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Introduction part 3

OK, I’m just going to say it … I am 49 years OLD!   What do I think I’m doing?!  Lesley has assured me that I can handle him but I’m having my doubts at this point. I told her that her job as my professional coach was to teach me how to ride this thing before I lose my confidence.  My husband and I have accepted the fact that riding is a more risky sport than say… tennis.  I have already had to recover from a compression fracture when I got bucked off a different horse a few years ago and I don’t want to inconvenience my family again for doing something stupid!  Riding definitely stretches my faith.

A few of my weaknesses as a rider are as follows: (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
Introduction part 2

My horse's name is High Cotton.  Us Southerners grew up knowing the phrase “walking in high cotton”, meaning you have been very blessed.  He is a 12-year-old OTT Thoroughbred, 16’1 – on the slight side for my 5’10” long-legged frame. He has an expressive, kind eye. He is super eager to please and he comes to me in the pasture as if he is actually glad to see me! He melts my heart. (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
The Pulley Rein (Current Freebie!)

(photo credit to Sarah Andrew)

Every rider should learn how to do the pulley rein. It's the ultimate in emergency brake, as if done correctly, it will stop any horse quickly. And it is a great tool to use as a back up aid for riders whose horses get strong.

Here's how to do it: (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
Question # 19 : I would like to get new excersices for training my students. I have had the same students for several years & always trying to think of new things to keep things fresh. Can you give us some new jumping exercises to use? (Anonymous)

That is a always challenge for us instructors, isn't it? I think the answer lies in continuing education. Clinics, books, videos, magazines, and online sources. And this site should be a great help for instructors! Every time you log in you might get another new idea to use on your students. And if there is a specific problem that you would like new exercises for, you just have to ask!

Here are a few of my favorite jumping exercises: (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)
Introduction!

My name is Lisa.  I have just voluntarily assumed the position of MVEC’s amateur-rider-in-house blogger - my official title has yet to be determined.

Pertinent facts about myself are as follows: (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read rest of Lisa's post)
Photo # 12: This is Kimberly's other daughter Meaghan!
(Click on Photo Title above (in blue) to read critique)
Teaching Your Horse to Stay in Front of Your Leg

All horses are sensitive enough to feel a fly land on their sides. So when you put your leg on to ask your horse to go forward, he definitely feels your aid. What he does with it depends on his rider. If you want your horse to fully respect your leg aid and go forward immediately every time you apply it, you have to decide to accept nothing less when you are riding. You have to change your expectations, and be ready to provide the appropriate feedback immediately. It's that simple. Here's what to do: (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
Video # 4: This is Briana on cross country at a BN horse trials!
(Click on Video Title above (in blue) to read critique)

197-Briana Timmerman-A Splash of Henry-BNR-XC-5Feb11 from CatchRide LLC on Vimeo.
Photo # 11: This is Kimberly's daughter Kelley!
(Click on Photo Title above (in blue) to read critique)
Question #18: We have some more questions about studs: What are the guidelines for choosing where to put the holes? What do you use to fill the holes when you're not using studs so they don't get all packed with dirt?
(just stuff cotton in there? does it stay?) When would you put studs on all four feet? Is it ok to only drill the back shoes? (to reduce cost). Thanks! (Briana)


Hi Briana!

Your farrier should know where to put the stud holes. He will either use a machine, or will have to drill and tap them by hand. They are usually an inch or so from the heels of the shoe like this:

horseshoe with stud holes

Here is a very important tip! (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)
Question # 17: My horse has "figured out" the system. He knows that warm-up isn't "real" - he's relaxed and almost lazy there. But as soon as we set foot in the stadium or XC course,
he's all fire and brimstone and it's hard to keep him from "careening" around the course without significant argument (he knows I can't circle him or use other corrective measures that we use in schooling to rebalance him). Help! (Briana)





Hi Briana!

Ahh, an adrenaline junkie! I know the type very well. I could probably help you a whole lot more if you send me a video so I can see how you are handling the situation when he gets strong. Can you do that?

Here is some general advice on handling that type of horse (learned the hard way!): (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)
Question # 16: How much experience do you think a horse should have at a certain level prior to moving them up in competition? Noticing alot of folks are zipping on up from Beg. Novice and already up to Training in less than a year.
I'm getting self conscious that I should be farther along. Always been under the belief that until a horse or rider is bored at a level, don't move up. (Kimberly)

Hi Kimberly!

