 |
Training: Performance
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Put an End to Tug-of-War
You distinctly remember buying those reins. You're sure of it. Yes, you
pondered about the length, how they'd feel in your hands, and how
they'd look
with your bridle. Yet, every ride, you find yourself
arguing with your horse
over who owns them--him or you.
We want to reverse that... | read »
|
 |
Training: Performance
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Team Up with a New Partner
Horse people live in a world of hopes and dreams, and little is as
exhilarating as getting a new horse. It's exciting and wonderful.
You are entering into a brand-new partnership. To successfully team up for
any project, you need to learn about your new horse. The more you know of your... | read »
|
 |
Training: Performance
from the pages of Horse Journal
Competing In The 21st Century
For decades, horse people have longed for wider media
coverage of all their sports, and, now that we're actually getting coverage, in
traditional and non-traditional ways, it's a reminder about being careful what
we wish for. There's a TV network devoted to horses (Horse-TV), although it... | read »
|
 |
Training: Performance
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Get Your Horse in Shape
Sometimes we just get busy and riding regularly isn't at the top of our to-do
list. Sometimes we simply like to give our horses a rest break. At other times,
there are just no events to go to, so we're not as motivated to keep our horses
in tip-top shape.
Regardless of the reason, in most... | read »
|
 |
Training: Performance
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Rehabilitating an Anxious Horse
Any horse, at any stage of training, is going to benefit from
a confident rider, reassuring treatment, and lots of slow work. But sometimes
you buy a horse that already has problems, or you create problems yourself
before you learn to be a better rider.
Training and riding errors can create... | read »
|
 |
Training: Performance
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Ranch Horse Versatility
If you pay attention to the press, "specialized" seems to be
the name of the horse game. But before you decide to trade in good old Mr.
Reliable for a horse who can star in just one discipline--you might want to
consider getting involved in versatility ranch horse events.
There's... | read »
|
 |
Training: Performance
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Be a Great Partner
Do you remember a time when you needed to be at your very
best, so you took along a friend for support? Did you choose someone who was
constantly nervous, someone who picked at you, or someone who didn't believe you
would do well? Or did you take someone who was quiet, helped you just... | read »
|
 |
Training: Performance
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Seasoning for Timed-Event Horses
Preparing your horse for a competitive career takes time.
First you spend time at home teaching the basics, then the pattern. You add
speed incrementally, staying at the same velocity until that pace becomes your
horse's comfort zone. Then you add a little more speed and stay at that speed... | read »
|
 |
Training: Performance
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Training the Timed-Event Horse
Training a horse for any timed event takes time. We talked
last month about instilling the basics--giving to pressure side to side, breaking
at the poll, responding to your legs and your body position. Those are the tools
for learning and correcting any part of a timed-event pattern.
Once... | read »
|
 |
Training: Performance
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 »
|
|
 |
|
| 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: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
