Recent Articles in ~Lesley's Corner~

You will do much more galloping between jumps than actual jumping while on a cross country course. And at most events, that involves negotiating terrain that varies from mildly rolling hills to steep slopes. It is important that riders know how to use this terrain in such a way that it makes the job the easiest and most efficient for the horse - taking the least amount of gas out of the tank! (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)

Here is an exercise from Ian Stark that will sharpen up any horse, and teach him to think for himself over fences. But fair warning... it is only for riders who are especially brave! (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)

There are lots of different ingredients that add up to good jumping... but no matter what type of approach you are making, or what kind of jump you are approaching, there is one golden rule that you must follow as a rider to have a good jump! Read on to find out what it is! (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)

The key to doing any movement well lies in the preparation for that movement. And half halts are a very important part of the preparation for just about every movement or transition. However, you need to know exactly how to best utilize the half halt at that particular moment. While the essence of the half halt remains the same across the board, the ingredients and focus of your half halt may need to be adapted slightly to suit each individual situation, to give you the best result. (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)

Everyone knows that riders need to develop an independent seat to be effective, and to be able to move fluidly in harmony with their horse while giving them precise and invisible aids. But did you also know that we need to have independent hands? I am not talking about simply having quiet, still hands that follow the horse's motion because of the shock absorbers in the rider's elbows. This is more specific to the hand itself, and is surprisingly not often discussed! In fact, this may be what has been the missing key to your ability to establish a good rein connection with your horse! Read on to find out about this essential skill! (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)

We all know that lateral work is a very important part of the training of the Dressage or Event horse. Well ridden lateral exercises make a horse more responsive, strengthen and gymnasticize his body, and lead to improved carriage by increasing the level of hind leg engagement. Read on to learn about some specific exercises that you can do within your lateral work, to help you to maximize these benefits by increasing your horse's suppleness, range of motion, and the overall scope of his movement. All of which will lead to better scores in the Dressage ring! (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)

Adjustability is key when it comes to good jumping! It is what makes our horses a joy to ride over fences, and allows us to easily create and maintain exactly the right canter that we need for every circumstance. A big part of the rider's homework on the flat should be to practice the adjustability exercise outlined here. And when that is all going quite well, the next step for the moderately experienced jumper is to incorporate that work into your gymnastic jumping. Here is a series of grids that will put you to the test! (Click on Article Title above to read full article)

It takes strength for a horse to canter in true self carriage with a rider on its back! And many of the difficulties that riders run into in their canter work stem from a lack of sufficient strength, and/or the understanding of how to use that strength to properly carry their riders while at the canter. Read on to find out how to build strength in your horse's canter, and to show him how to use that strength to best carry you. (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)

Do you find that your horse sometimes gets a little weak when jumping through combinations? Triple combinations especially can be somewhat daunting and overwhelming for some horses. And once they begin to back off and lose some of their power and impulsion, their confidence levels can plummet! Here is a simple exercise that you can do at home, to bolster your horse's confidence about jumping through combinations, and improve your own confidence in your ability to ride them. (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)

You may have seen a horse "wagging" his head back and forth in the Dressage ring... it actually happens quite frequently in varying degrees - sometimes in the canter, but more often seen in the trot. Most of the time, what is causing this to happen is... (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)

The ability to "slip the reins" correctly and at exactly the right moment is absolutely crucial for the Event rider. Certain circumstances on cross country require this skill to be almost instinctive for the rider. Yet there are also times where some riders are tempted to slip the reins in a situation that will actually hinder their performance. Read on to find out exactly how and when slipping the reins will work best for you... (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)

Counter canter is simply one of the most beneficial exercises you can do for your horse in the canter! In addition to building strength, improving balance, and increasing hind leg engagement, it also improves the horse's ability to be straight in the canter. All of which will improve your regular canter!

