Tip/Quote of the Day # 778For 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 length), you will be more comfortable with the change.Tip/Quote of the Day # 777If your horse struggles to maintain a consistent rhythm, think of using your breathing to help him stay regular. This is one reason why counting is so useful, as when you count, you will breathe in that rhythm.Tip/Quote of the Day # 776If you are able to do a good walk to halt transition, you have a good basis for all downward transitions.Improve Your Canter to Trot Transitions!
One of the most frequently seen mistakes across the levels in the Dressage ring is that of an unbalanced canter to trot transition - where the rider does not sufficiently prepare for the downward transition, and the horse falls heavily onto the forehand. You have probably heard it said before that you need to prepare for your transitions. But what does this mean exactly?? And what do you do if you try to prepare, but your horse doesn't respond? Read on to find out! (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 775"On the whole, there are only few mouths that cannot be taught a good rein contact by giving the horse the appropriate degree of balance, provided it is otherwise well conformed." ~ Borries v.OeynhausenTip/Quote of the Day # 774Always be aware of the amount of tension you carry when riding, and whether you are breathing softly and evenly, or holding your breath. Talking or humming quietly is a good way to ensure you keep breathing throughout your ride.Tip/Quote of the Day # 773Imagine the rider's body as a tree… the rider's seat and core need to be engaged and strong like the tree trunk, their long draped legs are the roots, and their arms are supple, movable branches. Question # 261: I have had my 8yr old gelding about 3 months, previously he had done lots of hunting in his native Ireland but no competing. We have completed four BE 90 classes......And though he scores well dressage I feel he can drift out on circles, it's more obvious show jumping when especially turning away from the warm up, then yesterday, on quite a twisty and technical (for a 90) xc course I had difficulty turning, I kept losing him through his shoulder when turning in front of a jump. We were clear but because of this problem we incurred lots of time faults. I appreciate this is all new to him and further schooling will help but I was quite alarmed when he was doing it xc, especially as there were lots of skinnies and a relatively difficult corner fence. I couldn't ride straight on any lines I had walked, and just had to let him go on whatever approach we had. Are there any articles on your site I should be reading please? Many thanks (Susan)
Hi Susan!
This can be a common problem, especially with big, powerful, and foward going horses, or horses that aren't properly engaged behind. And yes, there are a number of articles on the site that should help you! Check out... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer) Tip/Quote of the Day # 772You must train your horse to understand that he should stay at whatever speed you put him in until told otherwise. Remember that every time you allow your horse to make a decision about his speed or energy level (or don't realize that he has done so), you are training him to make these decisions on his own.Question # 260: My horse is lazy and behind the leg regularly. I have worked hard on getting her more responsive by doing the things suggested on this website - following up immediately and consistently. However, my mare doesn't really care about......the whip, even to the point that I have put welts on her. One big whack doesn't do it. I have had more success with three or four rapid smacks but it ends up looking like I am beating my horse. And I usually have to repeat it several times in a schooling session. I ended up taking off my spurs and stopped supporting the "forward" with my legs in order to prevent her from getting dull and non responsive, but her apathetic attitude worries me that I have no tools left. What do you suggest? (Frankie)
Hi Frankie!
