Crossing Training

The word dressage comes from the French word dresser which means training. The training methods used in dressage develops, obedience, flexibility and balance horses which would apply to any disciplines and that is where Cross Training comes in.

Cross Training is using dressage training methods to train or improve your horse as well as your riding skills. No matter what type of riding you do, there is always a place for dressage training. Using dressage training techniques can help your horse become more relaxed, obedient, athletic and fun to ride. It can also help him have a longer more useful life. It will help you develop a happy well trained horse no matter what discipline you chose to ride or whether you trail ride or show your horse.

Crossing Training increases your communication with your horse and establishes a foundations which a horse can excel in any discipline. People from all different discipline have incorporate dressage into the training of their horse. Cross Training helps horses become more willing. Your horse will respond more enthusiastically to the your cues. It will help the rider to develop non-verbal language with their horse as well as invisible signals. You will find your horse will be a pleasure to ride,

Who is Crossing Training good for, well everyone. If you are a trail rider you will find your horse is more agile and more confidence and a pleasure to ride. You will find he has more stamina as well on the trail. Crossing Training is great for those showing their horse Western, Hunt Seat, Equitation just about any discipline, because it is a foundation for all those disciplines.  It will improve your horse's performance. Even riders who Barrel Race or do Endurance riding have found this method of training improves their horse's performance and attitude.Crossing Training should be a part of every horse's training program.

So many people think dressage is about riding a  dressage test on a very expensive horse while wearing a top hat and jodhpurs, but it is really just about a training method. Your horse doesn't have to be expensive, you don't have to wear jodhpurs and you don't have ride a test for your horse and you to benefit from the training methods of dressage.

Happy Trails,
Cheryl

Is Your Horse Paying The Price For Your Bad Choices

Here are some phrases that always make me cringe: "I had 30 days put on him by a friend of mine" or " I had a young guy who's kind of cowboy start him" or " My farrier is a trainer too and he put 30 days of him for me" or " This guy rides them every day for hours, you know really gets them broke". When I hear those statements I feel badly for the horse, because that person has made a bad choice and the horse is paying the price for that bad choice. They don't realize it, however, and often times will blame the horse or become angry with the horse.

Every choice you make affects your horse in a positive or a negative way.

When you choose a person to train your horse whose only objective is to "saddle break" the horse and achieves this objective by riding your horse for hours on the trail or until he has saddle sores or is physically exhausted your horse ends up paying the price for that decision. Don't be surprised if your horse doesn't want you riding him. If your horse has not been taught to change leads, collect his gait, flex or rein properly don't get flustered with him because he can't do those things when you ask.  You made that choice - your horse didn't.

You make choices all the time that affect your horse. Choosing a saddle, tack and bit for your horse affects him. If the saddle doesn't fit him properly it may cause him pain. If it doesn't fit you properly you won't be seated correctly on your horse - which will affect him and could cause him pain as well. Choosing the right bit for your horse is important, too. The bit needs to fit him correctly and be suited to him. This , of course, applies to young horses, but to horses that have already been trained as well. In some cases you might purchase a horse and find out the previous owners were rough or heavy handed which hurt the horse's mouth. That's when you need to change the bit or perhaps try a Bosal. Choosing the wrong bit will harm you horse.


Training clinics are very popular today, but you need to be careful about the clinics you choose. I have had clients come to me with nervous, fretful, stubborn and sometimes fearful horses that they have created by attending a clinic. Remember just because they bill themselves as " the world's best or most trusted" doesn't mean that is the case. Going to a clinic where someone encourages you to poke your horse with a stick or chase him with it might not be your best choice. Going to a clinic where the person giving it insists you keep making your horse gallop around the round pen until he is exhausted is not the right choice. On the human side of it going to a clinic where the person giving the clinic ridicules and humiliates you is not a good choice for you or your horse. Please don't go to a clinic where they tell you to "move those feet" or they want you to push your horse away from you - that's ridiculous. You want your horse to enjoy being around you.  Don't make a bad choice in what clinic you attend with your horse - it may harm your horse and you as well.

I guess what I'm saying here is think about what are you doing where your horse is concerned.  I believe that 95% of the problems horses have today are caused by their humans making thoughtless
choices that harm them.

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Helping Horses With Humans Is A Challenge

In the 26 years I have been training horses and riders I have found as a rule most horses are much easier to train than their riders. Let me apologize to all you humans out there, but it's true, if horses are handled with kindness combined with firmness when training them they are far more willing to follow you and accept what you are teaching than humans are.

