Fitness Training for Better Riding
The effect of integrating riding specific exercises into your fitness program, or just doing it once or twice a week as your fitness program, will yield fabulous results.
The latest articles
The Trakehner – Temperament & disciplines
The Trakehner is among the world’s oldest horse breeds. It captivates with its elegant appearance, its unique temperament, and its talent as a sport horse.
The Real Definition of Impulsion in Dressage
Correct impulsion isn’t only meant to look nice in the dressage arena, it’s also a requirement of correct dressage training.
Loading Horses in the Trailer: A Step By Step Approach
Imagine your friend leading you up to a porta-potty-sized box, and telling you to get in. What would you say? How might you feel? What would you be thinking? And most importantly, would you get in?
The School of Légèreté: What Makes it so Special?
A dressage philosophy that emphasizes lightness. What do Philippe Karl and his students do differently?
Basic Training of Young Horses: Lunging, Tying and Saddling for the First Time
There is great value to a successful start in a horse’s training, which is why Uta Gräf and her husband Stefan Schneider dedicate so much attention to this phase.
Problem horses – There is always a reason
Table of Contents: When are horses considered problem horses? Why are there problem horses? The importance of timely recognition of issues Problems due to human
Mastering Flying Changes
Flying changes are either inevitable in the jumping course or the next step to a more advanced dressage level. Either way, it is a wonderful feeling for the rider when the horse changes leads in canter by jumping energetic and powerful into the new direction.
The horse spine: How to ride in a back-friendly way
The horse spine and back are one of THE most important parts of the body and are at least as sensitive as our own. If
3 Cavaletti Exercises for your Horse
Cavaletti exercises are a great opportunity for horses of all ages and levels to get in some gymnastic work.
Training the Horse at Liberty: From Tricks to Perfect Partnerships
Groundwork is the foundation for building a trusting and reliable relationship with your horse. It improves the communication between a horse and his human and is also a very good alternate program to riding and lunging.
What Riders Equipment Do You Need When Competing?
While rules can be quite relaxed when you are just competing against friends, when you start competing at a more serious level, you need the right equipment.
Laminitis in Horses – Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Laminitis is one of the most painful diseases in horses. In some cases, it can even become chronic. But what exactly is laminitis? In this
To Blanket or not to Blanket? The Ultimate Horse Blanket Guide and Compendium
Why is it that horses actually wear blankets, and is the act of turning out horses in the winter without a blanket an act of neglect, or is it the owner’s choice as to whether or not to fit their horses with this winter attire?
10 Facts About Working Equitation
In this article dedicated to Working Equitation, German high-level rider Birte Ostwald explains what makes this discipline so fascinating. You’ll learn how it works.
Preparing the Endurance Horse: Two Minds; One Vision
Nothing in life illustrates the human condition more profoundly than a person’s resilience—an individual’s ability to overcome the adversity they meet over the course of their life with grace; with fortitude.
Jumping Cross Country: Chris Bartle’s Tips for a Safe Seat!
British eventing champion and German team trainer Chris Bartle holds seminars on the best ways to stay safe in the saddle when facing tricky situations on cross country courses, from slipping the reins to the “Oh shit!” position.
The Ultimate Guide to Helping your Horse Building Back Muscles
Whoever wants to ride wants to do so on a horse with a well-trained musculature. Because we all know that this is a huge factor in maintaining long term health and soundness.
Riding a Correct Dressage Halt: How to Score Points at Competitions
There’s one thing that can help you collect extra points at your next dressage test: riding a good dressage halt! That’s because a good halt counts as much as other “more difficult” dressage skills.
Protecting your Horse’s Legs: Boots or Bandages?
Are bandages or riding boots better to protect our horse’s legs? Or perhaps it would be healthier not to use them at all?
Tackling the Speed Trial Obstacles in Working Equitation
The speed trial is the final test during Working Equitation individual competitions and the next to last in team competitions. It is thrilling to watch a great horse and rider win this portion of the competition because it takes hard work for both.
3 Tips for Better Timing of the Rider’s Aids
Does it sometimes feel that no matter what you do, you just can’t seem to get your horse to understand what you want? You’re not alone!
Salt licks for horses: Everything you need to know
For most of us, salt licks are an integral part of stall accessories and are generally very popular with our four-legged friends. But it raises
The Ultimate Guide to a Better Riding Seat!
The seat is important, versatile, changeable, and crucial in riding. It can be stable or flexible, secure or shaky, stiff or springy, harmonious or counterproductive.
The Horse’s Canter – A Guideline on How to Ride and Improve
Find out about the biomechanics behind the canter of your horse and understand what to do in order to ride and sit the canter better and also how to improve this gait.
Groundwork: Introducing your Horse to In-Hand Exercises
As an introduction, here are three tips from Kathrin Roida on how you can exercise your horse, for both beginners and advanced riders.
Colic in Horses – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Colic is a common gastrointestinal issue in horses that can not only lead to abdominal pain but potentially be life-threatening. But what exactly is colic
How to Stay Safe in the Saddle (No Matter What Happens!)
Stay safe, no matter what! Eventing trainer Chris Bartle explains the right seat for difficult situations while riding and if you’re dealing with a bolting
The most effective warm-up exercise for riders
If you get on your horse after you’re warmed up, you make the ride easier for yourself and the horse. Seat problems are also easier
Is it horse-friendly? Train your eye to recognize good horse training
It’s time to train your eye for horse-friendly training! There has been criticism of dressage for years, and not always without reason… All too often
The Ultimate Guide to Show Jumping Competitions
The discipline of show jumping is one of the three equestrian disciplines found at the Olympics, World Equestrian Games, World Cup Series, and the Nations Cup Series.
Equine First Aid: Caring for your Horse’s Wounds
Injuries and ailments can – literally – get under your horse’s skin. These are often associated with side effects that affect not only the horse’s appearance, which makes good horse wound care all the more important.
Lacking straightness? These exercises will help any crooked horse!
Every horse is born unbalanced. If things go wrong on their own in the pasture, the horse can usually figure it out. However, when the
Horse massage, acupressure, and more to build your relationship
Have you ever tried massage, acupressure, stretching, or any other ways to strengthen your relationship with your horse when you’re not riding? Again and again
For All His Grace: Horse Movement & His Unique Gaits
The horse has helped man fight in battle. He has allowed man to travel vast distances. He has plowed our fields and raised our young, and in all this, he has shared with us his uncanny precision of grace, of movement.
4 Preparatory Exercises for your Jumping Horse
Preparation is half the battle. This also applies to jumping exercises for horses. It is much more fun, and much safer for horse and rider, if you prepare yourself step by step and grow with your tasks.
Help! My Horse Keeps Bucking
A horse bucking because he feels good is one thing but bucking under saddle is another, ranging from fairly harmless little bunny hops to terrifying bronc shows.
