Table of contents for Practical Horseman Extra Volume 27 in Practical Horseman

While you ride the serpentine exercise below, periodically check that your leg is still in the correct position. The steadier it is and the more centered your body is, the more balanced your horse will be and the easier it will be to steer him through the exercise. Over time, challenge yourself by adding more poles and bringing them slightly closer together so the serpentine has more loops and the turns are tighter. Never bring them so close together, though, that you lose the balance and flow of the exercise. If you’re more advanced, challenge yourself by riding the serpentine without stirrups at the posting and sitting trot. Sherry Cashman started her equestrian education at the Thomas School of Horsemanship on Long Island. She studied equine science at Delhi University…

1. You can also practice trotting over poles on a circle as Alex is doing here with Ellie. (To see a video describing this particular exercise in more detail, go to www.PracticalHorsemanMag.com.)She’s leaning slightly to the inside here, so she’ll practice this a few more times before dropping her stirrups. When doing this at the trot feels good, progress to canter, first with your stirrups, then without. Most horses will simply step over the poles rather than jump them, so there’s no need to give a big rein release. Just stay soft in your arms, always following your horse’s mouth with your hands no matter what he does. Also remain “in the tack,” following his motion with your seat just as if you were riding a regular smooth, flowing canter…

1. To evaluate your base of support, start by checking that your stirrups are the correct length. Take your feet out of them and allow your legs to hang down by your horse’s sides. In general, the bottoms of the stirrup irons should be about level with your ankles for flatwork. 2. Next, ask a friend on the ground to analyze your leg position when your feet are in the stirrups. As German exchange student Cadet Merle Kreye is demonstrating here, your stirrup should be on the ball of your foot and your ankle flexed so your heel is deep. Your legs should be positioned so that your heels are directly underneath your hips. Merle is showing a good stirrup length for flatting here. She would typically shorten her stirrups…

If you have trouble keeping your heels down, this exercise can make a big difference. Although Cadet Charlotte Hereford is demonstrating it here on a mounting block, it’s ideally done on stairs with a banister. Stand on the edge of a step with your heels hanging over the edge. Lightly rest one hand on the wall or railing if necessary to maintain your balance. Then, keeping your back straight, flex your ankles to allow your heels to drop below the level of the step. You should feel your calf muscles stretching. Hold this position for about 10 seconds, then step off the stairs and rest for a moment. Repeat this 10 times.…

Experts aren’t sure why summer sores are becoming less rare in some areas. Here are the leading theories: Resistance. Constant reuse of the same dewormer allows parasites to develop resistance. Are Habronema and Draschia becoming resistant to ivermectin and other drugs of its class? “We don’t know if this is happening,” Dr. Pugh says. “No one has documented it.” New deworming programs. Resistance to commonly used dewormers has developed in other dangerous parasites. To counter that trend, in 2013 the American Association of Equine Practitioners issued guidelines recommending a selective, individualized approach to deworming. The new approach targets the parasites that are the biggest threat to horse health (like small strongyles) and generally involves longer intervals between dewormings. Are Habronema and Draschia taking advantage of the longer intervals and staging…