One of the greatest tests of balance in an equine athlete is to transition smoothly from a maneuver requiring flexion of the spine and stride to one requiring extension. For example, a dressage horse surging forward from a collected trot...
Q: My pony has a very fast trot that is really short and choppy. Are there any exercises to help lengthen it?A: Trotting is so much more comfortable when a pony learns to lengthen his stride and slow down...
Riding your horse over poles on the ground is a great way to improve his balance and to teach him to pick up his feet. It’s also a great introduction to jumping and it improves a horse’s gymnastic ability....
If you’re going to enter hunt seat equitation classes this show season, you should know how to impress the judge if you want to win a ribbon or two. In an equitation class, the judge looks at you and...
Good saddle fit can help your horse do his job comfortably and well. Fit is crucial for any type of saddle, but English saddles distribute the rider’s weight over a smaller panel area than western saddles, so a precise...
Riding a horse that’s lugging you about is probably not your idea of a good time. With a few simple tips from Grand Prix dressage rider Reese Koffler-Stanfield, you can put a stop to the endless tug-of-war. Are you...
Q: Sometimes my trainer will tell me to ask for a more active trot. As soon as I ask for it, she will remind me, "Not faster—more active.” What does that really mean? A: An active trot is all about...
Q: I’ve seen professional riders counter bend their horse before asking for a canter transition from the walk or trot. When I counter bend, my horse just feels disconnected with his neck to the outside. How can I make...
Q: My trainer explains the half-halt as pulling and pushing at the same time, but it’s still a mystery to me. Can you explain the mechanics of the half-halt?
A: In its rawest form (meaning without balance or technique), the...
Q: I have a 2-year-old gelding that I want to train to jump. Is that too young? If so, how old would he have to be?
A: Most trainers won’t ride horses at all during their 2-year-old year if...
