Randi Thompson. Trot/canter transitions. Adding the rainbow. The Steps ...

"The Rainbow... An easy way for you to know if your horse is connecting the way you want it to do. Check out this easy to use technique to see if your horse has a "Rainbow" in your trot/canter transitions."

For most of us, keeping our horses balanced and in connection is important. We like the way it feels when our horses connect with us at that level. An easy way to be able to "see" (yes, sometimes we do look down) is by keeping a "Rainbow" in your horse's neck. Of course, it is much more than that... However, this is an easy technique that will let you know when your horse is really on the aids/in front of the legs/on the bit, round, packaged, the beginning of self-carriage.

The next time you ride, check to see if you have a "Rainbow" in your horse's neck. Let us know how it works for you!

https://youtu.be/MNb2OWTCiqU

Randi Thompson. Riders Test. Walk trot transitions. Riding position

When you ask your horse to change gaits, are the transitions rough or smooth? Would you like to see how you can use your riding position to make them smoother?"

In this blast from the past, Trudy focused on what she is doing with her riding position at the walk/trot transitions. Like many riders, she had a tendency to disconnect from her riding position with her lower legs as she practices them. Now you can watch what I did with Trudy that made a difference in the quality and smoothness of the changes of gait with Ani.

What changes can you see in Trudy's riding position as she focuses more on it? What about Ani? Did her changes or gait improve?

https://youtu.be/EkgZfeewgI8

Randi Thompson. Contact at the trot. What does "on the bit" really mean?...

What if... you really do not understand what contact or "on the bit" really means? You are not alone. Many other riders are also confused with the concept"

Now you can watch this blast from the past as Susan rides Beau to a new level of "on the bit" In the past, Beau had often looked like he is on contact, yet the reins were often slack and a little loopy. That is where he felt comfortable. This was the first time we have focused on asking Beau to keep the rein connection "alive" as Susan asked him to step up into the contact fro Are you ready to see if your reins are alive when you take up the contact?

Our newest Mover and Shaker of the Horse World. Pam Stone. Currently, Pam is a blogger for the Dressage Today Magazine. Pam is also an award-winning comedian and TV star. Many of us remember Pam from the TV series, "Coach." She has also been a guest star on the Tonight Show and Oprah. Now you can listen is as we chat about what she has done, what she is doing, the horse business, "Tall Whites", the Big Oaks Rescue Farm and so much more.

Check out the interview here.  Watch the interview by clicking this link


   

   

Randi Thompson. Riders Test. Half Halts. What should you be feeling? Dr...

dressage, dressage training, equestrian, equitation, Horse and Rider Awareness, horse showing, horse training, horsemanship, horses, Randi Thompson, riding instruction, Tryon NC dressage

In this blast from the past, Trudy asked me to isolate what she was doing with her riding position for her half halts and to improve how she is connecting (The Steps to Connection) with Ani. For the first time, we started the connection process in the warm-up. Now you can see the steps that we used.

Are you ready to try this on your horse? We would love to hear how these techniques are working for you.

Randi Thompson.The Magic of the Lunge Line. Perfect circles/in front of ...

Would you like to be able to ride that perfect circle?  How about being able to really feel (or teach a rider) how to use their riding position and be able to feel when their horse is falling in and out of the circle or keeping a horse in front of the aids? Check out this easy to use yet amazing technique using a lunge line.


Are you ready to try this?  Let us know how it works for you!

Randi Thompson. Riders Test. How is the balance of your rising trot posi...

dressage, dressage training, equestrian, equitation, Horse and Rider Awareness, horse showing, horse training, horsemanship, horses, Randi Thompson, riding instruction, Tryon NC dressage

To improve your riding position all you need to do is try these exercises for 30 days. 5 minutes a day. You will be amazed at the difference in your riding position.

Let me know how these exercises work for you. Please tell us what you experience (whining is allowed...) and how different your riding position and lower leg feel after you try them.

Randi Thompson. Riders Test. Balance for rising/posting Trot. Riding in...

