Tip/Quote of the Day # 418The horse should feel like the reins are connected to the rider's back/core/seat, not their arms/hands.Tip/Quote of the Day # 417"The goal is not to raise the neck, it is to lower the hips .” ~ DecarpentryQuestion # 226: I have a rescue TB (starved, not raced that we know of) who I fostered and trained (and then adopted) and have had for over a year. I've been working on my half seat and trying to get her braver, going on hacks and practicing cross-country...(mostly trot, some canter) around the barn grounds (getting out of the ring). After :30 walking warmup yesterday we took off at a trot down the driveway and me in half seat; she did a big sideways spook with no warning and I went down on my tailbone. Ouch. . . . Got back on, worked her up and down that spot and got her better. I guess there are two things I'm after. One, what stirrup length should I use for cross-country/trail? I am using a hunter length which keeps my butt totally clear of the saddle. If I lower it one hole, it becomes much easier to maintain half seat, and I am more secure, but doesn't build my leg strength. ??? Also, I wonder if she feels more secure in full seat? This is the second time she's jumped completely out from under me in half seat (third, total). What should I do when she does this?? (Melanie)
Hi Melanie!
Ouch! Sorry to hear you fell on your tailbone! I've done that, and it is not fun! Regarding your question on stirrup length... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Photo # 59: This is Kellyn and her horse Rowan!(Click on Photo Title above (in blue) to read the critique of this photo)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 416"If a horse won't stretch at the beginning of session, work on a contact sooner then stretch when he is ready" ~ Carl HesterTip/Quote of the Day # 415Lunge lessons allow you to focus more on learning to feel what your body is doing, as you don't have to worry about controlling the horse.Tip/Quote of the Day # 414Too much inside rein is a common cause of horses missing their lead changes behind.Tip/Quote of the Day # 413"To understand the extent of damage caused by overbending, think of a horse’s “broken” neck as of a garden hose slashed between faucet and nozzle. Like the stream of water, the impulsion can no longer reach your hand in full." ~ Jean FroissartTip/Quote of the Day # 412"As a result of the appropriate gymnastics and training of the horse, the appearance and the movements of the horse will be more beautiful." ~ Colonel Alois Podhajsky
You hear a lot of contradictory advice about training the walk. One line of reasoning goes: Unlike the trot or canter, the walk has no natural impulsion to it. Without this willing self-motivation, the rider can easily introduce tension or restriction that's hard to get rid of. The solution— (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
The formal "trot up" at a CCI or CIC competition, otherwise known as the "jog", can be a very stressful part of the event! If you don't present your horse well, you may be "spun" and not be allowed to continue with the competition. Here is an explanation of how the jog works for first timers, and some tips for riders at all levels to make sure you present your horse in such a way that you have the best chance of hearing the word that you will be hoping to hear.... "Accepted!" (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)Question # 225: Sometimes my horse's otherwise nice canter feels like it becomes four beat-y and almost lateral. What causes this, and what can I do about it? (Tina) Hi Tina!
This is a fairly common problem, and it is seen at all levels! Some horses are born with a lateral canter, and that is a very negative trait for a Dressage horse. But some just have a slight tendency to fall into a canter that becomes a bit lateral in certain situations. Usually what brings out that tendency in a horse is one or both of these things: (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Tip/Quote of the Day # 409
"It must not be forgotten that, in order to maintain precisely the same tempo and the momentary balance, the hind legs must step more under to the extent that the center of gravity is located more forward and the head and neck are positioned lower. The more the horse is elevated, on the other hand, the less he needs, nay, the less he is able to step under with his hind legs.
It is especially this work with a low neck carriage without reducing the collection that forces the horse to step under as much as possible. It flexes, strengthens, and hardens the hind legs the most by increasing the load they have to lift." ~ Otto De La Croix
The important thing to take from this, in my opinion, is that it benefits the horse to work in different frames throughout your work. Good long and low work with active hind legs and a real connection over the back will help to increase the range of motion of the joints, and build strength for the more collected work.
