Well......that's how I'm starting to feel these days. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
Video Discussion # 65: Water jump bloopers!All different kinds of problems with water jumps are showcased in this video! But there are many falls here that show why I always advise riders to trot at least the last step or two when jumping off a plain drop with no takeoff log. When cantering off of a drop that has no defining point for a horse to focus on, it is easy for them to make the mistake of "missing" the edge, and cantering right off the step. Which will almost always cause a fall in the water. Who can point out the rider who caused a fall by holding the reins too much on the takeoff, causing the horse to hollow and drop his hind end? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
"All good riders I have ever seen had one thing in common: an excellent lower leg position."
This quote from the great Jimmy Wofford sums it up nicely. The strength and position of your lower leg is the key to success when riding. Your leg is your base of support, and if that is strong, everything else will be surprisingly easy! Here are some ways to make your lower leg strong and secure! (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
If you are like many lower level riders, you may find that you struggle to sit your horse's trot well. And if you are not moving as one with your horse as you sit, any aids that you might give will likely be muddled and unclear - and therefore will not work as well as you would like. The reason it is so hard to learn to sit the trot, is because you have to discover for yourself the precise muscular effort and technique involved to do it well. It's all well and good having it explained to you, but the only way you will really know how to do it is to... (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
Discussion # 63: What kind of jump will this canter produce? Here are two pictures showing a rider's final strides in front of a Prelim table. What kind of jump do you think she is about to have with this quality of canter? After a few people have answered, I will post the picture of the jumping effort to show the result of this approach. (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Question # 116: I'm not a gadget person - I don't own draw reins, a chambon, or even a running martingale. However, after lots and lots of time (nearly a year) trying to convince my OTTB that stretching forward and down into contact is far better than..hollowing out and inverting with limited results, I'm starting to wonder if a 'gadget' might help get us on the path to success. Given that we've had some success--it doesn't appear to be painful for him, and occasionally we get good moments of forward, relaxed swinging back type movement, I'm thinking that basically, his opinion is, "Look, lady, I've been doing this for 11 years. What you're asking me to do requires building muscle in new places, and that's a lot of work." I'd love to show him that my way is better for him in the long run, but we're not seeing eye to eye! (He naturally moves hollowed out, head up in the air at liberty, unless he's showing off for a new lady--then he suddenly turns into dressage pony, all up through his back...so I know he's physically capable.) In this case, would you suggest temporarily using a gadget to help him see the light? I get a lot of different opinions on this, and I'd just like to hear your perspective. (Courtney)
Hi Courtney!
I am personally very anti gadget for under saddle work. Any device whose purpose is soley to put the horse's head down has the potential to teach the horse something that we don't really want him to learn. And that is to "give" to pressure of the bit by dropping his head or by tucking his nose closer to his chest. In dressage we want our horse to seek the connection of the bit, instead of learning to drop his head on command. When I have a horse that is so naturally upside down like yours, I usually show him how to move into the connection by... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Jumping on an Angle
As you move up the levels in Eventing, you will find there will be more and more situations where you will be jumping fences on an angled line. Whether you are faced with an angled complex on the cross country course, or you are jumping a fence at an angle to better set up for another jump, or you are merely trying to save time by making an angled approach - you will need to have practiced this skill beforehand to be successful, and to help your horse understand what is required.
To accurately hold an angled line... (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
Whenever any horse has a drastic change in attitude, my first thought is usually that there might be a pain issue. So even if you think your horse is completely sound, I would have a lameness specialist do a full workup on him to make sure. Many times with horses that have back or SI (sacroiliac) issues, poor performance and/or a bad attitude are the only noticable symptoms. While any vet can look at these areas, lameness specialists are more apt to have seen lots of horses with inconspicuous performance issues. I would also have your saddle looked at by a reputable saddle fitter. Even if it fit him great last summer, it may not now - as he is young and is busy growing and filling out. Also make sure his teeth have been checked.
If you rule out all of these issues, and you find you still have the problem... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer) Video Discussion # 64: Judge this movement - simple change of lead through the walk.Felix and I are shown here competing in the Dressage phase at the the two star level in TX in 1998. How would you judge this movement, "cross the diagonal, with a simple change of lead through the walk at X"? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
The best laid schemes of mice and men often go awry . . . (Though most people associate the expression with the 1936 John Steinbeck novel Of Mice and Men, it actually originated in a 1786 poem by Robert Burns entitled To a Mouse which he wrote as an apology after turning up the mouse’s nest accidentally while ploughing a field)
Literature lesson aside, the expression stands true.
