Carrying proper weight in your heels is the foundation to a secure seat when riding, but many riders struggle with getting their heels down deeply enough. If you’d like to be able to drop your heels down further while in the saddle, we’ve got some great exercises you can try.

Check for Proper Leg Alignment and Stirrup Length

If you’re riding with an improper…

Most riders echo the sentiment expressed by this high-level professional dressage trainer, who said, “As a riding teacher, trainer and student of ‘the horse’ I’ve searched high and low to understand how to make the horses job easier for them and applicable for my students. Various training methods suggest ‘putting the horses’ head low’, while other say to bring it up. Some…

The horse world was vastly different in the early 20^th century. Warrenton, Virginia was famous for breeding and show hunters, and equine enthusiasts traveled to the area for the quality horses that were bred and trained.

In 1899, Warrenton horsemen Julian Kieth and Charlie Smith decided to hold a Warrenton horse show. They…

Last month we featured a blog post on how to handle a rider who’s been in a serious fall. In some cases, it will be plainly evident that a rider is injured – they’re knocked unconscious or they have broken a bone. In other cases, though, the injuries might not be quite so apparent.

Concussions are serious injuries that are dangerous if they go…

There is a statement

that is often used,

"See the Forest for the Trees".

 If you look up the

exact meaning,

it is, "To be overwhelmed

by detail

to the point where it…

A rearing horse is dangerous and frightening for any rider. If the horse you're riding unexpectedly rears, then knowing how to handle the situation can help to keep you and your horse safe. While we hope you never have to deal with a rear, it’s best to be prepared just in case.

Lean Forward

If you feel your horse start to go upwards,…

Once you start jumping, it is very tempting to focus on that, and neglect flatwork. However, and I think George Morris would agree, this is a huge mistake, and one that riders would do well to avoid.

Each week should contain a session dedicated to flatwork, focusing on refining aids, suppling via lateral moves and, in my opinion, no stirrup work. For adults, and eventers, I don't think this is an much of an issue. But, I can certainly understand wanting to do nothing but jump,…

After my last session with my trainer, I felt a little disappointed with my jumping and my inability to bring Kingston's pace under control. I know not to give the guy something to lean against, but I honestly thought I provided enough release to prevent it from happening.



Yesterday, we rode outside and there are no walls to use as aids in slowing him down. We trotted over a low fence, then, we moved up to cantering over the fence, then halting. Not bad. Then my trainer decided…

So, after 5 years of riding as an adult, I decided that jumping would be a hoot. Two weeks ago, I turned that into a reality. It is a heck of a lot of fun, but boy...talk about fear factor!

The first jumping lesson was fairly smooth, mostly getting used to that sensation of the jump, trotting to the fence, cantering away, and then halt. The second lesson was building on that. Cantering to the jump, halting OR cantering away.

Last night, the third lesson should have built upon…

It’s graduation season, and change is everywhere. Do you remember the first time you graduated to jumping your horse? Hopefully the first jump you faced was a small crossrail and was done intentionally, but some riders have other stories.

Whether you knew it or not, your graduation to jumping was a big step in your riding. Providing your first jump was performed on purpose and…

In May of 1943, the first ever Royal Windsor Horse Show was held, beginning an annual tradition still in effect today. Founded by Geoffrey Cross and Count Robert Orssich, the first Royal Windsor Horse Show was part of the “Wings for Victory” effort to raise money to purchase war bombers for use…

   Let's be fair, all horses are characters, if we take the time to get to know them. Everyone who spends lots of time will find amusing quirks and peculiarities and will gather a collection of anecdotes. This horse is okay on the road until he sees a painted bicycle symbol. That one doesn't like potted plants. This one loves dogs, that one hates 'em.

   Oakley has,…

When I first mounted a pony in Chile  57 years ago I was NEVER invited to consider the horse.  At most there was a small consideration for the horse’s mouth, but in 99.999% of the cases it was assumed that the horse had earned whatever abuse it had to suffer.  I also ran into the same assumptions in Uruguay, and in the USA when I returned to this country in 1963.  I found this assumption in riders, riding stables, instructors and trainers, both in person and from books and…

He didn't refuse to go over an obstacle once yesterday. Most significantly, he went over a new jump of his own accord.

They weren't big jumps, about a meter high, no more, but he went right over them with only one slight hesitation.

I suppose most riders might not find this particularly outstanding, but two years ago it was a life-and-death argument to get over a simple trot-pole. He would explode over it and follow it up with a wild-west show. The arena has a couple of…

Hi I have just started my horse Gulliver over jumps he loves it and can jump as high as you want him to but he doesn't seem to know when to take off. He either jumps to soon or to late.? I have tried starting from the poles on the ground. any other ideas? ?

Thanks

Megan

Sometimes, you just have to.....

Pause......

One of the toughest lessons

in great horsemanship is to just....

simply.....

pause.

Every great horsemanship professional uses The Pause in training.

Western horsemanship trainers call it "soaking", my mentor called it "taking a break". Whatever you want to call it, it's all about…

Last month we talked about the

questions that I ask every owner of a new horse coming into my barn.

Young or old, trained or untrained, it's essential to know as much about a new horse as possible.

STEP BY STEP & COLORADO HORSE PARK FOUNDATIONS RAISE THOUSANDS FOR FAMILIES DISPLACED BY WALDO CANYON FIRES AT SUMMER IN ROCKIES SERIES

CHILDREN RECEIVE SCHOOL SUPPLIES THANKS TO STEP BY STEP’S “SCHOOL IN A BACKPACK”

ONLINE INITIATIVE BEFORE FALL CLASSES BEGIN…

Oakley had a light July.

We aren't going anywhere for August, and probably not in Septermber, either.

We are going to concentrate on basic dressage work and  jumping skills over low jumps.

First, because he got kicked good and hard by a mare who wears…