Why is Lameness so common in Dressage Horses?
Veterinarian Robin Bell looks at the stresses that affect the dressage horse and explains how they can cause unsoundness... Read Article 10 Comments »
Category: Horse Health & Rider Fitness
Veterinarian Robin Bell looks at the stresses that affect the dressage horse and explains how they can cause unsoundness... Read Article 10 Comments »
Conformation and the Sport Horse
What is 'good' conformation, and why do so many dressage and showjumping stars have 'poor' conformation? Christopher Hector asks the questions and finds some experts with answers... Read Article 6 Comments »
The Ethics of Performance Horse Training with Andrew McLean
“I’m confident that there is no problem with correct training, but there are issues that need addressing. Short necks, tension and conflict behaviours can no longer be brushed off as the horse’s fault or personality. Judges need to be clear and certain about signs of tension. The signs of tension need reviewing and predetermined penalties […] Read Article 1 Comment »
Principles of Horsemanship: Part 6 – Proportional Principle
Compared to other forms of horse training, performance horses need to be much more responsive in terms of speed and power variations. For example if your aim is simply to enjoy trail riding then the task of training is considerably less complex than that of an event horse or a dressage horse… Read Article 1 Comment »
More Truth from Dr Gerd Heuschmann
“The horse cannot perform any of these movements well without arching (tensing) and relaxing the spinal column, which we call swinging. Swinging starts with the hind legs, travels through the spine to the head and the front legs and brings the horse into contact with the bit. The swings can be seen, felt and heard; […] Read Article Comments Off on More Truth from Dr Gerd Heuschmann
Fear in horses with Dr Andrew McLean
Fear is quickly learned, not easily forgotten and is strongly associated with the movement of the horse’s legs. It is important to learn to identify the range of fear responses in horses and to avoid and diminish them. What is fear? The fear response is the horse trainer’s greatest adversary. Fear in animals such as […] Read Article Comments Off on Fear in horses with Dr Andrew McLean
Top Training tip from Lesley Brodbeck
Objective: focus, encourage articulation of joints, create rhythm and cadence. Introduce the exercise with the poles on the ground, start with four then add a couple more. Elevate gradually… this is hard work for the horse! Place poles so that the horse has room to straighten in preparation for the exercise. Approach slowly, give the […] Read Article Comments Off on Top Training tip from Lesley Brodbeck
Pole exercise for the day, for everyone
For latitudinal stretch, accuracy of line, and suppleness… Exercise of the day: Liz worked over three sets of tramlines across the diagonal placed at seven metre intervals outwards from X Objective: Latitudinal stretch, accuracy of line, suppleness… Ride serpentines, starting with the outside pair of tramlines, then adding the centre pair. Mix it up by […] Read Article Comments Off on Pole exercise for the day, for everyone
Georgia Bruce – Help is only a CLICK away!
What is Clicker Training? It is a simple way of helping your horse understand - Georgia Bruce explains... Read Article 1 Comment »