"What would it feel like to finally... feel like you have a secure riding position at the rising/posting trot?"

Watch this blast from the past to see what happened as these two riders focus on their riding positions at the trots. Once we started focusing on these awareness exercises, both riders found that they needed to go back to some of the basics. Now you can see how much their riding positions change at the rising/posting trots.

Are you ready to try these on your horse? Let us know how they make a difference for you!

Randi Thompson. Riders Test. Is your horse listening to you? Walk/trot. ...

Every rider gets to a point in their riding and training where they need to become more assertive with their riding position and how they are using their aids."This could be as simple as keeping the horse's rhythm, the rider adding more leg, seat or rein pressure.

Knowing when to apply more pressure is challenging for many riders. In this blast from the past, Trudy told me that she felt like Ani was ignoring her aids at times and that it was making her feel like she did not have control. We started this session (which goes into the walk and trots) by asking Trudy to become more aware of what she is doing with her riding position and how Ani is responding to it. At first, Ani barely responds. Next, we turn up the volume and Trudy became more assertive with her riding position and aids. As a result, Ani became more responsive and lighter on the aids.

Can you see the difference in Ani's attitude and movement as a result of what Trudy is doing?

Randi Thompson. Are your reins connected to your riding position? The St...

"What if... you want your horse to keep its head in a certain position. This is common for those who are competing or riding dressage. Do you feel like your horse is still locking up or leaning on the reins when you pick up the reins connection? You are not alone. This is a mystery that takes some riders years to understand. Now you can watch what I do with Trudy so she can isolate how Ani is responding to what she is doing with the reins.
On this day Trudy asked if we could focus on that "rainbow" that happens in a horses neck when they are soft to the bit (rein connection) and on the aids/in front of the aids/round and so on. Trudy has been watching horses at the dressage shows and now that Ani is more comfortable with that level of connection is ready to ask her to stay balanced between her reins and legs even more.
In this video we are at the halt and you can see how I break everything down for Trudy. (We have done this in the past, but now Trudy has a different idea about what this really can do)
How does your horse respond to the rein connection? Are you ready to try this technique on your horse? Let us know how it works for you.

Randi Thompson. 3 Magic Riding Position Fixes. Dressage, balanced riding.

Would you like to have 3 Magic Riding Position Fixes that you can use to improve your riding position or your students?
While I was in Oklahoma I took the time to film some of my favorite riding instructor tips. 3 Magic Riding Position Fixes. There were more western saddles there than I have seen in a long time! The facts are that good basics work with any style of riding and these tips will make a difference for you and your students in almost any riding discipline.

Randi Thompson. Riders Test. What is your upper body doing in curves and...

What if you could finally...  feel if your upper riding position was in the right place?

On this day Trudy asked me to focus on what she is doing with her shoulders and upper body in the circles and so on.  In this blast from the past, you can watch what happened to Trudy's riding position and her connection with Ani as a result of adding a simple technique.

Randi Thompson. Trot/canter transitions. Adding the rainbow. The Steps ...

"The Rainbow... An easy way for you to know if your horse is connecting the way you want it do. Check out this easy to use technique to see if your horse has a "Rainbow" in your trot/canter transitions."
For most of us, keeping our horses balanced and in connection is important. We like the way it feels when our horses connect with us at that level. An easy way to be able to "see" (yes, sometimes we do look down) is by keeping a "Rainbow" in your horse's neck. Of course, it is much more than that... However, this is an easy technique that will let you know when your horse is really on the aids/in front of the legs/on the bit, round, packaged, the beginning of self-carriage.
The next time you ride, check to see if you have a "Rainbow" in your horse's neck. Let us know how it works for you!

Randi Thompson. Half halts and the Steps to Connection. Adding the breat...

