It presents step by-step training programs and showing advice from recognized experts in hunters, jumpers, equitation, dressage, and eventing, along with money- and time-saving ideas on health care and stable management.
Have you met your soulmate? I have. Twice. I can't take credit for the first time. When I was 6, my dad heard about a 3-year-old Morgan/Arabian cross that everyone thought was something special. North Star’s Pride and I grew up together, developing an amazing learning/teaching relationship. We eventually trained through the upper levels of equestrian sports. Since then, I have ridden, trained and schooled more horses than I can count, and Pride taught me more than all of them combined. He also protected me and became my shoulder to cry on—my partner and best friend for nearly 20 years. Losing him was so devastating that I wanted out. I sold my other horses and most of my tack, because without Pride, my heart just wasn’t in it. Fast forward…
When you come across a problem—for example, your horse anticipates the change before you apply the aids for it, breaks to the trot, hollows his back, throws his head up, grabs the bit, etc.—that’s a win! It shows what you need to work on.” That quote is from 2019 Pan American Games dressage individual gold medalist Sarah Lockman, who said it in her story about training flying changes (page 54). I found it refreshing because I really don’t like making mistakes, especially riding. (I’m pretty sure I’m not the only rider who feels this way!) But looking at riding and training as a win keeps the inevitable mistakes in perspective: They are just opportunities to learn and get better. They are not personal flaws. This came to mind reading both…
Our mission at Hope in the Saddle is to share the most meaningful and inspiring stories that emerge from the horse world—stories of how our relationships with horses can help us overcome life’s toughest challenges. We collect stories from all corners of the horse community, from barrel racers to bronc riders and competitive equestrians to backyard owners. The following stories are a few of our favorites from 2021. Hope “Hope is an amazing horse who is part of the Mane in Heaven Miniature Therapy Horses herd. One of her best attributes is her ability to connect with people. Regardless of the situation, she demonstrates consistent compassion, patience, kindness, and enthusiasm for her job. Hope truly enjoys human contact; she loves to be pet, cuddled, walked, and handled—sometimes clumsily by people…
Fix Flying Change Problems Top trainer Holly Hugo-Vidal shares her six-step program to help keep your horse relaxed and trust you when asking for a flying change. practicalhorsemanmag.com Control the Canter for Better Courses Jumper rider and trainer Andrew Welles offers exercises to maintain a canter with good balance and impulsion so your horse learns to rock back onto his hind end and jump successfully. Read his article at practicalhorsemanmag.com. Sign up for 10-day free trial to practicalhorsemanondemand.comto watch Welles demonstrate the exercises. Survive Blanketing This Winter Taking care of horses in the winter can be stressful. In this comprehensive article, top grooms, stable managers and professionals share tips on deciding which blankets to buy, which blankets to put on your horse and when, and how to properly take…
1 Overall: This rider has nice angles, but he needs to work on a crest release and a two-point position. Leg/Hip angle: His toe is turned out a little too far, but the stirrup is well-placed on his foot. He has nice angles in his leg, starting with his ankle and to his knee and all the way to his hip. His hip angle is closed the right amount for this size fence. Release: He’s demonstrating an almost automatic release, where there is a straight line from the bit to his elbow. But I get the feeling that he’s using the horse’s mouth for balance or that the horse is pulling him forward in the air. For this level rider, I’d like to see him use a crest release. In…
This photograph shows Anice Nascimento from Brazil riding her horse Juta das Cataratas. Anice has been with Juta for more than 11 years. In the photo, the mare was 18 years old. Now she is 21 and still working but not competing anymore. I always have a lot of respect for these older schoolmasters, and Juta seems to be a good example that dressage is a sport that keeps horses healthy and fit for many years. I would not have guessed that she was 18. This is an interesting photo with the mirror allowing me to see both sides of the rider at the same time. The photographer caught a moment in canter where we normally push the delete button because in this phase, the horse is landing and naturally…