It’s been a pre-season of foiled plans and wallet hemorrhage. My credit card is still licking its wounds and my checkbook is asking about an exit strategy. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
Does your horse maintain his balance and self carriage every time you soften the reins? Or does he sometimes become hollow, strung out, or heavy on the forehand? If you lose any of the quality of the horse's movement or carriage when you soften the reins, it usually means one of two things - either you were holding the horse together too much with the reins (meaning your connection was not correct), or you didn't soften correctly. It seems it should be such an easy thing to do... how can you soften the rein incorrectly?? Well, there are some things you can mistakenly do when giving the rein, that would be unfortunately setting you up to fail.
First of all, why should you soften the reins? Softening the reins is both a test, and a way to increase the harmony in your ride. Throughout your work, you should frequently give one or both reins to check for self carriage, and to allow your horse the freedom to really relax and come through over his back. The more often you are able to give the rein, the more brilliance your horse will show in his work. So, now on to how to soften correctly! (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
His trot to canter has improved immensely. He is quiet and remains balanced and on the bridle. We've started working on walk to canter and no matter how quiet we try to keep things, he gets a bit frazzled. The head flies up, back inverts. Mind you, this is what it was like for trot to canter last year! We ensure that he has a nice active walk behind before asking, and we're allowing a few tiny trot steps before the canter with the idea that we can gradually reduce those trot steps. Is it just a matter of time like it was with trot to canter, or is there something else we can be keeping in mind? (Nicole)
Hi Nicole!
Walk to canter transitions are actually easier than trot to canter for horses in some ways... physically they are not very hard, and there is less of a tendency for the horse to have balance issues. The main challenges involved in walk to canter transitions are that of ensuring that there is sufficient energy in the walk, keeping the horse straight, the timing and clarity of the rider's aid, and the horse's understanding of what you are asking.... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)
For every jumping fault a horse may have, there are specific exercises that can be used to improve it. But there are a few exercises that will improve and sharpen up nearly every horse. And this is one of the best! (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
Video Discussion # 62: Exciting video!This horse sure knew his job! To get up and jump out of the combination without his rider - wow! But who can tell us what caused the mistake at the B element that resulted in this fall? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
There are many great exercises to improve a horse's suppleness - probably hundreds in fact. The best results often come from a training program that utilizes many different suppling exercises, as mixing it up keeps horse and rider fresh, as well as working on the horse's body in slightly different ways. I will be adding basic exercises such as this one on a regular basis, and it would be a good idea to give each one a try. That way you can get the feel of how each exercise works, and can then add a few repetitions to your daily routine now and then.
Stretching down IS a great exercise, but is really only beneficial if done correctly. And many clever horses have figured out that... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Guest Blog post # 18: "The Rest of the Story" by the famous Bad Eventer!The Rest of the Story...
I know the Area III eventers are completely used to it........
but I was a bit star struck walking around warm up last weekend.... (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)Question # 112: Can we talk about saddle fit for the rider? I am saddle shopping and have been for a year. (Current Freebie!)...I tend to like a deeper seated saddle, but I find myself hitting the cantle or bringing my seat too far forward when jumping seemingly as a result. Can we discuss saddle flap length and position, and seat depth and width, and how it relates to the riders' position and ability to find balance? Thanks! (Aubrey)
Hi Aubrey!
Oh I feel for you, saddle shopping can be so frustrating! What you describe is exactly why deap seated saddles are NOT usually recommended for jumping. Especially for cross country - a longer, flatter seat and a more forward cut flap allow you to move your hips back without hitting the cantle, which is necessary for security. And this becomes REALLY important on the bigger drop fences!
Since saddle fit is not my specialty, I have asked my friends and saddle experts David Stackhouse and Lesley Gleave from Stackhouse Saddles (http://www.stackhousesaddles.com) for their insight. And they were kind enough to share their expertise with our members! Here is their response: (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Photo # 40: This is Hannah! (Current freebie!)(Click on Photo Title above (in blue) to read the critique of this photo)
Do you sometimes find that you have a great trot coming down the center line, but once you halt and salute, you have lost some of the quality of your trot? Maybe your horse isn't as nicely rhythmically forward, or is not as nicely connected as he was before the halt? If so, don't feel bad - it's a pretty common scenario. And it is caused by your horse falling behind your leg in the halt to at least some degree.
