An Essential Dressage Requirement

March 12, 2012 By 1 Comment

Dressage is a human-equine event that tests rider and horse as a pair. The two are rated for co-ordination and balance as they are going thru a sequence of manoeuvres, but more than this, the horse is valuated for the air of relaxation and effortlessness it portrays. Dressage is well liked by horse riders of all ages, both sexes and at all levels of achievement.

Riders and horses undergo extensive coaching for dressage. There are lots of elements that go into the making of a well-trained dressage horse. To start with, you want a fit horse with a great sense of balance and foot work that’s eager to be ridden. He’s got to be intensely receptive to the cues of his rider, and must respond immediately to them. The rider and pony must be able to maintain a great sense of mutual balance and timing. While it is outside the ambit of this article to discuss all the elements that go into making the perfect dressage horse, there is one element that really must be saught after. This is a factor that’s pertinent not just to dressage horses, but to horses utilised for any discipline. The horse must be in a position to move freely and keenly. A pony whose concentration is broken by stress or discomfort isn’t going to be a good performer.

While the preceding two sentences may have stated an obvious truth, this truth is sadly ignored plenty of the times. Analyse the explanations for poor performances, and you will find that they have arisen as the pony was not altogether comfortable. No rider will normally go with a horse obviously exhibiting pain, but there are occasions when you can not be able to make out that the horse is facing some kind of impediment or discomfort thanks to the tack. Using saddles that aren’t perfect fits for both horse and rider or saddles that are not suited with the intention under hand will pretty much certainly lead to poor performance. Similar effects will be attained by ill-fitting bits or nose bands that confine unnecessarily. Whether or not it is dressage or some other discipline, it is worth while making an investment in a saddle of the very best quality suitable for that discipline. If you are serious about the ongoing well being of your horse, and if you’re serious about doing well in whatever discipline you are into with your pony, you will not grudge the best saddle.

Dressage demands that both rider and horse are allowed the maximum freedom and space for movement, and dressage saddles are specifically designed for this reason. They’re deeper, with wide panels. This keeps the rider in place and in balance always. This also helps the horse to maintain correct posture and balance. Saddle flaps that are straight cut as also stirrup bars laid a little further back permit the horse to exercise easy freedom of movement at the shoulder and also keep the rider’s weight centered right over the gravity centre of the pony.

For low level and newbie dressage, general purpose saddles of the standard type will serve the purpose. For higher and pro levels, a custom dressage saddle is a necessity. The money invested on such a saddle will pay itself back many times in terms of the enormous difference it’ll make to performance, comfort and health.

Horses are Heather Toms passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of articles with other horse lovers, like all things about riding hats

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Why Blanket Your Pony

March 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The answer to that particular question would rely on the circumstances of the pony. That implies the answer is yes for plenty of horses. Pony owners seem to have developed a trend of clipping horses if they are to be ridden during winter. These horses will need blankets. It’s only reasonable that we replace what we take away. If you remove a horse’s nature-given heat mechanism simply because it suits you (but not the horse), you must also compensate the horse for it.

Generally, I get hunt clips for my horses. I am unhappy to see that hunt clips seem to be on the road to extinction. It seems to me that almost invariably, full body clips are used on show horses.

Blankets for horses are now a thriving business. It’s possible to get blankets of a range of materials, for a range of horse and pony sizes. There are even blankets for foals. You will find blankets that are made specially for each season, every function, every taste and every pocket. A fast glance through a trade mag will show you quite a few pages with advertisements on an entire range of blankets in all shapes, sizes, material and costs.

It is up to you to make the correct choice.

Usually, blankets are not needed for lightly used horses that are ridden for pleasure and aren’t utilized for any other purpose thru the winter, if they are stabled at night. There shouldn’t be any requirement for a blanket. The pony will be protected by his thick winter coat. A winter coat starts making its appearance at the end of fall and stays on until spring. A winter coat is nature’s customized gift to each pony, and it suits them fine. It’s better not to clip the coats of horses utilised for moderate trail riding in winter. They do better with the full coat on, as each breed gets a custom coat designed by nature that is most suitable for its particular personality and physical requirements.

Winter coats tend to get heavier as horses get older. This isn’t a sign of Cushing’s Disease, it is a phenomenon prevalent with all horses in all stages of health. It is how nature compensates for their declining resistance. You may have also spotted that Mother Nature is extra considerate with horses that aren’t fat? Their coats often have an extra hair layer. Obviously, fat insulates against cold better. Well built horses always fare better in cold weather than their more gaunt opposite numbers.

