Tip/Quote of the Day # 25An exercise to check if you are sitting straight and putting your weight equally down into both stirrups is to stand straight up for a few strides, and notice which stirrup you have to consciously put more weight into to keep yourself balanced.Quiz # 15: How can you tell whether or not your horse is truly balanced?Quick quiz! How can you tell whether or not your horse is truly balanced? (Click on Quiz Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)Tip/Quote of the Day # 24Always think about the depth of the water when deciding how fast to approach and negotiate a water obstacle. Riding too fast in deep water can easily cause the horse to lose his balance or even fall.Video # 42: This is Kathleen!This is Kathleen doing Beginner Novice Test A! (Click on Video Title above to watch the video, and to read the critique)My All Time Favorite Suppling Exercise!
A supple horse is a joy to ride. Free from the paralyzing effects of tension and resistance, the truly supple horse allows the energy created by the hindquarters to move freely into the connection with the bit. Lateral suppleness refers to the horses ability to bend easily from side to side. Few horses are ambidextrous - meaning that they can naturally bend as easily to the right as they do to the left. One of the major goals of dressage is to make the horse more even - so that he bends easily both directions. Because only then can he be truly straight. There are many great lateral suppling exercises available, but this is my all time favorite! (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 23“A horse is not ready to start work until he neither hurries forward nor holds back” ~ Peter DeCosemoTip/Quote of the Day # 22From Facebook fan Gina Riedmuller: "Riding on undulating ground really helps one develop a seat."
I agree! Once you feel secure enough, get out of the ring! Riding out on uneven terrain will further your riding considerably more than merely going round and round in a perfectly manicured arena. Tip/Quote of the Day # 21On Event horses: "The worst of them sense our fears and take advantage of us. The best of them sense our dreams and take us there." ~ Jimmy WoffordVideo # 41: This is Laura!(Click on Video Title above (in blue) to read the critique of this video)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 20To professional instructors: "You will teach and sometimes you will hate it. You will be tired, you will be disappointed, and you will be hot, cold, bored, and sometimes scared out of your wits by horses and riders experiencing "learning opportunities." New parents to the sport will question every move you make, and loyal clients on Saturday afternoon will leave your barn on Sunday night, and they will leave with their bill unpaid. Of course you will be greatly rewarded with more positive and immensely gratifying moments than you can ever imagine, and your life will be spent enjoying the fact that you do make a difference and you are around horses. Please stick with it. It is a noble and valuable profession." ~ our USEA president Brian SaboVideo Discussion # 74: Very informative video on the Extended Trot!This very informative video shows you what to look for and how to judge the Extended Trot, both in real time performance and in pictures! What did you learn from watching this video? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to watch video and read this educational discussion)Tip/Quote of the Day # 19"The most repeated mistake is the riders' weight taking off before the horse and often with catastrophic results - The rider that learns to look after the Engine, Line and Balance of his horse on the Approach and allows his horse to make the decisions about where he takes off, repeatedly puts in a smooth and confident performance" ~ Lucinda GreenTip/Quote of the Day # 18"For nine out of ten horses, the canter helps the trot." ~ Stephen Clarke
I think one thing to take from this quote is to actually think about using the canter to improve the trot. If your trot needs improvement, rather than working endlessly in the trot, intersperse bits of canter work to help improve the quality of the trot. Video # 40: This is Kayla doing Novice Test B!(Click on Video Title above (in blue) to read the critique of this video)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 17Keep breathing. It is much easier to remember a Dressage test or a course of jumps with the benefit of a little oxygen. If you have difficulty with this, try talking out loud while on course, or in your head during a Dressage test. This will help you to relax and breathe naturally. Tip/Quote of the Day # 16Problems can only truly be fixed by finding their root cause, and addressing that rather than merely addressing the symptoms. Address the symptoms alone, and they will keep coming back - or new symptoms will develop. An Exercise to Teach You to Ride Forward Through the Turns to Jumps
Many riders underestimate how necessary it is to ride forward through their turns to the jumps. Turns tend to take away some of the energy from each stride. And the cumulative effect of multiple strides on a turn can result in a serious lack of impulsion right in front of the jump - where the horse needs it most. The tighter the turn, the more important it becomes for riders to be able to maintain the impulsion in the stride. So here is an exercise to teach you how to create the habit of riding sufficiently forward through your turns to jumps. (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
Video Discussion # 72: This is a GREAT video for those of you who are confused about all the different lateral movements! Dressage Judge Bill Woods has put together this great video, which demonstrates the differences in all of the various lateral movements! Anyone who has any confusion about the different lateral exercises should watch this! (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to watch video and discuss)Tip/Quote of the Day # 15Always remember that horses are herd animals, and that they read the emotional status of their herdmates to know when there’s danger lurking. Every time you ride or handle a horse, you become a part of your horse’s herd. When you tense, he expects trouble. When you keep cool, he takes confidence from you.Shannon's Blog Post # 3The Dressage Experiment