If you are truly able to keep your horse active behind and thinking forward into the connection as you perform your halt and salute, you will be able to maintain the full quality of the trot you had before the halt. In fact, it may be even better -because of your well ridden halt. So, how do you keep your horse in front of your leg in the halt? (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
...I got on and he was pretty tense and I basically just walked around for a minute and then he just started bucking to get me off. It wasn’t a bad fall and that’s what gets me, I don’t know why I’m having such a hard time regaining my confidence again with him. I am pretty tense that he is going to run away with me again when I let him canter around the outdoor. But he hasn't. Whenever it comes time to canter I get all quivery and nervous. Though he has proved to have been a good boy since his odd bucking thing, he is young and it’s hard for me not to think of the “what ifs” when I ride. I lunge him before our rides and he is generally not a spooky horse. I need help getting over the tenseness which has made me into a unconfident rider. Especially at the canter I grab the inside rein to turn him (because sometimes he feels like he won’t turn if I don’t) and I have a hard time letting him go on the inside (rein). So we have the turning issue which my trainer has been working with us on a lot and it has gotten better but I still grab the inside a lot more than necessary and it is driving me nuts that I can’t let it go! But i swear we wont turn if I don't! At least that is how I feel. And then I have my confidence problem. I’ve been able to ride my trainer schoolmaster mare a lot and that has helped my confidence, but I’d like your input on how to get over this issue...I know I need to take things slow and build on small accomplishments with me and my horse. But I get really mad at myself because I never used to be so tentative like this. (Shannon)
Hi Shannon!
It's always hard to let go of those unfortunate isolated incidences! You will probably never forget what happened, but you will have to find a way to get past it. What has always helped me come back from my falls was to... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)
There are many different reasons for a horse to be "busy" in its mouth... chomping and playing with the bit. And while you may not be able to eliminate this problem completely, you will have a better chance subduing it when you know why your horse tends to be this way. (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
Video Discussion # 61: Cool video of slow motion jumping!Very cool and educational to watch footage of top level Show Jumping in slow motion, and to be able to really look at every little detail! At :38, note the great example of the quick recovery of upper body position from the rider needed to help the horse rebalance and collect between the elements of a combination. And you can also see how even the top riders are sometimes ahead of their horse's motion on the takeoff. The rider at 2:41 looks to be slightly ahead of his horse on the takeoffs, and the horse is a bit slow folding his front legs as a result. What are your thoughts on this awesome video? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to watch video and read this educational discussion)Kristin's Blog post # 9: Looking the Part Versus Being the Part: Thoughts for the struggling working students of the world
To the countless working students I see struggling: do not get discouraged, and keep the focus on the quality of your riding.
The highly competitive upper echelons of the horse world are glamorous…to those who are not in it. I cannot think of another sport where the perception and the reality are so drastically different. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
I often see riders dealing with issues that have an underlying cause. And if the cause of the problem is not addressed, the symptom will keep coming back over and over again. Much like when a person is ill with a fever and an infection - treating the fever with drugs that don't address the infection will only bring a temporary relief of the superficial problem. If the infection is still there when the drugs wear off, the fever will return. In order to knock out the whole illness, the cause of the fever must be addressed. Here are some common examples of symptoms that are tempting to address when riding: (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
Someone watching said that I threw myself up his neck the stride before, and when he took the deep spot a stride later, I just went flying out of the tack. Regardless of what started it, now I seem to be riding like I did in 2009 - leaping up his neck, no weight in my feet. I'm trying really hard to think positive - HEELS FORWARD AND DOWN! This is the first time I've ever felt afraid jumping. What is your advice? Keep working without stirrups? Move down a level? (Briana)
Hi Briana!
I'm so sorry to hear about that! And I'm so glad that you are OK! You may not see it right now, but there is actually a silver lining here. And that is that you... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)
Standing by the door to the indoor, leaning over the fencepost, "She needs to lower her hands," "That bit is way too strong for that horse," "Those two are not a good match," "That horse is just plain dangerous."