My opinion is that horse and rider don't necessarily need to be bored at their current level to move up, but.....(Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)
Photo # 10: This is Kimberly!
(Click on Photo Title above (in blue) to read full critique)
How to Utilize Virtual Equestrian Coaching (Current freebie!)

Let's discuss how the average rider can benefit by adding Virtual Coaching to their current training program. It should be used as a supplement, to enhance and deepen your understanding of the concepts you are learning in your program with your own trainer.

Say you are currently working on... (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
Trot Lengthenings

Extended trot | Eventing


Some horses are born with an innate natural ability to lengthen the trot. And some need to develop the ability through training. Those without the natural tendency to lengthen usually simply quicken their trot when asked for a lengthening. This is because they don't naturally bring their hocks underneath their bodies enough to "coil the spring" of the hind legs. It's the energy created from the coiling of the spring of the hind legs that propels the horse into that lovely lengthening that everyone loves to watch!

Here are some exercises that will help the horse with less natural ability learn how to lengthen the trot rather than quicken: (Click on Article Title above to read full article)
The Defensive Cross Country Seat



Cross country riders must have this seat in their repertoire. It becomes increasingly important as one moves up the levels, as the speed and jump dimensions increase... (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
Lateral and Longitudinal Suppleness

 trot stretch

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.

There are two components of suppleness in a horse....(Click on Article Title above to read full article)
Question #15: At what level do I need to start using studs? (Andi)
This is a great question Andi! And you will find a lot of different opinions on this subject. There are some who feel that the horse shouldn't need them at lower levels, because they are not going that fast. And they want their horses to figure out how to manage slippery situations when they are young.

Not suprisingly, my view on this topic is similar to Jimmy's - (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)
Question #14: My biggest struggle is sitting up/shoulders back and my hands, which leads to my horse not being consistent. (Michelle)
Hi Michelle!

These two issues are usually related, as what allows a rider to have nice quiet hands is a solid and correct seat. I'm going to give you an exercise to try that will show you how to be more consistent with your upper body and hand position...(Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)
Photo #9: This is Cheryl's horse Winnie! Being ridden at a show by her trainer...
(Click on Photo Title above (in blue) to read critique)

cheryl dressage
Skinny Jumps

 


Narrow or skinny jumps have been increasingly showing up on cross country courses over the past 15 years or so. They started out only as an upper level test, and are now sneaking into the lower levels as well. They are a great test of whether the rider has the horse balanced, straight, and between their leg and hand. Course designers put skinny jumps on their courses to more safely test those qualities, as if the horse is not balanced, straight, or on the rider's aids, a runout is likely, but usually no one gets hurt.

As one moves up the levels in the sport of Eventing, the flatwork gets more and more exacting. At lower levels the horse's balance point is more forward, but at upper levels the horse should be in collection. Which means that the horse should be so balanced that they could literally canter on a balance beam. That is why the skinny jumps get narrower and narrower as you move up the levels. The upper level horse is expected to be accurate enough to gallop and jump on a balance beam.

How does one go about riding them successfully? (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
Principles of Horse Training (Current Freebie!)

Principles of Horse Training


Horses are the most amazing creatures....... from their awesome athletic abilities, to their regal spirit, to their generosity and desire to please us humans, to their fascinating powers of perception.

I feel like we owe it to them to carefully consider what we do with them on a daily basis. To make sure that our every interaction with them is fair and consistent, whether riding or handling on the ground. Here are a few key principles to follow: (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
Video #3: This is Andi and her horse Chester at a schooling show.
(Click on Video Title above (in blue) to read critique)
Photo #8: This is Abby!
Rider Balance Equals Safety (Current freebie!)


Balance in the saddle is a simple concept - but that doesn't mean it's necessarily easy to achieve. To be balanced on a horse a rider must follow this basic principle at all times:  (Click on Article Title above to read full article)
The Quality of the Contact (Current Freebie!)

 

What should you feel in your hands when your horse is going correctly on the flat? I think many riders are unsure of what they should be looking for.

