This blog is in response to Valerie’s question from a few weeks ago:



If the question is relating to the pommel area specifically, I have pretty much already addressed this in a previous blog about withers clearance. There are exceptions to this rule for mutton-withered horses and extremely high withered horses (many saddles have lots of clearance on top of the withers, but not on the side of the withers). On a high withered horse you are lucky if achieve 1-2 fingers clearance all…

This Week in Horse History - December 14th Through December 20th



December 14, 2002 – Today, the second Saturday in December, marked the First Annual Day of the Horse in the state of California. The day serves as a celebration of the horse as being a living link to our history, and the Legislature called "upon all citizens to be mindful of the welfare of the horse and its contribution to our economy, heritage, and history." Various stables held celebrations…

With MS, even if I am not having an "attack", my body can rapidly worsen. In the past three weeks I had a gradual decline in physical ability, one that I did not notice at first. Last week was the worst, three times when I walked without my canes I'd loose my balance unexpectedly, start staggering, and almost fall. I did not fall because riding has helped me recognize when I lose my balance, and because my thigh muscles are strong enough to keep me on my feet long enough so I…

One of the most frequently asked questions I get is, "Can you help me sit the trot better?"



So here are some quick tips to help you with this all too common challenge.



1. First and foremost, your horse needs to be on the bit. If his back is hollow, stiff, or tight, you’ll find it impossible to sit comfortably. (And, in turn, you'll make your horse uncomfortable too!)



To put him on the bit, review my blog post…

Dear Julie:

I have a 13 year old daughter who has been in 4H Pony Club since she was eight years old. She has become a great rider and is interested in learning how to become a professional rider of reining, cutting...or any western type horses in shows. What kind of advice would you give her as far as working towards that goal? She dreams of making it into the NRHA Reiner publications someday. She is also interested in becoming a clinician and has already begun training young horses…

A fifth-leg supremo, William Fox-Pitt.



If you want to jump safely, the fundamental aim in training should be to develop your horse’s ability to look after himself. If your horse looks at what he is jumping, makes automatic alterations, and has quick reactions when getting too close or far away from a fence, or when slipping or tripping, he can be said to have a ‘fifth leg’. All horses should have a fifth-leg training programme as part of…

There are some truths, but numerous misconceptions regarding nutrition and your horse's attitude. The confusion comes from the challenge of measuring what "attitude" really means. There is limited proper scientific research regarding the link between nutrition and attitude. Furthermore, many practices used in the industry to change a horse’s attitude often cause secondary side effects that can be detrimental to your horse's welfare, one of the worst is to withhold…