Tip/Quote of the Day # 754There is a subtle but distinct difference between the horse "giving" to the bit and truly seeking it. Applying leverage to the bit does not induce a situation where the horse learns to reach into it with confidence. It only teaches him that it is futile to resist against it. And this is why draw reins do not produce the results that some people seem to think they do.Tip/Quote of the Day # 753Quality feedback needs to be very specific. It is not that helpful for an instructor to tell you that something was "good." They should be able to tell you what exactly was good about it, and why that quality is so important. This is the difference between merely stroking someone's ego vs turning them into a great and well educated rider. Tip/Quote of the Day # 752It can help a rider to learn feel by having their rides videotaped and watching it immediately after your ride. This way, you can match what you felt during the ride with what you see happening in the video, while it is still fresh in your mind. Tip/Quote of the Day # 751On riding the strong OTTB at the gallop or over fences... "The horse might pull quite hard against the bit for brief moments as it seeks balance, but if the pulling is against its own neck then the rider’s balance never shifts and the solution is much easier for the horse to discover." ~ Steuart Pittman
This is where the technique outlined here becomes invaluable! Tip/Quote of the Day # 750Even the very best and most natural riders will develop bad habits if they don't get regular feedback about their riding. Everyone needs good eyes on the ground from time to time. Tip/Quote of the Day # 749A stronger bit can be even milder on the horse's mouth if used correctly, as you can get more response from a lighter aid. BUT….. this will not work unless you actually make your rein aids lighter! If you use the reins with the same intensity that you did with a milder bit, there is a good chance that your horse will overreact, and you will not reap the benefits of increased responsiveness.Tip/Quote of the Day # 748"Flex your horse to the outside when necessary to improve the horse's acceptance of the connection." ~ Chris BartleTip/Quote of the Day # 747Pinch your thumbs on the top of your reins to keep the reins from slipping. If you try to grip the reins too tightly with your whole hand, you will tighten your forearms, and your horse will resist you.Tip/Quote of the Day # 746We incorporate circles into our training to promote suppleness and improved balance in the horse. But if our circles are oddly shaped, they will not improve the horse's suppleness, and will instead unbalance the horse.Tip/Quote of the Day # 745When you have an anxious horse that wants to rush, it can be helpful to very deliberately work in a tempo that is much slower than they are naturally offering you. Only when they have settled into a quiet, even rhythm, and are truly waiting for you, should you push them more forward. Tip/Quote of the Day # 744
From member Karen Barbato ~ "You will KNOW when you connect with a gifted instructor - they answer so many questions and fill the gaps."
Tip/Quote of the Day # 743“With the bend on the circles and in the travers, it is important to use as little inside rein as possible. If you need the inside rein, there is something wrong with the earlier work.” ~ Christoph HessTip/Quote of the Day # 742The rider who keeps their weight too far forward at the gallop will cause their horse to gallop on the forehand. When the rider's weight (center of gravity) is correctly above the center of the saddle at the gallop, the horse will be able to more easily gallop in balance, and with free shoulders. And it is of course more easy to elevate the horse's front end for an upcoming jump in this position as well. Tip/Quote of the Day # 741"Lighten your aids, otherwise you'll need a gas mask at the end of a Grand Prix test." ~ Carl HesterTip/Quote of the Day # 740Move your hips towards your hands rather than moving your hands towards your hips.Tip/Quote of the Day # 739People enjoy their jobs if they are told they are good at what they do, and horses are no different in this respect. Praise your horse often! And especially on cross country, try to make him feel like he is king of the world!Tip/Quote of the Day # 738The less you see a rider do, the better. That means they are communicating with the horse quietly, and the horse is attentive.Tip/Quote of the Day # 737Spend time on the basics, such as straightness and suppleness, and the more difficult movements will fall into place naturally.Tip/Quote of the Day # 736Your seat shouldn't stop the horse's hind legs in half halts and downward transitions, it should send them actively up into your hand to stop the horse on its hindquarters.Tip/Quote of the Day # 735Always look for the feeling that there is more horse in front of you than behind you. How do you achieve this? Two ways… don't get ahead of the horse's center of gravity, and try to keep the horse's neck as long as possible.Tip/Quote of the Day # 734In order to do successful lateral work, a rider must have an independent seat, so their aids can work precisely and independently.Tip/Quote of the Day # 733From Facebook fan Dorothy Smith ~ "In riding, as In a dance, one leads, one follows, but both must love to dance for it to become art."Tip/Quote of the Day # 732In wet or muddy conditions, it can be a good idea to get someone to wipe off the bottom of your boots after you get on. This will help to keep your feet securely in your stirrups, without sliding around as they might do when they are wet. Tip/Quote of the Day # 731From Facebook fan Annette Gaynes ~ "Self