Tip/Quote of the Day!
"Imagine hanging a wet towel over your horse's back. The pressure of your leg aids needs to be similar to the pressure of the towel on the sides of your horse. Your horse should go on his own with this passive leg aid, and if he does
Tip/Quote of the Day!
"The key to successful half halts is, first, to have a very clear idea of what you want to achieve: Do you want your half halt to create more balance? More collection? More flexion? Self-carriage? Roundness? Second, you need to recognize--with listening aids--when your horse responds correctly so you
Tip/Quote of the Day!
It is perfectly normal to feel nervous at times, but you DO have the ability to control and redirect your thoughts. Like anything else, it is a skill that you have to work at.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
"Usually, the half halt should be invisible to the eye--not only because it looks good, but also because it doesn't disturb the rhythm and flow of the horse's movement." ~ Oded Shimoni
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Riders with short arms have to be especially careful to keep their elbows bent at all times.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
If you don't train for self carriage at the gallop, and instead attempt to hold your horse with a strong contact the whole time while on course, you will probably get really tired by the end of a long course, and your horse's mouth will become
Tip/Quote of the Day!
"For a horse to be in balance, it has to be relaxed which is why it must not be compressed. To cease the aids does not mean to leave the horse on its own but to keep the contact while doing as little as possible." - Nuno Oliveira
Dr. Haefner's Advice
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Mental toughness is a very important quality in an upper level Event horse. The "street fighter" type is often a cross country machine!
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Remember that what you do habitually will feel normal to you, whether it is right or wrong. This is why riders at all levels need good eyes on the ground.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
"A rider breaks up resistance in the horse by encouraging his hind legs to come forward and under his body." ~ George Morris
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Think of pushing your horse though turns with your outside aids, rather than pulling him around the turn with your inside rein.
