Tip/Quote of the Day!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 4494
Very often the "silly" spooker has a physical reason for acting that way - either pain or unresolved tension somewhere in their body.
Lesley's Corner
The Counted Walk - a Tool to Improve Your Horse's Carriage in Dressage
The Counted Walk is an "old school" Dressage exercise that I find to be highly overlooked and under utilized! It can be effective in improving the horse's balance and carriage, and to help him to better understand how to remain active behind even when going slowly.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 4493
"Look for a genuine coach with real coaching skills rather than a rider who may know how to do something, but not how to teach it. Also, find someone who has solid experience of working with riders of your level." ~ William Micklem
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 4492
"Horses have taught us that progress in learning takes place in an environment of contentment. Fear and tension block success. Boundaries must exist, be clear, and be consistent. Within those boundaries our horses are encouraged to express themselves." ~ Steuart Pittman
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 4491
Tension meeting tension will only 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 # 4490
"The blood runs hot in the Thoroughbred and the courage runs deep.In the best of them, pride is limitless. This is their heritage and they carry it like a banner. What they have, they use." ~ C.W. Anderson
Lesley's Corner
Riding From "Front to Back"
To ride from "front to back" means that the rider is using their hands to artificially shape the horse's head and neck, rather than letting the head and neck position change naturally as the overall carriage of the horse improves with training (ie collection.)
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 4489
Don't make the mistake of "skipping" rising trot just because your horse is comfortable with you sitting the trot. Rising trot can be a great way to encourage more back movement and swing within the trot, for horses at any level.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 4488
Every exercise should have a beginning, a middle, and an end. Try to slow your mind up and feel each stage of the process.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 4487
The elasticity in your connection should come from your elbows, not from having open or active fingers.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 4486
"We cannot touch the mouth until the horse is making enough energy that it’s safe to touch him in the mouth." ~ Laura Graves
Videos
Video # 85: This is Lija jumping a keyhole fence!
Since I can't see the approach in this video, I can't tell what your approach was like.... But by the time you got to this jump, your horse's canter was looking pretty weak and underpowered.