Recent Articles

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 # 386
The last couple of strides before a jump belong to the horse. Don't interrupt him.
Photo # 57: This is Amy!
(Click on Photo Title above (in blue) to read the critique of this photo)
Jocelyn's Blog Post # 2

Different Horse, Different Warm-up



For six years, I primarily evented the same horse.  Over those years, I honed his warm up routine.  He did well with a day off the day before an event, particularly if we trailered in the night before.  Dressage warm-up was a light hand gallop up off his back to warm him up followed by a run through of test movements in no particular order, all within 20-30 minutes.  As a former "curler" with a longer back and a habit of internalizing stress, this got him thinking forward and make his job his focus. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 385
One of the most important things to remember in this sport is that we do this for FUN! Make sure that you remind yourself of this often. If you access more of the fun in your riding, your horse will usually go better.
Tip/Quote of the Day # 384
"Dressage is not just for competition. It is gymnastics for horses, and all horses can benefit from it, as they are more likely to stay sound with a long, stretchy neck, soft body and easy movement." ~ Carl Hester
Guest Blog Post # 38: "Tammy, Tell Me 'Through'" by Bill Woods

Tammy, Tell Me “Through”


Today’s topic makes some assumptions. For this to be an address-able issue, you have to be at the stage where your horse goes on a steady contact established between your pushing aids and your receiving, elastic elbows. You must be able to have created a round topline, and your horse must be reactive to your leg such that he’ll go forward willingly and you have a reasonable shot at controlling his wither balance (at least laterally and, to a degree, longitudinally).

This is about “throughness.” (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 383
Positive reinforcement is a very powerful way to train horses. And because of this, you must be very careful that you are actually reinforcing the right things.
What To Do When You Are Stuck in a Rut With Your Riding (Current Freebie!)

stuck in a rut with your riding


It happens to most riders at some point in their riding life... you feel like you've been happily progressing steadily over the years, and then you hit a rut. Nothing seems to be improving, and you feel like you just keep working on the same thing every day - without getting anywhere. What to do??

Here are 10 things you can try!

(Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 382
Your training goal for the "hot" or high strung horse should be to get him to learn how to control his energy. Don't try to wear him out. That will never work with the truly hot horse.
Question # 221: Often if I ask for more forward, I get no response, OR, I get no response until I go to the whip and then I get 'head up, back drop, scoot'. What do you recommend I do? (Anonymous)

This is a great question! And the hollow backed, scoot forward, running through your hand in protest is not an unusual reaction for the horse when the rider has just used the whip to back up their leg aid! In fact... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 381
"If you control the hind legs, you control the horse."
Tip/Quote of the Day # 380
From Facebook fan Anne Rawle ~  "Never teach a horse something you want him to forget."
Tip/Quote of the Day # 379
Dressage is the passionate pursuit of perfection by the obsessively imperfect. ;)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 378
"Breathe deeply and calmly in the canter. Expand your rib cage"
 ~ Nuno Oliveira
Tip/Quote of the Day # 377
Always keep your eyes up when walking a course. See exactly what your horse will be seeing for the first time.
Jocelyn's Blog Post # 1: Breaking the Law: Every Action Does Not Need to Have an Equal and Opposite Reaction

When I taught, managing large classes was not always my strongest suite. The class would get loud, rowdy, and I would get frustrated. My knee jerk reaction was to use a louder, angry voice, subconsciously trying to match the energy level of the classroom. Let me tell you how ineffective that is! Believe it or not, the middle school teacher would approach this problem by whispering or saying nothing at all. Surprisingly enough, most students would settle down when they realized that they weren't getting a reaction and were missing out on information. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
Discussion # 95: How would you ride this cross country complex?
How would you ride this water complex? Would you jump the log in straight, and then turn to the brush jump out? Or would you angle the log jump in to set yourself up for the brush jump? And why? Which side of 16A would you aim for? And finally, what speed would you approach this complex? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)

cross country complex
Tip/Quote of the Day # 376
"Through gaining competence, we gain confidence” ~ Erik Herbermann
Tip/Quote of the Day # 375
“When the horse is resisting the left rein, try to substitute the left rein aid with the left leg.” ~ Nuno Oliveria
Develop an Independent Seat!

perfect position


Without an independent seat, a rider simply cannot give precise aids to their horse. A rider that is merely "hanging on", by clamping their legs tight on the horse's sides, or hanging onto the reins for support, is somewhat of a burden to their horse. And will be desensitizing the horse to both the rein and leg aids at best. With the worst case scenario being that the horse becomes so confused or frustrated by conflicting aids, that they either act out, or "shut down" to some extent - completely tuning out the rider. 

