If you don’t live in a place where the weather is warm year round you unfortunately are faced with the challenge of riding, keeping fit and up to date on training during the winter. Or like many riders you unable to own a horse or ride as often as you would like. However, there are opportunities to improve your skills that will only cost you a little time and some dedication. Continue reading Four Ways to Improve Your Riding Without a Horse
Every horse owner knows there are many threats that we have to keep our horses safe from. We usually are consistent when putting boots before exercising, blanketing them when the weather is cold, and deworming and vaccinating on time. But, sometimes we over look other potential dangers like weather and other natural disasters. This article will give you some pointers on how to prepare yourself and your horse for any weather dangers that may come your way. Continue reading Emergency Procedures
Now that you and your horse have mastered walking through a series of poles, it is time to continue building your skills by trotting through them. Trotting poles brings your control, timing, and rhythm to a new level. Continue reading Pole Progression: The Trot
Many horses can have issues when it comes to hoof handling. These issues can range from resistance to sensitivity and anxiety about lifting the feet. Here I will discuss a few different methods to get your horse comfortable and confident about having his feet handled before the next time your farrier arrives. Continue reading Hoof Handling
Loading a horse on the trailer can be one of the most frustrating experiences you can have with horses. Fortunately it doesn’t always have to be like that. There are many easy, stress-free ways to teach loading the key is to think like a horse. The first loading technique works best for horses who have been loaded into a trailer before and now have a mild resistance to it, or horses who have never been loaded such as foals and yearlings. If your horse has a serious loading problem trailer loading method two or three may give you better results. Continue reading Trailer Loading Method One
The turn on the haunches, hindquarters, or spin which are all essentially the same movement at different speeds, bend, and degrees on a circle. For clarity, I’ll refer to the movement for this article as a turn on the haunches. Training the horse to turn on the haunches benefits all riders and horses. Reining is all about body control, as is dressage, therefore any maneuver featured in these two disciplines will be helpful to all riders. Continue reading Turn On the Haunches
Maintaining a consistent speed and changing directions at the cue of the rider are two basics that all horse should know and respond to. However, many horses will anticipate what the rider wants, or worse completely ignore the rider’s cues. Sometimes cues may be confusing to the horse such as constant contact on the reins, yet the horse is expected to stop when pressure is applied. This pattern will separate specific cues, making the correct response easy and the wrong one hard. Doing so allows the horse to figure out exactly what is wanted of him. Continue reading A Pattern For Speed and Directional Control
Haunches in provides another element of control over the horse’s body. This comes after you have already established the basic cues and can yield the hindquarters from the halt, both with your horse’s neck bent and straight. Haunches in is one of the easiest lateral movements to teach and I like to teach this lesson to my horses first, followed by other exercises like leg yielding and shoulder in. Teaching haunches in is also the first exercise used to start teaching canter departures from a walk. Continue reading Teaching Haunches In
To achieve controlled bridleless riding you must rely on your entire body to steer your horse instead rein cues. To start teaching this, you need to use your legs and seat to cue your horse before using the reins on a regular basis. Even if you never plan to ride your horse bridleless, teaching him to stop and steer using your seat and legs can help you advance and eliminate the need for strong rein cues. Continue reading Bridleless Riding Part 1
Transitions between gaits are more difficult for a horse to preform as it takes strength and coordination, as well as a good understanding of your aids. This lesson allows your horse to become more adjustable and collected, adding to his repertoire of cues as well as preparing him for events where this exercise is asked for, such as hunter under saddle classes and dressage tests. Continue reading Canter Departures From the Walk