Leg yielding is generally most riders’ first introduction to lateral movement. Lateral moving, when we’re talking horses, means sideways. It is a great movement to ride as it allows you to work your horse’s body in a different, yet equally beneficial way. Leg yielding, and lateral movements in general, are a test of our abilities as riders to move each…
Do you sometimes find yourself confused about the differences between rhythm and tempo and adjusting the stride of your horse when riding? Is is all a bit confusing whether or not while adjusting your horse’s stride, you are continuing ‘maintain the rhythm’ or keeping a ‘consistent tempo’? In this blog post I want to quickly help you begin to identify…
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’…
