The schoolyourhorse blog has now moved. This weeks post can be found here - http://www.schoolyourho rse.com/2012/03/03/show-schedu le/ Its all about warming up at a show and how the way you d...
Thumbs Up!Great news! On Thursday 1st of March a new schoolyourhorsesite opens at www.schoolyourhorse.com T his blog will still be a central partof it but there are two new additions. With massiv...
If your horse falls in or out doyou bend him to the outside? Many riders do. In fact some seem to spend moretime ‘flexing’ than they do riding forward. It works, of course, but why? It’s allto do wit...
When you ask your horse for acanter to trot transition does he tip his head up? Tuck his chin into hischest? Poke his nose? Tank off? Have youever stopped to ask yourself why? The easy answer i...
Will your horse stand still? Nobodylikes a fidget, especially at the end of a dressage test, but before you blamehim stop and think about what you do as you halt. There’s a strong possibilityyou’re t...
How many times have you been toldto sit back on your seat? It’s goodadvice, of course, but the way you do it can have a huge effect on yourposition and your horse. Most riders are aware of thei...
Once again can I just say a huge thank you to everyone who has voted so far to get me into the final 10 at the Equestrian Social Media Awards. If you like this blog and you havent theres still time! ...
Did you vote for me in the Equestrian Social Media Awards? Thank you. I made the final 10! If you enjoy this blog please take a second to give me your vote again at http://www.equestrians ocialme...
There is nothing more frustratingthan a horse that anticipates your every move. Does your horse: jog the minuteyou take up your reins in walk? Canter if your seat stays in the saddle formore than two...
Have you made your New YearsResolutions for 2012? Have you got great plans for your horse? Perhaps you’vedecided to make better use of your school? Before you get too carried away withNew Year enthus...
Planning on doing a bit of ridingover the festive season? In need of a few ideas? Here’s a selection that shouldkeep you busy whatever your plans may be.No school? No problem! Nothing isimpossible if...
If you enjoy this blog please giveit your vote in the Equestrian Social Media Awards (no. 17) Check it out here- http://www.facebook.com/equest riansocialmediaawards?sk=app_1 70728723026050Thank ...
Does your horse feel a bit flat? Areyou going through the motions but struggling to set the world on fire? He mayfeel fairly light in your hand – perhaps he moves from your leg too – but ifthat’s the...
Are you struggling to keep yourhorse out on a circle? When you return to the track does it take you threestrides to get straight again? When you ask for canter do you find yourselfheading across the ...
Would ‘energetically challenged’ bean apt description of your horse? You’re not on your own. Many riders prefer tobe in control of the forward gears but as your confidence grows it’s onlynatural you ...
Is your horse one sided? Most havea stiffer side. He may choose one canter lead over the other, have a diagonalthat’s more comfortable or go round corners on one rein with his head stuck tothe outsid...
Does the thought of winterschooling fill you with dread? Don’t let it! Winter is the best time for youand your horse to brush up on your schooling and iron out some of thoseproblems you’ve been havin...
Your horse’s temperament willdefine how best to school him. He’s likely to fall into one of two categories. Ishe a hare or a tortoise? Every rider has their preference.Some like to kick on. It can be...
How often are you told to sit up,look up or get your shoulders back? Aren’t you just a bit fed up withconstantly having to readjust your position? Imagine how your horse feels! Yourposition affects e...
If you have a problem with yourhorse what do you do? Ask your instructor? A friend? Or turn to a book? It’sthe right thing to do. A problem sharedis a problem halved but unfortunately it’s always aft...
Do you sometimes feel as if you’vegot the whole weight of your horse in your hands? Does his head get lower andlower the further you go? The chances are he’s carrying himself on his forehand– or shou...
Whether you’re learning to ride or startingto compete at dressage you can guarantee rising trot will become an issue. Forthose learning to ride getting up out of the saddle is a problem. Yet the more...
No matter how much you love yourhorse you’re bound to have days when you wish he’d just exercise himself. Anyexercise is better than no exercise so, with that in mind, why don’t you choosesomething t...
How often have you read ‘keep yourhands still’ only to read ‘take a check’, ‘move your fingers on the reins’ or ‘squeeze’two paragraphs later? With so many references to hands, reins and fingers is i...
Do you struggle to hold your horsewhen you ride from canter to trot? You’re not alone. It’s a common problem andone which is often made worse by the rider’s reaction – taking their leg offand pulling...
Are you lucky enough to have free access to a ménage whenever you need one? If you are June’s post on hacking out - http://schoolyourhorse.blogspo t.com/2011/06/on-bit-or-on-buc kle.html - will apply t...
How many times have you halted and felt your horse’s quarters step to one side? Are you pleased with your canter to walk transition until you realise he’s swung his quarters in at the last minute? He...
If your back is stiff how do you loosen up? Do you stretch, swing your body from side to side or just get moving? Any of those things will work but there’s one thing that’s guaranteed not to have any...
Crookedness is blamed on many things – backs, saddles and even the horse’s attitude but before you rush to the phone, cheque book in hand, do yourself a favour and make sure the cause of the problem ...
Ask any rider what they practice most for a dressage test and they’ll probably tell you medium trot. Ask the same number of judges what they consistently give the lowest scores to and they’ll probabl...
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