Many, probably most, of us have either been the one leaning on the fence or the one riding haplessly around the ring trying to maintain some semblance of control, or both. And if we haven't said the words out loud, we've probably thought them, knowing that we shouldn't, knowing that the rider is doing her or his level best and that perhaps that combo of horse and rider is not one of choice, but of last resort for either or both of them.
The most loathsome Watcher, though, is the one inside our own heads... (Click on Blog Title above to read full entry)
Your warm up routine will often make or break your performance! So it is best to have a good plan - one that is tailored to your individual horse. The goal of your Dressage warm up should be to ensure that your horse is relaxed, supple, attentive, forward, and responsive to all of your aids.
To achieve that goal, different horses may require slightly different approaches. But with almost all types of horses I start with... (Click on Article Title above to read full article)
The stirrups are sitting on the arch of their foot instead of the ball. Can you discuss stirrup placement? Does the thinking change at the upper levels? (Briana)
Hi Briana!
Traditionally, cross country riders have often kept their feet a bit more "home" in the stirrups as they move up the levels - as it can make it less likely for the rider to lose a stirrup in a sticky moment. Perhaps because I am so short, with such short legs, it... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)
What type of canter should you have to tackle this type of fence? What position should you be in on the approach? And what is your strategy to ensure you get a good jump here?
(Note, the red flag is on the right. You jump this UPHILL)
(Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
This is a very common problem, and one that almost everyone experiences to some degree when they are in the process of developing the connection. It's such a great feeling when you feel those brief moments of the horse being truly connected! And then it's equally as frustrating to feel it slipping away moments later! To help your horse understand that he should stay on the aids, you need to... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Kristin's Blog post # 8: You Can Cry and Trot at the Same Time
Horses are a passion that is equal parts triumph and sorrow. Well, if you are lucky they are equal parts, but often the sorrow just stands alone for months or years.
Trance and Lizzie came down to Aiken on Monday, February 4. That Friday Trance was signed up for the Intermediate at Pine Top. I had a jump lesson on Tuesday with Kim Severson, and he felt very tired... (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
Question # 107: The lovely friesian I ride, Rhett, and I are having some troubles getting the leg yield together. First off, he is super bendy, and has what I call a "go go gadget" neck that can shorten up like nothing I have ever experienced. This is our main probelm, he uses this as an evasion when I am asking for him to leg yield. I ask, he shortens up his neck, the reins go loose, and he falls out through his shoulder, and it goes all wrong. How can I fix this? Thanks (Rebecca)
Hi Rebecca!
Horses that easily and frequently change the length of their neck can be challenging to ride! As when they shorten their neck, you find yourself with no connection, and therefore no ability to use the reins to communicate. And smart horses can definitely learn to use this as an evasion! But there is a trick to making this evasion less successful for the horse! (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Video Discussion # 59: How would you judge this halt?Here are Felix and I competing at a 2 star 3 day event in TX in 1998. Felix was 8 here, and this was our first 2 star 3 day. So here we have the movement: Trot down centerline, halt, and salute. How would you judge this movement? What is good? What could be improved? Don't be afraid to criticize, we can take it! (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Have you ever noticed how much easier it is to sit the trot or canter without stirrups versus with them? This is because when riders have stirrups, they have a tendency to brace and push against them to some degree. Why is this a bad thing? (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
This can be a tough problem, because so often the only drops you can find to school her on are fairly good sized. I would definitely look around to see if anyone has a tiny drop into water that you can use for schooling. Even if you have to trailer a long way to get there, it would be worth it. I am assuming that she jumps off regular drops just fine? What I would do the next time you are schooling the water, is set up a... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer) How Horses Learn From Mistakes (Current Freebie!)
Have you ever wondered why horses sometimes seem to make the same mistake over and over? Why they seem to not be learning from the mistake they made? For example, say your horse rushes into a jump, ignoring your desperate attempts to slow him down, gets in too close, and hits the rail hard, knocking it down. And instead of learning from the last attempt where he whacked his shins on the rail, and listening to your attempt to slow him down the next time - he gets even more frantic, and runs even faster up to the fence, hitting it again! Why is he not learning that he will hit the fence if he runs up underneath it? (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
This is a very common problem! The majority of horses lean on their right shoulders, leaving their left hind leg slightly out to the left carrying less weight. This becomes a vicious circle of sorts, with one problem compounding the other. The only way to fix it is to... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)
