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How do you further your equestrian education?

Students in a college equine science program take their equestrian education to the next level. Photo: Lesley Ward

Having a horse of your own has a lot of benefits. You develop a bond, an understanding. You learn each others’ idiosyncrasies and adapt accordingly. You know your horse’s personality so well that notice immediately when something is amiss. Your horse anticipates your cues so well that you think he might be able to read your mind.



These same benefits can also be liabilities when it comes to your progression as a rider. Instead of having to fix your bad habits as a rider or while working around horses, they persist as your horse has adapted to them. Likewise, you’ve started to ignore your horse’s quirks and forget that you shouldn’t let him get away with certain things.



Riding and working with horses is a never-ending learning process, but one that you might start to neglect when you reach a comfort zone with your own horse. What steps do you take to continue improving as a horseperson?

There are plenty of ways to make sure that your skills as a rider and horseperson don’t become stagnant. You can take lessons on your own horse or attend clinics with different trainers to get feedback on your riding and your horse’s performance. You can sign up for lessons at a different stable to get some saddle time on horses other than your own. You can have someone videotape your rides so that you can see problems that you might not catch while you’re in the saddle. Even reading books and articles or watching training videos can help you get new ideas on how to improve your riding.

Click “Submit a Comment” below and tell us what you are doing—or what you’d like to do—to improve your skills as a rider and horseperson. Some of our favorite responses may be printed in a future issue of Horse Illustrated.

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  • I read many vet books, magizines, and just about any other horse related items. Then I write down useful tips and diagrams that might help me in the future so I can be an Equine vet!

  • I read Horse Illustrated, Equus, and Horse and Rider magazines. I have a lot of Clinton Anderson dvds and books too!

  • RFDTV lots of great trainers John Lyons to Pat Parrelli and Clinton Anderson. Also great magazines Horse Illustrated and Horse and Rider plus I also annoy my farrier and many older generation riders that can give advice. I also read any book fiction and non fiction because they all have bits of information that is of great use

  • Honestly, I just learn other horse mentors! If you can accompany a trainer to a horse show or fox hunt, or hang around when the vet, farrier, or equine dentist comes, you can learn so much. I also take lessons, which helps me improve in my riding, and also my knowledge of horses, as my instructor is a walking encyclopedia. I hardly ever drive away from the barn not knowing something new and interesting.

  • When you love horses so much and want to know more about them and want to be able to know what to do and what things are, the two best thing you should do are to one:hang out at barns when the farrier or vet come and ask plenty of questions about things you don't understand.two:Read.Reading I'd say is one of the best ways because you can learn so much when someone can't just come up to you and tell you about it.

  • I take lessons, go to shows, and most importantly I set realistic goals for me and the horse I ride to achieve. It can be something as simple as getting her to pick up her feet easier. As long as we have a goal to reach for we can always improve.

  • I further my equine education 2 ways.
    First, I listen to my horse. He is more human than horse-like in his communication skills, and we're very comfortable with each other. He has no hesitation showing me a problem before I can physically see that there is a problem.
    Secondly, I figure the more I know, the safer my boys will be. I don't take anybody's word for it when it comes to my horses' health. I need to cross reference, research, and research.

  • I read as much information as possible and attend clinics in my area, although I dont take lessons I take the info from what is available and apply it at home.

  • I take a multi-faceted approach to my continuing equestrian education.
    First, I continue to take lessons whenever possible. My favorite lessons are those spent on the lunge line under the watchful eye of my Dressage coach. I'll also check in regularly with my old mentor, a long time breeder/trainer I spent three years apprenticing under. He's always full of great suggestions and insights to help me improve my riding or help me overcome a training hurdle.
    I also attend classes, seminars, and lectures sponsored by my local horseman's association and hosted by a local tack store. These events are commonly taught by some the best veterinarians, farriers, nutritionists, and trainers in my area.
    And of course I spend a lot of time on Horsechannel.com reading, watching online videos, and chatting in the forums!

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