Tip/Quote of the Day!
The balance and shape of your canter stride is what determines the kind of take off spot that develops. A long, strung out stride usually means either a long spot or a "chip". And a shorter, more balanced canter with the hind legs well under the body will
Tip/Quote of the Day!
The horse's poll relaxes naturally when his back muscles relax & swing, unless the rider is hanging rigidly on their mouth.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
You cannot judge how "light" a horse is entirely by the feel of the reins. Many times riders are fooled into thinking they have found true lightness, when in fact the horse is just posing in a false frame.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
"The volte is one of the most important movements you can ride. It is teaching the horse to bend in his ribcage, within his body, and then to maintain a rhythm – in the future this movement will become a half pass. We are working on control over the balance
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Riders are often incorrectly told to lean back and against the reins when their horses get strong. Not only will this not work, but it will usually make the horse even heavier in their hands.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
"Event horses need to learn to jump facing into crowds and other spooky things. At home, I have my horses jumping into banners on the fence line and other things to get them used to that idea." ~ William Fox Pitt
Tip/Quote of the Day!
"It is true that when the training is slow, the progress is quick, when the training is quick, the progress is slow." ~ Unknown
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Riders with short arms have to be especially careful to keep their elbows bent at all times.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
The better the rider's seat, the more easily the horse can understand the rider's aids. So make working on developing and maintaining an independent seat a top priority!
Tip/Quote of the Day!
As you finish jumping a course, ask yourself if you are finishing with the same pace that you started with. If the answer is no… the next question you need to ask yourself is which speed was better for your horse's jumping - the way you started, or
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Always refresh the forward after any period of lateral work.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Everyone talks about engaging the horse's inside hind leg... But the key to a good quality canter is sufficient engagement of the outside hind leg, as that is how each canter stride begins.
