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?