Adding trot poles (often called placement poles) to your
schooling jumps can have a positive effect on your horse’s performance. They
can help regulate the pace of a horse that has begun to rush the jumps. They
also help a green horse...
Occasionally it’s necessary to use a specific type of pad to augment the fit of an English saddle. A riser pad (sometimes also called a lift-back or wedge pad) may be necessary if a horse, due to age or...
Running Martingale: The English running martingale is similar in form and function to the training fork popular with western riding. The running martingale attaches to the girth and then runs up between the horse’s front legs, where it splits...
A properly fitted bridle will be comfortable and look good on your horse. Photo: Leslie PotterEdited Press ReleaseProperly fitting a bridle may not be as difficult as fitting a saddle, but there are some key tips you should keep...
Are you an English rider who’s learning to jump a course? Sooner or later you’ll face the challenge of getting the right number of strides in a line. But before you can finesse your horse’s performance to that point,...
Q: I need help finding a credible trainer who won’t bankrupt my budget. I’ve heard so many horror stories. What should I look for in a good trainer? What questions should I ask? What’s a reasonable amount to pay...
No doubt about it, some horses have rough canters. This disquieting trait can be due to several reasons. Poor conformation is one. A horse that’s built higher in the hindquarters than the front end gives the rider the sensation...
Q: I’m teaching my green horse to jump and I’m having a problem I can’t seem to fix. My horse jumps fine in one direction, but going the other way he often refuses. What am I doing wrong?A: Horses...
Hunters and dressage riders often don't see eye to eye, but surprisingly in this case we do. Rising trot without stirrups is a fine thing—if and only if, a rider has mastered basic position. This is because riding without...