I have worked with a few horses like this over the years! It can be very difficult to teach this type of horse to respect the rider's leg aids and keep them regularly in front of the leg. But it can be done! It sounds like you have done all the right things so far, and I totally agree about taking off your spurs. With this type of horse, the louder your aids get, the more they tune you out. We have to find a way to ignite that spark in her brain, so that she will begin to truly think forward. What has worked for me in this situation was to teach the horse to... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer) Tip/Quote of the Day # 771If 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.Tip/Quote of the Day # 770 Imagine an open ditch as a triple bar, so that you come close to the edge on the takeoff, and ride forward across the back edge. Doing so will make the jumping effort easier for the horse, and give him confidence.Tip/Quote of the Day # 769Dropping and picking up your stirrups at all three gaits is a good exercise to test the security of your seat. And you will be glad you practiced this regularly if you ever lose a stirrup at an important moment!Guest Blog post # 59: "Tendon and Ligament Injuries" by Dr. Corine Selders
Owning a sound horse is a blessing that many horse owners have but do not appreciate, until the horse is lame. There are many reasons why a horse may become lame (limp), such as arthritis, wounds, disease, foot problems, sprained /strained tendons &ligaments, and even broken bones. This month’s article on tendon & ligament injuries is going to cover a topic close to my heart, as my own horse has finally recovered from a ligament injury after two years, and is now competing at horse shows with his new owner. (Click on Blog Title above to read full entry)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 768A good trainer will know what you are capable of, and may sometimes push you slightly out of your comfort zone, asking you to do something that you would probably not attempt on your own. This can be a great opportunity to make a big "deposit" in your account of confidence!Dressage Canter Adjustability Exercise
Transitions make up much of your Dressage Test. This is true at all levels, but is especially so as you move up the levels... where you now have transitions within the gait as well as between gaits. And if you want good scores, you must be able to make smooth, balanced transitions! Here is an exercise which will help to improve the adjustability and rideability of your horse's canter in the Dressage ring: (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 767“The small and ring fingers can yield but never the thumb.” ~ Nuno OliveiraTip/Quote of the Day # 766Lightness is not the looseness of the contact, it is the way the horse moves over the ground - with real hind leg engagement.Tip/Quote of the Day # 765“You need to produce a walk. So work at the walk as well as the trot and canter. Get a good feeling of the body working in the walk. The walk is a mirror of the training of the horse.” ~ Christoph HessDiscussion # 132: What does this rider need to work on? Who can tell us what strengths and weaknesses this rider has? What do they need to work on to improve? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
When working with horses, always be mindful of the feedback you are giving your horse at any given time... whether intentional or accidental. When your horse misbehaves, make sure you don't give him an accidental reward by stopping to regroup (which to him is a rest and a reward.) Keep moving, get the horse to do something (anything) well, and THEN stop to regroup if you must.
Tip/Quote of the Day # 763The outside rein should be similar to a wall... but a soft wall made of rubber. If it becomes too rigid, it will not invite the horse to move up into it.Tip/Quote of the Day # 762An exercise to check if you are sitting straight and putting your weight equally down into both stirrups is to stand straight up for a few strides, and notice which stirrup you have to consciously put more weight into to keep yourself balanced.Firn's Blog post # 17Aligning the Bones
I cannot stand to be touched. In crowded areas, I contrive to duck and dodge madly whilst keeping my arms pinned tightly to my body and my breath held, lest I brush against the nasty, corrosive skin of another human being. My poor family calls me "doringdraadrol", which means, "roll of barbed wire", because I'm just as touchable. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)Tip/Quote of the Day # 761Being a good rider, and being someone who understands the details of the concepts that make a good rider are two very different things. One can be both, but one does not guarantee another. This is why it is not really a good idea to pick a riding instructor based on their ability to ride. Discussion # 131: Correct extended trot vs what is more commonly seen today
The trot on the right is unfortunately what is seen 90% (or more) of the time nowadays. It is sad that so many trainers teach methods that produce this result, and that so many judges seem to overlook the problem. I am also bewildered that so many are fooled by a flashy front end, and don't seem to notice the other details. Besides the obvious toe flipping front end and trailing hind legs, what other differences do you see between these two drawings? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 760The mouth is never the real problem, what you feel in your hand is a reflection of what is happening behind the saddle. Get the back relaxed and swinging, and the hind legs active, and the horse will feel like putty in your hands.Tip/Quote of the Day # 759Everyone knows that we need the horse to be relaxed to perform well. But that starts with our own relaxation! A rider must be relaxed to give clear and precise aids to the horse, and to set the tone for the horse to be able to relax. Tips For Managing the Hot/Anxious Type of Horse
The hot or anxious type of horse can be very challenging to ride, but if well managed and patiently handled, they can be the very best competitors! These are often the horses that have the heart to give you 110% once you have formed a good bond with them. And although the training process with this type of horse can be frustratingly slow, it is often especially rewarding once you get there! Here are some tips to help you, if you have this type of horse: (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
This video shows an exercise that can be useful for improving your horse's rideability on course. Have you tried this one? If not... go give it a try, and come back and tell us how it went! (Click on Discussion Title above to read this educational discussion)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 757If your horse is the type to sometimes get behind your leg in the jumping, you must start your courses with more energy in your canter than you think you need. I see so many riders starting off with a nice quiet canter, and then run into trouble because their horse doesn't respond instantly to their leg when they need them to. Tip/Quote of the Day # 756"Thoroughbreds tend to thrive on physical movement, and they are, like all horses, hypnotized by their own rhythms. Repetition of success creates a sense of peace." ~ Steuart PittmanTip/Quote of the Day # 755You don't really do yourself any favors when you cater to your weaknesses. For example, if you only like to ride with your whip in your right hand, and it feels odd and uncomfortable in your left - you need to make yourself ride with it in your left hand. And if you are uncomfortable riding amongst distractions or with people watching, you only better yourself by seeking out those conditions.Guest Blog post # 58: "Not For Me" by the famous Bad Eventer!
