Q. I always have trouble knocking over barrels. What am I doing wrong?A. Most of the time this is a result of not using your inside leg (the leg closest to the barrel) to control your horse. Many riders...
Photo: Dean Gugler/flickr.comQ. What is the best way to increase my young horse’s flexibility for barrel racing?
A. Choosing the right bit and using your leg pressure effectively will help your horse build flexibility and bend. A horse must understand...
Q. My barrel horse will not stop completely or turn after I pass the finish line. What can I do about this?A: You have to practice just like you want you horse to be at a competition. I like...
In Part One: Teaching Aids for Riding, Not Racing, we offered some firsthand tips and expert advice on how to begin reschooling the off-the-track Thoroughbred (OTTB) for a new career. It can be a tough assignment, but by understanding how...
Q: What are some exercises I can do to help build my horse’s speed for a faster time in barrel racing?A: Having a well-conditioned athlete is the first step to getting your horse to run to his maximum ability. ...
Although it’s frustrating to have your hunter or jumper excused from the show ring due to refusals, don’t assume you have the right to school your horse over a more inviting jump before exiting. According to U. S. Equestrian...
Authored by some of the most experienced Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) dressage judges, this new "bible" is invaluable to dressage judges--as well as riders and trainers at all levels. It not only helps provide a better understanding of how...
Perry Wood, British clinician and author of Real Riding, How to Ride in Harmony with Your Horse, offers these exercises to teach a feel for the half-halt.Wood’s unique training style makes hard-to-grasp riding concepts easy to understand. The half-halt...
When APHA judge and educator David Denniston of Mead, Colo., isn’t judging horse shows, he’s busy developing horse show patterns for other judges and exhibitors. Here, he provides step-by-step advice on how to ride one of his horsemanship patterns....
Wouldn’t it be great to have enough time for a long, leisurely ride every day? Unfortunately, a busy schedule with a host of other commitments often pushes riding time to the back burner. But it doesn’t have to be...
