That bareback beach riding bucket list experience – a tender moment for the rider, yet perhaps differently “tender” for the horse… In several recent studies researchers have confirmed the benefits of pressure distribution thanks to saddle trees, making them a better option than the localized pressure from some treeless saddles or riding bareback. With the … Read moreRiding bareback: when natural is not necessarily better.
Good reminder from dressage Olympian and useful tip for hunter and western competitors. “The corner is such a valuable opportunity to correct, and we all have a tendency to fly straight through it focusing on the next marker. Utilise every corner to gauge your balance and self carriage, your power and responsiveness to your aids … Read moreUse your corners – advice for riders.
Well, as the dust settles from our Canadian election, some folks had their hopes dashed – others had their hope stirred.Hopes for happiness, prosperity, justice….Yet, in the words of the late Chuck Colson: “Salvation will not arrive on Air Force One.” Removed from his seat of power as Counsel to the President, landing in a … Read moreHope riding on a white horse.
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…” quote from To Kill A Mockingbird. How do we know what we know about horses? Working with the staff and volunteers (good sports!) of the Windreach therapeutic riding program, participants gained insights from equitation science and from between the reins … Read moreUnderstanding horses
Researchers observed equine body language and facial expressions in a grooming study, comparing these visible responses to what’s under the surface – blood cortisol, oxytocin levels and heart rate. As a coach, I encourage riders to read their horses –to check in every couple of seconds with how their signals are reflected in their horse’s … Read moreReading horses (and people).