Here are 10 steps you can easily incorporate into your riding and training habits that will ensure your horse gains confidence every time you work together.
In this excerpt from his book Balancing Act:The Horse in Sport—An Irreconcilable Conflict?, Dr. Gerd Heuschmann explores our responsibilities to the horse and whether we can pursue competitive goals while still meeting the horse’s needs in a fair and just manner. (more…)
In this excerpt from her book Pilates for Horses, certified Pilates instructor and eventer Laura Reiman gives us a simple exercise that specifically targets the abdominal muscles for strengthening.
In this excerpt from the book she wrote with veterinarian Dr. Allen Schoen, The Compassionate Equestrian, horsewoman Susan Gordon discusses what to keep in mind when working with the overly playful (aka “spooky”) horse. (more…)
In this excerpt from her book Beyond the Track, Thoroughbred Program Director for New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program Anna Ford explains the four things you need to consider before beginning a retraining program for your off-track Thoroughbred. (more…)
In this excerpt from their book Equus Lost? biologists and ethologists Francesco De Giorgio & José De Giorgio-Schoorl challenge popular assumptions about the horse as a prey animal and what that means for his relationship with humans.
In this excerpt from her book How Two Minds Meet, Beth Baumert explores how, in order to attain optimal performance, we have to learn to engage the horse’s mind as well as his body.
In this excerpt from Horse Brain, Human Brain by brain scientist and horse trainer Janet Jones, Jones explains what it is that gives us “feel” in and out of the saddle. (more…)
In this excerpt from her book Yoga for Riders, yoga instructor and horsewoman Cathy Woods shows us how the practice of yoga can redefine you as a horse person.
In this excerpt from her book The Ultimate Guide for Horses in Need, veterinarian Dr. Stacie Boswell explains how to determine if a rescue or horse in transition is ready to begin retraining.
In this excerpt from her book Training and Retraining Horses the Tellington Way, renowned horsewoman Linda Tellington-Jones gives us simple exercises to try using ground poles to improve connection, communication and cooperation with our horses.
In this excerpt from The Principles of Riding, the classic book from the German Equestrian Federation (FN), we learn what makes for a correct rein-back and how to correct common rider mistakes that lead to issues in the movement. (more…)
While a common toast may be “To your health,” it isn’t often we see these two words together. There are, however, hopefully healthy bars in your life: your horse’s. In this excerpt from The Essential Hoof Book, authors Susan Kauffmann and Christina Cline explain how to best manage the health and care of the bars of the hoof. (more…)
“This professional, lauded rider lets us know he’s human like the rest of us and, as any great mentor would, shares what he knows to try to help us on our journey as riders.”
In this excerpt from “Core Conditioning for Horses,” Visconte Simon Cocozza explains how the internal forces that make the horse’s athletic prowess possible can turn to the Dark Side.