What a rider feels in their hands is a direct correlation to the state of the horse's back and hindquarters. When a horse is straight, and carrying itself correctly - with forward energy flowing through a relaxed, swinging back into the connection of the bit, the rider feels....(Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
Photo # 7: This is Cheryl's new horse Winnie! With her former owner riding her..
(Click on Photo Title above (in blue) to read critique)

Cheryl Williams
Conditioning For Soundness

 

Throughout the world, horseman employ many different methods of conditioning the horse. And indeed there are quite a few different "programs" that result in a fit athlete. But most programs focus on the aspects of the horse's fitness that are the most visible - their musculature and their aerobic capacity (cardiovascular fitness) - without enough thought to strengthening bones, tendons, and ligaments. With a program that does not sufficiently allow for progressive strengthening of those important structures, the risk of injuries in those areas are greatly increased. The key is....(Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
The Rider's Neutral Pelvis Position



(Photo credit to Jane Savoie - www.janesavoie.com)

This drawing shows three different possible positions of the dressage rider's pelvis. The imaginary bucket of water in your pelvis should help you to see the effects of the different angles of the rider's pelvis. You can see how the change of the angle of the pelvis shifts the rider's center of gravity, and therefore tips the bucket... (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
Stretching the Horse

Stretching is a fabulous exercise for the horse, and should be done at the beginning and end of each workout, as well as intermittently throughout the ride for brief periods as a reward, and to test that your training has been correct.

I think that there are many riders who are slightly confused about what constitutes a proper stretch for the horse. I see many riders riding long and low, thinking that they are doing a constructive stretch, but are instead doing something quite unproductive. Riding the horse with it's head and neck low is only beneficial to the horse if there is a connection over the back. The following pictures show examples of right and wrong, and should help to clear up any confusion. (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
What Makes a Good Event Horse?


There are 3 types of horses: those who can’t wait to see what’s around the next corner, those who are worried about what’s around the next corner, and those who don’t think about what’s around the next corner, and are surprised every time! A good event horse is usually the first one - curious and brave, with a good work ethic. There are of course many other attributes that make up a good event horse, but those are the ones who really come to love the sport. (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
Photo # 6: This is Anna and her horse Tiny!
(Click on Photo Title above (in blue) to read critique)
Photo # 5: This is Charity and her 3 1/2 year old KWPN!
(Click on Photo Title above (in blue) to read critique)
Photo # 4: (Current freebie!) This is Brigit again! With a different horse...
(Click on Photo title above (in blue) to read critique)
Question # 13: I need help with my stadium rounds. My horse gets revved up at shows and as our stadium course goes on it gets worse and worse.
He is fighting me the whole way and not really in control. We meet a lot of jumps awkwardly, and we usually have lots of rails down. I use a regular full cheek snaffle and a running martingale. I haven't gone to a stronger bit, since he actually has a nice mouth the rest of the time. We do fine on cross country, it's only like this in the stadium jumping.  Can you help us?? (Anonymous)


I could certainly answer you much more specifically if I could see a video of what is happening. Can you submit a video?

Generally a good, smooth, clean stadium round happens when you have the right quality of canter, and your horse is adjustable. Because it sounds like your horse is lacking in adjustability, the quality of your canter is diminishing as your round goes on, and you then are unable to fix it.

What do I mean by the right quality of the canter? The right canter to jump out of is balanced, rhythmic, straight, and in self carriage. With the appropriate amount of impulsion for the jump in front of you.

It takes adjustability to be able to maintain that canter throughout a course. Your horse may approach the first jump with the right canter, and land from the first jump running, flat, and out of balance. If your horse is adjustable, you can easily put him right back in the same quality canter you had before the jump. If you do not have adjustability, your rounds will get worse and worse like you describe.

Here is a great exercise to improve your horse's adjustability: (Click on Question title above (in blue) to read full answer)
Question # 12: (Current freebie!) I'm 50 years old have not done any jumping in about 10 years. I had a back injury about 5 years ago, which is repaired and cleared.

My main focus is dressage and I have been riding almost daily for about two years but I am itching to try cross country. OK maybe not the big jumps and ditches. It's dead winter and I'm planning my spring and summer. Any suggestions on how I can get started in a small way and any advice to preparing my body. (Cheryl)


Hi Cheryl!