Here is an example if I have a horse who I'm working with who is nervous, not connected, a little bull headed or pushy I will often times us the Monty Robert's Join-Up method.  It's fairly simple - you put the horse in a round pen and you simply ignore him for a few minutes - turning your back on him. After a few moments you send him away by stomping your feet or throwing the lead line out towards him. The horse will usually trot or even lope around you. What you are trying to do is convince the horse you don't want him in your herd - that you are the one in control. After awhile the horse begins to want to be in your herd and will starting asking to come back into the herd - usually by licking their lips and approaching you with a demeanor that says "I want to be with you". After you have chased him away a couple more times to reinforce that you are the herd leader you let him in. Once you have done this you rub his head and make him feel good about being with you and you are friends for life. Okay, I have explained that training method to humans and expected them to learn as quickly as the horse, but oh no they don't. I have to explain it to them two or three times. Then I get them and the horse in the round pen to do the Join Up and the human goes to pieces. At some point I wondered if I should stomp my feet at them and send them away as I did the horse - perhaps that would help.

I use Linda Tellington-Jones methods, too, when training. I often use her obstacle course to lead horses through in-hand as well as mounted. Going through the labyrinth, cones, over tarps, around the wagon wheel and over ground poles helps the horse readjust his thought process. As a rule doing this a couple of times with a horse will make a difference in his attitude.   I'm always hopeful it will help readjust the human thought process as well and change their attitude. Sometimes it works, but other times not so much. When you do this Linda suggests you carry what she refers to as wand (riding crop-dressage whip) so if the horse gets out of control you can use the butt end of the wand to give him a quick rap between eyes just once. You don't do it repeatedly or severely - just once and then move on. Sometimes humans listen and do it correctly, but other times they don't and will do it two or three times. That's when I take the wand away from the human, apologize to the horse and ask the horse if they would like to use the wand on their human to readjust their thoughts.



I always say "if the rider is right the horse is right" a quote I stole from Dressage training a long time ago. When I'm training a horse I have no trouble helping the horse be right.. now wait for it, because I'm right in the saddle. I keep my heels down, my stirrups are the correct length, I sit on my seat bones, I use my legs to ride, I sit up straight in the saddle and my hands are quiet so the horse is bending at the pole, flexing, collecting his gait and is a happy horse.  The horse improves with every training session, so happy trainer and happy horse, Now when I trying to train a human that's where I became a little flustered and unhappy.  See humans want to blame the horse and take no responsibility for what they may be doing wrong. Maybe the problem is the horse is listening to me in the saddle and the rider isn't listening to me while I'm instructing them. Maybe it's easier for them to blame the horse than face their own shortcoming as riders.

Yes, training humans is a much bigger challenge than training most horses, but I will keep doing it because somebody has to help all those horses out there with problem humans. I will also keep doing it because I have had success training humans. When it all comes together and that light bulb goes on it's a very satisfying feeling. I will keep doing it for those moments when the rider climbs off their horse, hugs him with tears in their eyes and then hugs me.

If The Rider Is Right The Horse Is Right

Rider Number 1

  Here are several riders who are all riding      different disciplines. All these rider have one  thing in common they are right in the saddle so
 there horses are right.

Rider number 1  is riding on a Flat Seat English.  She has her irons at the proper length so she is able to post the trot properly. She is balanced in the saddle. Her hands are in the correct  position even as she rises posting the trot. She is balanced and correct which helps her horse be balanced and correct.  She is perfect example of a Flat Seat English rider.

Rider Number 2

Rider number 2 is riding Hunt Seat. Her Irons are the correct length and she is seating balanced in the saddle. Her hands are in the correct position not to low or too high. This rider is balanced and correct as is her horse.  She is a perfect example of a Hunt Seat Rider.


Rider number 3 is riding Western Pleasure. Again her stirrups are the proper length so she is well seated in the saddle. Her hand is in the correct position on the reins and she is riding one handed as she should be. She is balanced and correct in the saddle.  She is a perfect example of a Western Pleasure rider.

Rider Number 3

Rider Number 4 

Rider number 4 is riding Dressage. His stirrups are the correct length, so he is seated properly in the saddle. His hands are in the correct position too. He balanced and correct in the saddle. He is perfect example of a Dressage rider.

Rider Number 5

Rider number 5 is a pleasure riding on a western saddle. She like the other riders have her stirrups at the correct length and she is seated properly in the saddle. Her hand is in the correct position. Just like those other rider she riding balanced and correct. She is the perfect example of a Pleasure rider.

My point here is whether you are in the show ring, dressage ring or trail riding it's important that you are right in the saddle so your horse will be right. Being right means having your stirrups at the correct length not too short or too long. You should be centered and balanced in the saddle sitting on your seat bones. You should have your hands in the correct position for reining for your horse. Being balanced in
the saddle is also important for your safety when you are riding on the trail, because if you are properly balanced than when you encounter obstacle on the trail like a limb of a tree or your horse is startled by something you won't be so likely to become unseated. If you are riding correctly your horse will find the ride less tiring and less stressful , which will make a more enjoyable ride for  you both.

Sometimes They Can't Understand What Horses Mean To Some Of Us

Horses have been part of my life for 42 out of my 55 years, so one would think that after all those years people wouldn't say things like " well if you didn't have those horses" to me. How in the world do they not realize that horses are who I am for heaven sake? That's right I'm a 54 year old  woman who couldn't imagine my life without horses in it. 

