- Rethinking the Roundpen
The round pen revolution has had a dramatic impact on the horse industry. It has effected every aspect of how many people start new horses and retrain problem horses. Many years ago I too was a part of the round pen revolution. ...
- Conversation with Faron Hightower - Conclusion
We continue with the conclusion of A Conversation with Faron Hightower... ...
- Find your finger strength
Improve your riding in a Murdoch Minute #37 Find your finger strength
By Wendy MurdochCopyright(c) 2008. All rights reserved.
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- Evaluating for Behavioral Problems
I am frequently called upon in my professional and personal life to evaluate horse behavior. When I evaluate the horse, whether a friend's horse or the horse of a client, I often marvel that they couldn't see the problem and its source. Then I remember the 'e' factor. The 'emotion' factor is probably the most universal problem in decision making. This is true in our personal and professional lives ...
- Conversation with Faron Hightower - Part I
Most agree the horse's instincts must combine with the rider's high-level showmanship skills to make a beautiful, effortless performance. The horse understands his job is to prevent the cow from returning to the herd and the rider knows how to win by demonstrating flawless technique. ...
- Sitting the canter or lope
Do you have trouble sitting to your horse's canter or lope? Does you buttocks slap the saddle? Do you brace against the stirrups in order to sit down? Here's a quick tip to get you going with the flow and staying in the saddle at canter. ...
- Riding the Spooky Horse
I know that riding a spooky horse can be challenging and frustrating so here are some tips to help you understand why your horse spooks and to give you some tools to help cope with shying. ...
- Half-bridge or full?
Do you ever gallop your horse on the trails or through a field? Would you like to feel more secure? Do you ride with a macate and have trouble figuring out how to hold the coil? Do you sometimes need a free hand to do the gate and want to know an easy, secure way to hold your reins? Here's a quick tip on how to hold ...
- Straighten your wrists with Popsicle sticks
Do you ride with flopped down 'puppy dog' wrists? Or do you cock your wrists in or out when holding the reins? Do you find that your contact to your horse's mouth is inconsistent or flimsy? Does your horse pull the reins out of your hands or pull you out of the saddle? Here's a quick tip to straighten out the kinks, remind you to keep ...
- Fine-tune your rein aids
Do you tend to grip the reins too tightly? Or maybe you are the kind of rider that always rides with your fingers open? Perhaps you have had an injury to your hands or fingers and they don't work as well now. Do you find it hard to use each finger individually in order to give your horse a more subtle rein signal? Here's a quick ...
- 4 Tips to Improve Leg Yields
People often tell me that their horses leg yield very well as far as going sideways is concerned, but they tend to toss their heads and show resistance to the reins. In desperation, some riders even use a tie down to put pressure on the nose to discourage their horses from yanking at the reins. ...
- Steady your bit contact
Do you have trouble maintaining a steady contact to your horse's mouth? Does your horse toss his head or complain about your hands? Do you find that the harder you try the worse it gets? Here's a quick tip to improve your hand connection and offer your horse a steady contact at the same time. ...
- Disengagement
Disengagement of the hindquarters occurs when your horse crosses his hind legs. Your horse's "motor" is in his hind end. So, when his hind legs cross, the engine is in neutral; your horse stops forward impulsion. Disengagement also encourages your horse to have a submissive attitude. You're taking away his flight response. Disengagement is a natural, ...
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