Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Riding Position. Stop riding with your heels! How to use your lower leg...









"Stop using your heels to ride!  Would you like to know which part of your leg you should be using to communicate to your horse or how to teach it to your riders? Now you can discover new ways to fix this common riding challenge in yourself or your riders with these proven techniques"


Some riders have been taught or have gotten into the habit of using their heels to get a horse to move forward or sideways.  If you are using spurs, you might also have gotten into the habit of using your spurs instead of your lower leg.  What can you do to fix this common riding challenge?"

The facts are, when a  rider uses their heels, they often are riding on their toes, their heels come up and their entire leg rolls off the saddle from the thigh down as the rider uses the back of their leg instead of the inside.  When this happens, it is impossible for the riders to keep a secure, anchored lower leg position.

Watch as I show Trudy Adams how to focus on changing a habit that most riders have.   She has been using her using her heels for years.  It will be easy for you to see how this affects her lower leg position

What do you see changing as Trudy gets a more secure feeling with her lower legs?

Monday, June 29, 2015

Half Halts at the trot. How to improve the quality for both horse and ri...





"Can Your Horse Feel Your Half Halts at the Trot?  What can you do to improve your half halt and become more aware of when your horse is responding?"


In this session Susan practices the half halt as taught by Robert Dover.  To do this, she breaths in deeply.. bringing that breath up her chest and back into her shoulder blades. She finishes by bringing her seat forward, hugging her legs and closing her fingers on the reins.  This entire process takes only 3 seconds.  Beau  has been doing half halts but has never really been thrilled with them. (for what ever issues he might be having that day)  Since he is now competing in 2nd level we need to be able to balance him more than ever so that he starts to "engage" his back end and shorten his body from the back to the front.  Lucky you as you get to watch him go through the process. This is their warm up trot and Susan is already asking Beau to listen to her half halts.  By the end of this session you will see that Beau is starting to get it. 

What have you been doing for your halt halts?  Is your horse really responding to them or are you hoping that it is?

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Activity. Do the judges say you need more? Lateral work and beyond. S4 D...




"We have all had judges comment. Horse needs more contact or needs more activity. What does that mean? Basically, it's all about the horses activity from behind. But what does that mean? Watch this video and you will have a better understanding as we add more activity to Beau's lateral work"


There is a magical place, for those who ride a horse that is connected and in balance, where something happens. The horse becomes lighter to our aids and willing responds. Of course, this does take a little practice and, as in the case of many horses, may take a few years. Now you can watch the changes in Beau as Susan asks him to step up with more activity from behind so that they are more connected in the trot and the lateral movements in it.  The bending technique came from Carl Hester World Champion Dressage Trainer of Charlotte Dujardin.  I have been experimenting with the bending technique these past few weeks and find it is easy for riders to understand and apply to what they are doing in their riding.

Can you see it happening? Are you ready to try this on your horse? Let us know how it works for you.

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Is your horse softening to the rein connection in its jaw? The poll? S4 ...








"The walk. What is really meant by keeping your horse supple (soft to your rein connection) at the walk? Now you can watch what I do with Trudy as I break down each step of the process, including what to do to keep a horses poll up and how to see the if your horse has the correct bend (from in the saddle) in the front of the horse. 


 If you are like many riders you are not sure what it means when someone says that their horse is not softening to the bit at the jaw.  Which means that the horse (or the rider) is bracing at some level and is a normal part of the training process.  Now you can watch how I use the Steps to Connection to show Trudy where any blockages might be.  We also focus on where Ani's poll is.  Many times, when you first take up the rein connection the horse will either throw its nose up, or bring it to its chest.  Again, this is part of the training process and your goal is to show the horse where you would like their head to stay positioned.

Friday, June 26, 2015

What you need to know! The steps to rein connection and the right bend. ...





"Confusing horse training terms. What do they really mean when they say, 'My horse should be supple (soften) to the rein contact?' Also, how far should I bring my horses head over when I am asking for the 'bend?'  Now you can watch what I do with Trudy as I break down each step of the process, including what bending should look like from in the saddle"


 If you are like most riders you are not sure if your horse is really soft to to the rein connection (supple) Many riders are also not sure what a correct "bend" should look like in front of the saddle.  They are not sure how far to bring their horses head over.  The bending technique came from Carl Hester World Champion Dressage Trainer of Charlotte Dujardin. I have been experimenting with the bending technique these past few weeks and find it is easy for riders to understand and apply to what they are doing in their riding. 

