Learning to be a good rider is a combination of knowledge and learning how to be in your body in a way that helps you partner with a horse. In this section, I collect articles on both topics intended to build your knowledge to help you become a better, more responsive rider, as well as exercises to help introduce you to the body movements necessary for comfortable, confident horseback riding.
Horses are great swimmers. Some horses even love playing in the water. However, other horses find the water unsettling, especially if they can’t see the bottom. If your horse is a bit scared of the water, don’t worry, there are a few ways you can help reduce their anxiety. In this article, you will discover: …
Getting in the saddle again after a long gap can be overwhelming. Many of us find that riding again as adults, after abandoning this hobby for education, family, or work, is a satisfying way to reconnect with our younger selves. Starting to ride again after a long gap is great for the body, mind, and …
If you have been taking riding lessons for any length of time, odds are good that you have heard the phrase “on the bit” by now. Instructors will often tell students to put their horse on the bit. Or, you might hear students saying they are having trouble getting their horse on the bit. If …
Riding students all over usually dread hearing the words “drop your stirrups” in a lesson, but if you’re observing “No Stirrups November” it is a recurring theme. Personally, I used to hate riding without stirrups. It was always my least favorite part of my weekly lessons. However, over time I began to see the benefits …
If you are just starting to take riding lessons, you will soon realize that there is a lot to learn, and a lot of new words! The horse world is filled with its own special lingo, and learning it can almost feel like learning a second language. Knowing the terms on this list will help …
There may be a number of reasons for wanting to increase rides on your horse to twice a day. You might be preparing for show season and want to get them in shape. Maybe you just want to keep their fitness up throughout the year. The good news is that for most horses an extra …
Self defense may not be something you associate with horseback riding, but there are times on horseback when knowing a few self defense skills can give confidence and keep us safe- especially for those of us who ride alone on trails. For example, what would you do if you encountered a shady character on the …
If you have a horse-crazy loved one in your life, then chances are you have been invited to watch them ride in a horse show. This means finding a way to make the rest of the horse show interesting and fun to watch as well. Growing up I competed in horse shows often, and I …
Riding Horses can be the most exciting part of a mountain vacation, tropical island retreat, or even African safari! To make the most of your experience riding horses on vacation, though, you’ll need to be armed with information about what to expect, how to prepare, what to pack, and how to avoid soreness the next …
Have you ever driven past a field and wondered why the horses look like they are blindfolded, or wearing face masks? These masks can definitely look odd to someone who isn’t familiar with horses. In this article, I’ll answer some of the most common questions regarding horse masks- a tool horse owners use to keep …