Training

How to Find a Jumping Distance

If you struggle to find the right “spot” or “distance” to a jump, the problem may be with your eye, but is more likely with your canter rhythm. Follow these tips and you will develop more consistency in your jumping …

Using Mat Work to Improve Trailer Loading

Spring is here and thoughts are turning to horse shows and trail rides. This usually means we need to get our horse into a trailer, and so, in this article, we will look at how to use clicker  training to …

Slow Down the Rushing Horse

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 …

Reconsidering the Round Pen

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.

Feeding Time: Transform Frenzied to Friendly

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 …

How to Teach a Winning Stop

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 …

How to Achieve Balanced Turns

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

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 …

Fit to Ride

In 7 simple steps this article explains how and why riders should check their saddle regularly for their horse’s comfort and performance.