Heard Horses

Struggling with 'shoulders back' while riding? Try this simple way to open your chest without force. All equestrians have likely heard the words ‘shoulders back’ or ‘chest open’ (and perhaps other more entertaining lines!) during their journey to becoming a better rider. But what does this really mean, and how can riders achieve this without adding negative tension to their position? Interestingly, the answer to this question came to me during a yoga class! While helping students achieve correct posture during downward dog, the instructor demonstrated how to open the chest through a simple rotation of the upper arm. Try this simple exercise: Stand with both arms extended directly in front of you, palms facing down. Rotate both hands outwards so the palms face the sky, allowing the upper arms and shoulders to rotate naturally. Drop your arms to your side - bend your elbows. Maintain this upper arm/shoulder position and only turn the forearms until your thumbs are facing the sky...

Horse welfare is a shared responsibility, but not everyone plays their part. Whether intentionally or due to a lack of knowledge, certain behaviours negatively impact the wellbeing of horses across all disciplines. To truly improve equine welfare, we need to focus on three key groups: Sporting bodies and the government Those who know better but don’t do better Those who don’t know better Let’s take a closer look at how each group influences horse welfare—and what must change to create a more ethical equestrian culture. 1. Sporting bodies and the government must lead the way Governing organisations set the standards for horse care, competition, and training. However, if the system rewards winning at all costs and fails to enforce ethical treatment, horse welfare suffers. Reforming the system to reward responsible horsemanship and penalise harmful practices is essential. When ethical behaviour becomes the expectation rather than the exception, the entire culture of horse sports will impr...

If choosing the right bit was as simple as measuring your horse's mouth, life would be much easier! But, just like saddle fit, every horse is unique and requires individual assessment to find the most comfortable and effective bit. Why bit fit matters A well-fitting bit ensures clear communication between horse and rider while preventing discomfort or damage to the horse's mouth. However, bit fit isn't just about size - it also depends on the horse's mouth shape and the bit's style, material and action. Think about shopping for the perfect sports shoe. Even if you know your size, different brands, styles and materials fit differently. Some may pinch, while others offer the perfect level of support and comfort. The same applies to bits - finding the right one is easier with expert guidance. With so many factors involved, it makes sense to seek specialist help. Just like you'd engage a saddle fitter to find the perfect saddle, a bit fitter can help ensure your hor...

Keeping an equestrian bullet journal makes tracking your horse’s progress easy and efficient! Do you ever struggle to remember the details of your last training session, competition results, or vet visits? Keeping an equestrian bullet journal (Equi BuJo) makes tracking your horse's progress easy and efficient! A bullet journal dedicated to 'all things horse' helps you stay organised while being time-efficient and budget-friendly. It's far more reliable than memory alone and gives you a structured way to reflect on past experiences and plan for future success. What’s a Bullet Journal? The bullet journal (BuJo) method, created by Ryder Carroll, is a system to track your past, organise your present and plan your future. It is a brilliant combination of planner, diary, notebook and to-do list that can be adapted to any aspect of life - including your equestrian journey. The Equi BuJo is a modified version of the traditional bullet journal, streamlined specifically for horse...

Good rider timing is the key to achieving accurate, effortless movements that create a harmonious dance between horse and rider. By applying aids at the precise moment a horse can respond, the rider improves communication, balance and overall performance. Practicing good timing at the trot allows the rider to influence specific hoof movements at the exact moment the horse is physically able to step in the desired direction. This is important not only for turning and lateral work, but also for achieving smooth transitions between and within gaits. If you haven't yet, read Timing and feel: The key to effective horse training to learn the WHY of practicing good timing and remember - you can only influence a foot that is off the ground! Understanding the trot footfalls The trot is a two-beat gait with a moment of suspension between each stride. The horse moves it legs in diagonal pairs: Left hind foot moves with the right front foot Right hind foot moves with the left front foot This ...

Timing your aids correctly at the walk allows you to influence individual hoof movements, leading to precise and effortless communication with your horse.  When you understand when to apply an aid, you can: Create a move active and engaged walk Guide the horse's movement with precision Improve responsiveness in turns and lateral movements The key rule to remember: you can only influence a hoof that is off the ground! If you haven't yet, read Timing and feel: The key to effective horse training to understand the why behind good timing. Now, let's dive into the how . Footfalls at the walk The horse walk is a four-beat gait with the following sequence: Left hind -  Left front -  Right hind -  Right front As the horse moves, their barrel swings from side to side. This swing helps the rider feel the movement of the hind feet - without needing to look down. (For insights on rider position to assist with this topic, check out  Mastering rider position: Improve balance...

Timing and feel are two essential concepts in horse training. They go hand in hand, allowing riders to communicate effortlessly with their horses. The good news? Timing can be learned and feel develops through practicing good timing! Understanding the importance of timing and feel To refine your timing and develop feel, we'll explore key areas: Preparation Footfall awareness The power of the release Developing feel Preparation for the aid A horse must be mentally and physically prepared for a request before the cue is given. If a horse is distracted, the request will be ineffective - like asking a student a question while they're daydreaming in class. Example:  A rider preparing for a left-lead canter must sit in position left , maintain inside bend and secure the outside rein to control the shoulders. If the horse is bulging its barrel into the left leg, the horse is not prepared to take the left lead. Good preparation set the horse up for success. Footfall awareness Even with...

Have you ever struggled to get your horse to respond smoothly to your cues? You're not alone! Many riders unknowingly hinder their horse's movement with incorrect positioning. The good news? With the right awareness and practice, you can improve your seat and make riding more effective and enjoyable for both you and your horse. Regardless of whether you ride English, Western or bareback, a correct riding position allows your horse to respond effortlessly. Poor positioning restricts movement and can make it hard for the horse to perform what is being asked. A balanced, independent seat is the foundation of correct rider position. This means the rider can apply aids without unintentionally affecting other parts of their body. Developing an independent seat requires: Understanding correct rider position Gaining control of individual body parts while in motion on horseback Cultivating an awareness of your seat bones while in the saddle What you'll learn What seat/weight aids ar...

Have you ever watched a rider struggle with a frustrated horse that just won't cooperate? More often than not, the issue isn't stubbornness - it's confusion. Before we expect faster, sharper responses, we need to make sure our horses truly understand what we are asking. The power of basics Many riders are eager to move past the 'boring basics' and jump straight into higher levels of their chosen discipline. What they don't realise is that the basics are where the magic of advanced riding begins. A horse that responds willingly to the lightest of aids has a solid foundation for effortless, beautiful riding. Unfortunately, many riders expect too much before their horses are properly prepared. We often see horses being asked to jump higher, fun faster, climb dressage levels, spin quicker, or slide longer before they: understand the request are physically capable of performing the request Without this preparation, the result is often one of two extremes: a tense, an...

Have you ever felt like your horse just isn't getting it? One day everything clicks, and the next, it feels like you're starting over? The key to better communication and a stronger partnership is consistency - in your mood, your aids and your training schedule. Consistent mood Horses, like people, feel uneasy around unpredictable or inconsistent behaviour. If your emotions fluctuate dramatically during training, your horse will find it hard to trust you. From the moment you pick up the halter, be present. Set aside distractions, shut out stress and focus entirely on your horse. Give them an emotionally safe work environment by providing calm, respectful energy every time you interact. Aside from external thoughts negatively affecting the rider’s mood, communication breakdowns while working horses may cause riders to become increasingly frustrated, angered or fearful. Example: the frustration cycle Rider is feeling happy and positive Rider asks horse to respond to an aid Horse ...