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THE PSYCHOLOGY OF PERFORMANCE, PART 3: MINDFULNESS

If you want to excel at anything, you have to learn how to manage your thoughts and feelings, both the good and the bad. Excellence is not normal or natural, and cultivating excellence in anything requires hard work and sacrifice. Physical talent is not irrelevant, but it is less important than self-discipline and mental strength.…

BylizzieFebruary 27, 20210Comments

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ASKHQ: POSTURE

Q: What can posture tell us about our horses? A: The Oxford dictionary defines the word ‘conformation’ as: “the way in which something is formed; the structure of something, especially an animal” while ‘posture’ is defined as: “the position in which you hold your body when standing or sitting”. These definitions may sound similar, but when…

BylizzieFebruary 25, 20210Comments

Horse Channel Horse Training Know How

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF PERFORMANCE, PART 1: DELIBERATE PRACTICE

“I don’t want riders who work physically hard. Work by thinking.” – Nuno Oliveira If you want to excel at anything, you have to learn how to manage your thoughts and feelings, both the good and the bad. Excellence is not normal or natural, and cultivating excellence in anything requires hard work and sacrifice. This…

BylizzieFebruary 24, 20210Comments

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ASKHQ: DOUBLE BRIDLE

Q: How do I introduce a double bridle to my horse? A: The double bridle allows you to refine your aids, working off two bits – the bridoon and the Weymouth – which can be used independently with two reins. While double bridles aren’t a requirement until Prix St. Georges (PSG), many riders choose to bring…

BylizzieFebruary 24, 20210Comments

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ASKHQ: FLOCKING

Q: What are the different kinds of flocking in saddles? A: There are several types of flocking that are commonly used in saddles. Below are the main types: White wool has long fibre and is softer and settles more quickly than other kinds of wool. However, because it settles quickly it needs more regular checks and…

BylizzieFebruary 23, 20210Comments

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ASKHQ: CONFIDENCE WITH PEOPLE

Q: How can I make my new rescue mare more confident around new people? A: Building a horse’s confidence, particularly a horse who has had difficult past experiences, takes time and patience. However, the reward makes the work worth it! The first step should be to introduce a calm, horsey friend to your new horse, preferably over…

BylizzieFebruary 23, 20210Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Training Know How

WALKING LIKE A CAMEL, THE LATERAL WALK

By Bronwen Meredith Many of us have been told that the walk is an ‘unfixable’ gait and that it is therefore best to leave it untouched. Personally, I don’t believe this and have had success with several horses in at least improving their way of going in the walk. It is true that it is one…

BylizzieFebruary 15, 20210Comments

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ASKHQ: MENTAL SKILLS COACHING

Q: What kind of riders will benefit most from mental skills coaching? A: Before you consider whether learning about mental skills would be useful for you, ask yourself whether you are curious to learn more about yourself, both as a rider and as a person. The most important prerequisite to benefit from coaching of any kind,…

BylizzieFebruary 14, 20210Comments

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ASKHQ: FRENCH LINK SNAFFLE

Q: My horse throws his head when I ride him. If I ride him in a bitless bridle he doesn’t do this, but in his bridle with a French link snaffle he tosses his head all of the time? I had understood that this was a mild bit, so I’m not sure what else to…

BylizzieFebruary 13, 20210Comments

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ASKHQ: THE OLDER HORSE

Q: Is it worth buying an older horse? Answered by Farryn Day A: Over the years, I have heard many people discounting the value of an older horse for themselves or their children. Older horses are labelled as ‘difficult keepers’, ‘lazy’, or ‘over-the-hill’ and the question is often asked “Isn’t it better for my son/daughter to learn…

BylizzieNovember 28, 20200Comments

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