Are you an English rider who’s learning to jump a course? Sooner or later you’ll face the challenge of getting the right number of strides in a line. But before you can finesse your horse’s performance to that point,...
Q: I need help finding a credible trainer who won’t bankrupt my budget. I’ve heard so many horror stories. What should I look for in a good trainer? What questions should I ask? What’s a reasonable amount to pay...
No doubt about it, some horses have rough canters. This disquieting trait can be due to several reasons. Poor conformation is one. A horse that’s built higher in the hindquarters than the front end gives the rider the sensation...
Q: I’m teaching my green horse to jump and I’m having a problem I can’t seem to fix. My horse jumps fine in one direction, but going the other way he often refuses. What am I doing wrong?A: Horses...
Hunters and dressage riders often don't see eye to eye, but surprisingly in this case we do. Rising trot without stirrups is a fine thing—if and only if, a rider has mastered basic position. This is because riding without...
Q: I have a great little all-around horse: he goes English and western and even jumps well. Everything about him is smooth and flowing except for his canter/lope. If he’s working in the center of the arena or jumping...
Watch as trainer Anita Howe explains the Tennessee Walking Horse's running walk.The running walk is the same basic footfall and carriage as the flatfoot walk, but tempo and speeds are extended to range from 7-10...
The canter’s rocking-horse, three-beat rhythm presents a problem for novice riders trying to master their position at this gait. In trot, the rider’s body position remains stable since the horse’s head and neck don’t move in this two-beat gait....
Q: I am working with a Thoroughbred hunter/jumper prospect. When we jump crossrails, he’s fine. But when we try small verticals he bolts to the jumps and then kicks his heels in the air. How can I help him...