Try these techniques on your horse or students and tell us how they work for you!

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Getting more active in the Lateral work. Haunches in/Shoulder in.. S4 Ho...




"For those who ride their horses in connection and balance... Can you hear your horse say, "Why are you holding in my mouth and asking me to move forward from behind?" This is confusing for both the horse and the rider until they finally "get it" Once they do, everything starts to make sense. Now you can watch what happens as Susan asks Beau to stay more connected in his trot and lateral work"


There is a magical place, for those who ride a horse that is connected and in balance, where something happens. The horse becomes lighter to our aids and willing responds. Of course, this does take a little practice and, as in the case of many horses, may take a few years. Now you can watch the changes in Beau as Susan asks him to step up with more activity from behind so that they are more connected in the trot and the lateral movements in it.

Can you see it happening? Are you ready to try this on your horse? Let us know how it works for you.

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Canter. Counter canter. On contact/on the aids. Adding activity . S4 Rid...




"What if... your horse is still unbalanced in its counter canter.  In fact, what if.. your horse simply is not balanced at the canter like you think it should be?  What do you need to know to find that happy place where they should be?"


Now you can watch Susan as she focuses on improving Beau's canter, counter canters and collected canter.  It has taken us a few years to get Beau to this point in his training, but now he is starting to understand what we want and in fact, is starting to enjoy the process.  To get your horse to that level of connection all you need to do is practice the Steps to Connection and of course, a little time.  The weekend after this video was filmed Susan and Beau competed at a dressage show under "S" judges and earned their 1st 7.5s in their counter canter.  We were thrilled!

Is your horse connected to you at the canter? We love to hear your feedback.  What did you you learn from this video that you are going to try on your horse?

Saturday, June 20, 2015

Shoulder in half pass. Looking between the ears adding activity. Dressa...




"The shoulder in and the beginnings of half pass. What is the correct bend and how can I keep my horse active from behind?"


The shoulder in and half pass are basically the same. The difference is that in the half pass the horse moves across the diagonal. Many riders find that moving up into these movements challenging as the horse they are riding is not sure what the rider wants them to do. At first, the horse may twist all over the place and take shorter steps. This is normal. In this video you can watch what Susan is doing with Beau to make sure he has the right bend and activity. We even started asking for the half pass for the 2nd time.

Does it help you to watch other riders learning how to train their horses through these different movements? Are you ready to try this on your horse?

Friday, June 19, 2015

Canter. It's time to stay connected and in balance. 6th time! S4 Horse...




"Is your horse still cantering  like a green horse?  Disconnected and unbalanced with its head all over the place?  You are  not alone.  In fact, this is just another stage of the training process for those who ride their horses in connection.  Now you can watch as Trudy connects Ani in the canter"


The canter is often the most challenging gait for riders to connect the horses they are training.  It does take time that is for sure.  The process is made much easier when you understand how to use the Steps to Connection so that your horse is responding to your aids while you are training the canter.  Of course...  even that takes a little practice.  Watch what happens with Trudy and Ani as they begin to connect at a new level with their canter.

Are you ready to try this on your horse?  Let us know how it works for you.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Transitions. Walk trot. What is your horse doing with its head? S4 Dres...





"My horse throws its head up in the trot walk transitions. What am I supposed to do? How can I keep my horses soft to my rein connection?"


This happens to so many riders.  It is a common challenge that can be solved by understanding the Steps to Connection.  Now you can watch what I do with Trudy and Ani to keep them connected with the walk trot transitions and the different trots.  Ani is still new to being on contact/on the aids/on the bit/in front of the aids.  Like most horses that are new to this level of connection she is not sure what she should be doing when Trudy takes up the contact.  Now you can see what we are doing with the walk trot transitions and changes of gait at the trot to help her understand how to stay connected.

Does this give you a better idea of how you can ask your horse to stay more connected?  Practice this Horse and Rider Awareness technique and tell me how it works for you.

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Is your horse softening to the rein connection in its jaw? The poll? S4 ...




"Would you like to know what is really meant by keeping your horse supple (soft to your rein connection) at the walk? Now you can watch what I do with Trudy as I break down each step of the process, including what to do to keep a horses poll up and how to see the if your horse has the correct bend (from in the saddle) in the front of the horse. 


