Tip/Quote of the Day!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 4485
If you don't give your horse something to do, he might give YOU something to do. Always have a plan for each ride, and keep your horse's mind engaged with YOUR plan.
Videos
Video # 76: This is Taren, doing a show jumping round!
It looks like your canter may have been a bit weak coming to your first fence, as your horse jumped it a bit high and weak. But your second and third fences were quite nice! On the turn to fence 4, it looks like your horse may have gotten a little heavy on his right shoulder.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 4484
When your horse is more difficult going to the left because he wants to carry his body too "curled" to the left, (and therefore tends to fall through the outside shoulder when going that direction), this is often best addressed by schooling on the right rein, rather than
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 4483
"If the rider can halt his horse in any lateral movement, so that it stands quietly in the same position, or ride straight forward without hesitation, it is proof that the horse was going well between hands and legs." ~ Borries von Oeynhausen
Lesley's Corner
The Function of the Rider's Elbow Joints
A rider's elbow joint is one of the most important joints in their body... especially so for those of us who ride Dressage! Learn about a very common mistake riders make with their elbows, that causes all sorts of unwanted resistance from their horses!
Lesley's Corner
Is Your Free Walk Really FREE? And Do You Make Good Use Of It?
Let's talk about WHY we ride our horses in the movement known as the free walk.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 4482
"You can see suppleness by observing how the rider can sit on the horse and not on top of the horse." ~ Susanne Miesner
Lesley's Corner
3 Distinctly Different Ways of Controlling Your Horse's Shoulders in Circles, Turns & Lateral Work
Did you know that there are 3 related but distinctly different ways of controlling your horse's shoulders?? Many riders are in the habit of using only one of these 3 methods. So they continue to struggle to accurately control their horse's shoulders in turns, circles, and lateral work.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Tip/Quote of the Day # 4481
Horses love a routine… it gives them confidence. With the nervous or green horse, develop a warm up routine that you will use every day. And make sure it stays the same at shows.
Lesley's Corner
A TEST of Your Horse's Rideability & Adjustability
Generally a good, smooth, clean show jumping round happens when you have the right quality of canter, and your horse is rideable and adjustable between fences. Here is an exercise that will show you exactly how much adjustability your horse has!
Videos
Video # 106 and Question # 320: Kayla asks if her horse looks to be accepting the bit as she lunges him in side reins.
Lesley's Corner
Does Your Horse Like Rein Contact Right Up to the Point of Takeoff at a Jump? Or Does He Prefer a Soft/Loose Rein in the Final Strides? Find Out Here!
To get the very best out of every horse when show jumping, riders need to really think about the specific way that each individual horse needs and wants to be ridden between the fences. Let me help you to figure out what kind of horse you have!