Ten Truths of Equestrianism – Reblog from @SnarkyRider

This post resonates so clearly with Horse Listening, that we'd like to reblog it here too. Thanks to Snarky Rider for pointing me to the article. Enjoy!

If you like what you see, go check out the website. P.S. The picture is mine!

Guest Post: Ten Truths of Equestrianism

Today’s guest post comes from our good buddy Quill!

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Ten Truths of Equestrianism: Are You Really Fit For Horse Ownership?

1. Upon seeing your first horse, you will acquire a hopeless and obsessive love for them. Be prepared to loose any and all shelf space as horse books, models, and movies fill every square inch of available storage space you have left. You will need every one of these to learn about the vast horse world and the complicated process that is horse-care. Horses are not like dogs and it takes far more than tossing them some food and filling their “water bowl” up to keep them happy and healthy.

2. Finding your perfect horse is going to be a long and difficult process. It will be like trying to decide if a man is the one you want to marry and spend the rest of your life with after only one date. In some cases only by looking at pictures and videos sent to you through email. Do not be in a hurry to find your new partner. Do not fall for flashy colors or fancy breeds. A well broke, older bay Quarter Horse is going to be better for you as a first horse than a big, young, and flashy Warmblood.

3. You will no longer have any money. Between vets, boarding/property maintenance, farriers, food, equipment, medicines, ect, you will be spending a lot of money. Horses are an expensive luxury. If you plan on breeding or rescuing, those prices will shoot even higher. As my instructor once said “If you have a ton of extra money, you’re doing it wrong.”

4. When you begin riding and handling a horse, you are placing your life and trust in the hands of a thousand pound, generally untrustworthy animal. With a well-trained horse and proper handling and riding skills, the danger you face can be kept to a minimum and you can enjoy a safe riding experience. But horses are still prey animals, and when they are scared the last thing they will be thinking about is where your toes are. This is a fact you accept when you begin handling horses.

5. The horse is doing the same with you. They are placing their trust in you to care for them and not to hurt them. They are allowing you on their back – a place that would be a death sentence in the wild. Do not take advantage of that, do not betray that trust and abuse your horse, whether it be by not giving them care or causing them harm. This is how many good horses are ruined and end up on a plate in France.

6. You will never be truly clean again. There will always been that last bit of barn dirt beneath your nails. The smell of hay and sweaty horses will forever linger around you. Your barn clothes will always have horse hairs weaved into the threads.

7. You will fall off. A lot. Falling is part of riding and it’s never a good thing. With the proper riding skills and safety measures, you can minimize your chances of having a fall. However, you will fall eventually and it will not be the only time. Don’t try to keep track of how many times you have fallen, you will eventually loose count.

8. You can’t be afraid to discipline. While you should never abuse your horse by beating it for discipline, giving it a firm smack on the shoulder and either growling or giving a firm ‘No!’ when it bites at you is not going to be considered abuse. Do not punch your horse in the face, do not kick their legs, do not yank violently on their mouths.

9. You must learn to speak ‘horse’. You must learn to read their body language from their ears to their tail to understand what they are trying to tell you and what they are feeling. They can’t understand you, nor can they answer you if you ask “What’s wrong?”. When a horse pins his ears, he’s telling you he’s angry. When he keeps his head low, and acts mopy, he may be feeling ill. You have to understand all of these cues to safely work with your horse and catch when there might be a problem and a vet should be called.

10. After spending years forming an unbreakable bond with your four-legged partner, your soul will be mercilessly crushed when it come time to say that last good-bye. Do not sell your old horse or dump him at an auction so you don’t have to deal with it. Do not say ‘Do it while I’m away.’ Be by his side. He has been your friend, your teammate and your greatest teacher. No matter how painful it is for you, do not send him on his final journey alone.

Listening Corner – The ‘Art’ of Riding

Theme: The 'Art' of Riding

The concept of riding as an 'art' is mentioned in many writings, both recently and historically. When does riding transform from being a purely physical endeavour based on skills and technique, to "sculpting while progressing through space?" (de Kunffy, 1992, p.3)

Many authors have grappled with the topic, explaining from their perspectives how riding can transform the rider and the horse, taking them from mere 'performance' to the higher heights of 'artistic' accomplishments. We know 'art' when we see it - the performance transforms from just plain effortless and technically correct to evoking an emotional response, moving us in the depths of our beings and reminding us why we are so enthralled by the power and magnificence of the horse.