 No, I don't take many vacations to the Caribbean (if I could afford it) because I have horses, but I don't care. Yes, I have to live in the country instead in town, but that's fine with me if it means I can walk out my back door and hear those horses whinny at me every morning -that's what keeps me going. Sure there are times when I  have to leave a social event earlier than others do because I have to go home to feed the herd, not a problem for me - I enjoy taking care of those horses and some days it's all that gets me through my day. I know if you're not a horse person you don't understand this, but please just smile and accept it because it makes me happy. 

 I realize to some people horses are just a beast, but to me they are for more than just a beast. Horses have given me so much in life like confidence, courage, grace, patience, compassion and spirit. When I was in the 7th grade I was terrified to get up in front of the class and give an oral book report, but today I stand in the middle of an arena, with far more people watching than those in that 7th grade class, and conduct clinics at Horse Expos. My job today is standing up in front of people instructing, giving clinics, judging horse shows and speaking to groups of people with no fear whatsoever. I think horses helped me face difficult things in my life both now and when I was younger, but I didn't realize it then the way I do today. If it hadn't been for horses I probably wouldn't have become a writer. I think horses make me a better person and actually help me see things more clarity.

To me horses are very spiritual beings. I read a book  called Horses and the Mystical Path The Celtic Way of Expanding The Human Soul and in that book they talk about how horses have affected human lives throughout time. There were so many things in the book that made me say " yes that's how I feel," and made me feel connected to the Celtic people. For me horses connect me to my ancestors. 

When I'm training a horse I feel a connection to my Grandfather. Being around my horses often time makes me feel closer to family members that are no longer here with us. 

In conclusion I'm proud to be a unabashed horses enthuses who is looking forward to 40 more years of taking care of horses, riding horses, training horses and just having them in my life. Monica Dickens said it best. " If you have it, it's for life. It is disease which there is no cure. You go on riding even after they have to haul onto a comfortable wise old cob, with feet like inverted buckets and back like a fireside chair," If don't understand it I can never explain to you, but please never say to me  " if you didn't have horses".

Horses heat up 10 times faster than people – study reports

A hot humid day. One rider. One horse. Both are exercising at a moderate level. Who is more likely to overheat? 

It might surprise you to know that your horse gets hotter much faster than you and is more susceptible to the negative effects of heat stress.

Professor Michael Lindinger, an animal and exercise physiologist at the University of Guelph, explains: “It only takes 17 minutes of moderate intensity exercise in hot, humid weather to raise a horse’s temperature to dangerous levels. That’s three to 10 times faster than in humans. Horses feel the heat much worse than we do.”

And the effects can be serious. If a horse’s body temperature shoots up from the normal 37 to 38 C to 41 C, temperatures within working muscles may be as high as 43 C, a temperature at which proteins in muscle begin to denature (cook). Horses suffering excessive heat stress may experience hypotension, colic and renal failure.

Lindinger, a faculty member in the Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, became interested in the effects of heat on horses when he was a lead researcher on the Canadian research team that contributed information on the response of the horse to heat and humidity for the Atlanta Summer Olympics. He recently presented a workshop on the topic at Equine Guelph’s outdoor Equine Expo on June 4 at U of G’s Arkell Research Station.

Horses are more susceptible to heat for several reasons, explains Lindinger. First, they are larger and have a higher percentage of active muscle than people do during exercise. When muscles are being used, they produce a lot of heat.

Horses also rely to a significant extent on sweating to cool them off. They can sweat 15 to 20 litres per hour in cool, dry conditions and up to 30 litres per hour in hot, humid conditions, but only 25 to 30 per cent of the sweat produced is effective in cooling the horse by evaporation.

“Because so much more sweat is produced than can be evaporated, the rest just drips off the horse’s body,” says Lindinger. “By comparison, up to 50 per cent of the sweat people produce is evaporated from our bodies during exercise and helps to cool us.”

The salts in horse sweat are also four times as concentrated as in human sweat. Lindinger refers to a photograph of an area where endurance horses had been standing while their sweaty bodies were repeatedly scraped and cooled with water. As the liquids evaporated from the ground, the soil surface was left white because of the salt in the horses’ sweat.

“Those salts have to be replaced,” he says. “Just giving the horse water will not rehydrate a dehydrated horse. When horses drink plain water, it dilutes their body fluids, and their bodies respond by trying to get rid of more water and more electrolytes.”

Horses also pant to dissipate heat, but Lindinger says this is effective only if the air is at least five degrees cooler than the horse’s body temperature.

His tips for protecting horses from the harmful effects of summer heat begin with teaching your horse to drink an electrolyte solution (water with the right proportion of salts dissolved in it) to replace sweat losses. “Start with a small amount in the water, allowing the horse to get used to the taste, and gradually increase it over days and weeks until you have reached the manufacturer’s recommendation.”

Keeping your horse properly hydrated is the most important step in protecting it against the harmful effects of heat, he says.

Keeping your horse properly hydrated is the most important step in protecting it against the harmful effects of heat.

