The Gallop
Is Your Horse a Righty or a Lefty?
Has it ever crossed your mind that your horse might be “left-” or “right-handed”? According to Gabriele Rachen-Schöneich and Klaus Schöneich in their book STRAIGHTENING THE CROOKED HORSE, every horse is...
The Runaround: An Exercise for Achieving Collection (Really!)
Sandy Collier has enjoyed great success in her career as an NRCHA, NRHA, and AQHA champion horse trainer. Named one of the “Top 50 Riders of All Time in All Disciplines”...
3 Ways to Develop a Strong Showing Mindset
Ah, show day! The delightful mix of butterflies and caffeine churning within as you rise with the sun. The bustling activity on the grounds as horses are fed, walked, and...
Two Easy Exercises to Make the Rider’s Hands More Sensitive and Effective
“That rider has good hands.” The comment might mean little to those outside the equestrian realm, but within it, we understand it as a compliment. And one of the highest...
Going Back in Order to Go Forward: A Lesson from Alois Podhajsky
Alois Podhajsky with Norman. Colonel Alois Podhajsky was an Olympian and Director of the the Spanish Riding School in Vienna for 26 years. Podhajsky was known to bring out...
Quick Quiz: Riding Position Puzzle
Can you tell which movement this rider is “riding” from the correct position in the left photo above, and the common mistakes depicted in the middle and on the right?...
4 Steps to the Emergency Dismount
It was over 25 years ago, but I can still close my eyes and immediately feel the pounding of hooves on the hard dirt road in my head, and the...
Riders! Do NOT Put Your Shoulders Back!
The rider’s trunk and extremities interact and depend on each other. For example, hands and arms depend on shoulder position, which depends on the shoulder girdle, which depends on the...
When I Said Yes to Scary: The “After George Morris” Report
Karen Robertson on Carlos at the George Morris clinic. Photo by Lisa Pleasance. TSB author Karen Robertson shared her hopes and fears for her clinic date with The George in...
Quick Quiz: Which Horse Is Bending Correctly?
Look at this image. Can you spot the differences between the horse on the left and the horse on the right? Which one is a horse that is bending...
Stretch Your Neck to Ride Better
Many riders have neck and shoulder tension, which derives from the body’s reaction of “turning on” the trapezius muscle (see illustration above) in their daily lives. When there is a neuromuscular...
Color Me Happy! There’s a New Guide to Horse Coat Colors in Town
When I was a little girl, I had a herd of imaginary horses and rode them by turns. There was a golden palomino, with lots of chrome, and a chestnut...