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A sense of balance
I thought we should look at what is at the heart of self-carriage. And that is balance – both your horse’s balance, as well as your own. That balance begins, not with the centre of gravity (as you may have thought), but with the poll, neck and shoulders.
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Whisperingacres newsletter – September 2011
Ireland – from the back of a horse
New equipment now available from whisperingacres.com |
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Transition to a bitless bridle
The lack of a bit can reveal 'holes' in the training of horse and/or rider, but the skills and principles required for using any bridle – bitted or bitless – remain the same. |
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Natural horsemanship
Whether or not you will be successful with your horse doesn't depend on how many books or videos you've watched. What horses watch for is whether you are a Confident, Consistent and Kind Leader to whom they can give their Trust, Obedience and Respect. |
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Trail riding basics... part two
Trail riding is fun – but it’s about being aware and prepared to help your horse to handle new situations; like managing the excitement that comes with ‘riding out’ and helping your horse to become more comfortable socialising with other horses. You can’t afford to be simply a passenger…it’s time for you to become a trainer! |
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Horsemanship
The inability to catch or 'meet' your horse in the paddock is merely a symptom of one or more of the elements lacking in your relationship with your horse. |
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Self-carriage – the basics
Wherever I go, I see some very unrealistic expectations being put on horses. Many of these expectations are based on achieving a 'look' or demonstrating an exercise (such as flying lead changes), yet show a lack of understanding about the nature of the horse, as well as the foundations of how to properly achieve that 'look' or successfully perform an exercise. |
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Understanding versatility
Versatility is fundamental to training and
working with horses. It helps you to build
a strong foundation on your horse; much
like building a house. A house can only
be as good and as strong as the first brick
that is laid. If that brick is laid crooked, or
has a crack, it can’t support what is added
next and the whole structure is weak. |
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Trail riding basics...
part one
To me, there’s nothing better
than taking my horse out on
the trail. It’s by far a more
natural environment for the
horse, so it’s little wonder
that many horses are more
forward going in the bush. |
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Lost and found
Meet the babies...this is a story about
how five vulnerable little foals came
to be oprhaned. It’s not a nice story,
but if we don’t talk about it,we can’t
change what happens! |
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Compassionate
These days, you hear a lot of people
talking about putting the horse first and
considering the wellbeing of the
horse above all else. Well, I
share that passion, but I
believe you have to put the
passion into compassion to
have a successful
relationship with your
horse. That means learning
to see things through the
eyes of the horse, always. |
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Becoming aware
To have a great relationship with your horse, you first have to have a great relationship with yourself. Get to know how you think and act, what your body language is saying and what things you focus on. |
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Getting focused
When your horse is focused on you, understands what you are asking,and sees you as a good leader, he'll be less concerned about what's going on around him. |
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Developing
feel
Feel not only gives you a better understanding, focus and ability to recognise things before they happen, but also the ability to know when your horse has understood and responded to your request. |
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Canter
departures
As you progress in your riding, developing your sense of feel and improving communication with your horse, you will also start to ‘mirror’ your horse’s movements.
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Being balanced
Balance is when you feel your horse working straight and nicely forward, you are aware of how your body affects his movement, and you have the ability not to interfere with that movement.
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Creating confidence
Confidence is all about being brave, believing in yourself and being able to trust in your ability to make good, fair decisions. In short, it means being a good leader.
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InSights
Taking the time to understand how horses learn and see–through their eyes–will give you the ability identify and respond to issues as they arise in a positive way.
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Team Work
It’s important to remember that every time you work with your horse you are essentially training himor her, for better or worse. |
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Freedom of Choice
This 24-page article appeared in the online magazine, Horses for Life.
It tells the amazing tale of the starting of Spinifex, a Northern Territory brumby, in outback Australia. The file size is 7.4 Mb so please be patient – we think you will enjoy it. |
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In Front
The concept of leading your horse starts on the ground with what your horse thinks of you. How your horse sees you on the ground shows you exactly how he will behave under saddle. |
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