 |
Training: English
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Dressage 101
Go to any local dressage show across the country, and you'll
see a variety of entries-- kids on ponies, newbie riders on first horses,
retirees on solid schoolmasters, and pros riding highly trained animals. You
see, in dressage, there's a place for everyone.
But the coolest thing about... | read »
|
 |
Training: English
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Keeping Kids Safe Around Horses
Of course you want to
share the joys of horse ownership with your children and grandchildren. Horses
are a wonderful teaching tool for kids. Working with horses builds confidence
and instills responsibility in children. But nothing--nothing--is more important
than their safety.
A... | read »
|
 |
Training: English
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Longe Your Horse with Confidence
There are lots of
good reasons to longe your horse, as long as you do it well. One objective in
longeing is to create a pattern of control. But that doesn't mean you have to be
heavy-handed. We know that horses learn patterns and feel safe when they're
working with familiar exercises, so... | read »
|
 |
Training: English
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Longeing Lessons for Your Horse
Longeing involves
working a horse on a large circle, while you stand in the center and direct his
efforts. Just as if you're riding, you should be able to make adjustments in
your horse's gait, speed and posture through longeing.
What would it be like
if every time you put your horse on... | read »
|
 |
Training: English
from the pages of Trail Rider
Introduce a Crupper
A
crupper (a strap that runs from the back of your saddle and
loops under your horse's tail) helps to hold your saddle in place on steep
downhill grades. Your horse will quickly learn to clamp his tail onto the
crupper when he heads down steep slopes; his tail contains a large bone with... | read »
|
 |
Training: English
from the pages of Trail Rider
Pony A Horse
Pony boy, pony
boy. Won't you be my pony boy? Don't say no, here we go, ride across the
plains. Marry me, carry me, far away with you. Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up, let's
go. Whoa, my pony boy! It's been almost 50 years since I was a toddler, when
my dad bounced me up and down on his leg --... | read »
|
Training: English
from the pages of Trail Rider
Speed Control
Question:
I need
your advice regarding my riding mare, Lady. One problem has been very
troublesome for me, as it takes a lot of the pleasure away from our rides. She
doesn't want to stay in the speed or gait that I tell her -- she continues to
speed up. How can I get her to listen? --... | read »
|
 |
Training: English
from the pages of Trail Rider
Gaits Made Simple
"I know my horse has a
smooth saddle gait," a gal told me at one of my clinics. "When we're headed for
home or he's rushing to catch up with other horses, it suddenly feels like I'm
gliding along on ball bearings. But I don't know how to achieve that gait the
rest of the time. When I try... | read »
|
 |
Training: English
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Leading Like a Pro
Ever had a horse go too fast while you're leading him? You hang on for dear
life, hoping that he won't pull away from you or mow you down before you get him
under control. The opposite problem--trying to drag your old slowpoke--can be just
as frustrating, though less life-threatening. If... | read »
|
 |
Training: English
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Understand Your Horse's Language
In the last several years, a young horsewoman named Stacy Westfall of Mount
Gilead, Ohio, has captivated the horse world's attention. Stacy has won numerous
"freestyle" classes at National Reining Horse Association events by guiding her
horse bridleless through an intricate series of... | read »
|
|
 |
|
| Bonding Exercises |
| Question: I have a 7-year-old grade-horse gelding that’s very receptive to training. I'm aware of the importance of bonding — that is, building mutual respect and trust to create a positive relationship. I was wondering whether you could suggest some specific exercises... | read |
| More Stories: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
