Horses have a natural instinct to pull and push against pressure – not give and soften to it. So every opportunity you get, teach your horse to soften to pressure. You always want your horse thinking of how he can give and soften to pressure, rather than thinking of how he can…

At Training and First levels, you're asked to ride your horse in a working gait.

So you might ask, how do I know what is a good working gait for my horse?

A working gait is the gait that the horse most easily presents himself in the best balance. So a working gait is as individual as the horse…

Bert de Nemethy

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No, it's not Christmas in March. And I'm not even talking about the dressage show season. I suspect my mare-owning friends (at least those situated in the Northern Hemisphere) know exactly what I'm talking about. It's that season.

When mares are in season, life can get interesting. I hear so many stories from friends with mares who become…

Caddymaster First let me mention his half brother Tip Top who underwent colic surgery this past weekend. I have loved following Tip Top's career. I was also very keen on Max - another master offspring recently retired. So I hope Tip Top does well, at 16 yo, I wonder if he will be show fit again? definitely not going to WEG.

So Caddy was great today so let me start there. I was able to ride outside and hack before and after the ride. It was an absolutely…

Saturday – March 13Had to help at the 4H gymkhana, and in the afternoon, it was screaming…

‘Indoor eventing’ was the title of the ‘continuous professional development’ training day held on Monday 15^th March 2010 at Hadlow College, nr Tonbridge in Kent. The coach for the day was Nick Turner FBHS.

In my…

Talking about the Good old Days, this one is really old! My Classical Equitation trainer Craig Stevens has been working with an Italian Nobleman called Pucci, who is bringing a centuries old method of training horses to the world from the island of Sicily. Sicily was a melting pot between the east and west, and has retained this method of developing trust with humans. It is done from the time the foal is weaned, and involves the gentlest touch and the lightest pressure you can imagine! You…

Nutrients in Oats:

On average, oats normally contain around 12% Crude Protein, 49% NSC (non-structural…

You know I see and hear so many thoughtless comments about horses, the good old days need to return! So many people are missing so much because they are not being taught to care for their horse's emotional state and not just his body. Riders are so interested in what they can get out of their horse, but what about what they put into the horse?

Let me explain what I mean. Years ago as a young teenager I was taught by a marvelous lady called Pamela Goodwin, who was Irish, and…

When you hear the word "Horse" what do you think? I think of my horse, Gulliver. Gulliver is a thirty year old grey Arabian gelding who has touched the lives of many riders at ovation hall. Me, being only nine, am not a very good rider, but Gulliver doesnt care. In fact he does everything in his power to give me the best ride possible. We have most definatley had great times. I love him sooo much! Some days he's a grande prix…

I live in London UK and am an avid dressage rider!!

I have just got familiar with this site and would like to meet up with likeminded dressage riders. I shall be visiting an aunty in Upstate New York this year and would be interested to know of any shows/clinics/barns which may be worthwhile a visit together with my…

I have had many clients with saddles that at first glance look like they’re fitting really well, but when I turn them over, I see that the gullet width is awfully narrow. I’m talking maybe 1-2 fingers here! A saddle with a channel or gullet that is too narrow can cause permanent damage to your horse’s back (but also, if…

This Week in Horse History - March 15th Through March 21st

March 16th, 1936: Today, the New Hampshire Jockey Club was formed. Lou Smith controlled the club, which took over control of the Rockingham Park track. Rockingham Park was the first racetrack and opened on June 28, 1906 in Salem Depot, New Hampshire. The clubhouse at…