Q: I have a problem with a horse who is in a snaffle bit. He works great in it for flatwork but he tends to get strong and ignore my hand aids during jumping. I don’t want to ‘bit him up’ but I feel like he has no respect for the bit and just takes…
Q: How do I know if a show jacket fits correctly? A: Show jackets are important (and often expensive) pieces of kit and really can complete your riding look. As an added bonus, a well fitted and cared for jacket can really make a great impression on judges. However, the choice of show jackets on the…
The HQ team have decided to relocate to the Cape and move our ponies to Deltacrest. Check this place out! 😍 Tell us about your yard. Deltacrest Stables has the one of the most beautiful settings in the Cape Winelands with a 360 degree backdrop of dramatic mountain scenery surrounded by orchards, vineyards, natural fynbos and…
I love dressage and want to train my horse to do piaffe and passage. We are already competing at Elementary level, and my instructor says that she will try and help from the ground, but I wondered if you had any specific advice. Answered by Bronwen Meredith, Grand Prix dressage rider I can completely understand your desire…
The walk is a four-time pace, which means that there are four beats to each complete stride. All four beats should be equally spaced. When riding at walk you should be able to count a regular one-two-three-four, one-two three-four. There is a lot of truth in the old reckoning that a horse who walks well…
Q: Which Western riding disciplines are OTTBs suitable for, if any? Answered by Farryn Day A: I am an absolute Thoroughbred fan and I believe that they can do anything! They are super smart, love to work and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. When it comes to Western riding, just like any other discipline,…
Dr Marna Smith, an animal scientist specialising in genetics and the owner of The Majestic Knabstrupper Stud, is obsessed with breeding the ‘perfect’ coloured sport horse. Marna imported South Africa’s first KNN-approved Knabstruppers from Denmark in 2011. Because Marna strongly believes in genetic diversity, she bought a young, baroque-type colt to fit two sport horse-type…
Q: Every time I halt, my dressage horse will stop square and then immediately swing his hindquarters to the right. I always get points taken off for my halt. How can I fix this? Asked by Niel Noppe A: This problem is described as a technical mistake in a dressage test. In fact, it is caused by…
Q: What is 'Soft Feel' in Cowboy Dressage? A: 'Soft Feel' (or 'Fresh Rein') is the guiding principle of Cowboy Dressage® World. It is the wordless, intimate and, for some, spiritual communication between horse and rider. 'Soft Feel' is not only sending a message, but having the sensitivity and awareness to feel and receive the message the…
Q: What is Cowboy Dressage®? A: The discipline of Cowboy Dressage® was born in 2013. For a short period of time, Western Dressage and Cowboy Dressage® shared a common foundation. When Western Dressage decided to join the USEF (United States Equestrian Federation), Eitan and Debbie decided to go their own way, and to follow the dreams…