In Part I of Dressage Mysteries Solved, dressage clinician, author and three-time Olympic coach Jane Savoie outlined the connecting aids required for putting your horse on the bit:Close your legs on the horse...
Q: I do dressage with my very lazy, thick-skinned Friesian. He doesn’t respect my leg or whip. What can I do to get a better response?
A: There are classical training methods to address the situation you have with...
Although jumping is a lot of fun, a lot of things can go wrong when you aim your horse at a fence. When he slams on the brakes and stops in front of the fence, it’s called a refusal....
The half-halt is elusive to many dressage riders. Performed correctly, it remains nearly imperceptible to onlookers, while providing necessary balance and connection to the horse. Fortunately, this technique is not as complicated as it sounds.American Grand Prix dressage rider...
Q: I’ve ridden western for many years, but I really want to ride English and jump. Is it hard to switch from western to jumping? Do you have any pointers?A: While I’ve spent decades competing over jumps, I have...
Q: My horse seems heavy on her forehand while cantering and jumping. This causes me to lose my balance, resulting in an awkward landing. What can I do to lighten up her forehand? A: Some horses are physically predisposed to...
Q: My horse is afraid of ditches, so I’ve only been able to show where I know the cross-country course won’t have one. How do I school them properly so that he accepts them and gets over his fear?A:...
One of the easiest ways you can improve your horse’s athleticism and fitness is to exercise him on various surfaces throughout the week. This not only fine-tunes his proprioception (the message system of his sensory and motor nerves) but...
Q: How long should my stirrups be for flatwork and jumping?A: Stirrup length, as it turns out, is a very variable and personal choice. Some riders feel more secure with stirrups that would feel jockey-length to other riders....
Q: I have a 6-year-old American Saddlebred mare that I currently ride saddle seat. I’m thinking about switching to dressage, but I’m unsure about the transition for my horse. How can I make it easier for her?A: "I made...
