#HORSE TRAINING
Training in the Right Way: What to Look for in a Dressage Horse, Part 2
This is the second of a three-part series that explores what to look for when selecting a dressage horse. Today’s article focuses on the conformation that lends itself to a successful dressage horse.
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Patterns for the Weekend: Ground Pole Exercises
Endless ground pole exercises with just four poles!
Thoroughbred Logic, Presented by Kentucky Performance Products: They Don’t Care If They Show
“I have to remind myself that if I’m not on top of my competition game for a couple months … they don’t care. They are safe, and fed and cared for.” (more…)
Thoroughbred Logic, Presented by Kentucky Performance Products: Hold Don’t Pull
“Reward the try, and as the situation arises again, ask again. The half-halt through a full-body hold, allows them to learn. Pulling takes that opportunity off the table.” (more…)
Thoroughbred Logic, Presented by Kentucky Performance Products: Make It Predictable
“Each day, we change it up a bit … While I fully believe that keeping it interesting and challenging their brain is a huge plus, these smart but sometimes-anxious horses also need to know how to get the answer right.” (more…)
Thoroughbred Logic, Presented by Kentucky Performance Products: Good Grids
“It is often the slow repetitive progression through without rider interference that helps them think and slow their brain and thus, their feet…” (more…)
Thoroughbred Logic, Presented by Kentucky Performance Products: Lifting the Core & the Ruler Metaphor
“Simply put, to ‘come over its back,’ a horse must engage its core.”
Thoroughbred Logic, Presented by Kentucky Performance Products: Pain or Behavior?
“I imagine that, like people, there are no horses who feel no discomfort when asked to work. They will have sore joints, eventually tired muscles, sometimes a tweak of pain here or there. Sure. And for some, there will be acute pain.” (more…)
Patterns for the Weekend: 4-Step Warm Up Prep
Warming up is important — but so is preparing for the warm up! (more…)
Thoroughbred Logic, Presented by Kentucky Performance Products: How To Get (& Keep) Them Straight
“Steering and straightness have to be created and managed, not just assumed.” (more…)
Update on Magic Max: Irish Sport Horse
Last year, we introduced you to Magic Max, an Irish Sport Horse with confidence issues. Here’s an update — and he’s blossoming! (more…)
Tuesday Video: Strength and Balance Drill for All Disciplines From Pippa Funnell
Even the very best practice the basics every day — and Pippa Funnell is no exception! Check out her set-up to work on flatwork, jumping, and your own position and balance all at once:
Thoroughbred Logic, Presented by Kentucky Performance Products: Develop by Allowing
“Allowing them to sort it out and to have that support … creates a space for trust to start to knit itself together. They already know they can rely on themselves, but with regular rides of soft, confident ‘ask and allow,’ that genetic courage can bind into trust.” (more…)
Thoroughbred Logic, Presented by Kentucky Performance Products: New Year’s Resolutions For/From Your Thoroughbred
Here are some key goals for — or perhaps from? — your Thoroughbred for the coming year. (more…)
Thoroughbred Logic: Making (Productive) Accommodations
“… sometimes, getting them to understand what you want means finding creative ways to ‘make it work’ for a while until you can slowly, and carefully train in that ‘right’ answer.” (more…)
Thoroughbred Logic: Getting Started Over Fences
“Positive, confident experiences are key — and not overdoing it is huge. I don’t make a big deal out of jumping; just a few fences at the end or middle of a flat ride as they build up strength and awareness of the ask.” (more…)
Training in the Right Way: Evaluating Canter Photos
This week’s article continues the discussion on what you can see in a still photo, specifically evaluating canter photos.
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Thoroughbred Logic: The Disappearing Triangles…
… or another way to think about “inside leg to outside rein.” Read on for more. (more…)
Fantasy Farm Friday: World Class Training Facility
Not all fantasy “farms” are places we live. No, some of them are places we wish we could train — or send our horses to be trained. (more…)
Thoroughbred Logic: Why the Canter-to-Trot Transition is Awesome
“That trot — the overly big one, where power isn’t quite perfectly controlled yet — that is where you can really see potential AND build good strength and muscle. So with a soft hand and slightly more upright back, I ask them to hold that big trot as long as they can.” (more…)
Thoroughbred Logic: Why “Tiring Them Out” Doesn’t Work
“These horses are bred to have ‘go’ and to have the heart to be able to reach into the deepest depths of their beings and pull out even more ‘go’ when the rest has been exhausted. And even then they are able to dig deeper and pull out even more than that.” (more…)
9 Things Every Horse Needs to Know
Having a horse that is a good citizen isn’t just a way to earn brownie points — it’s absolutely necessary for the safety of you as well as others who may have to handle or treat your horse at some point. Therefore, there are a few basic skills every horse needs to have. (more…)
The Mechanic vs. the Race Car Driver
When it comes to competing in speed events, a lot of us have heard the adage, “You can be a trainer or you can be a jockey.” I recently heard a different take on this, and it really clicked: You can be the mechanic or you can be the race car driver — but you can’t be both.