Have you had to take time off from your riding because of the weather or other reasons? Now you can watch this blast from the past to see what I did to bring both Trudy and Ani back into training by connecting them with the half halts and Steps to Connection at the walk"

We had no idea how Ani would behave. It has been over 6 weeks since their last ride and we were not sure what to expect. We went right to where we had left off and were thrilled with the results! Both Trudy and Ani were able to go pretty much back to where they were with the basics before winter came! We started with the half halts (as taught by Robert Dover with a breath) then continued with the Steps to Connection. This was only the third time that we have asked Ani to stay connected at this level and so we were very excited at how much she had remembered from before. Now you can watch the process we used and try it with your horse.

Even if you have not had to take time off, you will find that by applying these training techniques for your half halts and connecting with your horse will make a difference. Try them this week and let us know how they work for you.

Randi Thompson. Canter. Connecting for the 3rd time! On the bit/on the a...

"What happens when a horse is asked to accept the contact of the rider's reins at the canter?  Now you can watch the progress that happens in this blast from the past as Trudy asks Ani to keep an even feel on both sides of the reins on the aids for the 3rd time at the canter.  This is a challenging time in the training process as the horse begins to allow the rider to balance them between the "rein and leg".

This was an exciting time for Trudy. Ani is now ready to be ridden on contact (on the aids, on the bit) at the canter!  In the past, Trudy has been allowing Ani to canter like a green horse on a loose rein and with her head up. Now, Trudy is thinking about competing in dressage and it is time to go to the next level.  Contact and connection at all the gaits.  This is only the 3rd session that we have done this at the canter and the perfect video for you to watch if you are taking your horse or a student, through this process.

What did you learn about connecting a horse that is new to contact at the canter?  Does it make you feel better about the progress you might be having with your horses to do the same thing?

Randi Thompson. The timing of the rider's aids at the walk. The Steps to...

"The timing of the riders aids at the walk. Is your horse hearing what you want them to do?"

In this blast from the past, I asked Trudy to become aware of when Melody was listening to her aids. These are the steps that she is using. 1) First Trudy needs to be aware of when Melody's hind foot is off the ground. 2) Melody needs to soften her jaw. 3) Melody will flex her neck (so the muscle falls to the outside) 4) Trudy aids her inside calf muscle to see if Melody is responding to her leg by shifting her weight to the outside. 5) Next, we add the outside rein and leg to soften Melody's poll. Sounds easy right? Watch to see how what we are doing makes a difference in how Melody is responding to Trudy's aids. What I found interesting is that by asking Trudy to say words as she is riding that it is easier for her to time when she is using her aids.

Can you see how the timing of the aids depends on where the horse's hind foot is? (on the side you are using the aids on...) Try this on your horse (or student) and let us know how timing your aids makes a difference for what you are doing with your horse at the walk.

Randi Thompson.Is your horses back up in the half halts? The Steps to Co...

Is your horse lifting it's back while you are asking it to half halt (rebalance mentally and physically)?

In this session I cover the steps to the half halt as she focuses on keeping the horses back up. We are using 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?

Randi Thompson. Riders Test. Is your horse listening to you? Walk/trot. ...

Randi Thompson. Half Halts at the trot. Is your horse listening to you? ...

"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 blast from the past, Susan practiced the half halt as taught by Robert Dover. To do this, she breathed 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 had been doing half halts but has never really been thrilled with them. (for whatever issues he might be having that day) Since he was now competing in the 2nd level we needed 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?

Randi Thompson. Is your horse in front of the aids? Walk/trot. The begin...

"Did you know... that when a horse is in "front of the riders aids (connected from the back to the front) that the base of the horse's neck gets thick?" Now you can watch this blast from the past to see how this concept brought Trudy and Ani to a new level of connection"

In this session, we continue with Trudy teaching Ani how to keep an even feel on both sides of the bit, the beginnings of "contact". Before this session, Ani was ridden like a green horse and on a loose rein. Contact is new to her and so is stepping up for Trudy's leg into the connection of the reins. In this session, you will see how Trudy and Ani connect better when Ani is “thick in the base of her neck. (I was thrilled to be able to film this part of the training process as many riders have never seen what happens with a horse and rider going to the next level)

The next time you ride try this on your horse. Can you feel the difference in the connection when they are thick in the base of their necks?