Tip/Quote of the Day # 408Use lots of forward and back transitions within the gaits to activate the horse's hind legs.Tip/Quote of the Day # 407Since the buckle is the weakest part of your reins, it is a good idea to tie a knot in the very end of your reins for cross country. This way, if your hands ever slide the reins all the way to the buckle quickly, you don't have to worry about your reins coming apart.Question # 224: I have an OTTB who is getting more used to going places away from the stable. He is actually quite calm when we go to shows or clinics alone. But when we trailer with someone (even a new horse)......they become BFFs and he becomes impossible. He whinnies, paces, cranes around constantly looking for his trailer partner and is very hard to keep focused. Is there anyway to overcome this? He used to be very difficult in our ring at home when he was left alone in the ring after whoever was riding with us finished first and headed back to the barn. Now he still gets distracted but he can settle down after the horse goes out of sight. At shows he has settled down somewhat after many minutes of not being able to see the other horse and if I'm otherwise distracting him by riding or hand walking him around. Soon as the other horse can be seen we start it all up again. I'd like to show with other people, share rides and enjoy spending the day together. Have you successfully seen horses like this learn to relax enough to make travelling with another horse less problematic? I see many horses at shows quietly sitting on the trailer while the other horse is showing. I don't expect that from mine but I'd like not to clear out the warm up ring with his antics when his friend starts to ride out of sight. Thanks (Lisa)
Hi Lisa!
This can be a tough problem! How old is your horse? Many times with issues like this, they will get gradually better with time, age, and experience. I do have a few concrete ideas for you to try, that will hopefully get you there much faster however! (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Tip/Quote of the Day # 406Riding is so much more than getting on and doing… you have to do a lot of thinking and planning to actually get somewhere!Tip/Quote of the Day # 405
The sign of a good rider is that their aids are so light and invisible that you can barely notice them.
Phewww! What a wild ride! Between 3 horses 2 months and 1 rider, I have had the time of my life! The past few weeks have been complete insanity in and of its own and it wasn't all between a red and white flag! :D (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)Tip/Quote of the Day # 404 Thinking "little toes up" can help you to sink more naturally down into your heels. A Simple, But Often Overlooked Exercise to Help Relax a Tense Horse
I see this scenario all the time... a rider brings their horse to a new place for a lesson, clinic, or show... and the horse comes out all nervous and tense - not wanting to focus on the job, but instead wanting to nervously look around at his new surroundings. Many riders just press on, and end up having quite a frustrating ride. There IS however, something that you can do in this situation (which doesn't involve drugs, or lunging for hours) to help dissipate the nervous tension that your horse is carrying! Read on to find out what it is! (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 403The more leg you regularly keep on your horse, the less they will feel your aid when you try to apply it.Tip/Quote of the Day # 402Walk is the "explaining" pace, so whenever possible ride every exercise in the walk first.Discussion # 96: Let's discuss a rider's mental focus in this sport!Having a narrow focus is like high definition, you will notice more details about whatever you are intensely focused on. If you widen your focus, you will notice less specific detail, but more overall details about your surroundings. Which do you think is better suited to each of the three phases of Eventing? And why?Tip/Quote of the Day # 401To lengthen your horse's frame, imagine that you are pushing the horse's head and neck away from you with your hands, while riding forward into that connection.Jocelyn's Blog Post # 3: What Do You Do When the Problem is You?
Last week, the two trainers I ride with gave me similar lectures on two consecutive days. The first told me I need to get out of my head and stay there, that my ability was held back by my intensity and anxiety. The second said that my academic mind focused too much on the abc of what to rather than allowing myself to feel what to do. The bottom line seems to be that under the layer of over analysis, I have the ability to ride...but, somehow, I needed to break free of my mind... (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read the full entry)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 400If you start to lose any quality in a lateral movement while schooling, it is often best to come out of it. Don't practice doing it wrong! Make a small circle to re-establish bend and a good connection on the outside rein, and begin the movement again. The first few steps of any lateral exercise are usually the most gymnastically beneficial anyways.Tip/Quote of the Day # 399After each use of your legs, you need to think about opening them up a bit and letting them drop down. This will keep you on your seat bones correctly.Tip/Quote of the Day # 398The rider that helps the horse to carry himself in the best balance in the canter is poised and still in the upper body, while remaining supple and following in their hips and elbows.Tip/Quote of the Day # 397From member Pamela Robins ~ "As my horse's leader, it is my job to always try to be aware that I am the leader."How to Keep Your Horses SOUND!
