Why I don’t give horses “time to settle in”
About six weeks ago, I got a new horse, Jazz. The day after I brought him home, I rode him. First I did some ground… Read More »Why I don’t give horses “time to settle in”
My training blog posts focus on patterns you can do in different types of enclosures. I specifically refer to round and rectangular arenas, but you can do them anywhere. I use them at endurance rides to bring Fantazia’s mind into focus and warm up.
Most can be used for warm-up or conditioning. They are all useful for training and strengthening, and can help with rhythm, bend, and overall suppleness.
About six weeks ago, I got a new horse, Jazz. The day after I brought him home, I rode him. First I did some ground… Read More »Why I don’t give horses “time to settle in”
Working with a green horse is such a general topic, I doubted whether to include it in my Road to Tevis blog posts. What is… Read More »Working with a green horse (Road to Tevis #69)
In November, I published my Simple Serpentine Exercises post. As of this writing, it’s had nearly 5,000 views, so I think it’s time to share… Read More »Training idea # 10: Double serpentine exercises
I owe this one to Pamela Byers, the riding instructor who taught my sons at Gallery Farm when we were in Oklahoma. Pamela had all… Read More »Training idea #9: The bow-tie warm-up exercise, with variations
Simple serpentine exercises appear in traditional dressage (e.g., Second Level Test 2), Cowboy Dressage, Western Dressage, and equitation patterns in all disciplines. I use them… Read More »Training idea #8: Simple serpentine exercises
I use spirals all the time when I’m doing arena work. I sometimes even do them on the trail, or before an endurance ride, to… Read More »Training idea # 7: Spiral exercises to do at the lope, canter, jog, or trot
Fantazia and I always do a lot of climbing, because that’s the nature of living in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. (See my post… Read More »Riding steep hills to increase fitness: Road to the Tevis Cup Post #53
The advantages of ground-tying are many. When you ride out on the trail (as we all do in endurance), it’s a wonderful skill for a… Read More »The advantages of ground-tying: Road to the Tevis Cup # 52