As an equine fitness specialist my job is always to ask how we can improve the horse’s body. One of the simplest ways we can do this in daily riding...
In any discipline, reaching a plateau is an inevitable part of the training process. A horse and rider can’t grow in leaps and bounds with every single ride. The plateau...
Expectations matter. Amy Cuddy's viral Ted Talk on “power posing” left millions clamoring: simply raising our arms above our head can trick our brains into feeling more powerful. We can fake it until...
The image of dressage horses prancing sideways might just seem like fancy footwork, but in reality these lateral movements are akin to physical therapy for the horse. From a conditioning...
The most asked question in the equine world is: “Why does my horse sometimes refuse to do what I ask him to do?” No matter what situation is occurring the...
It’s the kind of exercise that we never leave behind, no matter how simple it seems until you break down its parts, or aim for total accuracy in execution. For...
Feelings of fear and apprehension can be thought of like an “alarm” going off. This alarm is the flight or fight response, a natural change in your body that happens...
Fear of fence height is pretty normal. Most horses and riders who jump at all are comfortable at 2 feet because most horses can almost walk over 2 feet. Even 2'3"...
We’ve all known one—an insecure horse, that is. He’s the gelding that doesn’t like being by himself in the ring; she’s the mare with the serious FOMO, “screaming” and carrying...
Postural alignment is essential to balanced, effective riding. The foundation of this alignment is making sure that our body is positioned evenly in relation to the horse's spine. Seat...
Something interesting happened recently that served to drive home a central aspect of riding repeated time and time again by the classical masters; something I myself trying to teach my...
I was emailed by the United States Equestrian Federation last week with an inquiry. Someone had filed a complaint into my amateur status and they were asking for a rebuttal....
How does a horse's personality in the herd relate to how they behave towards people? Horses Lower Down The Herd Hierarchy Horse personality sometimes comes across as one thing with...
"I don't do this horse justice." How often have I heard someone with a nice horse say something along those lines? "My horse could do so much better if he...
When canvasing equestrian-related social media, it appears that draw-reins are quite fashionable again. And every “like” says “regression” rather than “retro.” After all, it has been 9 years since the...
Her voice gets louder. “RIGHT leg! Why are you hanging on the inside rein?!” You feel the anxiety begin to build in that familiar part of your gut. Your face...
Many riders and trainers undervalue the benefits of trick training—you know: teaching your horse to bow, sit, paw or nod on cue…maybe carry things around the barn or arena…and who-knows-what...
Engagement—The act of flexing the hocks, stepping under the body, planting the hooves, and lifting. The forehand gradually becomes lighter as the hindquarters become stronger. Think of dressage training, therefore,...
