Have you used ground poles in your schooling before? Do you perhaps think ground poles are only really useful for jumpers or competition horses? Ground poles are a fantastic tool for horses of all disciplines. They help to improve self-control, balance, focus, suppleness, elasticity, coordination (including hoof / eye) and strength in both the horse and the rider. Another added…
Have you tried it? For many riders, the mention of riding bareback is enough to see them running to the tack room for a saddle! However, for those that pluck up the courage – it can change so much… Bareback riding is a super way to improve your posture and position as well as balance, skills, and feel. However often…
Why is your horse falling in? More importantly, how do you know if your horse is falling in? The quickest and easiest way I can explain falling in is to imagine you are riding a circle. One that you have planned out beautifully in your head. However, as your horse travels around it you seem to be getting more and…
Walking… Does your horse do it with a sense of purpose, or is he rather resembling a slowly rolling ball of jelly; going nowhere slowly? The problem many riders have is when we ask our horse to ‘walk on’, he becomes tense and stiff… The walk, when it is a good walk, should be forward-moving, unrestricted, and natural. There should…
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…