 If you are like most riders you are not sure what it means when someone says that their horse is not softening to the bit at the jaw.  Which means that the horse (or the rider) is bracing at some level and is a normal part of the training process.  Now you can watch how I use the Steps to Connection to show Trudy where any blockages might be.  We also focus on where Ani's poll is.  Many times, when you first take up the rein connection the horse will either throw its nose up, or bring it to its chest.  Again, this is part of the training process and your goal is to show the horse where you would like their head to stay positioned.

We really love to here your feedback as you practice these Horse and Rider Awareness techniques.  Please let us know how the Steps to Connection are making a difference for you.

Monday, June 15, 2015

What you need to know! Supplying. The steps to connection and the right...




"What you have always wanted to know...  What do they mean that my horse should be  supple to the rein contact? Now you can watch what I do with Trudy as I break down each step of the process, including what bending should look like from in the saddle"


This is such an important video for everyone to watch. If you are like most riders you are not sure what supplying is... or in fact, what a correct "bend" should look like in front of the saddle.  Now you have the steps to your success!   

How cool is this?  Try it on your horse and tell us what you discover.

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Bending at the trot. Amazing technique that you are going to love! S4 ...




"What does bending really mean?  You might not be sure, and you are not alone....  Check out this amazing technique that I am using with Trudy and Ani"


We have all heard the term, your horse needs the right bend.  But what does it really mean?  In this video I show Trudy how to see between Ani's ears so that she is positioning what is happening in front of the saddle for the right bend... which really comes from the horses shoulders.  This is the first time we have done this on Ani.

Try looking through your horses ears and see how the changes what you are doing to balance and connect your horse.  Let us know how it works for you!

Friday, June 12, 2015

Bending. The most amazing technique you have seen. From halt to walk. S...




"What does bending mean and how should your horse be positioned in front of your seat? You are going to love this technique!"


Horse people everywhere are not sure of where they should be positioning their horses head for the right "bend". By looking through the ears of the horse you will find that you will be riding the horses shoulders instead of simply bringing their head over! How cool is this?

Now you can watch as I show Trudy, from the halt than at the walk, how to do this and what she is going to feel it. Are you ready to try this on your horse?

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Canter. What is the right bend? Half pass. Collected.





"You hear it all the time. That word, bending. What does that mean?  We know that a bend is really coming from the horse being active on the inside hind, but...where should your horses head be positioned to the inside when you are riding.  In this video we focus on that position while cantering including the half pass. You are going to love this technique" 


Most riders are not sure how far they should bring their horses nose over on a curve or in the lateral movements.  Now you can see an easy (well, maybe not so easy as you will need to think about it) technique that will make the process more elegant for you. All you need to do is look through your horses ears!  

Those who have been following Susan's progress with Darrien have seen some pretty remarkable changes. Susan has done an excellent job at showing this Schoolmaster that it is OK to go back to the basics and start over again.  Now you can see that they have some moments in their canter work that are beautiful!  There are some people who say you cannot teach an old horse new ways of doing things, yet you have seen that it can be done with time and patience. 

Are you ready to try looking between your horse's ears?  Try it and let us know how it works for you.

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

The trots. Retraining a Schoolmaster




"Retraining a schoolmaster at the trot. Can you teach an old dog horse new tricks? Yes! Adding more connection and balance"


Everyone should have the chance to have a schoolmaster.. Yet, even they might need to be retrained. Such is the case with Susan's newest horse Darrien. He came with a few issues but keeps getting better and more relaxed all the time. Now you can see what we do to bring him to a new level of connection.

It is spring and Darrien has been in rehab all winter from a leg injury. Now Susan is back in the saddle and we are preparing for their return to the showring in Prix St George and Intermediate 1. 

Can you see how much more relaxed Darrien is this year?

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Retraining a Schoolmaster. Half halts, Supplying. Walk Piourettes




"If you are lucky, you might be able to learn from a schoolmaster. Of course, they also come with their own set of issues that you might need to work through. In this session we focus on keeping Darrien on the he outside rein and leg at the turn on haunches, walk pirouette. He is pretty sure we do not know how to do them.... Watch as Darrien learns he can stay connected even when he thinks he knows what he should be doing"


This is Susan and Darrien. Darrien is a schoolmaster and knows it all. Or so he thinks... It has taken us about a year to get him to this point in his retraining (Susan's newest horse) and he came with some issues to work out. One of those issues is in what he has been doing the turn on the haunches/walk pirouette where he will spin around like a reining horse instead of waiting for Susan and of course, staying connected between the reins. 

