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Tip/Quote of the Day # 362
Remember that change is a process, so go easy on yourself and your horse.
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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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Tip/Quote of the Day # 361
A horse's energy flowing through a turn is similar to water flowing through a tunnel. Just as the outside wall of the tunnel is paramount, a good connection on the outside rein is crucial to a successful turn.
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Tip/Quote of the Day # 360
Horses generally mirror their riders. If your horse is tense, check yourself. If your horse is crooked, check yourself. If your horse is distracted, check yourself. If you want your horse to carry himself properly, make sure you are carrying yourself properly on his back.
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Tip/Quote of the Day # 359
Many riders place their saddles too far forward! Make sure that the solid parts of the saddle are behind the horse's shoulder to allow for freedom of the shoulder.
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Tip/Quote of the Day # 358
From Facebook fan Lauren Slattery ~ "Pulling will teach the horse to lean and support itself on you without working properly as well as make the horse dead to your rein aids."
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Tip/Quote of the Day # 357
Always keep in mind that the Dressage horse is supposed to be (and look like) a "happy athlete". If the horse does not look happy in his work, that work is probably not correct.
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Tip/Quote of the Day # 356
Don't wait until things are perfect to reward your horse. You must praise the horse when he makes even the slightest step in the right direction. Training this way will encourage your horse to love learning.
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Tip/Quote of the Day # 355
When you need to change your stride length in any related distance, aim to do it early on in the line, so you can just maintain the rest of the line. This will give you the best chance to have a smooth jump out.
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Tip/Quote of the Day # 354
From Facebook Fan Brenda Herzog ~ "When trying to sit the canter or trot, relax the legs down and around with each stride and to pick the horse "up" with you. This eliminates the bounce in your seat and helps to elevate the horse."
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Tip/Quote of the Day # 353
If your horse is spooky, be careful to make sure he never feels punished for spooking or getting tense. If you get mad, pull, kick, or do anything else that can be perceived as a punishment, the anxiety that will be created will usually make your problem worse.
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Tip/Quote of the Day # 352
The faster you are going, the more you must generally think of maintaining a contact with your horse's mouth on the takeoff of a jump.
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Tip/Quote of the Day # 351
Be careful not to sit the trot too early on in a ride. Doing so before the horse is fully warmed up and truly moving through his topline can often be detrimental, as the horse is more likely to stay stiff and tight in his back.