Recent Articles in Tip/Quote of the Day!

"When I think of the rider's aids, I am reminded of an anecdote that is told about one of the world's great pianists, who was asked how difficult it was to learn to play the piano as he did. "It is really not difficult at all," he replied. "You only have to figure out which fingers go on what keys, and for how long. Then you practice for the rest of your life so that you can do it up to tempo." Communicating with the horse is about the same." ~ Bert de Nemethy

“I start by stretching the horse and trying to make him relaxed and supple. It’s a bit like gymnastic with a horse, dressage is. You wouldn’t expect a gymnastics person to just go and start their workout; they do a nice stretch in the warm-up first.” ~ Charlotte Dujardin

“You think it’s quite boring, but this is the foundation. It’s like building a house. If you have a bad foundation, you’re going to have a bad house.” ~ Charlotte Dujardin

For those of you with horses that want to "run" into the canter when working on walk to canter transitions (accelerating and taking a trot step or two before picking up the canter), think "halt" as you are applying your aid to canter from the walk.

It is very important that your horse does not learn how to run out on skinny jumps or corners. Because once they have learned to associate either type of jump with running out, it can be very difficult to correct. Do not take the schooling of these type of jumps lightly, for this reason. 

Give your brain something positive to think about when you are worried.

Cross country riders always need to have a "plan B" in their heads while on course. And sometimes a plan C and D as well.

Remember that whatever you are used to doing usually feels right to you. You will often have to step out of your comfort zone if you wish to improve.

The secret to sensitivity in horses is not in the rider's physical strength, or even their technique. It is in their commitment to thinking about what happened, being definitive about what they are asking the horse do to, and giving clear and immediate feedback to the horse after each application of an aid. 

Many horses think walk time is "break" time. If you want to ensure that you get good scores on your walk work, you have to convince your horse otherwise in your daily work. 

When working with horses, always be mindful of the feedback you are giving your horse at any given time... whether intentional or accidental. When your horse misbehaves, make sure you don't give him an accidental reward by stopping to regroup (which to him is a rest and a reward.) Keep moving, get the horse to do something (anything) well, and THEN stop to regroup if you must.

From member Karen Barbato ~ "You will KNOW when you connect with a gifted instructor - they answer so many questions and fill the gaps." 

Remember that to balance your horse in front of a fence you do not necessarily have to slow down. Many times you simply need to change the shape of the canter stride - i.e. bring the horse into a more uphill frame.

"Connection is often misunderstood. The horse must be taught to go from the seat and leg to the hand for it to be correct. But some riders will try to force it by working their hands and arms to 'work the horse’s neck back and forth to achieve that lightness,' which is incorrect." ~ Lilo Fore

"At the beginning of every ride you must be willing to explain 'yet again' to your horse what you expect of him with sympathy and empathy. Dressage is our dream, not theirs." ~ Yvonne Barteau

You turn your car by turning the wheels on the front axle, not by turning the hood ornament (dating myself here... I know). And similarly, you should turn your horse from his shoulders, not from his nose.

When the horse makes a mistake or misbehaves and you stop him and regroup, you can easily be sending him the wrong message. Stopping and taking a break is often perceived as a reward to the horse. Be careful what you reward. 

"Regularly practice jumping gymnastics on a long or loose rein and remind your horse that he needs to, in Eric Smiley's lovely phrase, 'take ownership of the fence.'" ~ Jimmy Wofford

“The less you do, the more will go right.” ~ Nuno Oliveira

When strength is needed, such as when riding a strong horse, a rider needs to be able to find their strength in the center of their body - their core. Many times they attempt to find their strength in their arms or shoulders instead, and this is counter productive. As instead of being an anchor against the horse's strength, the horse thinks the rider is instigating a pulling match.

Much like the way the horse is "in front of your leg" when he is responsive and thinking forward, he also needs to be "in front of" your inside leg to be responsive and bending properly. 

"It can be difficult to analyze your horse's performance whilst you are also concentrating on not falling off." ~ Jimmy Wofford

You drive your horse heavily into your hands when you lean back even slightly behind the vertical.

If you want your horse to look after himself when jumping, you must allow him to do so in training.

Riders who ride over fences with stirrups that are even slightly too long are often the first ones to stand up and jump up the horse's neck when they get to a jump!