Below are four excerpts from writers and organizations, written as recently as 2006 and dating back to 1967. Although they are sourced from the discipline of dressage, all types riding have the potential to make us admire the horse and rider, giving us the goosebumps reserved only for the awe-inspiring few.

Not for nothing do we speak of the 'art of riding'. Not many riders are skilfull enough to train different horses, with their varied physiological and psychological features, to the highest level of difficulty.

As well as extensive experience, the rider should have a sound understanding and a 'feel' for equine nature and behaviour. He must be constantly 'listening' to the horse and should see training as a joint venture, a collaboration between rider and horse....

A horse which has been trained systematically, logically and consistently, and with the necessary tact and sensitivity will obey the aids willingly; in fact, it will enjoy doing so. It will have confidence in its rider. Novice, excitable, timid or nervous horses improve noticeably, during the course of correct training, in their willingness to accept and allow themselves to be 'framed' by the aids, and they become more and more confident and steady under the rider in unsettling situations.

German National Equestrian Federation, Advanced Techniques of Dressage, Kenilworth Press (Reprinted 2006) p.26-27

"The art of riding", this concept is on everyone's lips, but what exactly is the art of riding? Is it an art to ride horses or an art to train horses to the highest level of education? No, the art of riding lies very much deeper than that. It starts with where I handle my horse and how considerately I handle my horse.

A sign of a talented rider is that he thinks like the horse, he knows the ways a horse thinks and reacts.

The art of riding lies in being able to understand and see through the cause and effect of everything you do. This manifests itself in the correct way of caring for and managing the horse, and the sympathetic way in which a horse should be trained, without generating bad experiences.

The horse as a living being should be a cheerful collaborator and partner, not a disgraced object that is discarded in the corner after use: therein lies the art of managing horses and training them successfully.

If you abide by these rules when you work with your friend the horse, he will in return be a joyful companion that will be eager to do anything for you. What is more, the horse will most probably educate you more than you could ever wish to teach it in return: matters akin to compassionate love, sensitivity and humility. These are the most significant human virtues necessary in order to work with horses for them not to lose their grace and beauty.

Alfons J. Dietz, Training the Horse in Hand: The Classical Iberian Principles, The Lyons Press (2004) p.10

As the artist must know what he wishes to convey by his completed work and the workman must understand how best to use his tools, so must the rider have an exact knowledge of his aim and the ways and means to obtain it.

The object of the classical art of riding is to train a horse not only to be brilliant in the movements and exercises of the High School, but also to be quiet, supple, and obedient, and by his smooth movements to make riding a true pleasure. This clearly shows that in every kind of riding we strive for the same objective. Whether it is a dressage horse, a jumper, a hunter or charger, he should always be quiet, supple and obedient. These qualities are the basis for every kind of riding. Performances of the greatest brilliance can be built up only on this foundation.

A successful teacher must have a thorough knowledge of his pupils. The rider must know his horse physically as well as mentally. He should have not only a thorough knowledge of the horse's anatomy and of the functions of his joints and muscles but also be able to understand his feelings and anticipate his reactions. With this knowlege he will ensure that his horse enjoys his work and does not become sour.

Alois Podhajsky, The Complete Training of Horse and Rider: In the Principles of Classical Horsemanship. Doubleday & Company, Inc. (1967). p. 29

The Portrait of a Well-school Horse

Lifting and putting down his feet in a regular pace, with lightness and steadiness, the horse moves well forward on the track, going freely and willingly without haste or disturbance. His neck arches well in front of the rider with a supple poll. The position of the head is such that the line of the face remains a little in front of a vertical line drawn to the ground. The ears will be at their highest point, neither pricked forward nor laid back, but revealing by their natural position the horse's attention and obedience to the rider's will.

The eyes, full of confidence, are turned in the direction of the movement, the mouth is closed but wet, indicating that the horse is chewing the bit without grinding his teeth...

The rider, by sitting quietly and comfortably, proves how much he feels at home on his horse and how pleasant his movements are, and yet the horse is full of impulsion. Every step and every bound is brought about by the hindlegs springing energetically under the body and bent well in their joints....

Horse and rider seem to be one being. They form a well-balanced entity, a living work of art, showing the beauty of life, with harmony of form, and graceful movements which at the same time are both energetic and precise.