Randi Thompson. Straightness. How your lower leg matters. Walk. Steps t...

"Are you ready to finally... ask your horse to stay connected from your seat and legs at the walk? What does that mean?"

There comes a time when a rider and horse are ready to go to a new level of balance and communication. Melody had some serious issues in the past. It has taken us several years to bring her to this point and now it it is time to ask her to connect between Trudy's rein and leg aids. In this blast from the past we asked her to "round up, connect, get packaged" (there are so many words for this). This was still new to Melody and is the perfect opportunity for you to watch what happens when a rider first begins to ask a horse to connect between the reins and the legs of the riders.

https://youtu.be/zGqHX6q-lgY

Randi Thompson. Walk/trot. Connecting a training level horse (8th time)...

"Do you shake your head and maybe get a little dizzy just trying to understand how you can connect your horse?  What does it really mean? How can you tell if your horse is connecting?"



In this blast from the past, Trudy brought Ani to another barn and had to focus on keeping Ani's attention.   Ani was moving up the training scale is and is going from a "green horse" balance and connection to "training level" where she is being asked to stay more connected. We started with the Steps to Connection where Trudy checked to make sure that Ani is soft in her jaw, in her poll and loose in her neck. at the same time as Trudy is using her leg aid, (when the hind foot is leaving the  ground on that side)  During that process Trudy focused on feeling when Ani was pulling on the rein contact (which is still new to Ani)  This is a sign that Trudy was really holding the rein to long and is something that happens to all riders.  Once we knew what was happening I started to ask Trudy to connect Ani on one side of her body, than the other.  It was a great way to break up Trudy's old habits and to build a foundation for her to feel that she can connect Ani for a few steps.  I started calling this the "2 Steps"  It is a form of a half halt on one side of the horse and teaches the rider how to feel when the horse is "against the outside rein and leg"



Are you ready to take your horse to the next level of connection?  Try the Two Step Connection process and see how it works for you.

Randi Thompson.Connecting for the 7th time. Steps to Connection.Two Step...

Are you riding your horse in connection?  If so, then this blast from the past is for you.  In this video, we focus on Trudy keeping Ani connected for the 7th time at the trot. You will see how a horse learning how to stay connected (on the aids) is going to be inconsistent.  Watch the changes as we use the "Two Steps" to keep Ani stepping up into the rein and taking up and contact from one side of her body to the other.  The "Two steps" is a technique I use to help riders become aware when they get "locked up" on the reins or holding their aids to long.  It is also an excellent technique that teaches riders how to keep a horse on the outside or inside leg and rein. When something stressful happens, like a horse not wanting to pay attention, this helps a rider focus on asking their horse to connect on one side than the other.  Once the rider can do this for two steps that can move up to 3 and so on.



 In this session, Ani decides she would rather look at something outside the ring (this is not her barn..)   Trudy told me that her arms were hurting. This told me that she was locking up in her hands and holding the reins too tight for too long.  This is typical for most riders, especially those riding greener horses. To help Trudy get back in control I asked her to focus on something different.  It worked!  This is a great video as you can see that sometimes we simply need to try something different to get to where we wanted to go.



Are you ready to try the "Two Step" with your horse to check if you are really connected?  Let us know how it works for you.

Randi Thompson. Canter Trot transitions. Timing of the Riders Aids. #2 D...

"Would you like to improve the way your horse changes its gait from a trot to a canter? Then it's time to think about the timing of your aids. Watch what Susan does with Beau"

In this session, Susan is riding the transition from the trot to the canter, and the canter to to the trot.She is focusing on the timing of her rein and leg aids and how Beau is responding to them. Lucky you as you will get to see a horse as it is learning how to rebalance at a new level. (Susan and Beau will be competing in 2nd Level dressage this upcoming year and need to have more of an uphill balance)

Can you see the difference in how Beau is moving as he works through these exercises?