If you’re preparing for a competition, Lindinger recommends trying to acclimatize your horse to the heat by spending four hours daily, at least five days a week for three weeks, in hot conditions. For best results, exercise the horse for an hour during the second hour of each of those days.

“Many riders will train their horses in the mornings or evenings, when it’s cool, then go to a competition held during the hottest part of the day. You need to get horses used to being ridden in the heat and allow them to develop the full spectrum of beneficial adaptations that come with heat acclimation.”

Lindinger says that horses who have been through a process of heat acclimation will lose more heat through sweating and respiration and will be better able to stay hydrated because they are more likely to drink.

When your horse is hot, look for shade and breezes to help cool it down, but never use a blanket or “cooler” on a horse that is sweating, he adds, suggesting the best way to cool a horse quickly is to rinse the horse’s body repeatedly with cold water and scrape off the excess water.

“You can cool the horse two degrees in 10 minutes this way: pour on the water, scrape it off, pour on more, and just keep repeating it,” says Lindinger. “The scraping part is important because otherwise the water will be trapped in the horse’s hair and will quickly warm up. By scraping and pouring on fresh, cold water you keep the cooling process going.”

Just as equestrians pack a canteen of water, some sunscreen and a hat with a brim for summer riding adventures, Lindinger says they should also equip themselves with the tools needed to protect their horses from the heat and humidity. If you prepare your horse in advance and have a plan to cool him down if he becomes overheated, he says, even the hot, muggy days of summer can be great riding fun.

Reinvent The Wheel????

Recently I read a training tip (so to speak) that was posted on Social Media from a well known clinician and, once again, I was flabbergasted by what I read. Apparently, according to this clinician, every time you walk around your horse to change sides you are signaling to him that you are submissive to him.

Apparently you need " move those feet" every time you handle your horse to gain his respect.

So let me get this straight you don't want to walk around your horse while grooming him, flying spraying him, having his hoofs trimmed, bathing him, tacking him up or whatever you are doing with him? What you want to do is move his feet so he will respect you. I guess for generations we have been doing it wrong. We shouldn't have been walking around our horses to change sides we should have made the horse move. Oh please... that's ridiculous. 

These people are trying to reinvent the wheel and, unfortunately, doing harm to both horses and humans in the process. My opinion of this notion that you move a horse away from you constantly when  you are handling him is that  you are actually harassing the horse and making him fearful of you. A horse should want to be with you and be comfortable being with you. He should not move away from or around you because you have pushed him away all the time, good grief. A happy confident horse will stand quietly while you walk around him when you are working with him, because he is feels comfortable with you as a herd leader and you walking around him is not being submissive to him it's just the opposite. I want my horse to be with me not sidestep, back away or move around me every time I handle him, because I have harassed him by shaking the lead rope, poking him with a stick or waved my arms at him so he will move away from me. I want my horse to stand quietly while I groom, tack up, bath him, fly spray him, have his hooves done, vet him  or whether I'm just standing there rubbing his forehead in the paddock. Bottom line I want my horses to want to be with me and trust me. 

Think about it - would rather have your horse "move his feet" away from you every time you handle him or would you rather have him feeling comfortable and confident enough around you to just stand their quietly and peacefully with you.  My thought on this training tip is don't try it. Your horse will greatly appreciate it. 

Listening To Horse Is So Important If You Want to Dance With Him

The other night, while I was watching the television show “ Dancing With The Stars”, I thought about people asking me if I could teach them to train their horse, when I was training  and giving lessons. Why, you  ask, did  I think of that question? Well, I guess because riding a horse is a little bit like dancing . When people begin to learn to dance they are taught the steps of the dance without the music. It all starts with choreography and the music is added later.  I always felt that  there was more to horse training than teaching the steps to someone. I could have done just that, but I didn’t, because eventually  you have to hear and feel the music or  you’re not going to be very good at the dance. 

  It seems, of late years, the horse world is full people teaching other people the 

“choreography” of training horses without the “music”.  Training a horse is not just  a formula that works on all horses, because, just like people being instructed 

in dance, horses have different personalities as well as strong and weak points. 

Someone can give you the formula for training your horse, but  you can’t be successful if you don’t know your horse well enough to know his strong points and weak points. 

 When people would ask me if I could teach or train them to be able to train their horse my answer, as  a rule, was no,  particularly when  they were fairly new horse owners. In my opinion,  it takes  years of experience with horses to be able to train them and, even then, not everybody is capable of actually training a horse. I would explain to them that the first, and most important, thing they needed to do was to really get  to know their horse. Listen to his “music”.

  I would tell them that they  needed to build a relationship of trust and friendship with their horse. I also suggested that they should start spending time with their horse so they could get to know the horse. I would tell them to just spend  the afternoon with their horse, not necessarily riding or schooling the horse. I would tell them  to just give the horse a good grooming then take the horse for walk on the lead line and let them graze, and just talk to the horse.  I suggested they watch their horse in the pasture with other horses, so they could learn about the horse’s personality , learn where he was in pecking order of the herd. I would tell them that just hanging around talking to, and watching, their horse sometimes was better than riding them. The more you know about your horse the better partnership you will build with him.