A rider with an independent seat can move fluidly with the horse's motion. And because they are not using the reins to balance, or their legs to hang on - they can give the horse correct, clear, and concise aids. This is the key to success with riding! Here's how to help yourself to develop an independent seat! (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
Question # 220: My new horse (who I have had for just a month) has started to grind his teeth when I ride him. Not all the time, but usually near the end of the ride, and mostly during dressage rides...
... Should I be concerned that there is something wrong with him, like ulcers? (Jill)


Hi Jill!

Ulcers can definitely cause a horse to grind their teeth under saddle. So it might be a good idea to have a vet check your horse for ulcers, especially since he is in a transitional stage right now, with a new owner and probably a new barn. Or you could spare him the trauma of scoping, and just put him on a course of Ulcergard (one full tube a day) for a week or two, and see if you notice a change in his behavior. If he stops grinding his teeth under saddle, that may be a strong indicator that ulcers were your problem. I would then keep going with the Ulcergard medicine, giving him one full tube a day for the rest of the month. As well as making sure he gets lots of turnout, and plenty of grass or hay throughout the day. I like to give any horse with a history of ulcers a low grain diet, with unlimited hay at all times if possible. If you don't see any change in his behavior during your trial of Ulcergard, then it is probably a case of... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 374
Get out of the arena as much as possible. It will do your horse good both mentally and physically.
Tip/Quote of the Day # 373
Give your horse direction by telling and showing him what TO do, rather than what not to do.
Tip/Quote of the Day # 372
Keeping your thumbs on top and your palms facing each other stabilizes your upper body.
Tip/Quote of the Day # 371
Smooth, flowing transitions only happen when the horse is balanced and engaged behind.
Tip/Quote of the Day # 370
A still tail carried close to the horse shows the inactivity of the back muscles in the loin area. 
Tip/Quote of the Day # 369
Let the turn into the jump assist with your half halt.
Tip/Quote of the Day # 368
Too much use of the inside rein will almost always make a horse fight. If your horse is fighting with you in any situation, check that you are not hanging on it unconsciously. 
Question # 219: I'm loving the site so far! Sooo long story short, I'm a smallish person 5'2" 120lbs. My teenage years and young twenties I always rode really big horses that...
...could have cared less about my then 100lbs on their back. So the result was I ended up riding more with my hands then off my seat and legs. I had a good seat and solid leg, but I never felt very effective. Fast forward 13 years, my horse is 15.1, so I acually fit him nicely. And he's a pretty sensitive guy (sometimes to a fault... typical chestnut), so I vowed this time around to become a more effective rider by learning to use my seat and legs properly. I was wondering if you had any good exercises that I could use to work on getting my horse to become more responsive to those aids? Any advice is greatly appreciated. (Amy) 



Hi Amy! 

Good for you for having that goal! Some riders seem to just go through life riding with loud and somewhat ineffective aids, without making a real effort or commitment to bettering themselves (as in, "it's always the horse's fault.") But since horses are easily desensitized to loud, constant, or confusing aids... to the point that they can completely tune them out if necessarry, it is up to US as riders to keep our horses fine tuned to our aids. They key is to... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 367
Talking to your horse when on course keeps you breathing!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 366
From Facebook fan Erin Kavanaugh Kirkley ~ "If you don't know how to use your core, look up some core strengthening Pilates moves. You will discover the transversus abdominis and your riding will improve in many ways."
Tip/Quote of the Day # 365
When you need to perform a shoulder in down the long side of the arena in a Dressage test, make a point to ride extra deep into the previous corner to help set up for the movement.
Question # 218: The thing I'm struggling with at the moment is getting my horse to break into a canter without acting up or refusing to canter. How can I make her want to do it? This is only when we are doing any flat work….
...when jumping or chasing cows, or when she has something to focus on she will break into the canter with the correct lead every time. Just not in the flatwork! Please help! (Nakita) 


Hi Nakita!