I will preface this blog with the thought that I am NOT a dressage queen. I love jumping in any and all forms. Dressage does not come naturally to me. I feel that people who typically do well in dressage are more relaxed, methodical, and meticulous people. I'm a color outside the lines in a wild and erratic fashion kinda girl myself. For years, I would simply freeze after I left a beautiful warm up and trot circles around and around until the judge blew the whistle, and then I would complete my test in record time. My dressage coach growing up probably has more than her fair share of gray hairs form these experience. I have manage to end up in the top ribbons in years past due to generally clear rounds from saintly horses at break neck speeds. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)Tip/Quote of the Day # 14With any related distance, make any needed adjustment early on in the line, and then focus on riding the rhythm and quality of the canter, while patiently waiting for the jump to "come to you". Guest Blog post # 26: "Horseless???" by the great Bad Eventer!
Horseless???
A couple years ago I decided that I was spread too thin..... (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
Who can tell us what makes this particular skinny jump in the water so difficult? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 12“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” ~ Dale CarnegieVideo Discussion # 71: What caused this rail down?This is a great round barring the one mistake at the third element of the triple! Who can tell us what happened to cause this horse to knock that rail down? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Have you ever wondered why we do so many circles in Dressage? It is because a well ridden circle is highly beneficial to the horse - improving his balance and self carriage. An oddly shaped circle, however, is quite unproductive. It causes a loss of balance. So, whether you are in front of a judge or not, you should always be striving for perfectly round circles!
There are a number of exercises to help riders find a truly round circle, but this is one of the best! It was first introduced to me by a former rider of the Spanish Riding School. And at a time when I thought my circles were already pretty darned good... Well, I was proved wrong! As this exercise instantly shows you if your circle is deviating even slightly from a perfectly round shape! (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
This is a very good question! As there is a "right" amount for every situation. The outside rein connection is integral to dressage. Riders should strive for the outside rein to remain consistently and elasticly connected throughout their work. Why is it so important? It's what allows circles, corners, and lateral work to improve the balance and self carriage of the horse... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Tip/Quote of the Day # 8From Facebook fan Heather Shanda, "There are many articles about "teaching" your horse to halt square. But if the horse comes into the halt equally balanced over his two hind legs he will halt squarely all on his own. If the left hind leg is always trailing, then you have to ask it to step under and carry more weight BEFORE the halt, not after."Shannon's Blog post # 2: Courage For Our Cowardly Lion
Courage For Our Cowardly Lion
" The Suspicious Pony"
Meet Millennium Qui or "Qui" pronounced 'Key' - An 8 year old OTTB as of maybe a month ago now, purchased by one of my clients off of an East Coast Canter add as a horse for me to bring through the levels! This horse is going to be really, REALLY cool.... He easily has some of the most scope and best gaits of anything I have in my program right now. However, he is is what I like to call HIGHLY suspicious... (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 7If your reins are even slightly too long, you will have more of a tendency to take back and act backwards on the reins to control your horse. Only if your reins are short enough for the situation can you be in control while riding truly forward and into the connection of your hand. Tip/Quote of the Day # 6Very true quote from Facebook fan Anne Rawle, "Never teach a horse something you don't want him to learn." Tip/Quote of the Day # 5"Use lots of forward and back transitions within the canter to spice up the hind leg." ~ Carl HesterAn Exercise to Help You Ride More Fluidly Forward on Circles and Serpentines
Many riders have a tendency to stop riding forward to some degree when riding figures - in their effort to be accurate and precise.And the problem with that is that it is harder to be accurate if the horse is not truly forward! As forwardness helps to create straightness, and being forward on figures makes them appear more fluid. Here is a very simple tip to help you to think more forward when riding figures such as circles, turns, or serpentines! (Click on Article Title above to read full article)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 4Horses usually 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 # 3From our Facebook fan Heather Salamone, "Don't groom a shedding horse right after applying chapstick." And I will add body clipping to that! :)Question # 136: I have a question about a problem that I am having with my mare on cross country. When we do our gallop sets in particular, I work on her being adjustable. When I close my hands to ask her to come back she avoids this by moving her body sideways. It is never the same direction she goes, and I try closing my leg and "outside" rein to keep her from wiggling, which helps some, but still not enough. What should I do? (Kayla)
Hi Kayla!
