“For the green Thoroughbred, turning this way allows them to forgo speed and antics. It allows them to be ridden forward in front of your leg and complete the circles, squares, figure-eights, whatever is asked without changing their pace.” (more…)
“A primary consequence of the inside rein is that it tips a horse onto their forelimbs and off of the hind. A knock-on set of results are that it speeds a horse up and becomes harder for the horse to come over their back, create a powerful push from behind and correct… frame.” (more…)
“I am proud of them for their quiet strolls around the facility, their eager walk (but willingness to stay at a walk) as we carouse through the woods. But I’m not surprised. They are Thoroughbreds, after all.” (more…)
Horses will teach you many things … but these past two months, the learning has been this: you’ll always need a backup plan (or like 47 of them). (more…)
Have you ever considered why the standard dressage arena is the very specific size and shape that it is? Spoiler alert: It does serve a purpose. (more…)
When training, how do you know when it’s too little, or too much, or enough? It’s important to differentiate between doing too much and doing too little, as well as considering how each end of the spectrum can appear in — and affect the — training. (more…)
“Balance means the ability to flow with what the horse tosses at you and the capacity to retain that quiet control through transitions or comical behavior. Ultimately, a balanced rider can be a soft rider.”
This week’s article discusses the significant difference between the end goal and the process of getting there. Although they obviously are inextricably linked, it’s important to understand that they often look very different. (more…)
“The more practiced the language of ask and confirm, the more ‘normal paced’ things can go and the better the trust and overall communication gets.” (more…)
“99.99% of the Thoroughbreds I have swung a leg over respond with utter enthusiasm and a golden-retriever-like sense of ‘sweet!’ and ‘did I get it right?'” (more…)
“The cart idea not only keeps people from pulling, riding backwards or balancing off the bit, but also it actually helps improve equitation and sets up riders to be subtle.”
“[W]hen the owner, trainer, and barn staff are Thoroughbred-forward, that’s fantastic. But it is even better if the team that surrounds the horse … [is] willing to pitch in to the process.” (more…)
“So go ride, folks. And if your horse scoots out from under your aids, relax, weight your aids, take a deep breath and wait. Count backwards slowly from 100 and see how your horse softens into the soft pressure. Reward, rest, and try again.” (more…)
This is the second of a three-part series that explores what to look for when selecting a dressage horse. Today’s article focuses on the conformation that lends itself to a successful dressage horse. (more…)
“I have to remind myself that if I’m not on top of my competition game for a couple months … they don’t care. They are safe, and fed and cared for.” (more…)
“Reward the try, and as the situation arises again, ask again. The half-halt through a full-body hold, allows them to learn. Pulling takes that opportunity off the table.” (more…)
“Each day, we change it up a bit … While I fully believe that keeping it interesting and challenging their brain is a huge plus, these smart but sometimes-anxious horses also need to know how to get the answer right.” (more…)
“It is often the slow repetitive progression through without rider interference that helps them think and slow their brain and thus, their feet…” (more…)
“I imagine that, like people, there are no horses who feel no discomfort when asked to work. They will have sore joints, eventually tired muscles, sometimes a tweak of pain here or there. Sure. And for some, there will be acute pain.” (more…)