You should envelop your pony in as many layers of blankets as the prevailing temperature dictates. It’s miles better to use multiple layers of thin blankets than to use fewer thicker ones. The thin blankets give you more flexibility: you can remove or add them with larger ease dependent on circumstances. Besides, thick blankets can make horses sweat. Regularly monitor horses that are outside most of the time. Inspect the straps for damage and look into the condition of their backs and their shoulders. If a horse sweats on a sunlit winter day, he is probably carrying a blanket or two too many. While most water-proof blankets do their job of waterproofing with great efficiency, they’re not desirable for use as blankets. They are air tight and repress natural respiring of horse skin.

Horses are Heather Toms passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of articles with other horse lovers, like all things about horse blanket

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Pros And Cons Of Dressage Saddles

March 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The market is chock-a-bloc with horse riding must haves, and it can be a major headache selecting something when you’re out to buy. When you’re a beginner, whether or not you are buying at a physical store or online, the variety you run across may leave you in a state of total undecided confusion. As you get more experienced, naturally, you will develop a true awareness of exactly what you want and where to get it, though even at this stage, you’ll hesitate over the infinite choices available.

You’ll possibly have the most difficulty in selecting saddles. Off-the-shelf saddles are fine for general purpose use, for most horse-related activities and for horses and riders of all ages, capabilities and experience levels.

However , the off-the-shelf all-purpose saddle has its uses, but it’s not at all suitable for specialised use. Using a all-purpose saddle for a specialist equine event is like using a family sedan in a Formula 1 event. Every specialised saddle is made for a specific equine discipline and a particular riding style. These saddles come with features that boost the performance of the horse and its rider. Like the name suggests, the general saddle is a product that is designed to suit all purposes without suiting any one purpose specifically. The general saddle cannot meet the more refined requirements of advanced horse riding at the strongly competitive or professional level. Each discipline calls for a particular kind of saddle. Consider the dressage saddle. Obviously, it is designed specially for dressage events, and the features incorporated in it might not make it acceptable for any other equine discipline. As a serious dressage rider, you are not going to get the maximum out of yourself or your horse if you are not utilising the right saddle.

The cantle and pommel are higher than ordinary, and the panels are wider, with less padding. This allows the rider to maintain close touch contact with the horse and that in turn makes sure better coordination between the rider and the pony.

For ideal performance in dressage, the rider’s legs stretch out nearly straight down below him. This is helped in dressage saddles by long saddle flaps that are straight cut and stirrup bars that are set somewhat further back than ordinary to make it easy for the rider to keep his knee down and his thigh back. The dressage saddle’s straight cut architecture also grants a great deal of freedom round the shoulder area to the pony.

Another feature of dressage saddles is longer billet straps and shorter girths that go round the horse’s stomach. This permits the rider to keep closely in contact with the horse through leg cues, as the buckles do not get in the way of the rider’s legs.

While they are great aids, dressage saddles are a conclusive must: lots of riders have been known to ride as well as participate in dressage events all through their lives, using just general purpose saddles. Dressage saddles are really most appropriate for riders and horses who concentrate on the highly advanced levels of dressage. If you are an all round competitor who features in more than one equestrian discipline like hunting and show jumping, you will not find it worth buying a dressage saddle.

If you purchase a custom saddle for each event you want to participate in, you may find yourself loaded with several saddles, which should naturally add considerably to your cleaning and maintaining chores!

From the other perspective, if you are dead serious about dressage as the one horse riding discipline you absolutely want to master, then laying out some money on a top quality dressage saddle would likely pay off.

Horses are Heather Toms passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of articles with other horse lovers, like all things about riding hats

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What Makes A Good Horse Person

March 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The mental approach potentially has more to do with good horsemanship than any physical capability. An approach based mostly on reciprocity is what marks the good horseman or horsewoman out from the remainder of the field.

You can persuade a pony into doing what you want or you can force him. But a glance at any top pro should tell you the right path to go in.

Have you really paid close attention to the way pros handle their horses? Have you been observant enough to notice the casual approach that seems to be a part of professionals? Try and remember if you’ve ever seen a really good rider swear at his or her horse. How often have you seen a pro rider getting physical with their horse?

Communication between a good rider and his horse is pretty much free from obstacles and misunderstandings. Horses take their cues from the infrequent word and the regular physical nudges of their riders. In a way, handling a pony isn’t different from handling a little kid.