Let me first talk about at what level you should be at, and what prerequisites should be firmly in place before you attempt to use this exercise in your training program. And then I will go on to discuss how to best introduce this movement to your horse. (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)

This exercise has many benefits. It reinforces the rider's outside aids, teaching the horse to be more responsive to the rider's outside seat bone, leg, and rein coming through turns. It improves the horse's straightness on curved lines. And it can help to increase engagement of the outside hind leg, which is particularly useful in improving the horse's carriage and balance in the canter - leading to increased collection. Read on to find out how to do it! (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)

Patterns can work either for you or against you in the training of your horse! You have to know what kind of horse you have, and must be able to accurately assess your horse's mindset at any given moment. This will allow you to make the right decision, in what kind of pattern to use... and most importantly - how long to stay on it. (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)

This basic suppling exercise is particularly useful for horses that sometimes have difficulty with changes of bend, and for those that tend to want to fall to the inside on their turns! It is suitable for riders at all levels. (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

The snowball effect is a very real phenomenon... that affects horses and riders in many situations. It is common for gradual and sometimes insidious negative changes to develop in our riding. And when those negative changes begin to build up and snowball, they can cause a major problem! One mistake can easily lead to another, which can continue the negative and frustrating cycle. Read on to learn about some commonly seen horse and rider scenarios, and how to stop that negative snowball in its tracks - and even turn it around! (Click on Article Title above to read full article)

The benefits of riding the older horse can be enormous... especially for the more timid, inexperienced, or younger rider. With age, often comes experience... and an experienced horse is really the best teacher that a rider can have! Nothing instills more confidence in a rider than knowing that their horse has "been there and done that"! And this can be especially so for the Event rider, since we have 3 different phases to master. 

The older, more experienced horse often knows all about the various challenges that our sport presents. And is usually happy to take care of and educate his rider. Here's how to best take care of your older and wiser equine athlete, and keep him in top form for as long as possible! (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)

More demanding than a simple bending line of jumps, the S turn exercise presents an extra challenge to horse and rider. It tests their ability to maintain balance and rideability while changing direction between jumps. Which is obviously a skill that needs to be perfected to jump a course well! Here's how to do it: (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

Classic:

adjective - Judged over a period of time to be of the highest quality and outstanding of its kind. Serving as a standard of excellence. 

noun -  Something of recognized and established value. A perfect example. 

When we speak of the classical galloping position for Event riders, it is not just because it is traditional - having been used by the best riders in the history of the sport... It is also because it is fundamentally correct, with a legitimate reason behind every aspect of the rider's position. (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)

Much like with our equine athletes, riders come in various shapes and sizes. And there are pros and cons to each conformation type that should be considered. Why should we bother to take the time to consider the challenges that our particular body type might present us? So that we can develop a concrete plan to improve our weaknesses. (Click on Article Title above to read full article)

The Bow Tie exercise is a great suppling exercise, and its soothing nature can make it extremely useful for tense or rigid horses... (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)

To be an effective jumping rider, you need to be able to clearly identify the moment of landing from each jump. Only if you can precisely feel the exact moment of landing... and have true clarity of thought at that moment, can you know exactly what you need to do next, and successfully begin to influence your horse in the first stride after landing. Many riders don't begin to think about or make any necessary adjustments until several strides after landing. And that is sometimes too late to be able to produce an optimal approach to the next fence. This very simple exercise will test how accurately you are aware of the moment of landing, and will help you think more quickly about what your next move needs to be... (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)

Here is a simple exercise that can be incorporated in a subtle way throughout your work to simultaneously test your horse's straightness, his evenness in the bridle, and his suppleness in the poll. (Click on Article Title above to read full article)

Bringing a horse back from a long lay off always needs to be done in a thoughtful manner. But when that time off is due to illness or injury, extra care needs to be taken to ensure the horse is not pushed too hard too fast. The last thing you want to do is risk re-injury, or even cause a new one! The key to success is to... (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)

Here is a fun little exercise, to show you how well you can control your horse, and check how responsive and balanced your horse is. I call it the... (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)

The serpentine is a great exercise in itself. But this simple variation adds some very important benefits! (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)

Everyone knows that pulling or hanging on the inside rein is bad. It causes all sorts of problems!  In addition to blocking the inside hind leg from stepping properly underneath the horse's body, pulling on the inside rein will cause horses to brace against the rider's hand, tilt their heads, pop their outside shoulder, and become crooked and heavy on the forehand. But is telling you why you shouldn't pull the inside rein really enough? No, it isn't!

Remember that the way the human brain works, (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)

Your rein length is crucial to your success in riding, particularly in Dressage. Throughout your rides, there will be many different ideal rein lengths, as there is an optimal length for each individual situation. Obviously your horse will need to have a longer rein when working long and low, and a shorter rein for collection. But since every horse is unique, the precise length of rein needed at any given moment will vary with each circumstance. 

