“If your arms are tired, you’re riding wrong.” Saying or hearing that phrase can be how you make enemies at the barn, but there are better ways of controlling speed than by pulling. It may seem like the only solution at the time, but whether your horse is constantly pulling against you to drag his nose in the dirt, or you are pulling on them to slow them down, once you fall into the trap of tugging, it can be a difficult habit to break – for us. For a horse? They tend to
Road-Hack Safely this Spring
Being able to take your horse out on the road might be the only way to get to that trail up the road, or it can be a great way to stretch their legs with a nice hack. No matter the reason, being able to do so safely is, obviously, the ultimate goal. It is …
How to Speak Horse: Language of Movement
Movement to a horse is language. It is also freedom, comfort, and safety. When you “talk” to your horse (and from now on “talk” means communicating with your body and gestures), you have the power to influence even the most flamboyant gestures from your horse by the most subtle of body angles, curves, and, when applicable, subtle gestures with your arms.
Keep the “Winter Blahs” at Bay with a little Variety and a lot of Fun
Especially now that the “winter blahs” are taking hold, it’s so important to keep things fun and fresh for your four-legged friend! When the snow and ice make it too dangerous to ride outside, it becomes extra important to make sure that the inside of the arena doesn’t become the chamber of monotony. Here are …
Spice up Your Riding with Julia Kohl’s Creative Dressage Schooling
Whether your dressage partner is a schoolmaster or a greenie, this book is an awesome reference to keep variety in your schooling sessions. After a brief introduction, Kohl takes you right into easy-to-follow, progressive schooling routines that each target specific goals – transitions, bending, use of corners, impulsion, etc – to develop your horse naturally, …
Ride with Your Seat: Steering with Your Core
There are few things as entrancing as watching a Grand Prix ride where the horse and rider seem to move as one. Cues are virtually imperceptible, even to a trained eye, and yet the horse’s motions are fluid and deliberate. While the technical skills are a journey in themselves, the foundation for the communication is attainable – and should…
Stop the Squeaky Sheath and Loosen that Back
If you ride a mare you might not be familiar with the tell-tale sounds of the stiff-backed gelding. That is, of course, of the squeaky sheath. While at first it’s easy to blame a dirty sheath for the noise, most gelding owners can assure you that that is not the issue, but rather: When a gelding …