Feb 09 2021
Hitched Horsehair Bridles Have a History Behind Bars BY JODY MARTIN “The flowing mane and tail of the horse have been used for many purposes, both utilitarian and aesthetic, ever since humans paired up with equines. The strong, waterproof, dye-able strands of hair became a component in the creation of ropes, girths, and war bridles …
Permanent link to this article: https://cowboydressage.info/hitched-horsehair-bridles/
Feb 02 2021
UP AND D0WN HILLS Riding on hills is part of my daily program. Going up and down hill strengthens the entire musculature, promotes conditioning, and is good for the horse’s balance and steadiness. This is my favorite as it gets horse and rider out of the arena and out on the trails! (fig-1). I am …
Permanent link to this article: https://cowboydressage.info/up-and-d0wn-hills/
Jan 17 2021
The Importance of the Thoracic Sling The goal of riding should be to have as healthy a sling as possible and have the horse use his sling as much as possible. Riders may often focus on the hind end pushing through the back’ or more often the position of the head. Learning to feel …
Permanent link to this article: https://cowboydressage.info/the-thoracic-sling/
Jan 10 2021
down and forward Aiguisons nos yeux encore ! Penchons-nous aujourd’hui sur la question de l’extension d’encolure. Illustration by Eitan translated from French “Let’s sharpen our eyes again! Let’s look at the issue of neckline extension today. First of all, what is the purpose of asking our horse to extend his nose down and forward? …
Permanent link to this article: https://cowboydressage.info/down-and-forward/
Dec 12 2020
Just Let Him Be! When you are riding, is your horse carrying himself, or are you in-fact carrying him? Self-carriage is the horse’s ability to maintain his balance with my weight on his back. When my horse is in self-carriage, I feel that the next step, or stride will be the same as the last, …
Permanent link to this article: https://cowboydressage.info/just-let-him-be/
Dec 08 2020
I love to walk! Riding the walk will improve the quality of the relationship between horse and rider. In the walk, the risk for resistances is considerably lower and the chances for establishing a light, soft contact are considerably higher. “The most important of all the gaits—and the gait most often neglected in the training …
Permanent link to this article: https://cowboydressage.info/i-love-to-walk/
Dec 07 2020
Pedaling (following the horse’s rib cage). Improving Your Horse’s Walk How pedaling can help your horse develop rhythmic suppleness in his back. The walk has no suspension and, therefore, no momentum to help your horse keep the rhythm as in the jog or the lope. In the walk, your horse’s rib cage swings once …
Permanent link to this article: https://cowboydressage.info/improving-your-horses-walk/
Dec 05 2020
Lope over the Octagon If the horse is reluctant to stretch up and forward in the walk, jog or the lope, you can lunge him or ride him over the Octagon poles. placing poles on the ground can be helpful. Octagon Ground Poles work also helps to keep your schooling sessions varied, encourages concentration, and …
Permanent link to this article: https://cowboydressage.info/lope-over-the-octagon/
Dec 02 2020
Jog over the Octagon If the horse is reluctant to stretch up and forward in the walk, jog or the lope, you can lunge him or ride him over the Octagon poles. placing poles on the ground can be helpful. Octagon Ground Poles work also helps to keep your schooling sessions varied, encourages concentration, and …
Permanent link to this article: https://cowboydressage.info/jog-over-the-octagon/
Dec 02 2020
It’s more then how, it’s WHEN! 1.-Transition from the walk to the lope. 2.-Walk your horse in working frame (medium frame). 3.-Shorten your rein to short frame (light contact with the bit) to shoulder fore. Your inside leg is by the cinch and your outside leg is hanging free. 4.-When your horse’s inside front leg …
Permanent link to this article: https://cowboydressage.info/transition-from-the-walk-to-the-lope/