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. Now, your shoulders are back, and your chest is open, and all without creating negative tension from forcing...

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. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 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.  If you would like to dive into the original framework, Ryder's book The Bullet Journal Method is packed with information an...

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, communicate more effectively, and make riding more 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, while poor positioning restricts movement and can make it hard for the horse to perform what is being asked. What is an independent seat? 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: Gaining control of individual body parts while in motion on horseback Being self-aware of your seat bones, posture and position at all times Keep reading to learn: W...