Here is a great video with lots of how’s and why’s about cantering! Enjoy! I couldn’t figure out how to insert the video on this page, so this link will take you to it. **************** Note: This is not professional advice, this is a blog. I am not liable for … Continue reading
Filed under Skills …
Fun Video Friday: The Sitting Trot
I know it’s Saturday…but I like the title’s alliteration. Today’s videos are about the sitting trot! Video 1: How to Improve your Sitting Trot. Some great teaching techniques. Video 2: The Sitting Trot. Starts with some good hows, and adds some good whys at 2 minutes in. Video 3: Riding the Sitting Trot. Some more … Continue reading
Fun Video Friday: Tips on Contact by Jane Savoie
It’s been a while since I posted a video. And it’s not Friday. But I found this one, so here you go. It relates nicely to my recent post about using a crop to create even hands. Enjoy! [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9G4HvGWrEPc] **************** Note: This is not professional advice, this is a blog. I am not liable for … Continue reading
Hand Position and Stabilizing Exercise
Before you use this exercise, you may want to brush up on your hand position. I recommend this article: The Good Riding Hand And now, to help develop good hand posture and stable riding hands, the: Carry a Crop Exercise Have the rider hold a crop or stick across their hands like this: This picture … Continue reading
Fun Video Friday: Posture
I am reinstating Fun Video Friday. But now it’s going to be videos that are helpful for teaching. This week we go down the YouTube Bunny Trail of Posture with Erica Poseley and Wendy Manless. Enjoy! Find Your Unmoveable Frame to Become a Better Rider by Erica Poseley This is about posture, how riding and … Continue reading
Heels Down
I have been researching this for a while now. I hope you find it helpful! HEELS DOWN Why Heels Down? Lengthens leg and calf, which increases contact with the horse’s side, allows better aid communication. Lowers your weight which acts as an anchor for your body, to keep you in the saddle during expected and … Continue reading
3 Step Turn – direct rein steering, bending
I have been doing this a lot lately with my students through whatever activity we are doing. The 3 Step Turn In it’s simplest form: Start the turn Turn Finish the turn For a beginner (direct rein and looking): Start the turn – turn your horse’s nose the direction you want them to go – … Continue reading
Posting
There’s only one way to skin a cat…and a million ways to teach posting. Here are a bunch of ideas from various sources that I’ve somewhat organized for all the what’s, why’s and how’s of posting. Posting Trot What avoid every other bump by rising as the horse steps with one diagonal pair be able to … Continue reading
Slow Down and Speed Up (Rating Speed)
This seemed like a good skill to teach before allowing the independent trot. How to slow down and speed up! Also known as, rating your horses speed. What Rating your horse’s speed = using the Slow Down and Speed Up cues to keep him one consistent speed Why To be comfortable to ride and easy … Continue reading
Seat Aids – to energize & slow down
Today I researched and taught the seat aids. It worked out pretty well, and I got some great feedback and ideas from a friend, so I thought I’d share! The Seat Aids Helpful Warmups Shoulder circles backward – tends to be tight – one at a time then together “growing taller in your spine” Lift … Continue reading