Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been tagged as “Horse Training”
A curb bit uses leverage and includes the pelham bit and the Weymouth curb along with the traditional curb bit used by Western riders. The English & Western Curb Bits differ slightly on how they apply leverage but both work on several parts of the horses head and mouth
Some veterinary practices offer particular facilities which classify them as a good equine veterinary practice. What type of veterinary practice does your local vet operate and are they the right vet to help you keep your horse healthy
Our six top tips on horse show preparation will help make sure your next horse show goes exactly as planned. Although the exact preparations you need to make depend on the type of horse show you will be attending, there are common factors & general rules you can nail down
Your local equine farrier is usually very well qualified and should offer a full range of services including shoeing, remedial shoeing, trimming and advice on horse hoof health. even barefoot horses should be checked regularly by the farrier to ensure they are okay to ride without shoes
The double bridle is the bridle for the educated horse in the hands of the educated rider. Here’s why your horse must be balanced and established while working in a snaffle before a double bridle is ever considered
A short guide on the development & history of horse saddles and stirrups and how the demise of mounted warfare is moving riders back to close contact saddles and riding in a more relaxed and comfortable way for the horse
All riders should do something physical other than riding. The exercise ball routines we detail here are a simple way to improve your rider fitness and warming up before you ride will also enhance your ability to ride well. Fitness is important in any sport and if you take your sport seriously its important you take your own fitness seriously too
Groundwork training skills tips and techniques to improve both your horse and you the rider. Set and achieve training goals and build the horse you want. Happy Hacker or Dressage superstar its all achievable if you begin the right way
Horsey people talk about horse bodies the way mechanics talk about cars, which is why knowing the correct equine terminology and equestrian terms is important. Learn to recognise the difference between a snip and a stripe or a sock and a stocking
Just as with people, horses get tired of doing the same old thing over and over. Some bored horses will anticipate your aids if they are schooled too much in the same pattern. I’ve seen horses in the show ring that learn the pattern of gaits and then simply go through the motions without the riders help
Very few of us consider the practicalities of owning and using a horsebox or trailer before we buy one and if we are honest quite a few of us expect that our horse will instantly recognise a horsebox
Whether your intention is to simply hack out, compete at riding club shows or to progress up to advanced equine eventing, it is important that your horses’ fitness is increased in a gradual and consistent way. Slow and steady is the key to getting your horse fit for the job you want it to do.
It doesn’t matter were they’re placed or how well they do, competing in horse shows is an excellent way for young riders to develop confidence and improve their horse riding abilities. Equestrian competitions are were they learn good sportsmanship and how to cope well with success and failure
Useful horse riding tips and equestrian advice including homemade horse treat recipes and different ways to think while riding. Plus resources to help you and your horse become a better partnership, and hopefully some that will save you a little money
Lunge lining is a method of horse training that involves driving your horse in a circle on a 20-meter rope called a lunge line, while using your voice and body language to control the horses movement and direction. It is an essential part of all good horse training programs.
Horse hoof conformation is the result of 50 million years of the evolution of the horse and both wild and domesticated horses share a similar hoof shape even though they live in quite different conditions
A guide on using the appropriate horse saddles in your preferred equestrian discipline. The uses and differences in saddles ranging from the general purpose saddle to the specialist dressage, racing and side saddles
Properly grooming a horse is essential particularly when your horse is stabled. Grooming not only picks up immediate problems that might become serious if left undetected, but also strengthens the bond between you and your horse
Do you know that your horses feet have a landing side and a loading side or that your horses front feet should never be steeper than your horses hind feet? Or that your horses hoof quality is directly related to its moisture content, or the main essential functions the hoof performs? No! well isn’t it about time you did.
A good equine neck conformation is advantageous in every equestrian sport. The horses neck should be flexible and work well for balancing the horse. The horse owner should look for a horse with a neck that is neither too bulky or to thin, long, or short. While taking breed characteristics into consideration.
Jumping on a horse and going hell for leather over a cross country course is fine when you’re young and fit, but getting back in the saddle when you’re older can offer some challenges. Older re-riders are a growing part of horse shows and equestrian centres are slowly recognising the need to cater to them. So, what are you waiting for?
Breaking down on a small country lane or on the motorway in the pouring rain with one or more horses in your horsebox, isn’t anyone’s idea of fun. The next time you’re organising your show schedule or busy checking your horse or pony, give a thought to your horsebox maintenance
Before tacking up with that double bridle consider whether it is really necessary and if you know how to fit the bridle properly and use it as it was meant to be used. Riding in a double bridle is not for the novice horse or rider
A Quick DIY Dressage Arena Layout Guide … How to layout a 40m dressage arena in the middle of a field quickly and accurately using two cheap 50m surveyors tapes and four tent pegs
Just sitting on an exercise ball at some point during the day, is a form of simple exercise and it helps to strengthen the core muscles that support your spine. And, that will get you fit to ride and improve your riding.
Modern equestrian eventing competitions include a wide variety of cross country obstacles and as event riders are becoming better and better, the course designers are incorporating more and more unusual obstacles and decorations
Plaiting and grooming a horses mane helps to show off the line of the neck and emphasis the neck conformation and overall look of the horse. Different types of mane pulls or cuts can be applied to different types of horse or even for competing in different types of horse shows or equestrian competitions
Whether a novice or experienced horse rider we can all benefit from improving our seat position. A good seat can solve a lot of problems from wobbly legs to your hip collapsing on one side and problems with insecure rein contact
You’ll be a better rider and a better competition team if both you and your horse are fit to ride. Some equestrian disciplines, such as polo, eventing or classical dressage demand a higher fitness level than others, but any rider who is fit to ride will actually have more fun riding. No matter what equestrian discipline they prefer
Your horse can’t communicate verbally but you can use equine body language just like your horse does with you, to understand what your horse wants. Equine Body Language or the language of Equus