Franz Mairinger, Horses Are Made to Be Horses: A Personal Philosophy of Horsemanship. Howell Book House (1983). p127-128.

Reference:

1. de Kunffy, Charles. (1992). p. 3. The Athletic Development of the Dressage Horse. Howell Book House, New York.

What are your thoughts about the 'art' of riding?

Horse Listening

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Take the Credit – Bad AND Good

"The superior man blames himself. The inferior man blames others." - Don Shula

How many times have you ridden your horse and not achieved the results you wanted?

You automatically run through all the possible reasons, and adjust accordingly:

Maybe the higher than normal winds were causing too much tension in the horse?

Was the saddle positioned too far back, or the bit not adjusted correctly?

Did you use your leg aids to support the inside rib cage?

Were your reins were too long, bumping the horse in the mouth?

Did you lean too far forward?

Was the footing too hard?

Maybe your timing was off - were you aiding when the inside hind leg was off the ground?

And it goes on and on. You challenge yourself, correct yourself, question yourself and maybe even chastise yourself. You try, persevere, develop, grow. You do improve, and your horse improves along with you.

Yet, when things go right, do you take the credit?

Or do you put it down to the horse having a good day?

In our quest for balance (not just on the kind on the back of the horse), it is essential for us to look at our achievements from both angles. Yes, when things go wrong, you are responsible to analyze/scrutinize/change what you are doing. On the other hand, when things do go right, you need to relish that feeling of fulfillment/accomplishment/growth and allow it to bolster you to new heights.

Horses have a way of making you earn your progress, but once it happens, the rewards are eternal (on all planes - physical, mental, emotional - but that is another topic). You discover that you can repeat the positive results over again, and better yet, on the next horse you ride. The time you put into this horse will reap rewards for the future - for you and your next horses.

So... take the credit - bad and good, and be sure to enjoy the ride at all times!

* Thanks to J.V. for inspiration for this post!

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Read more!

What You Ought to Know About Instant Gratification in Horse Riding: There is NO SUCH THING! Why not???

Blueprinting: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: Why is it essential that you learn how to ride correctly in the first place?

Demystifying "Contact" In Horse Riding: Sometimes it feels like the word “contact” has other-wordly connotations.

Horseback Riders Do Nothing Anyway! Well, at least, that’s what “they” say. But we know differently, don’t we?

Ten Habits of Competent Riders

We can all think of a rider we know that seems to always do well, has calm, happy horses, and steadily improves their horse's physical and mental state in an almost effortless manner.

We watch and admire from afar, but in fact, we can all stand to learn from their regular habits and "way of being" in order to develop our own horse riding mantra.

What do great riders have in common that makes them appealing to watch, steadily develop their riding skills and become role models for others to aspire to emulate?

1. Persistence: Great riders are willing to try, try again. They know that there will be more rides, more days, and the slow and steady approach always wins the "race".

2. Open-mindedness: Great riders know there is something to be learned from everyone, even if to see proof of why NOT to do something. These riders are not discipline exclusive, and are always aware that good riding is good riding is good riding, regardless of the saddle or style.

3. Patience: Great riders are willing to wait to reap the rewards. They know that even if something falls apart today, there will be more days to come and small steps even backward are more beneficial than quick fixes or shortcuts.

4. Quitting: This may seem counter-intuitive, but great riders quit while they're ahead. They ride for short periods of time to their highest ability and then call it a day. They seem to intuitively know when enough is enough.

5. Effectiveness: Great riders seek maximum effectiveness with minimum harm. They make every step count, and they resist overriding the horse for the sake of performance.

6. Self-Improvement: Great riders regularly seek to upgrade their riding skills and general horse education. They are willing to spend time, money and humility in the quest for constant self-improvement.

7. Seeing the Big Picture: Great riders enjoy the "work" and the path as much as they do the goal achievement. They know that each day and each step is as important as the other and is a natural progression in development.

8. Role Models: Great riders know great riding when they see it and seek to surround themselves with those who will not only help them improve on a riding level, but also on a more personal and inspirational level as well.

9. Problem Solving: Great riders can trouble-shoot through problems to come to gratifying solutions. They have many tools in their "tool-boxes" and know there is more than one way to approach a situation. They are always willing to try new things.

10: Horse Listeners: Great riders are expert horse listeners! They are sensitive to the feedback from their horses and adjust their responses accordingly.

