Tip/Quote of the Day!
You will find that you become most productive when you have a specific goal for each training session. Be flexible, of course. But know exactly what you plan to work on for every ride. Aimless riding is simply exercise.
Lesley's Corner
This very basic (and often overlooked) jumping exercise will improve your horse's rideability, as well as the overall harmony between you and your horse when jumping courses.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
For those of you who know you ride in stirrups that are too long over fences (which is quite common), spend some time practicing with your stirrups 3 or 4 holes shorter. Then when you put them down a few holes (leaving them a few holes shorter than your initial
Tip/Quote of the Day!
The horse's loin area (behind the saddle) is loosened and suppled with each good lateral step behind. Just one reason of many why lateral steps are a very important part of training horses.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Make sure your inside leg is quietly on the horse before you begin a turn. Even though your outside aids actually turn your horse, your inside leg is the post that he needs to bend around. Many riders are caught out with their inside leg completely off, and only put
Tip/Quote of the Day!
The rider that helps the horse to carry himself in the best balance in the canter is poised and still in the upper body, while remaining supple and following in their hips and elbows.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Collapse in a heap at the end of your transition, and you train your horse to do so as well.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
If you attempt to teach your horse to jump, to go through water, or to jump over a ditch when the horse is not first trained to go instantly forward from the leg, you are not setting yourself up for success.
Lesley's Corner
Here is a simple exercise that will increase your awareness of whether or not you are maintaining an even pace when jumping courses. And it will show you exactly what you need to do to achieve it!
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Horses will usually add a stride when jumping on an uphill slope. Make sure you wait for it, while still revving those hind legs if necessary.
Lesley's Corner
This fairly complex jumping exercise is most suitable for Event horses that are at the Training level or above, although it can be modified for more green horses and/or riders. It will test your ability to make accurate turns onto angled lines, while keeping an even jumping pace.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Don't forget that the way the distance rides between two jumps changes as the fence height changes. The horse will land further into a line or combination when the jumps are larger, which makes the distance effectively shorter.