What you are describing is actually quite common! This is similar to what happens to the tractor trailer or a truck and trailer when the front brakes are applied too strongly. The energy in the back end of the vehicle overpowers the front end, and the result is a jack knifed situation:
To avoid a jack knife situation like this, the rear brakes (the ones on the trailer) need to be as equally engaged as the front brakes (the ones on the truck). And the same is true when you are riding. Too much hand will almost always cause a strong horse to go sideways. What you need to do instead is to... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Photo # 45: This is Rachelle! And she has a question about whether or not this saddle is appropriate for her.(Click on Photo Title above (in blue) to read the critique of this photo)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 2Always make any necessary adjustments early on in the approach to a jump. The last few strides belong to the horse - who will only be able to jump to the best of their ability if the rider remains stable and doesn't interfere at that point.Tip/Quote of the Day # 1"For riders: It is hard work, takes more time than you have, and requires more money than you thought. You will learn more than you ever thought possible when you began in the sport, but you will never learn it all. You will never be as good as some, but you will probably not be as bad as others if you are willing to work. It is the best thing you could ever do, and even when you fail you learn, and even if you never get a ribbon it is still worth it. Stick it out." ~ USEA President Brian SaboShannon's Blog post # 1: Introduction!
I've never really been one to like talking about myself, however I do absolutely adore talking about my horses, all day, everyday, and at the risk of my boyfriend finally giving up all hope of a regular conversation about the weather... I'll give this blogging thing a try :) (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)Discussion # 68: What to do when you "miss" the center line in the Dressage ring!Let's say you make the common mistake of slightly messing up your turn down the center line in your Dressage test. You started your turn too early or too late, and find that you are not on the center line. What do you do to minimize the damage on your score? Keep aiming straight to C, even though you are not on the center line? Leg yield back to the center line? Or turn slightly and get back to the center line as soon as possible? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)The Overly Defensive RiderThe Overly Defensive Rider
Ride enough dirty stoppers, or dishonest horses in general, and you are likely to become somewhat defensive in your riding. What does this mean? 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 Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)Question # 135: I have been having an issue with my lesson jumper horse. He's about 12 years old, been doing this job for a while now. I also ride him for tune up rides and when I need to feel what he does so I can better explain to students what they should be doing. He normally is a great jumper! Very honest and has great scope. (sometimes too much) What the issue is that he tends to switch leads in front of jumps. Not all of them, it's quite random actually. I know switching leads isn't that big of a deal, but what he does is shuffle right where he should be taking off, then taking a short spot and jumping you out of the saddle. I have had good luck pushing for the whole stride, because if he doesn't come at the fence forward, then its more likely he will do this. 8x out of 10, he will find a good spot without shuffling if you can actively drive him forward and take the right spot, but the other 2x he will take the strange step that can end up him jumping from an almost standstill and popping you out of the tack. What exercises would you suggest for me work on to help this? Thanks! (Laura)
Hi Laura!
The first thing that comes to my mind is... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer) Discussion # 67: While I have taken lessons from many different Eventing trainers in my life, there were two that have had the greatest influence on my riding, and my career. And these two have very different philosophies on how to best prepare horses and riders for the stress of competition. One would keep things fairly simple and within the rider's comfort zone in the final jumping schools, to keep horse and rider full of confidence. With this method, both horse and rider feel success with every exercise, which inspires confidence. The other trainer's method was to really push horse and rider in the final jumping lessons, with jumps even larger than those the rider will face in competition. And challenging them by doing difficult exercises that push them slightly out of their comfort zone. With this approach, both horse and rider get to the competiton and feel like the jumps they will have to tackle are almost easycompared to what they have been doing at home. Which approach do you like best and why? - Bonus points if you can guess who these two trainers are :) (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to join in on this discussion)