It's as simple as that! 🙂

And now that I have humbly created my own ten habits of a competent rider, please take a look at the following video for a much more eloquent description. I was so thrilled to find the new Facebook page of one of my most revered writers and riders of all time, Charles deKunffy, that I thought I'd share it here for your viewing and educational pleasure. He always has a depth of understanding that surprises, even in answer to the most simple questions, and this video is no exception.

Now it's your turn. What is missing from this list? Please add to the comments below.

Buy the book for many more riding tips! Horse Listening – The Book: Stepping Forward to Effective Riding

Would you like to be the rider that all horses dream of?
By following simple, useful exercises, you will be able to develop a better understanding about many topics including:
- the rider’s aids
- the use of the seat
- the half-halt
- accurate turns and circles
- transitions
- horse ownership and horse care
- goal setting for the rider
- rein lameness
… and much more!

Available as an eBook or paperback.

From A Whisper To A Scream: How loud should your aids really be?

We ask ourselves this question repeatedly. Should we be "loud" in our aids, or should we be working as softly as we can in hopes that our horse can respond to lighter and more refined aids?

The answer is not simple. To determine the strength level of your aids, you need to know several factors that go into making your decision:

What is the educational level of the horse? If you are riding a young or fairly inexperienced horse, the horse will need a lot more "support" from you than a more mature and developed horse.

You need to, in effect, be there for him. He will likely be less balanced and responsive than you would like, and your aids will need to be strong and secure enough to clearly explain to him what you want. You do not need to be "punishing", but the amount of strength you put into the movements may be more than you think you should be using.

How sensitive is your horse? The sensitive horses generally do not do well with a "shouting" aid. They are the ones that often resist the aids. They get tense, unresponsive, or outright demonstrate their displeasure through "disobedience" such as kicking out, bucking or even head shaking.

For this type of horse, you really need to "zone in" to your own body language and be absolutely clear on your expectations. Being sensitive, your horse might be over-reactive to your aids in the first place, so you have to be sure to not be too overbearing yet absolutely clear so as not to confuse. Be careful to be firm and clear, but at the same time, look for every excuse you can to be light and respectful. The trick is that you need to be so balanced as to be "on" with your aids all the time without increasing the volume. Sensitive horses do best when there is consistency and clarity. This can be very challenging for a rider.

Analyze your horse's conformation. Believe it or not, your horse's conformation plays a large part in the use of your aids. If your horse is built "downhill", he will probably always have difficulty lifting up through the forehand, and will likely always need support from your aids to be able to maintain his balance in a way that keeps him moving correctly and staying sound through the years. If you are riding a thicker, larger horse, chances are, you might need to be "louder" in your aids to get the same results that you would from a smaller horse. If the horse is built for his job, you might be amazed at how light you can be to get phenomenal movement.

Analyze your horse's previous training. If you are riding the horse after someone else has ridden him, you may have to adjust your aids to the level that the horse is expecting, or blueprinted at, by the previous rider. You might start with the level that is sufficient to be clear enough for the horse and work toward the lighter level that you want to achieve.

How does your horse feel today? Like people, horses change moods and levels of inspiration from one day to the next. On a windy, fresh day, your horse might be enthusiastic and even a touch over-excited. On a hot, humid day, your horse may not be so inspired and would rather be having a sun bath than working in the heat. In each case, you will need to adjust the strength of your aids.

What is your level of training? This one must be said! If you are a beginner rider, your aids will be executed in a very different manner than those of a more experienced rider. You will have to develop the level of coordination needed to be able to become lighter over time. Lightness does not mean you simply let go of all your aids and hope for the best (in fact, an educated horse might be offended by that)! Light aids are very difficult to acquire and even harder to execute. It all comes down to experience and education.

So to answer the question: it all depends! You have to be the judge, and know how to read in between your horse's lines.

The difficulty here is that on different days, the same horse may require a "different" rider. You must step up to the challenge, and be willing to change your "style" to suit your horse. Many horses sigh with relief when they discover that their rider knows what she wants and is willing to put the work in to be clear and consistent.

In the meantime, you are always seeking the ultimate lightness of aids. You are always seeking the moment when you and your horse "become one", moving in harmony, balance and lightness. It will come sooner with some horses than others. The main goal is for you to enjoy what each horse offers each day, in the best way that you can.

So, how do you decide how "loud" you need to be in your aids?

What You Ought to Know About Instant Gratification in Horse Riding

There is no such thing.

