Knowing when it's time to replace a helmet is as critical to rider safety as wearing one. Even with limited use, a helmet's hard foam lining can break down over time, says Drusilla Malavase, co-chair of the Equestrian Headgear...
It can be tempting to saddle up your horse on the first warm day of spring and go for a long ride. However, assuming your horse has been out of work all winter, he’s not only lost muscle tone,...
Shifting the shoulders at the trot to correct a horse that overbends at the neck
Ellen demonstrates how to get better control of your outside rein and stop pulling on the inside rein by turning the horse’s shoulders. She moves...
Here, Ellen rides Tvauri forward and sideways in approximately equal measures, while keeping his body parallel to the long sides of the arena; his forehand is correctly slightly in advance of his hindquarters.The aids to leg-yield from left to...
Grand Prix dressage rider and trainer Reese Koffler-Stanfield instructs student Ellen Wall on her Dutch Warmblood gelding, Tvauri. Reese has Ellen start with a light aid to ask Tvauri to move forward; if he doesn’t respond instantly, Ellen must...
Wearing a helmet isn't just a requirement for jumpers and dressage riders. It's good common sense for any rider. Whether you're looking for a cool, comfortable schooling helmet to wear on the trails or a sporty model for the...
Q: I just started working with a Thoroughbred recently home from the track. I’m having a hard time getting him to relax under saddle, go on the bit without pulling, and stay at a slow pace. I called his...
Q: My mare is forward and willing when we’re jumping, but on the flat she’s developed a bad attitude. Much of the time she ignores my leg, so I carry a crop. But if I use it, she bucks....
Saddle seat riders are drawn to flashy, energetic horses that love to show off in the ring. But over time, a repetitive training regimen can drain some of that excitement. Incorporate the following techniques in your riding sessions to...
Q: My horse is a young Thoroughbred I recently adopted from a rescue site. I’ve started him over low jumps, and his hind end seems very overpowering when he soars over them. I feel like he’s pushing me out...
