ASKHQ: HOW TO STAY CALM FOR MY HORSE

Q: My horse picks up on my nerves and gets tense. How do I stay calm for his sake? A: Horses absolutely sense rider tension and often mirror it. Your elevated heart rate, rapid breathing, and tight muscles communicate to your horse that something is wrong. They respond by becoming more alert and reactive themselves,…

BylizzieMarch 9, 20260Comments

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ASKHQ: SPOTTING LAMENESS

Q: I have realised that I really cannot see lameness and it makes me worry that I don’t see issues with my own horses. How can I learn to get better at this so that I don’t miss something important? A: Lameness is not always easy to spot, especially when it’s mild. A lame horse…

BylizzieOctober 31, 20250Comments

Horse Training

READY FOR TAKE-OFF

Get your distances right Showjumpers commonly talk about 'seeing' distances when jumping. The problem with this approach is that it only deals with what happens in the immediate vicinity of the jump, and if you struggle to 'see' the distance, you can find yourself in a flat panic on top of the fence. Much more…

BylizzieOctober 29, 20250Comments

Horse Channel Horse Training

CANTER CIRCLES

Text: Farryn Day This is a wonderful exercise that can be adapted to suit most horses. It helps to develop rhythm and balance and a disciplined approach to working in a confined space. Normally ridden in a canter, the exercise can be performed at a trot for very young horses that have not yet established their…

BylizzieMay 20, 20250Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Training

ASKHQ: MOTIVATION WITH YOUNG HORSES

Q: How can I stay motivated when working with young horses? A: Working with young or green horses can be an incredibly challenging experience and it is easy to become demotivated or despondent. Personally, I love working with the youngsters – I see them as a clean slate; a blank canvas ready to be painted! However,…

BylizzieFebruary 14, 20210Comments

Horse Channel Horse Training

STRIDES FOR SUCCESS

Text: Kevin Wessels The key to a good showjumping round is seldom the jump itself but rather the correct ride between the fences. Every aspiring showjumper should work towards a rhythmic and even canter between jumps. However, not everything always goes according to plan, and for that reason showjumping horses need to be adjustable. …

BylizzieJanuary 16, 20190Comments

Horse Channel Horse Training

HOW CAN YOU TEACH A HORSE TO BE MORE REACTIVE TO THE AIDS?

Train your horse to go forward from your leg and to slow down from the reins and seat [dropcap]T[/dropcap]he principle of action is reaction. Horses naturally yield away from pressure. It is very helpful to teach the horse to move away from pressure, like in the washing place when you ask the horse to step aside.…

BylizzieDecember 20, 20170Comments

Horse Channel Horse Training

Creating a better canter

The correct work can develop balance and suppleness in your canter [dropcap]I[/dropcap]t’s often said that your horse’s canter can make or break you as a competitive rider – especially when it comes to jumping and dressage disciplines. Ideally, you want a horse who has an active, fluid and rhythmic canter. Showjumpers and eventers in particular want…

BylizzieMarch 1, 20170Comments

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