Yes, you should definitely give it a try! There is nothing like it. Nothing creates a stronger bond between horse and rider. That's when it's going well, of course!

Here's what you can do now in the middle of winter to prepare...(Click on Question title above (in blue) to read full answer)
Question # 11: I have a rising 4 yr old draft cross. I've been doing light dressage and for the most part have avoided jumping except the occasional trotting over a couple of 18" cross poles.

I know I have to take it easy 'til he's 5, but how much can I do and what new exercises can I introduce to keep him from getting bored...? Thanks! (Jenny)



Hi Jenny!

My opinion is that little jumps are not really any harder on them than cantering. So as long as you don't overdo it, you should be fine to add a few jumps to his routine, maybe once or twice a week. At this age I like for them to understand that....(Click on Question title above (in blue) to read full answer)
Photo # 3: This is Sarah!

(Click on Photo title above (in blue) to read critique)
Photo # 2: This is Brigit and her horse Dru!
(Click on Photo Title above (in blue) to read critique)

Brigit and Dru
Question # 10: How about some winter training tips? How often should they be worked over the winter months, how cold is too cold to jump, do horses benefit from time off over the winter and how much? (Sarah)
Hi Sarah!

I've never found any documented information on how cold is really too cold for the horse's lungs. But my cut off point has always been 15 degrees. Of course now that I live in the south, and have offically turned into a cold weather wimp, I rarely want to ride when it's below freezing! :)

My number one consideration when deciding if horses should be worked when it gets really cold is the footing. When the ground or arena footing is frozen I either don't ride or I mostly work in walk. The concussive forces on the horses' feet and legs are just too great when the ground is that hard. Now if you have some nice soft snow to ride in that changes things! Spray the bottoms of their feet with some cooking spray and have fun! Although that unfortunately doesn't work in all situations. I find in the south, whenever we do get snow, it's wet and icy. And the cooking spray does not seem to work to prevent the snoballs in their feet.

The good news is that you can get a lot accomplished in the walk. Things I like to work on in the walk are......(Click on Question title above (in blue) to read full answer)
Question #9: My instructor is always yelling at me to fix my hands! Either they are not in the right position, not the same height, or I find myself pulling on the inside rein and dropping the connection on the outside rein.
I've been struggling with this for quite a while, and it's very frustrating! I can correct my hands, and the minute I think about something else, I'm right back to my bad habits! Do you have any advice that will help me? Thanks! (Anonymous)


You are not alone with this problem! I think that the majority of riders struggle with this to some degree. I have a little trick that will help the correct hand position become more consistent for you.... (Click on Question title above (in blue) to read full answer)
Question #8: (Current freebie!) I have had a few years off from regular training and competition, and only competed in a few novice events anyway, and I would like some help in goal setting and a training program for myself and my new horse.
We are only doing flat work and light hacking at the moment, mostly getting the basics back, but I would really like to go to some competitions this year. Any suggestions on how to set goals for myself and my new horse? She has competed in a few unrecognized novice events, but it has been a couple of years and she was competed by a professional. (Cheryl)

Hi Cheryl!

Congratulations on your new horse!! I'm looking forward to watching you two become a team! Since she is new to you, and you both have been out of competition for a while, I would recommend that you really take the time to bond and get to know each other before you start competing. And it might be wise to ease into competition gradually by starting off with a dressage show or a schooling jumper show, instead of an event. That way you can see exactly what your new horse will be like away from home, and how she reacts to any show ring nerves that you may have. So pick one or two schooling type shows for late spring or early summer that may be a posibility. If you find that you don't feel ready as the dates get closer, that's no problem. Just skip those and look for something late summer or early fall. But I think that it really helps a rider to motivate themselves and ride with more focus, when they have some goals in the immediate future to strive for.

Here is a sample work week for the typical novice level horse: (Click on Question title above (in blue) to read full answer)
Question #7: Cotton has started breaking out of the cross ties! He's gone through 3 or 4 halter crowns now.
I think what started it was my giving him carrots while I saddled him
so he wouldn't be so irritable about it. The first time he broke his halter he
raised his head looking for a carrot. When he felt the pressure on his poll, he
just kept pulling until he was free. I have stopped giving him carrots but today he
did it again when I was brushing his ears-he raised his head and just kept going -
as if once he started the process, he remembered the past episodes and got afraid
and wanted to escape. I'd like to fix this quick! I know the Wrights only used
break away halters on him and warned me about leaving him tied to the trailer when I
took him to Lighten Up but he's never acted like this before.
(Lisa)


Hi Lisa!