As you become a better rider, you begin to run into obstacles that were previously unnoticeable. Invariably, there comes a time when the simple becomes complicated. Without warning, riding becomes more than just the various gaits and transitions, more than a turn with the hands. You read and study and watch and discover that there is so much more to each gait, more to each turn, and more to the joys of riding.

The original walk that once felt adequate is no longer satisfying. That wonderful canter is now not quite balanced enough. You discover nerve endings where there were none before, and you are inspired to reach for new heights thanks to energizing "feels" emanating from an enthusiastic horse, confirming more than ever that you are on the right path.

The joy that went along with the simplicity of riding might be temporarily gone. You approach days of confusion, questions, and ultimately, frustration. You wonder why there seems to be so many details, so many little nuances that change sometimes on an even daily basis. And you begin to wonder:

Why is riding so difficult?

The quick and easy answer is that riding horses is about combining many and varied details into one - nothing can be achieved in isolation.

Everything matters:

- the mood of the horse

- the weather

- the horses around you

- the regularity of the the exercise the horse gets

- the type of feed

- the riding environment

But there is more!

Living, breathing horse — Photo Credit: C.C.

Aside from the environmental factors, riding is an especially difficult sport because of the balancing requirements inherent to moving through space on a living, breathing animal. Charles de Kunffy says it so well in his book, The Athletic Development of the Dressage Horse (1992):

The partnership between horse and rider is difficult to achieve and even more ambitious to make beneficial to both. Horse and rider posses the two most unlikely anatomies to be harmoniously united for the purpose of progressing effortlessly through space. The horse has a narrow, precariously balanced, horizontal structure, much like a pipeline. This structure has narrowly set, weak underpinning, the legs, bridged by a weak back. There, almost at its weakest point, the most unlikely candidate for partnership, the vertically pipelike human, wishes to intercept at a 90-degree angle. Both are creatures of precarious balance, even when left alone to cope with the ground. In riding, we wish to harmonize our balance with the horse's for common progress through space. (p.2)

Obviously, there have been thousands upon thousands of "mutually beneficial" partnerships in the past and in the present; apparently, the human body can in fact become united with that of the 4-legged horse that travels so relatively effortlessly over the ground. The trick is to learn how to become harmonious - how much to give, how much to take, and when to accept what is being offered to you.

So many questions!

You must learn to differentiate between too much, too little and just enough; between too early, too late and just in time; between resisting, energizing and being plainly passive. When is the horse going too quickly, too slowly, too enthusiastically, too lazily? What do you do in each case? How do you combine all your aids to communicate the right message at the right time? How do you not only refrain from interfering with your horse, but even learn to improve your horse to become better than his original state?

What is the answer?

There is no easy answer. The most obvious consideration is to seek out a credible instructor well versed in not only in all things 'horse', but also in instructional techniques and experience. There is no replacement for an 'eye on the ground' - no blog post, no (however well written) book, and no video - although such media do play a role in the over-all education of a rider. The person on the ground is the one who translates what the rider is doing now into what the rider can do in the future.

The other task, however difficult, is to try, try, try and try again. Pack it in one day, and start all over again tomorrow. Learning to change muscle memory and developing a blueprint takes time, dedication and repetition. Each time you change the 'rules' on your horse, be ready for a step backward before a new step can be reached. There is no other way.

Be patient - with yourself and your horse, and find joy in the pure accomplishment of learning from your horse; focus more on the journey rather than the goal. As Mr. de Kunffy writes so eloquently, "Riding is, therefore, an ongoing, never-ending, challenging process. That aspect makes riding so intelligent and significant an effort. One merely strives, one never arrives." (Ibid, p. 4)

Buy the book for many more riding tips! Horse Listening – The Book: Stepping Forward to Effective Riding

From the first book:

"There are many reasons why we enjoy riding horses. Maybe one of the most appealing facets of riding is the sense of freedom: freedom from our own limitations, freedom from gravity, freedom to (literally) roam the Earth. Time stands still while we have the privilege of feeling movement from the back of our four-legged friend.

Riding gives us the place to just be.

Of course, there are other purposes too. Some of us revel in the challenge of learning the skills required to becoming a good team member of this unlikely duo. Riding is like no other sport or recreational pursuit simply because of the equine partner that must not only carry us, but also do so effortlessly and gracefully. As we develop our specific skill sets, we also grow as human beings in character, emotional maturity and mental acuity.

