Welcome to this week's horses newsletter. I hope you have been enjoying your visits to our virtual barnyard. If this is your first visit I encourage you to look around and sneak a peak into our riding arena. Many new ideas can be found while exploring these new surroundings and I hope you find a reason to stay awhile. For returning visitors please feel free to refresh your thoughts - an article re-read may spark a revelation or two.

As you stroll through please consider the following - success in your riding is measured in cummulative moments of time and small steps. Simple misunderstandings can result in big unwanted results. Are you trapping your horse between your legs? If you think your horse is stubborn perhaps she is really confused. Confidence regarding the correct application and timing of your aids can go a long way to avoid and/or correct problematic moments in your schooling sessions.

Also did you know that from the horse's point of view there is no such thing as a driving seat - in fact motion in the seat of the rider produces quite the opposite effects.

This week's article may provide some needed insight for better progress for you as well as your horse.

Active and Passive Riding Aids
How and when you apply your riding aids makes or breaks the level of success with your horse.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art43766.asp

As you read through the articles please feel free to ask any questions. The forum is a good place to start.

http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=190

I hope to hear from you sometime soon, either in the forum or in response to this email message. I thrive on your feedback!

Have fun passing this message along to family and friends, because we all love free knowledge!

Susan Hopf, Horses Editor
http://horses.bellaonline.com

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