  If you know how the horse is feeling it makes it much easier to solve problems the two of you may have in your partnership. You need to listen to your horse and have a feel for what he’s thinking before you try to teach him anything. 

 If you want to enjoy your horse and dance with  him then you need to listen to the “music” as well as know the steps. I believe that anyone can teach the “choreography” , but not many can teach you to feel the “music”. So, perhaps, before you make the decision to try to teach your horse some new steps you should be sure you know how to feel the horse’s “music” before you start the lesson.

Western Dressage

Western Dressage is all about classical horsemanship as a foundation for any discipline and is designed to help western riders learn to us the training scale to provide a step-by-step progression for training and relationship building. 

Whether you are a trail rider, a pleasure rider, a barrel racer or a endurance rider Western Dressage will help you become a better rider and will help your horse be better. Western Dressage promotes long-term soundness as well has enhances the relationship between  horse and rider. 

Western is style or type of riding just as English Hunt Seat is style or type of riding. Dressage is derived from a French word dresser that simple means to train.  The Dressage tests were developed to measure a horse's athletic development at a specific point in their training. The Dressage test is not a means to an end, but it is a process to provide feedback on the training of your horse. Western Dressage integrates the principles of Dressage with the best of Western Working Horse tradition. 

The elements of the two disciplines are of course very similar. Both disciplines create a better horse and rider through structured focused and progressive physical as well as mental development. 
Both look for balance, cadence and carriage. Both disciplines use tests as an opportunity to evaluate the progress of horse and rider through feedback. 

Where they due differ is in the execution of the fundamental elements. As the horse and rider progress through the levels of Western Dressage, the test elements reflect the movements, maneuvers and duties asked of a Western horse. The Western Dressage horse needs to handy, willing, safe and calm while demonstrating pure gaits and lightness. The Western Dressage horse is evaluated with the conformation and movement of today's Western horse in mind. In keeping with tradition, Western Dressage is shown in Western tack and clothing.

Western Dressage goal is not to create a Western horses that competes in traditional Dressage, but to develop a Western horse and offer additional education through the principles of Dressage and good Horsemanship. 

Any breed can participate in Western Dressage including gaited breeds. There is no special tack or embellishments required just good, clean, functional working western tack. They recommend rider's attire be conservative in the style keeping the focus on the horse. Rider can wear their jeans and jeans. Helmets or western hats are required, but the preference  for on or another is up to the rider.

There several Western Dressage organization out there today who's goal are to educate and promote this fast growing equine sport. 

Longeing Without Stirrups is Good for Beginning Riders

by Faith Meredith
I agree with this article that Faith Meredith wrote about longeing without stirrups being a good tool for beginning riders. I have had my students do that exercise. 

 Longeing without stirrups can be a wonderfully useful tool to help riders learn to relax, ride in balance, and follow the motion of the horse as they work toward developing an independent
seat.
  Longeing allows the rider to concentrate on her seat without worrying about controlling the horse's pace, direction or speed. With someone else handling the horse, longeing removes the fear factor. When the rider feels safe, it is easier to relax her muscles so that she can feel and follow the horse's motion in
balance.
  The horse handler also provides the rider with an observer whose feedback can be enormously useful. The rider may feel she is balanced but the handler may note that she is leaning backward or forward rather than being positioned correctly over the horse's center of gravity. The handler can remind the rider to breathe or provide other verbal cues to help the rider match the horse's rhythm. The handler can help describe the movements of the horse's feet so that the rider can begin to feel them for herself through her seat
bones.
  Longeing is a skill that must be mastered by both horse and handler before they can work safely as a team to help riders develop good seats. A longeing schoolmaster is a special horse. This horse must be in good condition and able to carry himself in balance on circles in either direction. He should have an excellent sense of rhythm and if the rider loses her balance, he should not get flustered or change his rhythm. The longeing schoolmaster is able to stay focused and relaxed regardless of anything else that might be going on in the vicinity. He is very aware of the handler's body language and responds predictably and smoothly to her requests for up or
down transitions.
  The handler should be familiar with the horse and sure of her ability to communicate clearly with it before putting a rider up. She should know how to keep the horse moving forward in a steady rhythm and how to ask for smooth up or down transition.
  While some instructors like to use longeing cavessons, many people do not have them. A simple snaffle bridle is sufficient. Slip a halter over the bridle and fasten the longe line to the halter ring. We like to use side reins whenever we longe riders but if the horse is comfortable working on a circle they are not always necessary. It is better not to use side reins than to use them incorrectly. Boots or bandages protect the horse's legs from accidental dings and provide tendon support when working on a circle. A riding helmet and gloves are standard safety equipment for both rider and handler.
  To help the beginning rider, we fasten a "grab strap" to the dees on the front of the saddle. The rider can hold onto the strap until they develop good balance. A rider can also use these straps to pull her seat deeper into the saddle. This opens her hips and tips her pelvis up. Crossing the stirrups of an English saddle over the pommel also creates a grab strap of sorts. Pull the buckle down 5 or 6 inches away from the safety bar before crossing the leathers to eliminate awkward lumps under the
rider's thighs.
  The longeing arena should never be less than 20 meters in diameter. Anything less is too hard on the horse's legs. Longe lessons should end before horse or rider become too tired. A half of an hour is long enough. Change direction once, spending half the time in each direction. When changing direction, the horse should stop on the circle and handler should approach it and reposition the longe before working in the second direction. A beginning or muscularly weak rider may need frequent walk breaks during a half hour lesson. With more advanced students, one way to get more out of a longe lesson is to let two students take turns as rider or handler while the instructor watches and
teaches.
  Beginning riders working on a longe should concentrate on relaxation, balance and finding the proper position in the saddle. They can first practice relaxing different groups of muscles, then relaxing all of their muscles. We do not ask beginning riders to hold their heels and toes in a riding position at first. A loose, relaxed ankle helps them move around and experiment with their position. The initial goal is to help them find a correct position with their body aligned from shoulder to hips to heels, shoulder back and open, head and neck straight, and thighs relaxed and flat against the saddle. They should not be gripping with their thighs and their lower leg should rest softly against the
horse.
  As riders progress, there are many balance exercises that can be added at the walk, then trot. Riders can dangle their legs or ride with legs held out away from the saddle. They can change their arm positions to challenge their balance – arms crossed in front, held on top of their head, stretched over their head, or held out to the sides as they twist in either direction. They can count the horses's strides out loud to help them develop a sense
of rhythm.
  Transitions from gait to gait are excellent exercises to use on the longe. As riders continue to progress, they can try to ask for up or down transitions before the handler intervenes. As their balance and muscle strength increase, they can graduate from a sitting trot to a posting trot without stirrups. The instructor/handler needs to be a good observer and choose exercises that will help individual riders work on their particular issues.

