Gwyneth McPherson
Training in the Right Way: Dressage Training Nuggets
Dressage is supposed to be a systematic approach to creating partnership and understanding between two species. Horses have very little choice in how and whether they get to participate in our activities. We owe it to them to be kind, circumspect, and educated in our training. →
Training in the Right Way: Don’t Perpetuate Your Training Problems by Repeating Your Training Problems…
…or, in other words, sometimes you have to stop participating in the problem to eliminate the problem. →
Training in the Right Way: Using the Lower Leg
You can do so much more than simply “kick to go”… →
Training in the Right Way: Your Horse’s ‘Bad Days’ May Be a Training Opportunity
In my experience, most riders think of these days as bad or a day that was lost in →
Training in the Right Way: Skill Not Strength
“Excellent riding is based on technique, not wrestling a 1200 lb animal into submission.” →
Training in the Right Way: The Process vs. The Practitioner
“Dressage training is a systematic process that anyone can learn, however, the quality of the training is in →
Training in the Right Way: Repetition in Training
Although training a horse always involves repetition, it has to be done in the right way at the →
Training in the Right Way: Mythbusters Edition
In riding and training, there are some commonly held beliefs that while they may seem plausible, are actually →
Training in the Right Way: Let’s Discuss Self-Carriage
Or, why it isn’t always “bad” that your horse anticipates. →
Training in the Right Way: Looking for Effectiveness
We’ve discussed this before, but given recent events in the dressage world, I think revisiting what effective training →
Training in the Right Way: The Good Side vs the Bad Side
Here’s a hint: There isn’t one. At least not in the way you think. →
Training in the Right Way: Let’s Talk About Spurs…
And their purpose and how to use them correctly (rather than like a jerk). →
Training in the Right Way: Why We Don’t Pull in Dressage
This week I’m tackling another reader submitted question, this one focusing on why we pulling on the reins →
Training in the Right Way: What Is an Aid?
Aids are meant to tell the horse what to do. They are not meant to MAKE the horse →
Training in the Right Way: The Rider’s Responsibility vs The Blame Game
Instead of taking or giving all the blame, riders should understand that the results of their aids, good →
Training in the Right Way: Ask the Trainer – My Horse Isn’t Forward
This week I thought I’d try something a little different and tackle some reader/rider submitted training questions. This →
Training in the Right Way: FEI Horses Don’t Grow on Trees…
Just one of the dilemmas when you have FEI aspirations. →
Training in the Right Way: Unraveling the Half Halt
“The half halt is a beautiful, effortless way to ask your horse…” The half halt is many things, →
Training in the Right Way: Positive vs Negative Riding
Those words ALSO do not mean what you think they mean… at least not in the context of →
Training in the Right Way: Repetition and Correction…
Those words do not mean what you think they mean… at least not in the context of effective →
Training in the Right Way: A Clarification on Normal vs Fancy Gaits…
Or, rather, why fancy gaits in and of themselves were not the original point of dressage competition (here’s →
Training in the Right Way: “Fancy Warmblood Movement” Is Not the Same as “Quality of Movement” (And This Matters!)
“Dressage is for all horses, but all horses aren’t for dressage”… sort of. →
Training in the Right Way: Quick Fixes and Light Switches
Let’s talk about why you’re more likely to run into Big Foot at Starbucks than find any magical →
Training in the Right Way: Effective Aids vs Not So Much
Because it is critical to the training process, let’s take a moment to talk about what effective aids →
Training in the Right Way: 3 Dressage Movements You Should Master
There are three movements most riders aren’t aware of that cannot be judged on talent as their proper →