Recent Articles in Tip/Quote of the Day!

Keep your hands forward thinking at all times - don't be "stealing" from the hind legs.

"Create a work station on your yard, where everything to do with work happens – for example, tacking up and washing off – and keep his stable for relaxation only. Then your horse knows he can totally relax when he’s in his stable and won’t be expected to work." ~ Carl Hester

"A major consideration concerning the horse’s posture in all lateral movements is the bend in the rib cage behind the withers. For achieving this bend is the foundation for the suppleness of the entire horse. One will never achieve this bend if one rides the lateral movements on four tracks too early, or if one tries to force these movements with crude aids, and if one forgets to reposition one’s legs in the transitions from one lateral movement to another." ~ Borries von Oeynhausen

From Facebook fan Elise Vandover ~ "I often tell my students that the outside rein is like the vinyl wall of an above-ground pool; elastic, stretchy and flexible, but enough of a boundary to keep the 'water in the pool'."

Remember that to balance your horse in front of a fence you do not necessarily have to slow down. Many times you simply need to change the shape of the canter stride - i.e. bring the horse into a more uphill frame.

Always finish an exercise with a proper transition to walk, don't just fall into a heap.

From Facebook fan Kristin Powers ~ "It takes WAY MORE outside rein than you ever think it does!"

Stop looking for that "perfect" take off spot, and focus on the quality of your canter. A horse that is well balanced, with the right amount of impulsion for the jump at hand, can comfortably leave the ground from just about any reasonable takeoff spot.

"In practice, do things as perfectly as you can: in competition, do what you have to do." ~ William Steinkraus

"When the horse jumps, you go with it, not the other way around." ~ William Steinkraus

A running martingale that fits correctly does not come into play unless the horse tosses its head, or tries to stick it straight up in the air. It should not be used to keep the horse's head down.

"NEVER fight the oats.” ~ William Steinkraus 

Who can tell us what this means? 

"It's amazing what the horse can do, when you teach the rider to ride." ~ Hans Biss

We first have to teach the horse to enjoy learning.

From Facebook fan Marilyn Kostuch ~ "Becoming very aware of the rhythm helps a horse's mind become calmer."

The horse's favorite reward is the release of the aid.

"The seat must be able to absorb the energy from the horse like a sponge, and then redirect it forward" ~ Bill Woods

"Don't let over-jumping or a dull routine erode the horse's desire to jump cleanly. It's hard to jump clear rounds if the horse isn't trying." ~ William Steinkraus

Things will not get better on their own - it's up to us as riders to ensure progress. This means being proactive, working hard, and using every available tool to improve your knowledge and skills.

We always talk about not riding with too much inside rein, but it is also possible to ride with too much outside rein. Holding too strongly on the outside rein will prevent the horse from bending to the inside, and may cause him to tilt his head. 

"My father always said, 'Things just take time.' He did not believe in quick tricks or things like draw reins. Rather than using such things, he said it is better to go on the circle and do things like half-halts and transitions to get the horse under himself and light in your hand." ~ Ingrid Klimke

"Great horses bring an unquenchable love for the game, and a fierce competitive desire to every competition." ~ Jimmy Wofford

Strive for the feeling that two thirds of the horse is in front of you.

"Necks that are pulled in stop the muscles of the back developing and interfere with the natural paces." ~ Reiner Klimke

Be extra careful when conditioning both young horses and older horses. Young horses have tendon/ligaments/bones that have not yet been strengthened. And the older horse’s ligaments and tendons tend to become less elastic and resilient over time.

"If we ask novice riders how much of their focus is on the horse’s head, most of them, if they are honest, might say 80 percent. But the head is perhaps 10 percent of the horse’s body, so be sure you are not using 80 percent of your focus on 10 percent of the horse. Ride his body and influence it." ~ Kyra Kyrklund

When jumping into deep water, you must approach at a slower pace. Too much speed jumping into deep water will make it much more likely for the horse to fall on landing.

Riders who ride with stirrups that are even slightly too long are often the first ones to stand up and jump up the horse's neck when they get to a jump!

Always keep in mind that narrow fences, angles, and corner jumps can feel even harder near the end of your cross country course. Mental and physical fatigue (of either horse or rider) can make a stupid mistake more likely to happen.

From Facebook Fan Joan Dunlap ~ "They are horses first ... beautiful, living, breathing beings ... what they do for us is secondary and should come from their heart .... don't ever let the ribbons or money rule (or ruin) your relationship with them." 

From Facebook Fan Ginger Kathleen Coombs ~ "Just because a horse isn't limping, it doesn't mean they feel good. By the time you get pinned ears, lameness, or bad behavior, you may have been missing little signs or have seen and not understood them."

When you ride with a stronger bit, your goal needs to be to use it as little as possible.

A rider's leg should lie on their horse's sides like slightly "al dente" noodles.

"Acceptance of the bit happens in the haunches, not in the mouth." ~ Thomas Ritter

"For riders: It is hard work, takes more time than you have, and requires more money than you thought. You will learn more than you ever thought possible when you began in the sport, but you will never learn it all. You will never be as good as some, but you will probably not be as bad as others if you are willing to work. It is the best thing you could ever do, and even when you fail you learn, and even if you never get a ribbon it is still worth it. Stick it out." ~ Brian Sabo

"As riders, our problem is that too often we try to provide all the upward activity ourselves instead of allowing our bodies to use the bounce provided by the ground. You can become aware of this upward energy. You cannot hold it in reserve; if you do, you'll lose it... Center yourself and become aware of this energy as your ride." ~ Sally Swift