So you have made the decision to get back into the saddle. You feel great about it. Making a decision, one way or another, often has a way of settling us a little, even if the road ahead is less than smooth. But there you are, big girl pants on; all mounted up, bum gently lowered into the seat of your saddle… And…
Crookedness – it is a word and a concept that is continuously showing up when we talk about horses, riding and training… It is also a little like the ‘chicken and the egg’ – which comes first? Many riders make the mistake of thinking it is only the horse we are speaking about. Meanwhile, riders can be just as crooked, if…
Are your horse’s response times a little dismal? Do find yourself asking… and then waiting… and maybe asking again… and maybe, just maybe, on the fourth or fifth request you are lucky enough to get a response?! Responsiveness is the factor which can make all the difference with you and your horse when working together. Riding is a little like…
You’re cantering along, the jump firmly in your sights, getting ready for your horse to take off… When all of a sudden he begins to ‘veer’ a little off course. Before you know it, the jump flies past you, to one side… Your horse has, once again, proven that he is the master of running out at a fence! Frustrating,…
You are cantering towards the jump… 3… 2… 1… But instead of the ‘Jump’ that should have followed the 1; you get a chip in. A moment where your usually trusty horse decides to test both of you by inserting a little ‘half stride’ in there before takeoff! The result is you do a great Thelwell impression and your horse…
Have you discovered that your horse is a bit of a maths whizz? He has somehow figured out that if he shaves just a few meters or yards here and there off of the odd corner or three, he has to do less overall in each lesson or schooling session. He seems to have a strong understanding of distance and how to…
