I was having a conversation awhile back about leadership with a fellow horse owner and rider. They asked me quite directly whether I thought we should think of ourselves as our horse’s leader or not, because true partnership doesn’t require a leader. This was interesting to me and really got me thinking, as leadership encompasses […]
A Taboo Subject: What Does it Mean to be a Good Leader? Read More »
Are you able to stay plugged in through your seatbones in the sitting trot, or do you tend to get tense and bounce? If you struggle with your own suppleness in the sitting trot, you aren’t alone. There are many other riders who feel your pain. Sitting the trot takes a solid understanding of how
Rider Challenges: The Sitting Trot Read More »
Let’s start with a question. What if the best thing ever happened to you today? How would you feel? How would you celebrate? When you think of positive outcomes and experiences, it can make a profound shift in your mental wellbeing. This is also true when it comes to negative thought patterns. So, how can
Developing More Feel in the Saddle to Address Your Limited Beliefs Around Riding Read More »
Buddy sour horses, especially on the trail, can be a challenge. This issue can come up if other horses go a different direction than you or if you’re in a spot on the trail where you’d prefer to stay at the walk while other riders canter off. This problem can also present at the facility
Riding a Buddy Sour Horse Read More »
A common complaint I get during introductory calls with clients who trail ride is their horses become anxious on the trail. This can range from rushing, to having to lead, throwing their head, and even bolting. So what should we do if we find ourselves in a situation where our horse is disconnected with us
Trail Ride Troubleshooting Read More »
Along your riding journey, it’s likely a lot of us will experience the issue of a horse coming behind the vertical. This is a way for the horse to avoid contact and they do so by curling their neck and bringing their chin close to their chest, resulting in the feeling that your horse has
How to Work With a Horse That Gets Behind the Vertical Read More »
Many riders learn on schoolmasters who rarely spook. Also, every horse spooks differently! So, how should we handle a spooky horse? Let’s take a look at some tips and techniques for this common challenge. But, before we get started, I’d like to remind you that my Patreon will be up and running soon. If you’re
Riding the Spooky Horse Read More »
As you advance in your riding, laterals will become an important part of you and your horse’s routine. Today, we will be looking at laterals from a dressage perspective, but laterals are seen in many other disciplines as well. One of the most important aspects of lateral movements is how you set your horse up
Setting Your Horse Up for Success in Lateral Movements Read More »
It’s common to hear instructors mention a rider’s hands, but another crucial part of your upper body position is the position of your arms and angle of your elbows. Most riders know to keep their eyes up, hands together, and heels slightly down. These are basics across the board. However, with arm and elbow position,
Elbow and Arm Positioning Read More »
Often, when I meet a “dangerous” or “unpredictable” horse, what I’m really working through with that horse is trauma. So, are you dealing with aggression or panic? How do we unpack this with our horses? And most importantly, how do we identify and address the issue? Trauma can take many forms in horses. Problems that
When A Horse Has Experienced Trauma Read More »