In Hand Trail Classes

Trail class has been around for some time and is certainly well known, but there is a relatively new trail class, that is an off- shoot of the traditional trail class, called In-Hand Trail Class.This class is  growing in popularity with all breeds.
 The In-Hand Trail class course is set up much like a standard trail class in which the horses are ridden, except  the horse is led in-hand by the exhibitor. Like a ridden trail class obstacles are set up in the arena.  This class were once generally offered to young horses who had not yet been saddle trained, but that has changed in recent years and is open to horses of all ages and training levels. At most open shows however the general rule is if the horse is entered in a In-Hand Trail class they can't enter the ridden Trail Class, but at some shows the In-Hand Trail and Ridden Trail class course are different.
  Just as in ridden trail class the course is set up in a ring and the exhibitor is told what is required of both exhibitor and  horse in the class. Depending on the age of the horse competing there may be a bridge to walk over or a gate to go through. You may also be asked to walk over poles on the ground or tarps  (to simulate water). You may be asked to back your horse through poles as well as place a saddle pad or other type of blanket on him.
 Your horse must have basic grounds manners to compete in this class. He needs to lead properly,  in-hand, and stand quietly. Like any other class you may enter it’s important to train your horse at home so he is comfortable with what you ask him to do on show day. It’s a good idea to set up obstacles at home for these training sessions.
 In-hand trail class is a perfect class for the young horse with no showing experience or older horses new to show ring. It exposes them to the show ring as well as all the sights and sounds outside the show ring. It’s  a good starting place for young horses and good confidence builder for them as well.
 At the show the course will be explained to you The judging of the class is usually done just as a ridden trail class, with points received for each obstacle successfully  executed and points taken off for refusals.
 Entering an In-Hand Trail  Class is, for many people  is not only a challenge, but they find it enjoyable as well. It exposes young horses, or even mature horses with no showing experience, to the show ring. It’s an excellent training method, as well, for the young horse and he can carry what he has learned in-hand to his saddle training. Entering an In-Hand Trail class is also an excellent method of bonding with horse whether you have young horse or you and your horse are just beginning your partnership. Many Seasoned Riders enjoy entering this class with their horses for those to reasons.

Happy Trails.

Still Horse Crazy After All These Years

I remember how excited I was when I got me first horse when I was 12 years old.  I couldn't sleep the night before and I couldn't stop smiling. I remember being so thrilled when I got to feed the horses and fill the water tub.  That first ride on my own horse sent me over the moon. Going to the tack store and buying new halter and lead was so much fun for me. Don't get me started on how exciting it was when I got a new saddle. Every thing that summer was wonderful to me, even cleaning stalls.

There have been several new horses that have entered my life since that first horse 40 years ago. I would like to say that I'm grown up now and I don't get that excited anymore, but that wouldn't be truthful. I still find myself getting that same feeling in pit of my stomach when a new horses is about to arrive. I will still go out and purchase a new halter and lead for that new horse which is still fun. The first ride is still exciting and honestly it makes me feel like a 12 year old again. A new horse just brings that the 12 old horse crazy girl out in me.

