Two-point position keeps you close to the saddle but off your horse’s back as he gallops and jumps. In this position you will be over your horse’s center of gravity and in correct balance for jumping. Once you can get into and stay in a two-point, it is time to start going over small cross rails. Cross rails are the easiest obstacle for your horse to jump. Continue reading Two Point and Cross Rails
Imagine a dressage rider sitting the trot so well that she appears to be apart of the horse, or a show jumper quietly transitioning his horse from a standstill into a collected canter. Both these riders have put a lot of time and effort into riding their horses correctly. They also have worked with trainers every day and that’s not always possible to do. Here I’ll give you some tips on how you can make big improvements in a small amount of time. Continue reading Connected Riding
Lots of riders have trouble keeping their lower leg in the correct place. They also have difficulties with posting, falling forward, or having the leg swing. Here I’ll give you some exercises to help secure your position in the saddle at each gait. Continue reading Improve Your Leg Position
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
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
Every rider wants to improve their position. Without daily practice improvement can be slow to come, however there are exercises in the saddle that can benefit your riding in very little time. In this lesson I will give you some tips on how to quickly see and feel a difference in how you ride. Continue reading Lunge Line Lessons
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
Having trouble? Mastering the techniques to horsemanship can be tricky, and often times frustrating. With my new online lessons program you can send me a video of yourself and your horse for critiquing. Imagine having a skilled trainer available to you in the comfort of your own home and at a fraction of the price of an actual barn lesson or clinic.
I am here to help you with a variety of subjects such as: Ground work, problem solving, bad horse behaviors, riding issues, and general tips for a better horse and rider experience. Simply record yourself and your horse performing the task or action that you are having trouble with, send it to me and I will send it back with a voice over explaining step by step the actions that you can take to improve your skills and solve your problems.
Cell phone video is fine, nothing special or fancy is needed, and if you need help capturing the video, have a friend or family member record you. The video can then be uploaded for free to either Youtube or Facebook so that I can easily access and critique it.
The cost for an online lesson is currently $15.00. Once you send me your video it will take me only a couple of days to review, record, and send it back to you. Your satisfaction is important to me and if you have further questions related to your video I will be glad to answer them at no additional cost.
To get started simply click the link below to pay your $15. All major credit cards are accepted and payments are made through Paypal so you know it is safe and secure. I will be notified immediately of your payment and I will receive your name and email address for confirmation. Next you simply need to upload a video of you and your horse to Youtube or Facebook, and send me the link. You can send this to me on any of my social media accounts or email me at ContemporaryHorsemanship@gmail.com
If you have any specific questions or request related to your video, simply ask it in your email. Include your name so I can verify your payment and I will get your revised video back to you within a few days. There is no limit to the amount of online lessons you can purchase, and if you feel I have not sufficiently helped you with your issue, I will refund your money guaranteed.