carriage of the rider is necessary for self carriage of the horse."Tip/Quote of the Day # 730When working with a horse that does not have a great natural lengthening, make sure that you don't ask for too much too soon. Compare this to a singer who is training their vocal cords… they gradually expand their vocal range until they hit their limit. This helps to prevent them from overextending themselves, and builds up confidence in their abilities.Tip/Quote of the Day # 729When your horse is harder to the left because he wants to carry his body too "curled" to the left, this is often best addressed by going to the right, rather than the left. If you can do some good work with your horse's body fully bending around your right leg, you are stretching the tight left side of his body, which will help him to go straighter when going to the left. Tip/Quote of the Day # 728If you want your horse to like his job, you need to make an effort to keep his job likeable.Tip/Quote of the Day # 727"Working-in is one of the most important aspects of dressage. You want your horse to be long, round and stretching before you start more taxing work, to get the muscles in front of and behind the saddle soft and working – gymnasts don’t hop straight onto the top bar! Ideally, walk for 10 minutes to start with, but if your horse is fresh, it is best to trot on to settle him down." ~ Carl HesterTip/Quote of the Day # 726When you have a good contact, your horse can feel your thoughts transmitted through the reins.Tip/Quote of the Day # 725Your leg creates the energy, and your seat controls the length of the horse's stride. Tip/Quote of the Day # 724Horses speak through actions. Try to listen to what they are telling you.Tip/Quote of the Day # 723"A horse seeks where it's most comfortable." ~ Ralph HillTip/Quote of the Day # 722"Horses don't WANT to jump badly! They jump badly because of US! Ever seen a horse get loose in a steeplechase? It jumps like a BIRD!" ~ Jimmy WoffordTip/Quote of the Day # 721The fastest cross-country horses are not necessarily the fastest horses in general, but the ones that are the easiest to set up for the jumps. So work on your horse's adjustability.Tip/Quote of the Day # 720"Squeezing with the fingers is a backward action, the sneakiest form of pulling." ~ Peter De CosemoTip/Quote of the Day # 719The horse shouldn't feel punished for trying to escape the connection, they should just feel unsuccessful. Tip/Quote of the Day # 718When you have a good contact, your horse can feel your thoughts transmitted through the reins.Tip/Quote of the Day # 717It should be a big red flag to you if your instructor is the type to say that all jumps should be treated the same. It can be a sign of lack of knowledge or teaching experience in a trainer. Riders should be aware of every question posed by each individual jump, and should not treat all jumps the same. Things that need to be taken into consideration are the shape of the jump, the footing, the terrain involved before and after the jump, the lighting, the kind of approach you are given, and what is on the landing side of the jump.Tip/Quote of the Day # 716With fresh horses that want to look around and be unfocused, do yourself and your horse a favor, and let them have some free time to relax at the beginning of a workout. Either a short time lunging or free schooling, or simply a 10 to 20 minute walk on the buckle to let them gawk and take everything in. Then, when you pick up the reins and go to work, you will usually find that there is less resistance.Tip/Quote of the Day # 715A calm, attentive horse begins with a calm, attentive handler.Tip/Quote of the Day # 714The more thoroughly you have prepared for a movement or transition, the more you can just allow it to happen, rather than making it happen.Tip/Quote of the Day # 713The most energy efficient way for a horse to gallop cross country is to gallop in balance, so that very little adjustments are necessary in front of the fences. If you could gallop in such a way that a fence could drop from the sky and land in front of you when you are just 3 or 4 strides away, and you could jump it well - then you will be giving your horse the best chance to finish the course with plenty of gas in the tank.Tip/Quote of the Day # 712 To build anything successfully, you need the right tools. Riding is about building a successful partnership between you and your horse. The tools you need to do that are patience, knowledge, understanding, and feel.Tip/Quote of the Day # 711“Riders use the spur instead of the calf of the leg. This is wrong. As trainers and judges, we need to encourage putting the rider in front of the leg, NOT the spur.” ~ Christoph HessTip/Quote of the Day # 710A rider's rigid elbows will cause the horse's back to become correspondingly rigid.Tip/Quote of the Day # 709Always keep in mind that it is more difficult for horses to turn in water. So your power steering may not work as accurately, and you may need to start your turns a little earlier! Tip/Quote of the Day # 708"The horse’s posture, his strength, his suppleness, influence very much the sensations that the bit creates in him." ~ Dupaty de ClamTip/Quote of the Day # 707"For lateral work always remember to sit on your inside seat bone." ~ Carl HesterTip/Quote of the Day # 706"You can ride a horse up without sitting on their backs." ~ William Fox PittTip/Quote of the Day # 705Don't half halt or make an adjustment in front of a fence unless you need to. So often I see riders that ruin their good canter on the approach by taking back unnecessarily. And the same holds true on the flat…. if you have a good trot or canter, leave it alone!
