Riders need to consider their horse’s suppleness, both of mind and body, and of the horse's mental, emotional and physical states.
Training
Riding a horse that jigs on the trail, rushes his fences, or canters like a freight train, is not fun for the horse or rider. It damages your confidence and can be dangerous for both of you. A rushing horse …
Don’t be fooled, it’s not a magical space. The round pen is a training aid that should be used with caution, experience and understanding.
There are numerous benefits to working with horses at liberty. You can have fun playing with your horse and also learn how to communicate more effectively.
You approach your horse’s stall or paddock, only to be greeted by flattened ears, flared nostrils and a swishing tail, even threats to charge, bite or kick you or other horses around him. This aggressive body language is clearly threatening …
Clicker training can benefit horses of all ages and stages, as demonstrated by Jen Digate and her filly Rune, who has been learning the way since birth.
Developing smooth transitions under saddle is a very common issue. They are often rushed or unbalanced, and are sometimes accompanied by unwanted behaviour.
Like a dinner mint after a meal, a precise stop puts finishing punctuation on a pattern and leaves the judge with a good taste in his mouth! From reining to dressage, western riding to western horsemanship, the stop is your …
Good breathing is important for speed control. Shallow breaths and tension in a rider can cause a horse to speed up, keep reading for more tips.
Horses naturally want to be balanced and stay upright. Unbalanced horses stumble, slow down or race around turns. If you can help your horse to be balanced through turns, he will be more sure-footed, confident, and able to perform better. …
Curiosity is the key to developing a responsive (not a reactive) horse. A curious horse can learn because he is not as scared as a horse that is not curious. A horse that is scared can’t be curious and can’t …
In 7 simple steps this article explains how and why riders should check their saddle regularly for their horse’s comfort and performance.
Lindsay Grice encourages students to ride with one hand when using a curb bit, which is any bit that operates on the principle of leverage.
When your mounted horse is backing calmly and well, his legs will be working together in diagonal pairs, his head and neck will be somewhat extended, his mouth will be closed, and his movements will be smooth, straight, and relaxed. …
A horse show can be a hectic day, and as well as being attentive to your horse’s needs by providing shade, water, hay and a kind word and pat once in a while, there are also things such as your …