I think it’s safe to say that all equestrians use artificial aids when working with and communicating with their horses at some point. And yet, for some reason, many riders see many of these things as being ‘bad’. However, for the most part, this is simply not true; especially if they are used correctly. If you use a saddle, a…
If you enjoy jumping with your horse, riding that clear round is all important. Luckily there are a few key areas you can work on in your training that will help you to begin seeing more of them. Adjusting the length of your horse’s strides is just one of those. And it’s also a pretty useful exercise for all horses…
Dressage is a funny thing when we really think about it. Riders pay someone for their opinion on how well they are riding for those few minutes. And how well their horse is responding and performing for those few minutes. And yet, often when riders receive their marks, it can feel like harsh criticism! Remember, dressage is all about the…
As riders, we have all heard of the half halt. Many riders use it regularly to, let’s be honest, varying levels of success! And while it can be easy to say that your horse is just not all that responsive, and just leave it at that. I think a better plan would be to tweak your approach and see if…
Whether your horse has been on a hiatus due to injury, winter hibernation, or life’s seasons, bringing them back into work can feel so exciting. And yet, it can also feel a little overwhelming for many riders. In this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast, we’ll explore how you can successfully build your horse’s fitness and bring them back to…
Training your horse alone can feel like a big responsibility. And, let’s be honest, for the most part, it is! And if you’re anything like what I was like when I first began playing with this (with my saint of a pony), there’s a good chance there are a couple of things ‘missing’ from your ‘program’. You see, training a…