ASKHQ: DOWNWARD TRANSITIONS

Q: My horse makes very tense and sudden downward transitions into the walk. What can I do to make them a bit smoother? A: Tense transitions can occur for many reasons, but it is absolutely essential first to rule out any pain issues. You don’t want to be schooling your horse through discomfort, so make sure…

BylizzieFebruary 23, 20250Comments

Horse Channel Horse Training

FLATWORK FEBRUARY #15: SHOULDER-IN

The shoulder-in is a three-track movement. The horse's shoulder is brought to the inside while the hind leg stays on the arena edge. It is called a three-track movement, as when executed correctly, the inside hind leg and outside fore will step on the same track (creating three tracks). You can ride the shoulder-in at the…

BylizzieApril 25, 20240Comments

Horse Channel Horse Training

FLATWORK FEBRUARY #9: THE SIMPLE CHANGE

Yesterday, we looked at the walk-to-canter transition, and today, we add to that by combining it into a simple change. A simple change is a change of canter lead with a few steps of walk between periods of canter. The simple change is the beginning of teaching your horse to do a correct flying change; this…

BylizzieFebruary 13, 20240Comments

Horse Channel

THRIVING IN THE OFF-SEASON

To return stronger and better Ryan Tehini With the December holidays fast approaching, many riders will find themselves taking a break from competition (and possibly even training) for a longer period of time than they are used to. For many, this can cause anxiety due to feeling like you aren’t doing enough - particularly as riders are…

BylizzieNovember 23, 20220Comments

Horse Channel Horse Training

DRESSAGE FOR THE SHOWJUMPING HORSE

Text: Shari Michaelis While showjumping might seem like a ‘point and shoot’ discipline to some spectators, a good showjumping round requires much more from the horse than just clearing the jumps. Showjumping demands that the horse is adjustable, flexible, in balance, has straightness in his body and has a good and powerful canter. Working the horse…

BylizzieMay 1, 20210Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health Horse Training

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF PERFORMANCE, PART 2: GOAL SETTING

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 26, 20210Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Training

SHOULDER-IN

Shoulder-in is the mother of all lateral movements. It was described in detail by the Grand Master François Robichon de la Guérinière along with its enormous gymnastic benefits for the horse. He is said to have described the exercise as the ‘cure of equitation’ and ‘the first and last movement to teach the horse in…

BylizzieFebruary 22, 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

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Training Know How

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

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health

ASKHQ: SWIMMING

Q: Will my horse benefit from swimming? A: There are many benefits of swimming for horses. The key benefits obviously come in terms of fitness and rehabilitation. If the facilities are available, swimming can be incorporated into horse’s training programmes. Swimming is usually built in as an alternative to canter work or track work, as it provides…

BylizzieOctober 25, 20200Comments

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