The horseman or horsewoman communicates with their pony through the reins and the hands and legs, particularly the seat. The facility to perfectly communicate comes with a lot of practice and patience. Wherever you are, grooming your pony in the stable, riding him out on the ranges, doing a show with him,you have got to be aware of your horse’s behavior patterns, moods and temperament.

You can’t afford to stop learning. I learn much not simply from my own private interaction with horses, but also from my observations of other horsemen and horsewomen with their horses. Experience has given me the ability to make out the docile horse from the energetic one at a glance. I can make out a horse that has been treated well by its owners from the pony that has endured a bit of abuse. I’ve also become shrewd enough to recognise the true horse person from the person who has fancy saddles and riding habits and little horse sense. It’s not correct that you become a good horse person only if you have lived around horses all your life. Neither is it required for you to have ridden horses since you were tall enough to reach up to the stirrup. I was city bred and born, and was in my teens before I had my first exposure to horses not yoked to carriages. I went cowgirl inside a very short period of time. I must admit to a life-long zeal for horses and to having read up on everything I could find about horses and horsemanship, even if I used to be a city slicker. I was also fortunate in having a great tutor and mentor. For a long period of time, my life was a continual series of rodeos, events and videos. I now bow to no one in my knowledge of horses. If you dream about changing into a horse person, remember that the only thing stopping you is you.

Horses are Heather Toms passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of articles with other horse lovers, like things about barrel saddles for sale

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Give Your Pony Some Trailer Training

March 7, 2012 By 1 Comment

Horses react with the flight or fight instinct to perceived danger; that is, they flee if they get the break or fight. A fighting wild horse is an impressive sight. To the inexperienced horse, a trailer must initially come across as a dark cavern probably full of dangers. He wouldn’t want to enter that cavern happily. Survival instincts honed over countless generations sound the alarm when horses come across entrances to dark and foreboding interiors.

The best way to lead a pony into over comming his fear of trailers is to break him in gently and avoid doing anything that may swamp him. One practical method is to have the horse walk over a strong plywood sheet laid out on the ground. The sheet should be powerful enough to take the load of the pony easily even when laid out on supports at the 4 corners. Lead the horse to the plywood, let him have a close look at it and sniff at it. Permit him to take his time over it. Don’t rush him, but coax and persuade him. Soon enough, the pony will become used to the plywood and walk over it without considering it.

In the second part of the endeavor, hoist the plywood sheet onto some 4 x 4s. Be really sure the plywood sheet is tough enough to easily take the horse’s weight; if it breaks and the horse’s leg plunge through, you’re going to need to handle the possibility of severely hurt leg and a badly psyched out horse who is going to avoid plywood sheets like the plague. Have some hay or grain at the other end of the sheet for the horse to chew on when he crosses the sheet. This way, the sheet will become linked with rewarding experiences.

In phase 3, set up a sort of tunnel of plastic sheets over the plywood sheet. The tunnel should look like a trailer in structure, in that it should taper down from a wide end to a narrow end. Get the pony to walk thru until he becomes happy with it. Again, let him have a reward at the end of his efforts to allow him get the impression the tunnel is a means to a pleasing end.

These three steps should help your horse get used to confined structures. Breaking in the horse softly at his very own pace will work far better than any attempt to rush him thru. There is no doubt whatsoever that patience is one of the first qualities you need to work successfully with horses.

Now that you have gone through the preliminaries, it’s time for the actual thing. Bring out the trailer.

Lead the pony on a rope into the trailer. Use confident body language and an assured tone of voice as you coax your horse don’t look at him just assume he is following you. Any hesitation on your part will convey itself to the pony. If the pony balks, don’t push him. Lead him away and bring him back for another try. If he balks again, repeat the process again, but never make efforts to force him. Continue your work with cool firmness until your horse eventually stumbles on. When he does get on, give him a reward; a larger one this time.

Bring him out of the trailer and repeat the process. Once he is in, reward him again. You may spook him badly if you leave him alone within the trailer, so stay with him for the first good many times until you judge it’s time to let him enjoy a little solitude. Carry out your last exercise: work on him to get him used to being alone in the trailer, a tiny bit at a time before slowly towing the trailer.

Horses are Heather Toms passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of articles with other horse lovers, like all things about equestrian wear

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What It Takes To Be One With Your Pony

March 6, 2012 By 1 Comment

It isn’t easy training a pony to be the best mount. I am aware of a manual published by the US Cavalry that goes into great depth about absolutely everything to do with horses: what to do, what not to, and how to do or not do it. That book, if I recollect, has something like 1,500 pages. Even though it was meant for the cavalry, I’m not sure if anyone ever read it cover to cover.

