Tip/Quote of the Day!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 4437
Square turns aid in building improved balance and collection, whether dressage or jumping.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 4436
"Flexibility and self-carriage are the source of the horse's agility. Good turns, which develop its agility, are obtained only by making the horse flexible, putting it into balance, and thus giving it self-carriage. This involves not merely the lateral flexion of the entire spinal column but more
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 4435
There is no substitute for eyes on the ground when you are trying to improve your riding - whether that is in the form of an instructor on the ground, videos, or virtual coaching. Things often look very different than they feel.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 4434
The more you can leave your horse alone through gymnastic work, the more he will actually learn from it.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 4433
"You have to always ride up to an oxer-vertical combination." ~ McLain Ward
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 4432
"I’m a big fan of ground lines. I think it teaches the horse to have better technique in front. Everything that we do is connected — the way we start on the cross rail to this, it all connects. We're building through our training." ~ McLain Ward
Lesley's Corner
Trotting Fences
Trotting fences, especially bigger ones, is a lot like eating your veggies... you may not especially like them at that moment, but they are good for you! Keep reading to find out why, and how to make the best use of this underutilized exercise.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 4431
Tension meeting tension = double the tension. If your horse becomes tense, you must be able to stay relaxed, or you will make it worse.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 4430
Always be aware of the amount of tension you carry when riding, and whether you are breathing softly and evenly or holding your breath. Talking or humming quietly is a good way to ensure you keep breathing.
Lesley's Corner
An Exercise For Riders at All Levels, That Will Improve Your Dressage Test!
This exercise has SO many benefits, using more attention to the corners of the arena to attain more bending and suppleness, and transitions between them to increase your horse's hind leg engagement and carriage. Read on to find out how to do it!
Lesley's Corner
A Ground Pole Exercise to Improve Your Horse's Rideability Over Fences
What makes for a smooth show jumping round? Balance, rhythm, and rideability come to mind. If your horse is rideable, he is responsive, obedient, supple, and in balance at all times. Here is a great pole exercise to help you improve your horse's rideability on course!
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 4429
Riding shoulder in steps immediately before the half pass brings the inside hind leg deeper underneath the horse's body, to carry more weight and be a more solid balance point, which allows for a bigger lift and reach across with the legs on the outside of the horse&