Tip/Quote of the Day!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 4401
A calm yet mobile mouth means that the horse is light in the hand, and relaxed through the jaw and neck, which allows for easy swallowing.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 4400
Dressage is the very best physical therapy that you can do with a horse. But ONLY if it is done 100% correctly!
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 4399
When you are able to give a little on the inside rein as your horse is picking up the canter, you give your horse the best chance to make a soft, smooth canter transition.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 4398
You will find that you become most productive when you have a specific goal for each training session. Be flexible, of course. But know exactly what you plan to work on for every ride. Aimless riding is simply exercise.
Lesley's Corner
Jumping Rideability Exercise # 2 - For Horses & Riders at All Levels
This very basic (and often overlooked) jumping exercise will improve your horse's rideability, as well as the overall harmony between you and your horse when jumping courses.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 4397
For those of you who know you ride in stirrups that are too long over fences (which is quite common), spend some time practicing with your stirrups 3 or 4 holes shorter. Then when you put them down a few holes (leaving them a few holes shorter than your initial
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 4396
The horse's loin area (behind the saddle) is loosened and suppled with each good lateral step behind. Just one reason of many why lateral steps are a very important part of training horses.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 4395
Make sure your inside leg is quietly on the horse before you begin a turn. Even though your outside aids actually turn your horse, your inside leg is the post that he needs to bend around. Many riders are caught out with their inside leg completely off, and only put
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 4394
The rider that helps the horse to carry himself in the best balance in the canter is poised and still in the upper body, while remaining supple and following in their hips and elbows.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 4393
Collapse in a heap at the end of your transition, and you train your horse to do so as well.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 4392
If you attempt to teach your horse to jump, to go through water, or to jump over a ditch when the horse is not first trained to go instantly forward from the leg, you are not setting yourself up for success.
Lesley's Corner
An Exercise to Help You Find an Even Pace Over Fences
Here is a simple exercise that will increase your awareness of whether or not you are maintaining an even pace when jumping courses. And it will show you exactly what you need to do to achieve it!