This problem stems from the fact that horses instinctively lean into pressure, and that they are naturally a bit claustrophobic. Not all horses can be completely cured of the "pulling back" problem, but many can be helped. So start by teaching him to "give" to pressure. (Click on the Question title above (in blue) to read the full answer)
Question #6: My training level eventing mare will jump ditches by themselves ok, but has a phobia about trakehners. She will not jump them at all! Help! (Anonymous)
I've known a few horses like this. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that horses with a very specific phobia like this will ever truly get over it. But it is definitely possible!

This is what has worked for me with similar horses at clinics throughout the years who have had problems with trakehners or ditch and wall jumps: (Click on Question title above (in blue) to read full answer)
Question #5: (Current freebie!) Could you give me a short checklist of things I need to do if I plan to start eventing this spring?
I see there are "unrecognized trials" in MD, and I suppose that is the kind one starts at (also schooling days at some xc farms)! For instance, I've seen that certain things are required, helmet, vest, but what is a medical armband, and where does one get this?? I am going to join the USEA Area II, or do I join USEA? I am not interested in accruing points at this time. I just want access to information so I can get more knowledge and experience. (Andi)


Thank you for asking this question Andi, as I'm sure there are many others in the same boat as you are! It's hard to learn what you need to know, without already knowing what you need to learn about, isn't it?? The good news is that eventers as a rule are a very friendly and helpful, so don't hesitate to ask questions or ask for help while at your events. You will make lots of great friends in the process as well!

That said, you will feel most confident going into your first event if you are truly prepared for it, so here are some tips: (Click on Question title above (in blue) to read full answer)
Question #4: My name is Cheryl and I just bought a 7 yr old chestnut Irish Sport Horse Mare. Her name is Winnie and we've had probably 6 rides all together. The first 3 were absolutely wonderful and the last 2, not so much!
During my last 2 rides she was much "higher" than my other rides (weather very chilly and windy) and we were hacking at a nice trot where she was exceedingly "speedier" seemingly with each step and before I knew it, she let out a big buck! It seemed like it came out of nowhere! She stopped after just one, and I stayed on, but my ride today was similar except that I couldn't even trot without feeling like she wanted to go faster and faster and got tight under the saddle. I could feel a buck just waiting to happen, so we went back to the basics, just walking calmly in the arena. Of course since I just spent a small fortune on her, I am a bit concerned and hope that I am not creating this problem by the way I ride? Any suggestions? Thank you Lesley and I look forward to hearing from you soon!!


Hi Cheryl!

Has anything changed in her routine? Now that you own her, is she still getting the same kind of food and the same amount that she was before? What about turnout? You may just need to lunge her a bit first on the cold windy days, especially if she has limited turnout.

I really can't make any comments on whether or not her tension is due to something you are doing without seeing a video. Can you get someone to video you?

I will make some general comments about helping a tense horse to relax, and maybe that will help you. (Click on Question title above (in blue) to read full answer)
Video #2:
This is Andi and her horse Chester. Can you believe this horse is only 4 years old?? (Click on Video title above (in blue) to read critique)
Question #3: My horse tends to get heavy on the forehand and leans on my hands a lot. What can I do to stop him from leaning on me and dragging me around?! (Anonymous)
This is another very common problem. Your horse needs to learn to respond to half halts correctly to carry himself more instead of using your hands like a fifth leg to lean on. Here's my exercise to teach horse and rider the basis of a good half halt: (Click on Question title above (in blue) to read full answer)
Photo #1:
This a great photo of Lauren and Jazz schooling over a Preliminary corner. (Click on Photo title above (in blue) to read critique)

Lauren corner
Question #2: My horse launches off of drop fences! And it's very hard to stay with him when he does that. What can I do to encourage him to take drops more conservatively? (Anonymous)
I see this happening at all levels, even occasionally at the 4 star level! And there is a very simple fix for it: (Click on Question title for full answer)
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