The shoulder-in is one of the best exercises for suppling a horse, building his strength, and increasing his freedom in the shoulder. But the precursor to the shoulder-in is the shoulder-fore, which is also an excellent movement to help with...
Q. My seasoned jumper is a “been there, done that” kind of horse. But lately he’s been dropping rails, almost always on verticals. At horse shows, the first round or two he jumps clean. After that, I can’t seem...
Photo: micadew on flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0Q. How should I shift my weight while going toward, around and then away from a barrel so that I don’t hinder my horse’s ability to make a quick turn?
A. The best way to...
Here are some simple steps for mane banding from expert groomer Casey Warren. But before you begin, check competition rules to make sure those bands are allowed in your classes!
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Q. I see bits in catalogs called “reining bits.” Is that what I should ride my reining horse in?A. Your best bit will be the one that allows you to maximize your horse’s performance by giving you optimal control...
The shoulder-in asks the horse to shorten his stance, bend his hocks and position his shoulders to one side.Q. I’ve been schooling shoulder-fore on my 6-year-old dressage horse, and I want to introduce shoulder-in. Can you give me some tips...
Q. I’m just getting started in the lower levels of eventing and am wondering about the best saddle to buy for the sport. Do I really need two or three different saddles, or can I get by with one...
Cutting, reining and working cow horse competitions share many similarities, one of which is the rollback. Whether executed while working a cow or when riding a reining pattern, the rollback is the most efficient way for the horse to...
Q. My 6-year-old barrel horse runs to the first barrel and home from the last barrel well, but between barrels she shuts off and practically lopes. I’ve tried kicking and even a crop and spurs to no avail. My...
Q. I have a hard time making a good first impression in my dressage tests. I can’t turn down the centerline properly—I either overshoot or undershoot. If I do hit it, I usually weave my way down. Can you...
