Do you manage to perform a ‘clean’ trot to canter transition every time? This transition is often one of the most difficult to maintain balance and rhythm. And this is true for both horse and rider. The potential for your horse to run into the canter, instead of actually ‘striking’ the canter when asked is quite high. In this episode…
The half halt is possibly one of the most important tools riders have when communicating with their horses. It is also probably the most under-utilized! And this is particularly true where novice riders are concerned. As a trainer, I believe that if you can become more conscious of how and when you are using your half halt, you can begin…
So, we’ve all been there, riding around the arena on our horse, desperately seeking the elusive ‘On the Bit’. Pumping with our legs, ‘sponging’ with our hands; doing our level best to achieve what is beginning to feel like the holy grail of riding a horse! All the while hoping, praying, wishing (hey, when you are desperate you will resort…
There are certain times of the year when regular riding becomes a little struggle; winter can be one of them. Sometimes summer can be equally as troublesome for many riders. Due to this being an issue at some point or another for so many riders around the world, I thought it would be fun to try approaching this seeming ‘drawback’…
You have just finished cooling down from what, in your mind, was the best lesson you have had in months… As you are tending to your horse, that afterglow feel is radiating from you. The feeling of achievement and success. And this is exactly when you need to record all that happening in your horse riding journal! You see, what…
Think back to a time when you were in the midst of learning something new… We know that when we learn, different feelings come up. Some are positive and others are not so much… However a simple well done when you make even the tiniest progress can be a game-changer. In fact, it is often all the fuel that is…
