It’s More Than Horse Shows
An opportunity to study and teach equine behaviour and research in the classroom provided more insights into the way horses think and learn.
A riding coach is a mirror.
Coaching riders, training horses, judging horses – I’ve my living observing horses and riders!
As a riding coach, I act as a mirror. Reflecting what I see. Choosing words as descriptively and simply as I can.
Jumping horses as little as possible?
Jumping is fun. Training fundamentals…less so. I know that makes me a “less fun” riding coach at times.
BUT… navigating a jumping course or a crowded horse show warm-up ring on a distracted horse without well installed fundamentals is about as fun as being on the 400 highway interchanges without power steering!
Worry and horses.
“What if..?” Scenarios of doom leave us sleepless the night before a horse show, tongue tied in a difficult conversation.. Or gripping the reins, white knuckled.,
Looking back, half of what I’ve worried about hasn’t happened. So why let worry eat up the joy of today?
When things go wrong in the horse show ring. Part 3
WHAT might you expect to go wrong in the show ring? I’ll put on my judge’s hat and share common mistakes. So common, in fact, that every score sheet has a menu of these mishaps and space to record their numerical deductions.
WHY do these things happen? Here, I’ll wear my hat as a specialist in horse behaviour (and generally curious person ). Uncover the source and the symptom begins to fade away. Here are the final 3 common show ring “suddenly moments “ and how to make the best of them!
When things go wrong in the horse show ring Part 2
When equestrians take their horses off-property, it’s not a matter of if, but when the unexpected and unplanned will happen. So let’s plan for when things go wrong in the horse show ring.!
When things go wrong in the horse show ring Part 1
If you plan to step into the horse show arena, expect the unexpected. Few sports have more variables than equestrian. This is the 1st of a 3 part article I wrote for Canadian Horse Journal. What might you expect to go wrong in the show ring? I’ll put on my horse show judge’s hat and share common equestrian mistakes. Additionally, I’ll wear my hat as a specialist in equine behaviour. Fixing WHAT happened depends on discovering WHY it happened.
Two horse show tips for showmanship class exhibitors.
I judged some well-practiced and planned showmanship exhibitors at this weekend’s horse show.
In “showmanship, each movement and detail must be polished to perfection for you and your horse to top the judges’ score cards.”
The science of horse tack and training aids. Part 2
In barn aisles and social media platforms, equestrians debate, disdain and defend the use of training aids.
I’m convinced the answer lies somewhere in the middle. Let’s lift the lid on the tack box, looking objectively at the evidence concerning training aids – how to use them, choose them, and avoid the ways we might abuse them!
The Science of horse tack and training aids. Part 1
Training tack – whips, spurs nosebands and martingales. It’s a divisive topic in the horse industry. Horse show committees, popular clinicians, coaches, competitive and casual riders differ in their views.
In a sport where truth, tradition and emotions often collide, I’ve had to sift through the issues to form my own system as a horse trainer, show judge and riding coach.
Does my horse REALLY need boots?
This study surprised me a bit – especially the research about polo wraps. A good reminder to ask WHY do we do what we do with horses? Sometimes the evidence bumps into our traditions!