Aligarh has had a chance to enjoy a few days sabbatical from longe work and today I decided was the day to reintroduce him to the bridle. He’s worn one before but never educated in what the bit is for. Not only is it time for it, but it will help out with the longing …
I actually enjoy going on walks , and it is a wonderful part of the training process to undertake when the weather is blisteringly hot and humid, like it has been here in the Midwest. To my delight, this is exactly what I am in the process of working with Aligarh on in his training. …
I am convinced that walking – be it in the form of leading, longing or riding – is greatly under-used and under-appreciated for its benefits. Not just for the benefit of your horse either, walking is a great exercise for us riders too! Especially when done correctly – when every ounce of energy is put …
This still happens? I imagine the result of this training to be a horse who is unattached to humans, works based off repetitive cues rather than the conversation with the rider, and that avoids being caught to go for a ride. And I’m not certain the purpose of having her jump over a barrel when …
I was reminded over this week the value of using riding gloves. No, I didn’t get rope burned… What I did get however was a reminder how gloves can improve the confidence in your hands. I work a lot of horses on the lunge, which has been my primary endeavor this week, and it also …
I know I have written about this idea previously though I’m not sure I’ve had a post dedicated to it. There is a certain quality inherent to working with the horse in a very business-like fashion that is priceless. Particularly when you are training the unconventional horse; the horse who is older and being started …
Project Horse #2 – welcome to the introduction. Aligarh is quite the lovely gelding, both in appearance and personality. Foaled in 2004, he is sired by the Dutch Warmblood stallion VDL Orame, who has been successfully competing on the international scene in Show Jumping. Aligarh’s dam is a Bashkir Curly mare of Native American bloodlines. …
Interestingly, I find that most cases in which the horse is found to be gaping at the mouth is blamed on the bit. Whether it is the right bit, fits properly, if the horse has some other mouth issues – even when it is glaringly obvious that the issue lies with the overbearing pressure being …
Ah, yes. Those rather innocuous-looking tools used throughout every discipline be it hunters, jumpers, western and even (shocking!) Dressage. The simplest directions for use are as follows : fold them in half length wise and throw in the nearest trash can. Seriously. If you are reading this article because you wish to know how to …
Natural Horsemanship gurus of all methodologies and followings have a tendency to employ this method to control run-away horses, to promote suppling and basic control over green horses. Most will also tell you it is the “must have” emergency parashoot to instill in your horse because, after all, you never know when he might go crazy. Yes, it is …
It is absolutely, 100%, scientifically certified as fact – certain breeds of horse are too lazy to canter and instead they prefer to run faster and faster at the trot instead. Does this logic sound a bit off to you? It does to me too. I’ve heard that it is believed by some that certain …
It is merely a myth… and one excuse for Rollkur / Hyperflexion. This question is raised frequently – how to soften and flex a horse who is stiff in the neck. There is a problem with the question however, because it assumes that addressing the horse’s stiff neck will actually correct the stiffness. In reality, …
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