As I welcome a new horse into my life a beautiful a National Show Horse mare my handsome Morab gelding is not far from my thoughts and neither is that 12 year old girl I use to be.

Speak Up

I published this originally in the Pony Press and again January of 2013 here, but feel it can't be said to many times. 

I don’t know how many of you have read, or have heard of, the children’s book the Emperor’s New Clothes by Hans Christian Andersen. It is about about two weavers who promise an Emperor a new suit of clothes made out of the finest cloth money can by and the very vane Emperor who gives them the money to buy that cloth. However, the two weavers don’t spend the money on the cloth so they come up with a  rather clever plan. 
     They convince the Emperor and everyone around him that the cloth is invisible to those who are unfit for their position, stupid, or incompetent. When the Emperor parades before his subjects in his new clothes  everyone acts as though they can see the clothes,  except for a child who cries out  "But he isn't wearing anything at all!” Okay, what does this have to with anything horse related? Well  I’m about to explain that.
      I think we oftentimes have  Emperor’s New Clothes syndrome in the horse world. We are  sometimes convinced by people in our industry that we should see things a certain way and do things a certain way. They convince some of us if we don’t do that it’s because we are not smart enough or savvy enough to understand what they are doing. Not wanting to look foolish, people often go along without questioning what they are being asked to do or what they are seeing - which can lead to problems for the horse and the human. 
    For example, there has been a real trend lately of people standing on the their horse’s back which (unless you have a trick saddle, are a trained trick rider and your horse is trained for trick riding) could very well get you hurt, but nobody seems to want to say that to those people standing on the back of their horses. In other words - let’s not tell the Emperor he is naked, because we might look as if we are not smart enough to understand why people are doing this. 
    People are also riding their horses with no bridle or halter and using a stick  to control the horse, which, in my professional opinion is not safe, especially on the trail. We need to tell the Emperor that what he is doing is dangerous. 
    I have seen a video of a clinician, at an event, asking those participating to stand up in their stirrups, put their hands behind their backs and ask their horses for a trot. Thankfully, those participants were wearing helmets. That was a dangerous thing to ask anyone to do on horseback. Those riding in that clinic should have said “ No, are you crazy?”,  but they wouldn’t have wanted to appear ignorant or unable to understand what the clinician wanted them do, so they dutifully did what they were asked. 
    Sometimes at these clinics the horses aren’t being treated with kindness and sometimes it borders on abuse, but nobody is willing to stand up and voice that opinion. You know what’s coming - they don’t want to tell the Emperor that he’s naked.
    This syndrome can be found in showing circles as well, even at the Olympic level.  A trainer/rider begins to consistently win and they will become very sought after because of those wins. People don’t concern themselves with the methods that person may be using which could be harming the horse - all they can see is those Blue Ribbons, Trophies and Medals.  Again, people don’t want to speak out against these methods.  After all,  those people are the experts and they certainly wouldn’t want to question them. That would make them appear ignorant. 
    When you see a person doing something that is dangerous to themselves and their horse speak up - maybe you can help that person before someone gets hurt. If you feel a horse is being abused speak up, don’t just stand idly by and let it happen. This applies to everything in life - stand up and say “That’s not right!” Go ahead - tell the Emperor he is Naked. 

Risk Of Riding To Early

It's important not start riding a young horse too early in his development, as it cause physical and physiologically damage. Different breeds grow at different rates. Most horses reach their full adult height between the ages of 4 and 5, but some heavy breed won't reach their full height until they are around 8 years old.

Skeletal maturity is very important factor when starting a horse. Horses have growth plates on either end of every bone in their bodies, other than their skull, which allows bones to grow. These plates at the end of their bones are made from cartilage, but once they have finished growing they convert to bone and become more durable and less susceptible to damage. The plates belonging to bones that involved in how tall a horse gets like the femurs and hocks--usually fuse by around 4 years of age. The bones of the vertebral column are the last to fuse and rarely do so before a horse is 5 1/2 years old.

You must also consider the emotional maturity of the horse as well. Those who are worked too early may have trouble understanding what you're asking of them because they are simple not mentally ready for complex commands yet. Most horses reach emotional maturity between 5 and 7 years of age. If you ask a horse to do to much before he reaches his emotional maturity it cause significant problems. The horse may become resentful of their work, which can cause unwanted behaviors.

Riding to early can be risky. While you don't have to wait for your horse stop growing completely and all his bones to be fused to get on his back, it not advisable to start riding him too soon. While rare riding to early can cause leg deformities or damage growth plates , but it can happen. Spinal problems can be an issue as well when riding a horse that is too young. To avoid these problems it is best not to ride your horse much before he is at least 4 years old and some people prefer closer to 6 years old.

Ground training lightly can begin between 2 and 3 years of age. When your horses reaches 4 years of age you can begin more rigors ground training that will be  a foundation for his saddle training. When he reaches his 5th year you can begin to do some light riding and training. The more advance training and riding should wait until he is 6 years old. You want your horse to have a long, useful, healthy and happy live with you.

