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...
Trotting fences can seem like a bit of a guessing game if you’re just learning to jump or are a timid rider. Seeing any distance (let alone the right one!) can seem impossible. The urge to throw yourself up...
Our best tool for improving our equine athletes is no secret: a cache of proven exercise routines. During moments when we most need to use them, though, many of us fail to rely on them like we should. Instead,...
Riders generally fall in to two camps with their cantering commitment: unbridled enthusiasm or apprehension that leans towards avoidance. In the case of a horse with a disorganized or rushing canter, riders usually prefer to spend a majority of...
Poor saddle fit can cause pain and trauma, which often manifest as a training issue or poor performance. Joyce Harman, DVM, MRCVS, author of The Horse’s Pain-Free Back and Saddle Fit Book, The Western Horse’s Pain-Free Back and Saddle...
