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 »
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 »
Recently, I was looking at my most listened to podcast episodes, and surprisingly the most popular one is an episode I did about bits 4 years ago! The audio and content quality both needed a boost, so I wanted to revisit this important topic for you all again, both on my podcast and here in
I often help clients who need advice on how to communicate in better harmony with their horses. They may have all the skills necessary to train their own horse, but they’re at a sticky spot and looking for a second set of eyes. In these situations, I always start by learning about the client’s training
When Training Your Horse Isn’t Going Well Read More »
The canter pirouette is an advanced dressage maneuver that requires many prerequisites in order to perform it correctly. But, what exactly is it? How do you ask for it? And, how do you teach it to your horse? Let’s get into detail about this beautiful movement. What is it? The FEI definition of a canter
How to Introduce the Canter Pirouette Read More »
Sometimes, your walk and trot can feel amazing but the canter becomes strong and all rhythm and tempo is lost. It can be frustrating and leads many riders to the tack store in search of a stronger bit. However, it’s important to take a look at the underlying causes of why your horse is getting
How to Work With a Horse Who Gets Fast in the Canter Read More »