When a horse loses confidence, the most important thing to do is retreat.
Retreat from…The threshold
The obstacle
The maneuver
The objectiveThis is really hard for humans to do! It doesn’t seem logical. We want to encourage, we want to coax, we want...
Though a few famous show jumpers were known for their exuberant displays after clearing challenging obstacles, bucking and playing after a jump isn’t admirable behavior. Not only can it unseat a rider, but it’s marked as a major fault...
Q: I recently bought a 15-year-old mare. She seemed so sweet but when I brought her home, she became a completely different horse. At feeding time, she rears and kicks or turns her back end toward me and threatens...
Q: I have worked with my 5-year-old mare for two years now. However, she’ll still spook out of the blue and jump sideways, and spin out from underneath me. I’ve tried desensitizing her, but it doesn’t seem to be...
Trainer and clinician Jonathan Field demonstrates how to develop a partnership with your horse and keep him focused on you, even when distractions arise. For more on this topic, see the Natural Horsemanship column in the February 2012 issue...
A sports car driver directly influences the outcome of the car's performance. When your vehicle has four legs instead of four wheels, you are in the driver's seat and determine the outcome of the ride.
Using your rein, leg...
Though tack designed with a working western flair is popular, complete with narrow leather ties securing bits and reins to headstalls, the venerable Chicago screw seems here to stay. Chicago screws consist of two parts, and one half is...
The Pelham is the most popular leverage bit used in hunters and hunt seat equitation competition. It is designed to use two sets of reins along with a curb chain. One rein attaches to the upper ring on the...
Both English and western riders can sometimes be misguided as to how to hold the reins correctly. That diminishes their communication with their horse. When direct rein aids are used, a rein is held in each hand. In this...
Q: When I jump my horse he always takes off way too early, to the point that I’m scared of crashing or falling off. It helps to set placement poles in front of the jumps but as soon as...