Ten Mistakes to Avoid In The Winter

1. Letting his waterer freeze over.
A horse will not stay properly hydrated if his water is frozen. Snow and ice are no substitute for clean, unfrozen drinking water. Your horse’s risk of impaction colic is greatly increased if he doesn’t have access to unfrozen water at all times. If you live in a region that experiences below-freezing temperatures, invest in a heating device specifically designed for horse waterers and troughs.

2. Not increasing feed rations when temperatures dip.
Talk to your veterinarian about how much feed your horse should receive during the winter months. As the temperatures drop, your horse burns more calories to stay warm. For some horses, this means considerable weight loss. If your horse isn’t on a calorie-restricted diet, consider increasing his hay rations as it gets colder outside. Forage (hay) provides an excellent source of calories. Also, the process of digesting fiber (most hays are high in fiber) helps keep a horse warmer.

3. No exercise.
Just like we humans, horses need exercise all year long, even when it’s cold outside! If possible, continue riding through the winter months. If severe conditions make winter riding impossible, turn your horse out daily in a large pasture or paddock daily; if it’s safe to do so, consider longeing him to keep him fit.

4. Overriding an out of shape horse.
If you only ride when the weather is good, chances are you won’t be doing much saddling up if you live in a cold winter region. That’s ok if you do other things to keep your horse fit, but if he’s a stable potato most of the season, use caution: An out-of-shape horse is at a much greater risk of musculoskeletal injury if exercised hard. If your winter riding schedule is sporadic, based on weather conditions, stick to lighter workouts that won’t over task your horse. Gradually increase his exercise level as his fitness improves.

5. Sequestering a horse indoors.
Horses will stay healthier and fitter if left outdoors for the winter, with a few caveats: All horses must have shelter from the elements. A three-sided shelter with a roof is a must. If you do bring your horse indoors, try to leave him out during the day and only bring him in at night. And don’t close your barn up! Instead, leave it open to ensure good airflow inside; a closed-up barn leads to poor air quality that can affect a horse’s respiratory health.

6. Over blanketing.
When it’s snowing outside and you’re inside enjoying a warm dinner by the fire, it’s hard not to feel sorry for your horse. To ease the guilt, you may be tempted to rush out and pile yet another blanket on him. Stop yourself right there! Yes, a horse with a full or partial body clip does need blanketing during winter, regardless of whether he’s kept indoors or out. But a horse with his natural winter coat probably doesn’t need blanketing as long as he has shelter from the elements, is receiving proper nutrition and is in good health. Over blanketing a horse can cause him to overheat, which can lead to dehydration and a host of health problems. If you are concerned about your horse’s comfort during winter, talk to your veterinarian about it.

7. Lack of hoof care.
Nothing irks a good farrier more than an owner who insists on foregoing hoof care during the winter months. Horses—barefoot or shod, ridden or not—need regular farrier care every six to eight weeks, maybe even more often, regardless of the season. Period, the end!

8. No beauty treatment.
Even if you don’t ride during the winter, groom your horse regularly—daily if possible. Regular grooming and handling provides the opportunity to evaluate your horse and alerts you to problems such as illness, injury, weight loss, lost shoe, cracked hooves, et cetera. It’s up to us, as owners, to intervene as quickly as possible when something is wrong. Catching a problem early on helps put your horse back on the track to good health.

9. Throwing him out to pasture and forgetting about him.
There’s an old cowboy adage out there, "no rest for the horseman.” Yes, the holidays are upon us, and yes it’s darn cold outside, but you still have to keep up on your daily horsekeeping chores. Even if your horses are in pasture, you still have lots of work to do! Watering, feeding, grooming, exercising—get busy.

10. Neglecting your own health.
Most of us are responsible horse people who put equine health in front of our own. But remember, if you’re not healthy, you won’t be able to care for your horse. When tending to your horsekeeping tasks this winter, stay warm, stay safe and stay healthy because there’s someone counting on you every day.

The horses are still fuzzy and temperatures are still a bit on the chilly side, but Spring will be here before we know it. Spring of course marks the beginning of riding season whether on the trail, in the show ring or both .We are all looking  forward to  getting back in the saddle. 

Now is the perfect time to tune-up our riding skills before we get back in the saddle for riding season. Let's be honest we all fall into bad habits when we are riding and we don't even realize it. Some times those bad habits in the saddle begin to effect our horses attitude and behavior. Horses as well will develop bad habits like head tossing, dragging their hooves or wanting rush ahead. As riders we often over look those habits telling ourselves "it's not that bad", but those habits can often worsen and become a larger problem. Now is the time to fix those habits so both you and your horse will have a enjoyable riding season in 2015.

 On March 21st I will be holding a Back In The Saddle Three Phase Clinic. 

Phase 1-Ground Work/Confidence Building & Saddle Fitting 

Phase 2- Balanced and Proper Horsemanship & Proper Collection 

Phase 3- Obstacle/ Trail & Trail Safety