You don't mention your horse running into the canter through a fast trot, but when you mention him messing about, not picking up the canter, or picking up the wrong lead after playing up, it sounds like you need to read this article on the horse that wants to run into the canter. Whenever a horse's balance point is... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)
Photo # 56: This is Kymbre and her horse Al!
(Click on Photo Title above (in blue) to read the critique of this photo)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 364
Always remember that the release of the aid is what teaches the horse that he did the right thing.
Tip/Quote of the Day # 363
A half halt should not kill any of the energy in the horse's stride, but rather rebalance it.
Tip/Quote of the Day # 362
Remember that change is a process, so go easy on yourself and your horse.
Tip/Quote of the Day # 361
A horse's energy flowing through a turn is similar to water flowing through a tunnel. Just as the outside wall of the tunnel is paramount, a good connection on the outside rein is crucial to a successful turn. 
Tip/Quote of the Day # 360
Horses generally mirror their riders. If your horse is tense, check yourself. If your horse is crooked, check yourself. If your horse is distracted, check yourself. If you want your horse to carry himself properly, make sure you are carrying yourself properly on his back.
Tip/Quote of the Day # 359
Many riders place their saddles too far forward! Make sure that the solid parts of the saddle are behind the horse's shoulder to allow for freedom of the shoulder.
Question # 217: Lately, going over stadium and xc jumps my bum leans off to the right side so I am not straight over the saddle. This also causes my horse to jump things a bit sideways occasionally. In a clinic the clinician had me...
...do grids with only my left stirrup and it helped a bit but I still tend to lean occasionally. I only do it over some fences. Are there any exercises on and/or off my mount I could do to try and overcome this habit? I also have a tough time releasing my elbows and being supple with them in dressage and jumping. Would there be exercises you suggest to help me with this also? (Lexi) 


Hi Lexi!

Wow, I can honestly say I have never seen or heard of a rider with this problem before! Kudos to you for having such an original problem! You must be a creative person :)  In addition to riding and jumping with only your left stirrup, you could try... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 358
From Facebook fan Lauren Slattery ~ "Pulling will teach the horse to lean and support itself on you without working properly as well as make the horse dead to your rein aids."
Discussion # 94: Have you ever seen the Dressage rider head bob…. where the rider's head and neck moves like a chicken as they sit the trot? What do you think causes this?
Have you ever seen the Dressage rider head bob…. where the rider's head and neck moves like a chicken as they sit the trot? What do you think causes this? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 357
Always keep in mind that the Dressage horse is supposed to be (and look like) a "happy athlete". If the horse does not look happy in his work, that work is probably not correct.
Tip/Quote of the Day # 356
Don't wait until things are perfect to reward your horse. You must praise the horse when he makes even the slightest step in the right direction. Training this way will encourage your horse to love learning. 
Guest Blog Post # 37: "Learning From Competitions" by Jocelyn Thibodeau

Learning From Competitions

Ready to go to GMHA... and still clean!

This weekend, I headed off to GMHA not quite knowing what to expect.  Six weeks earlier, I sent in my entry for Suki’s first recognized event.  Already, the year had not started ideally; but, I was determined to meet my goals. Hand surgery?  Psh.  Horse with an abscessed heal… icthamol. Horse that pulls shoe off of the foot with the heel abscess?  My awesome farrier for putting the shoe back on ASAP.  What’s a total of two weeks off, really… (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
Video # 68: This is Katy from New Zealand!
(Click on Video Title above (in blue) to read the critique of this video)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 355
When you need to change your stride length in any related distance, aim to do it early on in the line, so you can just maintain the rest of the line. This will give you the best chance to have a smooth jump out.
Jumps With a "Surprise" Factor

Surprise!


As you move up the levels, you are likely to find more and more fences on the cross country that have some sort of "surprise" involved. Very often, this involves something on the landing side of a jump that will catch a horse by surprise, like in a classic coffin complex, a sunken road, a road crossing, or a jump with a change of terrain or footing on the landing side. Another common cause for surprise on cross country are fences that have something to draw the horse's eye to the bottom of the fence right before takeoff - like a ditch or something else spook worthy. The KEY to success at these types of fences is to... (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
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