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...
One of the easiest ways to track your training progress is to feel your horse’s body all over while you’re tacking him up every day. This physical check-in allows you to detect how he is responding to your program,...
Q: My horse is afraid of brightly colored or decorated jumps. How can I desensitize him?
A: This is a very common problem for horses that have only schooled over plain-looking jumps. When they get to a show, they...
In the American Saddlebred show ring, the ultimate honor is to win the open three-gaited or five-gaited championship. Like the park division, horses in these classes display extreme animation and showcase the pinnacle of saddle seat type."The three-gaited horse...
The nuances of different saddle seat divisions may seem baffling to an outsider. But if you aspire to compete in this discipline, you need to determine the correct division for your horse. We asked professionals from the Morgan, Arabian...
If you have ever ridden a Training or First Level dressage test, you have become pretty acquainted with what we call the stretchy circle, the 20-meter test of your horse’s ability to elongate his posture while maintaining rhythm, bend,...
Q: My horse has always had difficulty picking up his left lead properly, and he has a tendency to bow out his shoulder to the right all the time. Keeping him straight is a constant challenge. My trainer thinks...
Q: I have a high-energy mare that gets really strong and quick whenever we jump. She pulls on the bit, and I have a hard time slowing her down. Do you have any suggestions on how I can make...
