Hello and thanks for your interest is receiving the horses-site newsletter. This weekly reminder will invite you to stop by my verbal barnyard every few days or so for some sage old reminders and a few new ideas. Together we can help to create a sense of trust and leadership that will greatly enhance the experience for both you and your horse. Below are some of the topics we will explore.

Riding is only a small part of a great relationship with a horse. Schooling your horse well is a combination of sport, science and art. Perhaps a daunting endeavor but one with the potential to share boundless rewards with a thousand pound (plus) bundle of muscle and grace who has no choice but to trust your decisions. Effective leadership is a must when dealing with these amazing animals of flight and power.

The old masters did a great deal of work “in-hand”. Although currently a rarely utilized system of training work in-hand is an extremely valuable process that creates a very intimate bond between horse and handler. Learn how working your horse with shoulder-in, haunches-in/out, half-pass and pirouettes from the ground up can help form a far more balanced horse for any discipline and an educated eye for yourself.

Longeing your horse can and should be much more than letting him rip around you so he’s tired when you finally get in the saddle. Longeing is a great intermediary step between work in-hand and in the saddle. With a longer line and a greater distance between you and your horse it allows your horse certain liberties and tests the level of trust and leadership you created with the in-hand exercises.

Balance and working your horse back to front are two phrases that are bantered about quite frequently. But did you know that the minute you tighten the reins, either one or both, distinct changes are created in the hindquarters. There are five classic rein effects and each one directly influences every other aid you may be applying. Explore in depth articles that will explain when and how to apply the reins so as not to block your more prominent aids.

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Thanks and see ya ‘round the barnyard.

Susan Hopf
Horses – site Editor @ Bellaonline