One thing is for sure, however... if you are riding with your reins either too long or too short, you will find it difficult to properly ride forward into the contact. Which means that your horse will be much less likely to happily move into the connection. Here is how to tell if your reins are too long or too short, and what will likely happen if you do ride that way... (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)

Is your horse hard to stop sometimes? Does he tend to drag you to the jumps? Or do you just feel like you are maybe a little out of control when galloping through a big open field?? If so, don't feel bad... you are not alone! Many riders have trouble with their brakes! And this problem can range from mildly annoying to outright dangerous! If your horse tends to get strong, then this article is for you! Read on to find out how to reinstall your brakes! (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

One of the most common problems riders face when turning their horses is that of losing control of the outside shoulder to at least some degree. This exercise is a great way to work on getting more control over that outside shoulder, to help make more accurate turns - which will help you to come out of the turns straight and in better balance. (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)

Somewhere in between the two point position and the full Dressage type seat, there is a very useful place to be for riding over jumps. It is known to many as the modified three point position, or the light three point position. The benefits of this position over the two point or the full seated position in certain situations are clear, and will be discussed further in this article. First, let's define the term "Three Point Position." (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)

So many riders struggle with tension in their bodies. Some are quite aware of their tension, and some are not. But it will ALWAYS effect the rider's ability to move with their horse's body in harmony. And it will usually also translate into tension in the horse... which can then easily become an ugly perpetuating circle of tension! So here is an exercise designed to help you become more aware of areas of your body that you may be holding tense or rigid, and will help you to let go of that tension.  (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)

We all know that we want our horses to be straight, and to feel even in our hands, right? Well, here's something to think about... if your hands are not at the same height, or are in any way not an identical pair... and your horse feels even in your hands - then your horse is... (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)

Some lucky riders just seem to be born flexible, with a great natural ability to sink down into their heels. The rest of us are not so lucky! If you have tight tendons in your legs, or stiff ankles... you may find it inherently difficult to find those elusive deep heels. And sometimes, the more you try, the more elusive it seems to become! This is because... (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)

We all know that our horses need to be relaxed to perform well. When they are tense in mind, body, or both -  they will tend to be stiff, resistant, distracted, and even disobedient. Tension in the horse will inhibit his ability to learn, and can bring you to an impasse in your training. So if you have tension, you need to have a concrete plan to address the problem, if you are going to move forward in your training. 

So how do you get your horse to relax? First examine what makes your horse tense: Is he the type that is so high strung that he is tense all the time? Worried in the barn and in the field, as well as under saddle? Or is he like most horses... in that he has no problems relaxing in general (and may even be quite laid back by nature), but he gets tense under saddle with increased demands? 

In other words, if you just stand around on loose reins talking to your friends... does your horse stand quietly, or even go to sleep? Or does he paw and dance around and nervously want to keep moving? Let's call the type of horse that nervously wants to keep moving a Type A horse, and the horse that relaxes when the pressure is off a Type B horse. Read on to find out how to master the paradox of energy vs relaxation for each of those two types of horses... (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full entry)

A variation or extension of the "walk two steps and trot again exercise", this exercise is a great way to improve pushing power behind - and will therefore improve the quality of your lengthened, medium, and extended gaits. And since it teaches the horse to stay "sitting" on his hocks as he increases his push, he learns how to keep a more uphill balance when he moves more powerfully. Which will lead to more quality collection afterwards. Read on to find out how to do it! (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)

I see this scenario all the time... a rider brings their horse to a new place for a lesson, clinic, or show... and the horse comes out all nervous and tense - not wanting to focus on the job, but instead wanting to nervously look around at his new surroundings. Many riders just press on, and end up having quite a frustrating ride. There IS however, something that you can do in this situation (which doesn't involve drugs, or lunging for hours) to help dissipate the nervous tension that your horse is carrying! Read on to find out what it is! (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)

 


Keeping hard working horses sound can sometimes seem like a challenge! And that may be putting it mildly! But if you are proactive about it, rather than simply relying on luck, you CAN increase your chances of keeping your horses sound. Here are some concrete strategies you can think about and employ, to help keep your horse(s) sound. (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)

 


Without goals, most people will not achieve very much in their lives. This is true for all aspects of life, but is especially true of us Equestrians. Why? Because this sport is so challenging! You must learn and master SO many different skills! Read on to learn how to use goals to help you with your riding! (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)