When we begin riding, we are generally told about this almost magical ability that we have to communicate with our horse, known as the weight aids. However, it soon becomes apparent that we have to master many other aspects of riding before we can hope to use our weight to communicate with our horse… Unfortunately for many of us,…
How many times have you asked your horse to leg yield, moving forward yet sideways, only for it to become frustratingly obvious a few steps into the moment that what is happening underneath you is definitely not what you had in mind?! Asking our horses to leg yield is one of the first introductions they will have to lateral movement.…
Think back to the last time you were cantering along on your horse and a change of rein was coming up. You began the task of preparing to drop back a gear into a trot to change the canter lead. “Better than losing rhythm and balance through a flying change…” However before you even got there, your horse (being the…
. Do you find yourself a tad confused as to what exactly to do with your legs while you ride? Do you find that even if you know what to do, degree of pressure to use or how often to apply the aid is confusing you? You are hearing terms such as ‘Keep your leg on’, ‘use your leg’, ‘more…
The half-halt should be one of the earliest things that riders learn to master when learning to ride their horse. It is a vital part of riding well and being able to perform accurate, balanced movements with your horse. However, while many riders understand the concept of the half-halt in theory, unfortunately, the carrying out of the actual movement leaves…
Feel… A hugely important component of successful horsemanship and something that is often considered as a talent that you are either gifted at birth with or your not! From years spent helping and watching people ride, I do agree that some people seem to have a more natural feel than others. However, I have also found that, often, riders who…
