"How can I balance the canter? S4 Dressage trainer Tryon NC

"You have probably seen these comments on your dressage test canters. Horse not connected, horse on forehand, haunches in... and so on. Would you like to improve your horse's canter? Watch this video to see what Trudy is doing with Ani. Which tip makes the biggest difference for what you are doing with your horse?


Now you can watch what I do with Trudy as we focus on improving Ani's canter. In this session we focus on keeping Ani connected (on the aids/on the bit/round/in front of the aids/packaged) at the canter" This is level of connection in the canter is still new to Ani and so it is the perfect video for anyone who wants to improve their horses canter. Check out the wonderful changes in Ani's canter than go out and try these techniques on your horse.

Are you ready to try this on your horse? We love to hear your feedback!

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

"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?

Going back to the basics. Can you keep a light rein in the trot canter t...

"Have you noticed that your hand "bumps" your horse in the mouth when you are working on the canter? What about the canter transitions?"

In this session Trudy focuses on keeping an even feel and connection with the reins at the canter.. Many riders start tightening their reins at the canter, especially in the transition up and down from it. Now you can watch as Trudy discovers how to use her legs and seat to keep Melody on her aids and soft on the reins.

Have you ever thought about how you are using your reins for the canter? What did you learn from this video?

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

Going back to the basics Rein contact at the trot. Engagement. Diamond ...

"Going back to the basics. Is your horse in balance? It's time to practice with the Diamond pattern. Can you keep your horse connected from your leg to the rein at the trot?"

The Diamond Pattern is a great way to teach your horse (and yourself...) what a horse feels like as they are "sitting down" more or "engaging" IT was from last year when we first started asking Beau to stay in a different balance. To do this, Susan focused on keeping an even feel on both reins as she asked Beau to step up more from behind with her seat and legs. As a result you will see that Beau began to use his haunches differently.

Are you ready to try the Diamond pattern with your horse?

Canter. What are you doing with your hands? Where should they be?

"What if... you really have a feeling that it is time to ride your horse in more of a connection at the canter. You know, the kind where you feel that your horse is staying soft to the reins and is "balanced" somewhat between your leg and rein aids. Now you can learn the Secret of the Trainers. It's all about your riding position!"

Trudy has brought Ani a long way in her training. This is their warm up canter and on this day Trudy asked me to isolate what she is doing to keep Ani connected. Before this week Trudy had been working on this but now she is feeling serious about asking Ani to stay softer to the rein connection at the canter. Its a big step and now you can watch how important Trudy's riding position and length of rein is to that process.

What did you learn from watching this Horse and Rider Awareness video? Are you ready to ask your horse to stay more connected at the canter yet? Please share your feedback as we love to hear what is happening in your training process and how these videos are making a difference for you.

The timing of the rider's aids at the walk. The steps. #1

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


In this session I ask Trudy to really become aware of when Melody is 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 her jaw. 3) Melody will flex her neck (so the muscle falls to the outside) 4) Trudy aids her inside calve 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 was must 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 horses 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.