Ever wonder…Why does the horse jump? For the love of it? Or simply easier to cooperate? Just thinking through what it’s like to be a horse is bound to make us better riders and appreciate our equine partners! “Consider, for example, a horse and rider preparing to jump a four-foot wall. Jumping serves the rider’s … Read more Why does a horse jump?
Dr. S McDonnell, equine behaviourist, responds to a reader’s interesting question : Q.Talk about running American Pharoah in the Breeders Cup went like this- . “It’s for the horse” and “so he can retire a winner” seem to imply that the horse understands winning and losing races. … What difference would it make to the … Read more Does a racehorse know if he wins or loses?
“Good luck!” With a final buff of my boot and a pat to the horse’s neck, the horse’s owner waves me from warm up ring to show pen before taking their place in the bleachers. Many years of showing horses, many owners, many horses, but the scene is familiar. Do you believe in luck?
At this week’s AQHA show judge’s update, I really liked how one of the clinicians described what judge’s are looking for in “looking ahead”, scoring equitation over fences.
Most judges and coaches these days recognize that a tucked in nose does not collection make.
Do you ever feel you’re running on adrenaline? Overwhelmed? Overscheduled?
I know that feeling- whistled off-course as a young rider more times than I can count.
An opportunity to study and teach equine behaviour and research in the classroom provided more insights into the way horses think and learn.
