Many horses have a less than perfect trot. Two of the most common issues are horses that trot hollow with their head held high in the air, and horses that trot too quickly resulting in a rough ride. Many times both of these behaviors occur together and can be very frustrating to any rider. In this article I will give you some tips on how to quickly and effectively solve your horse’s problems at the trot. Continue reading Softening and Slowing The Trot
Lowering the horse’s head and neck will relax an inverted horse and teach him to give to bit pressure. This is exercise also teaches the very beginning of collection. Continue reading Vertical Flexion
Counter cantering is different from merely cantering on the wrong lead. The counter canter can be used as a body control exercise that will teach the horse to better listen to your aids. Here I will give you a few exercises to improve collection, suppleness, and responsiveness in your horse. Continue reading Counter Canter Lessons
Riding correct transitions allows you to learn feel, control, and timing. Moving between gaits only when you ask gives you control of his feet, which is necessary in any riding discipline. Transitions are also a great opportunity to learn how to feel what your horse is doing underneath you, and will help you learn timing of the aids. Continue reading Precise Transitions
Barrel racing is very much a precision sport. It’s not all about having the fastest horse; without steering and rate you rely solely on your horse to get you around the pattern. Here I will give you some tips to put you back in control and shave seconds off of your run. Continue reading Rate Done Right
In the second section of this two part series, I will give you more tips on how to improve your riding skills by riding at faster gaits as well as over fences all without the aid of stirrups. Continue reading Stirrup-less Lessons Part Two Advanced Work
If you are a beginning rider or have always wanted to learn how to ride, here is the place to start. I will teach you how to mount a horse and dismount a horse, and how to do it safely. Continue reading How To Mount A Horse
Riding without stirrups can greatly improve your position and seat. When riding without the irons you must make sure that you are riding correctly. Sometimes when your feet come out of the stirrups you feel insecure, and may improperly grip with your legs or adjust your seat to this new feeling. Here I will give you some tips on how to properly practice stirrup-less to improve communication between you and your horse. Continue reading Stirrup-less Lessons
Does your horse tense up when he sees something scary on the trail? Or does he jump and run when faced with a scary object in the arena? If your horse does either of these behaviors often he may need some training to get him through these frightening experiences, and help him to become calmer and think about a situation before reacting. Continue reading Solutions For A Spooky Horse
It is a beautiful day, perfect for a trail ride. But before you unload your horse at a nearby trail head or venture off into the open space around your home or barn, there are a few things to keep in mind that will keep you and your horse safe and make your ride more enjoyable. Continue reading Happy Trails