Now you can see what we are doing to show Darrien how to wait for Susan's aids as we isolate keeping Darrien on the outside rein and leg for these movements. 


Monday, June 8, 2015

Canter. Hot nervous horse. Can you stay connected?




“Do you sometimes feel that keeping your horse connected at the canter. Is this even possible? It has taken us several years to get Melody to start staying relaxed and connected at the canter. Finally she is somewhat relaxed and is letting Trudy keep her balanced between her leg aids and the contact of the bit”


Of course, some people think this part of the process should be smooth and elegant. It is not. When we ask a horse to connect like this they need to get comfortable with the pressure of the bit in the front and the rider asking them to step into that contact from their legs. How confusing that must be. Yet, somehow both the horse and rider are able to discover a common language and connect and balance together. In the beginning it might be just one step, or maybe two. Melody can now hold it for about 5 steps.

What is your horse doing in the canter? Is it really connected?

Sunday, June 7, 2015

Hot nervous horse. Connecting at the Canter. Half halts. Supplying





"Dream the impossible dreams...that is what some of us feel about getting our horses to do some things.  Melody is a hot and nervous horse that had a lot of issues to work through.  It has taken us years to get her to relax.  Now,  it is time Trudy to keep her connected in the warm up canter'


Those who have followed the progress of Trudy and Melody know how much time we have spent getting Melody to feel safe and as relaxed as possible.  Finally, this year, Melody has started to almost enjoy the riding process and is letting Trudy ask her to stay more connected.  Some people have even commented on the videos that Melody looks like a pleasure to ride!  Who would have thought?

Now you can watch what we do as we continue working through Melody's issues.  Sometimes she is not sure why we are doing what we are doing, but she is willing to try!   How has watching Trudy and Melody made a difference in your training or riding skills?

Friday, June 5, 2015

Randi Thompson 2015 International Equestrian Trailblazer




"Would you like to know more about how I got my start with horses that brought me to where I am now (where ever that is)  You might be surprised to know that I came from a non horse family and had to pay my own way.  Now you can see my interview after being honored  as one of the “2015 International Equestrian Trailblazers.” June Burgess, well known International 3-day event rider and expert in performance mindset from Ireland is the host and she selected 24 equestrians from around the world who have made the biggest impact in the horse industry" You can watch the interview at: http://equestriantrailblazers.com/randi-thompson-interview/  (that link will be live for 7 days.  After that you can watch the interview at:  https://youtu.be/L-qD4VkdACg


Would you like to see who else is a 2015 Equestrian Trailblazer? 
It’s FREE! All you need to do is sign up! Here is the link: http://xs.gy/randi

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Hot Nervous horse. Trot. Why you need Half halts, and the Steps to Conne...





"What if you have a horse that is either hot and nervous, or just plain hard to keep focused?  It's time to isolate what you are doing with your half halts and to make sure your horse is supple and listening to your aids (Steps to Connection) Watch what happens as I break down the the steps for Trudy and Ani in the warm up trot"


Staying connected (for those who like to ride that way) can seem like such a magical and yet, seemingly impossible goal for so many riders.  That is, until they finally understand how it works.  Once a rider "gets it" they wonder how they ever rode before.  In this session you will see how connecting a horse and rider with the half halts and Steps to Connection can make a difference, even in the warm up trot, with a hot nervous horse. (even though Melody is not looking looking so hot or nervous these days as Trudy is doing an awesome job with her training!)

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Breaking down the steps to Half halts and the Steps to Connection. S4 Ri...




"Everything you want to know about how to do a half halt with your riding position and what are the Steps to Connection.  Watch what happens as I isolate these techniques with Trudy"


In this session I break up the steps to the half halt and include how the rider should feel the horse lifting their back as they use them.  Next, we focus on the Steps to Connection to see if Melody is listening to Trudy's aids by softening to her jaw, poll, releasing her neck and lifting her back.  How cool is this?

Now that you can see the steps broken down even more... are you ready to try this with your horse or riders?