Unless otherwise noted, all quotes on this page are the work of Lesley Stevenson. Please ensure proper attribution when sharing. Thank you!
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Since many lower level horses anticipate the transition from canter to trot in the Dressage test, it can be a good idea to do a few canter circles when practicing tests at home, instead of just one. This way the horse will not learn that when doing a test he
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Don't use gadgets or your hands to make a "frame", use exercises to change the way the horse carries his body. When he is carrying himself correctly in balance, with his hind legs underneath his body, he will magically become round.
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It can be a clever time to work on the beginning of a piaffe, or "half steps", when you are out hacking and your horse gets a bit excited and "prancy." Take advantage of the moment, to ask them (and allow them) to do what they
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As you finish a course, ask yourself if you are finishing with the same pace that you started with. If the answer is no… the next question you need to ask yourself is which speed was better for your horse's jumping - the way you started, or the
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When you have a green or looky horse, it can be helpful to go a little more slowly on the approach to their fences to let them take it all in. Don't be afraid to come back to the trot if you need to. Rushing them through the
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"You can trot and cry at the same time. And if you can’t, this isn’t the sport for you." ~ Kristin Carpenter
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From Facebook fan Lee DiGangi ~ "If YOU breathe, your horse will breathe. Especially true with tense mares."
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"Only when the horse is straight, the hind legs can be induced by correct collection to carry more weight and, correspondingly, be gymnasticized by increased flexion. This improves the balance and the suppleness, and it strengthens the haunches for the greater demands to the necessary degree." ~ Podhajsky
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Always challenge yourself to use as little hand as possible in riding any exercise. The more freedom your horse has up front, the more expressive his movement will be.
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"When I think of the rider's aids, I am reminded of an anecdote that is told about one of the world's great pianists, who was asked how difficult it was to learn to play the piano as he did. "It is really not difficult
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Every time you change direction, your horse needs to bring his new inside hind leg more under his body to balance. If he doesn't do this, you will feel a loss of balance, and the result will be that he comes off of the aids. This is another
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If your horse is strung out and on the forehand, they are more likely to slip, trip, stumble, etc. Just one of the many reasons you should strive to keep your horse balanced at all times!