Not For Me
I'd been riding this horse for awhile.......... and I found him............
terrifying. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 754There is a subtle but distinct difference between the horse "giving" to the bit and truly seeking it. Applying leverage to the bit does not induce a situation where the horse learns to reach into it with confidence. It only teaches him that it is futile to resist against it. And this is why draw reins do not produce the results that some people seem to think they do.Tip/Quote of the Day # 753Quality feedback needs to be very specific. It is not that helpful for an instructor to tell you that something was "good." They should be able to tell you what exactly was good about it, and why that quality is so important. This is the difference between merely stroking someone's ego vs turning them into a great and well educated rider. Care of the Horse After Cross Country
If we are to keep our hard working Event horses healthy and sound for many years of fun and competition, we must have a good plan for keeping them that way! The cross country phase is quite obviously the most taxing phase on the horse's body. So no matter what level you are competing, it is important to have a good plan for aftercare following this phase. Here is what I recommend: (Click on Article Title above to read full article)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 752It can help a rider to learn feel by having their rides videotaped and watching it immediately after your ride. This way, you can match what you felt during the ride with what you see happening in the video, while it is still fresh in your mind. Tip/Quote of the Day # 751On riding the strong OTTB at the gallop or over fences... "The horse might pull quite hard against the bit for brief moments as it seeks balance, but if the pulling is against its own neck then the rider’s balance never shifts and the solution is much easier for the horse to discover." ~ Steuart Pittman
This is where the technique outlined here becomes invaluable! Discussion # 130: I recently came across this visual challenge which caused some trouble! I came across this situation at a recent jumper show that was held in an open coliseum in the evening hours. As the sun began to go down, the horses had to jump this brown jump directly into the shadows of the darker side of the arena. 4 strides away from this jump, the horses had sun directly in their eyes. And then right in front of this jump, the wall of the coliseum blocked the sun, and their eyes had little time to adjust. Not surprisingly, it began to cause rails down and refusals! If you were faced with this situation (which could easily happen on cross country - jumping a brown jump from bright light into the shadows), what could you do to help your horse accurately assess the jump so he can jump it well? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 750Even the very best and most natural riders will develop bad habits if they don't get regular feedback about their riding. Everyone needs good eyes on the ground from time to time. Tip/Quote of the Day # 749A stronger bit can be even milder on the horse's mouth if used correctly, as you can get more response from a lighter aid. BUT….. this will not work unless you actually make your rein aids lighter! If you use the reins with the same intensity that you did with a milder bit, there is a good chance that your horse will overreact, and you will not reap the benefits of increased responsiveness.Tip/Quote of the Day # 748"Flex your horse to the outside when necessary to improve the horse's acceptance of the connection." ~ Chris BartleFirn's Blog post # 16Groundwork Too Much of a Good Thing?
Groundwork is the buzzword in nearly all equestrian circles today. Everyone loves it - from the ammies to the classical horsemen to the cowboys. But is there such a thing as doing too much groundwork? (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)Tip/Quote of the Day # 747Pinch your thumbs on the top of your reins to keep the reins from slipping. If you try to grip the reins too tightly with your whole hand, you will tighten your forearms, and your horse will resist you.Does Your Horse Try to Pull You Out of the Saddle?
It's a fairly common scenario... the horse pulling on the rider to the point that they lose the depth of their seat to some degree. Maybe they even get pulled completely out of the saddle! Not only do riders lose the strength and security of their seat when this happens - but the worst part of this situation is that riders are then often tempted to pull against their horse, which entices the horse into a game of tug of war.
Once the rider begins to pull on their horse's mouth, the horse will almost always respond by pulling even harder. And this vicious circle can continue to the point where the horse's mouth becomes virtually unresponsive. To put a stop to this cycle before it can begin, the rider must know how to properly handle the situation when their horse begins to pull on them. (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 746We incorporate circles into our training to promote suppleness and improved balance in the horse. But if our circles are oddly shaped, they will not improve the horse's suppleness, and will instead unbalance the horse.Discussion # 129: Who can tell us what causes this situation? Who can tell us what causes this situation, where the horse "misses" with his hind legs and puts them into the ditch? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 745When you have an anxious horse that wants to rush, it can be helpful to very deliberately work in a tempo that is much slower than they are naturally offering you. Only when they have settled into a quiet, even rhythm, and are truly waiting for you, should you push them more forward.