But you don’t need a 1500 page manual to tell you how to train your horse. You can make it a lot less complex. Which is not to say it is less complicated. You still need to work conscientiously at it.

Ever paid close attention to a riding event at a horse show, or maybe a dressage event? It looks so extremely simple, doesn’t? That is, until you start trying it out yourself.

When you’re doing some casual riding, you can simply turn your horse’s head at corners and get him pointed in the right direction. You may be fairly sure the horse will not crunch into the rail. But all that’s fine for casual riding.

It is not going to work for show riding. You are going to upset the judges terribly, to the extent they may get you thrown out after your first event. There isn’t any turning corners at these events. There are only quarter circles that involve about 12 cues. It is going to take you some considerable time to memorize all the cues, and even longer to get your horse to perfectly respond to each.

I have come up with a technique that makes things somewhat easier. I mean, the way to set about the quarter circle. I based my strategy on the simple theory that horses are literally capable of just 11 movements. These movements are:

1. Moving forward using various gaits; 2. The vital skill of stopping; 3. The vital ability of backing up; 4 and 5. Left and right movements of the neck and the head; 6 and 7. Left and right movements of the shoulders; 8 and 9. Left and right movements of the rump; 10 and 11. Left and right movements of the hindquarters.

Trust me, that pretty much covers it.

You need to conquer the cues for every one of these movements, and you need to get your horse to respond like a robot to your cues for each of these movements. You go thru all of it step by step: master each cue and response, move on to the next. Just remember: you Don’t Try and move your horse’s neck or head by pulling at the reins. You get this done with the reins draped loosely around your thumb.

The ideal to reach for, of course, is to attain top coordination with your pony, so that each cue you send to your horse produces the right response instantaneously. That implies the cues become part of your subconscious, and the responses become part of your horse’s.

When you and your pony have realized that level of coordination, you’ll be capable of achieving the quarter circle to perfection.

Horses are Heather Toms passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of articles with other horse lovers, like all things about horse show cloths

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Only Repetitive Follow Through Pony Training Yields Success

March 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Perhaps owing to the many sundry enthusiasms for, although not dedication to, horses and horse riding, it’s hard to reinforce upon individuals that following thru with equestrian training is tantamount to success. When we talk of following thru with horse coaching, it basically means sticking to a training technique or regime and repeating it a multitude of times, which is simply standard. Many folk are indeed horse riding fans, but their zeal for riding does not extend to coaching. Its really not surprising though. This mind-set of becoming bored with repetition is maybe natural to nearly any task that must be repeated almost continually.

Take a weight control or reduction programme for instance. Many overweight folk want to shed kilos, but few can ever commit to an almost overzealous diet and exercise programme that can effectively help them in losing weight and remain in a preferred weight range. Even if the issue concerns general fitness, chunky folk People in general lose interest in repetion whether the case is of one’s own health, one’s weight or a wannabe equestrian not following through with pony training… merely stopping as soon as his horse shows a glimmer of understanding.

Ask any committed equestrian, even the basic horse riding maneuvers taught to both rider and horse must be repeated about 2,000 times before the motions of the maneuvers become automated, second nature. A dressage champion wannabe must endure what boredom or any other impetus can trouble her in periods of follow through. But what about the individual simply anticipating weekend pony riding for leisure? Fortunately for those among us who still fall into deplorable ennui yet know the essence of following through with even the most basic training, there are some things that will help us outlast rounds of boredom:

– Count. Yes, count how often you’re repeating the drill, the pony coaching exercise. It can help you concentrate on getting the specified responses. It can also help you to understand just how long it requires for a horse to to understand what you’re trying to teach, how long that it takes for her to make it a habit, and how long it needs until the reply to your cues are nearly automated.

– Try listening to music. Bring your iPod along and stick an earphone into one of your ears. This simple, classic trick may help to keep 15 minutes from appearing like 15 hours.

– Be generous in praising your pony. This helps you focus on your pony, not the boredom. It also encourages her and urges her to learn quicker.

– Don’t schedule boring hours of pony coaching. Break down the training into simpler bites that need shorter time.

But beyond these little things, you as an equestrian should appreciate that it is only thru the numerous times of following thru that you will eventually succeed in developing a robust relationship and amazing success outcomes.

Horses are Heather Toms passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of articles with other horse lovers, like all things about country supply

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