences which can distract his horse and prevent it concentrating (for example, his horse not wanting to leave its stable or move away from other horses." ~ W. MuesslerPhoto # 62: This is Rachel!(Click on Photo Title above (in blue) to read the critique of this photo)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 434"If a horse becomes more beautiful in the course of his work, it is a sign that the training principles are correct." ~ Colonel PodhajskyTip/Quote of the Day # 433If you are riding with short stirrups in a saddle that was not really designed for shorter stirrups (i.e. an all purpose saddle), you will usually find that your leg gets pushed backwards when landing over fences.Photo # 61: Melanie would like a conformation critique for her horse!(Click on Photo Title above (in blue) to read the critique of this photo)
It is hard for me to say for sure about whether your speed is too fast without seeing you go... is there any chance you can send a short video? I will say that every horse has a certain "lick" that they jump the best out of, and if your horse is on the small side, or has a fairly short stride, he may need that little extra speed to be at his most comfortable jumping courses. With each individual horse, you want to find the pace where you feel like your courses just flow nicely, and where you meet more jumps than not right out of your stride. Even if it looks a bit different from some of the other horses. Read this article on that subject.
If we are just talking about confidence, with your horse having more of a tendency to refuse when you approach the jumps more slowly, then you need to... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)
This is a really common problem! A defensive rider carries around the mental baggage of bad things that have happened in the past, and has a hard time letting go of it - and just riding the horse they are on at the moment. It is perfectly natural for a rider to remember a bad experience, and to have it affect their riding to some degree. But it can paralyze your capacity to ride to the best of your ability. And there are some things you can do to help overcome this problem! (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer) Tip/Quote of the Day # 430"The relaxing of the legs and the hands of the rider is the proof of the real collection, and the collection is the poetry of the impulsion." ~ Nuno OliveiraPhoto # 60: This is Suzanne on her trainer's Dutch Warmblood Quarter Pony cross!(Click on Photo Title above (in blue) to read the critique of this photo)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 429When the rider leans back and pulls on the reins like a waterskier, the horse usually obliges and becomes the motorboat... dragging the rider around by the reins.Jocelyn's Blog Post # 4
You Know How to Trot, Don't you?
Recently, I found myself cantering sideways, downhill, looking into a gnarled patch of brush creeping closer by the moment. In the background, I could hear Denny yelling at me, in that thought piercing, instant tone that anyone who has ridden with him knows. Good thing, too, because he was getting further and further away. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 428Check for self carriage often throughout your work. Each time you do, you will get clear and accurate feedback as to whether or not your horse is carrying himself properly.Tip/Quote of the Day # 427Everyone knows that we want to keep a straight line from our elbow to the horse's mouth, but did you know that it means when viewed from above as well as from the side? And that it also includes your wrists and fingers?Tip/Quote of the Day # 426Keep your leg aids light. Too much leg becomes something similar to white noise. It is unfair to expect your horse to hear your aid above the noise.Guest Blog Post # 41: "Put De Posit Here, Not Dere" by Bill Woods
Put De Posit Here, Not Dere
Bill Steinkraus was a show jumping icon of the 1960s and winner of the individual gold medal in that discipline on Snowbound at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.