But there is one other motivation that drives some of us to persevere in the never-ending learning process that is horseback riding: improving the horse. As your own skills develop, you begin to realize that not only can you meet your own needs through riding, but also that you can even become an instrument of benefit for the horse."

And so begins the book that reflects the most important learning I have had in all of my riding years: that I want to be the best rider I can be for the sake of my horses.

This book is geared toward the rider:

- the rider's motivations

- the essential skills for the rider

- some specific strategies

- solutions to common problems

- and the results: the great horsey moments we get to experience

Along the way, you will find chapters that discuss everything from the seat to the leg aids to the reins, discussions on half-halts, imbalance, halts, straightness and more!

Special in this book are the "In The Ring" sections that give specific suggestions based on the preceding chapters. Take these to the barn to try with your own horse!

Available as an eBook or paperback.

Softly Determined – A Poem

I found this one on the Internet long ago, with no indication of the author.*

However, it has stayed with me, blending intensity with passion, being so eloquent and yet knowledgeable about the "path". I have personally gone through many of the moments that are described here, and so it has touched me deeply, and been an anchor through my growth as a rider. Enjoy!

* Edited to add: The author was found (see comments below)! Thank you for writing this beautiful poem, Bernie!

Soft Determination

So we: make haste slowly; try harder gently; are softly determined.

The ideal we desire is one of dynamic harmony,
with aids telepathic in their subtlety.

Towards that goal,
our aids should speak in whispers rather than shouts.

The horse is the partner whose emphasis includes strength;
the rider should not emphasize this.
So beware the clenched jaw of the rider,
showing the strain of excess muscular effort, trying too hard.

Clearer communication is not usually stronger muscular effort,
but more correct and focussed effort.
Finesse, and the sweat of an iron will,
rather than the sweat of iron muscles.

As we progress in riding,
some muscles grow stronger - our legs, our abdominals -
but our real strength comes from inside,
our wish for harmony,
our desire to move as one with the horse.

So we:

make haste slowly;
try harder gently;
are softly determined.

BK4Leg

Riding (with a capital R)

(continued from the last post)

Trot — Fantastic feeling when it all comes together!

That nagging feeling is urging you to step even deeper into the riding world. Much more awaits aside from just the mechanical steps of the horse. Below the surface level, you discover that you can in fact influence your horse beyond your wildest expectations - you realize that through riding alone, you can create the horse's attitude, comfort, self-confidence, and even the way your horse carries himself. You can affect his coat shine, muscling, the quality of his movement when he is turned out in the field.

You discover that you can be a prime factor in developing his personality.

And at this point, your riding efforts go through a transformation. You now use your technical skill to improve the horse - his way of going and his mental outlook. No longer is it sufficient to get the horse moving from point A to point B. Now, your focus changes to getting there with more balance, a little lighter on the forehand, with more enthusiasm and expression... and you search for the intangibles that become the true essence of riding.

Thus you move from the pure mechanics of riding to a soul-stirring, relationship-creating effort that involves not just a rider and a horse but two partners giving of each self to create a new whole.

This path from the lower-case 'r' to the upper-case 'R' is what keeps you coming back for more....

Horses. Riding. Life.

Tag: training

Ten Truths of Equestrianism – Reblog from @SnarkyRider

Guest Post: Ten Truths of Equestrianism

Ten Truths of Equestrianism: Are You Really Fit For Horse Ownership?

Listening Corner – The ‘Art’ of Riding

Theme: The 'Art' of Riding

Horse Listening Book Collection - beautiful paperbacks with all the excellence of the blog - in your hands! Click on the image for more information.

Take the Credit – Bad AND Good

Ten Habits of Competent Riders

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

Buy the book for many more riding tips! Horse Listening – The Book: Stepping Forward to Effective Riding

From A Whisper To A Scream: How loud should your aids really be?

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

Buy the book for many more riding tips! Horse Listening – The Book: Stepping Forward to Effective Riding

What You Ought to Know About Instant Gratification in Horse Riding

There is no such thing.

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

Buy the book for many more riding tips! Horse Listening – The Book: Stepping Forward to Effective Riding

Softly Determined – A Poem

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

Become A Horse Listener!

Buy the book for many more riding tips! Horse Listening – Book 4: 20-Minute Exercises To Add Variety To Your Riding Routine

Riding (with a capital R)