Training a horse is a science and we have lots of top tips and advice to help you with one of the trickiest parts of an equestrians life.
How well a horse loads and travels is always a key consideration at purchase, after all, if the horse won’t travel happily then this can cause huge issues if you want to train or compete or even just go to the vets. Why are some Horses Difficult to Load? There …
Horses can be hard to catch for lots of different reasons and this problem is certainly one of the most frustrating and unwelcome aspects of horse behavior. Working out why the horse is hard to catch can help solve the problem but not always. Like many things equine, once you …
Jumping is one of the most exciting activities that you can do with a horse but, like all equestrian disciplines, it takes time, patience, training and application to be successful at it. Any experienced jumping rider will tell you that jumping is 99% flatwork it’s all about the quality of …
Most horses will have a buck and a kick from time to time, bucking is quite a natural and normal thing for a horse to do – watch them at play in the field and you will see plenty of examples. However, under saddle, bucking is a less desirable trait …
Getting your horse on the bit is a phrase which conjures up confusion and mystery in equal measure. Many riders focus on the front end of the horse and concentrate on the position of the horse’s head and, whilst this is relevant, it can be rather like picking up the …
What does Topline mean? The topline of the horse is a reference to the muscle groups which run along either side and over the top of the horse’s spine and on some of which the rider sits. The specific area which the topline encompasses is the vertebral column (spine) from …
Riding without stirrups is a tried and trusted technique with known and established benefits for the horse rider. Working without stirrups promotes the rider’s balance, stability and depth of seat and is a training tool used by many instructors and riders of all levels. It can encourage the development of …
Grooming is a very important activity both between horses in the herd and between handler or owner and the horse. Horses mutually groom each other to demonstrate care and attention to one another. Grooming between owner and horse has numerous health benefits and also establishes a connection and bond between …
Horses tend to show affection in their own way. This affection is not always immediately obvious to us even though we may wish it was! However there are lots of ways to teach a horse how to give affection including teaching them how to give a kiss. Teaching your horse …
Most horses get excited when it comes to feeding time. However some horses can get a little bit too excited and may eat their food too fast as a result. This is more likely to happen with grains. When a horse eats too fast it increases the risk of the …