At a clinic I attended years ago, he was speaking of schooling a hot horse that wanted to rush its fences, but his metaphor has many applications in dressage training as well. He likened the... (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 425The free walk is a test of your connection in the walk. If it is true, the horse will take the bit down and forward in a relaxed way when offered. So you don't fix the free walk by working on the free walk... you fix it by working on your connection in the preceding medium walk.Question # 229, and Video # 70: Problems with halting!I'm bringing my Intermediate horse back into work & he's decided that downward transitions are optional. We went to a schooling show & the judge said "all downward transitions late" & at the end of the Intermediate test he flat out refused to halt & I actually had to make a circle & try again. I've tried the usual, lots of transitions, stronger aids when he doesn't stop, it doesn't seem to be helping. I'm riding him in a double jointed snaffle & I thought tomorrow I'd try a different bit & see if that makes any difference. When he decides not to stop & I pull harder, he just pulls back even harder & keeps going. I'm not sure where this is coming from, but he's in perfect physical shape so I know it's not physical. He tends to do it at the end of the session or day, I'm wondering if he's tired, bored, confused...... not sure what's going on! Here's the video. Help! (Laura)(Click on Question/Video title above (in blue) to read the answer and critique of this video)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 424When working on flying changes, don't be tempted to ask for the change on the diagonal just because you are coming to the end of it and therefore running out of room. Always try to wait until you feel that your horse is balanced, straight, and *ready* to change. It is better to stay in counter canter than to ask for a change when you know your horse is not properly set up for it.Question # 228: My mare is 14, and she has NEVER been good with ground poles. She loves to jump, and is happy to jump small cross rails up to about 3'3" (for now!), but under saddle she consistently trips over poles on the ground......I would love to be able to use them to practice adjusting her stride without actually jumping, but she either doesn't seem to care if I don't react, and continues to trip, or if I get after her then she gets upset or reactive. Either way, we fail to accomplish anything productive! Can you give me some advice? She now walks, trots, and canters nicely over them on the longe, but I'm not sure how to bridge the gap to under saddle. Thank you! (Emily)
Hi Emily!
My first thought would be to have her vision checked, although I actually doubt that is your problem, since she jumps just fine. It wouldn't hurt to get her eyes checked anyway though, as it is possible she has a condition that makes her vision spotty. Barring any eye issues, 95% of the time when horses trip over ground poles under saddle, it is because of one or both of these reasons: (Click on Question title above (in blue) to read full answer)Tip/Quote of the Day # 423When your horse challenges you, try to not engage in a fight, so that he has a reason to fight back. Instead, ignore the bad behavior, and ask him to do something easy, that you know he can and will do. This way you can reward him, which will help to re-establish peace in your relationship. Discussion # 97: Where are this rider's seat bones pointing? The rider position shown below - with an arched and hollow lower back, is unfortunately quite common. But look at what that hollowed lower back has done to this rider's seat! Who can tell us which direction this rider's seat bones are now pointing (rather than the ideal direction, which is straight down)? And what can the rider do to fix this problem? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 422Any rounding of the shoulders is a weakness that immediately disconnects the rider's arms from the back and seat.Tip/Quote of the Day # 421Your legs should lie softly on your horse's sides like "al dente" noodles - draped around your horse with soft, supple precision.Tip/Quote of the Day # 420"A rider must never put his own ambitions above the horse's needs." ~ Klaus BalkenholQuestion # 227: My horse is an “energy conservationist.” Out on cross-country or in the stadium ring, he is inspired to be reasonably forward and balanced. In the dressage ring? Not so much. The current struggle is canter quality......We got to a certain level of forward and balanced, and now we are ready to move up from BN to N, and need more impulsion and more balance. However, this idea is NOT popular with the equine half of the team. When I push for more impulsion, he hollows out, dumps all his weight on his forehand and moves against the contact. It’s like riding a belligerent chestnut wheelbarrow. At home, I’m working on this by putting him on a 20m circle, going back to trot as soon as the canter starts to deteriorate, and then back up into canter, and repeat. It does seem to help - at first we get maybe 2 strides of “good” canter at a time and by the end of the ride, we’re getting a half circle. Meanwhile, I am insisting on a meaningful response to the leg by giving him an immediate swat behind the leg if he ignores it or gives a half-hearted response. What else should I be doing? (Rachel)
Hi Rachel!
This is the age old problem of speed vs impulsion! When you ask your horse for more impulsion, you are merely getting more speed. This is putting your horse on the forehand, where he is then looking to you for support. Read this article on impulsion. In addition to defining the term, it will discuss the prerequisites before true impulsion is possible, and how to create it in your horse. And your horse may not be a draft or carriage type horse, but read this article as well, as it contains some very specific exercises that should help you with your horse's canter. It all comes back to... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Tip/Quote of the Day # 419You must be able to interpret the feedback/information your horse is sending you during your rides, without reacting emotionally.