Keeping hard working horses sound can sometimes seem like a challenge! And that may be putting it mildly! But if you are proactive about it, rather than simply relying on luck, you CAN increase your chances of keeping your horses sound. Here are some concrete strategies you can think about and employ, to help keep your horse(s) sound. (Click on Article Title above to read full article)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 396Remember to ask questions when you don't fully understand something - both in lessons, and on this site.... You will get much more out of the time/money spent in lessons, and in utilizing this site! Tip/Quote of the Day # 395If you struggle with good half halts and downward transitions, try using your breathing to help you. Take a deep breath in, and exhale as you stretch up your spine for the downward transition. This will show you how to be more effective with your seat aid, and will help you to learn how to ride forward into your downward transitions. Tip/Quote of the Day # 394A sign of a good, balanced jumping effort is that your horse lands at the same speed that he was at on the approach. Question # 223: What are some exercises to strengthen stifles aside from hill work? (Vita) Hi Vita!
Check out this article for lots of ideas on ways to strengthen the hind end in general, and for an outline of a strength training program. And from that list, the exercises that will best strengthen the stifle joints (with no hills available) are... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Tip/Quote of the Day # 393True bending from nose to tail requires that the horse understands how to move away from lateral leg pressure, understands the connecting outside rein, and understands the aids to inside flexion. Tip/Quote of the Day # 392"Fear allows you to be brave." ~ Shanyn Fiske Tip/Quote of the Day # 391Make every transition count. With every poor transition that you let "slip by", you will be training your horse to do them poorly.Guest Blog Post # 39: "Fear" by Shanyn Fiske
I’ve been thinking lately about fear – both the long-range, abstract kind (I am being a bad parent and therefore my child will grow up to become a social abomination) and the concrete, immediate kind (my horse will refuse to jump that giant brush and I will crash into it and die). In my sport – and I can only assume in many others as well – fear is not necessarily a positive emotion. It can paralyze you, impede your progress, and seriously get in the way of teaching your horse to do its job. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 390Long slow distance work is an important part of every horse's conditioning program, but it is especially important for older and young horses. Older horses need to keep limber, and young horses need to build a base level of tendon, ligament, and bone strength.On Riding Goals!
Without goals, most people will not achieve very much in their lives. This is true for all aspects of life, but is especially true of us Equestrians. Why? Because this sport is so challenging! You must learn and master SO many different skills! Read on to learn how to use goals to help you with your riding! (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 389Make sure you don't fall into the trap of treating your horse like he is a baby, long after he is a no longer baby. This is a common problem when a rider has brought along a young horse from scratch.Photo # 58: This is Amy again!(Click on Photo Title above (in blue) to read the critique of this photo)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 388Impress the Dressage judges by showing a clear difference between riding a corner and part of a circle.Tip/Quote of the Day # 387For shows it can be helpful to write up a time schedule for the day, working backward from your ride times. For example, if your dressage ride is at 11am, you might plan to be on and warming up at 10:15, tacking up at 10am, grooming at 9:30, braiding at 8:30, etc. Having a schedule completely thought out and written down can help ease any anxieties that you may have about what to do when.Question # 222: Last year I restarted a TB filly who had come off the track in December and was let down until we brought her home in May. She was always one to get tense and stiff the moment she didn't understand something......But we worked through things and she was going quite well wtc and cross rails. Should would calmly jump around in a good rhythmn. Fast forward to this year, a teen has been riding her since April. I got on her for the first time in quite awhile and found that she is baring down on the bit the last three strides to the fence. She has a wonderful quality canter all the way up until that last three strides and then suddenly its like she goes from 0-60 at the drop of a hat. Afterwards she also tries to race away. I tried a couple different things to see if we could find the relaxation again but to no avail. She has not yet been checked out by the vet, I know pain could be a possibility, but beyond that if we dont find anything what do you suggest? I am thinking she needs to go about ten steps backwards and begin from the very beginning again. Her flat work is pretty good, its just the moment a jump appears in front of her. Thanks in advance! (Stephanie)
Hi Stephanie!
That is a shame... but don't worry, I'm sure you can fix it! I would advise that you read this article on horses that rush jumps. And as stated in that article, it is very important that you determine why a horse is rushing fences, so you can come up with the best plan to fix the problem. With your horse it sounds like the causes are... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer) Tip/Quote of the Day # 386The last couple of strides before a jump belong to the horse. Don't interrupt him.
