Articles
Written on 11/01/2016, 12:26 by admin
Modern vs Classical Dressage, is there a difference?
You Have you ever heard of an instructor say "I only teach classical principles" or "classical dressage"? After all, isn't Western Dressege built on classical principles? I can't recall anyone bragging about teaching competitive or modern...144390
Written on 23/04/2015, 11:23 by admin
Somehow I don’t think Genghis Khan of the Mongol Empire (1162-1227 AD) rode "two handed” in a curb bit while cutting off the the heads of his enemies on horse back.
For years I have felt that my rants have fallen on death ears. I am glad that I am not the only person that feels...64840
Written on 23/02/2015, 13:06 by admin
What does the term "Light Hands” or "Soft Feel" mean to you in regards to Western Dressage?
What can we learn from great leaderships like Ronald Reagan, Teddy Roosevelt, and Dwight Eisenhower? The USA won the cold war in part because President Reagan was willing to back up his words with unyielding...103340
Written on 11/02/2015, 09:08 by admin
Where has common sense gone these days? Have you ever seen something that made you shake your head in disbelief? This reminds me of a phrase I have heard: “If you tell a lie long enough, it becomes the truth.”
“Wisdom is not just the use of knowledge, to properly use wisdom you...75420
Written on 11/05/2014, 09:01 by admin
“The greatest enemy of knowledge is "NOT" ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.”
― Daniel J. Boorstin, The Discoverers: A History of Man's Search to Know His World and Himself
What does the above statement mean to you? What is the best way to gain power and infuence over folks? The...72140
Written on 20/03/2013, 18:25 by admin
Randy, "How do I know that I am doing Western Dressage correctly?" That is a great question, I am glad you asked. I get this question quite often. It would be helpful if the water was not so muddy, right? To help answer this question I have a few questions for you as well. "Are you a truth seeker...360
Written on 10/03/2013, 13:49 by admin
Riding out on the trail or schooling, riders often hold their reins in whatever way is most comfortable or useful. Riding casually, we might use two hands, or cross the reins, or switch frequently from hand to hand, but in the horse show ring, rules are very specific about how the reins are held, and...73690
Written on 01/01/2013, 21:31 by admin
The “What is the Difference?”
"The Five W's of Western Dressage": “What? Why? Who? Where? When?”
Do you need an excuse to be with your horse? If you are like me, probably not. Even mucking Carbon's stall is enjoyable; I love every minute I spend with my boy. Have you ever gotten on your horse and...95480
Written on 28/12/2012, 23:58 by admin
Demystifying The Pyramid
"Training Scale?" Do you remember sitting in high school and not understanding the question that everyone else seemed to know the answer to? Do you remember being so afraid to raise your hand that you pretended you already knew the answer and regretted it when the...219160
Written on 15/12/2012, 21:31 by admin
The “Why?”
"The Five W's of Western Dressage": “What? Why? Who? Where? When?”
In the last year, there have been lots of people asking, “What is Western Dressage?” You may have seen an article or two labeled, “What is Western Dressage?” Simply put, Western Dressage is a method of training that brings...74900
Written on 15/10/2012, 18:00 by admin
I have a question, Randy: If a horse goes nicely in a snaffle, why do you need to change to a curb or (bridle)?
Good question, here is the answer: "Very few folks can ride bridlelss, but even fewer can ride with a bridle!" ~ Eitan Beth-Halachmy
The simple truth is that you do not need a...1740540
Written on 14/10/2012, 16:37 by admin
Question: I have a beautiful 9 year old Paint/Qtr gelding. He hadn't been handled in over a year before we brought him home, but we've been handling him everyday. However, most of the handling has been allowing him to graze on the lead. Last weekend, I attempted to give him some wormer...551490
Written on 29/09/2012, 15:08 by admin
Bethe Mounce Question---"why the curb chain and not a plain snaffle? This is lower level dressage, right?"This question is in reference to riding Western Dressage tests in a curb bit or snaffle bit. I am not sure if I fully understand the question, but you mention a curb chain… I think...121990
Written on 29/09/2012, 15:03 by admin
Randy I have a question, "why do you use a Cavesson?"thanks Brock HolbrookThat is a great question and here is my answer:
Analogy:Think of using a cavesson like you would if you went to the orthodontist to get braces put on your teeth. It is a temporary tool to fix a problem. Once the problem is...776500
Written on 22/06/2012, 22:40 by admin
"Rearing and flipping over backwards is the single most dangerous thing a horse can do!"Why does a horse rear?Rearing is a refusal to go forward or an evasion to your "go forward" aids or cues!""How do you fix a rearing problem? Simply put, "keep the horse's feet moving in any direction except...170520
Written on 11/04/2012, 12:29 by admin
Developing a good "Western Dressage Bridle Horse" is all about your expectations of what you want in a "finished horse". There are many training methods claiming that they are the only correct way to train a horse. Even though there are many ways to "start", "develop", or "finish" a horse, the...202670
Written on 04/04/2012, 16:44 by admin
"Transitioning from a Simple Change to a Flying Change"
"I am going to be showing this summer, but I have been working for a few months on lead changes and my horse can get where he does like half a trot stride then goes to the next lead, but I can't get him to do an actual flying...121880
Written on 26/03/2012, 01:13 by admin
"My name is Briana. I’m training a 2-year old mare and she does not know her ground manners. What do I do and how do I teach her good ground manners?"
Thank you for asking these questions. This is a very widely researched topic. There are many books, videos, DVDs and other educational...130190
Written on 26/03/2012, 01:12 by admin
"How do I get her to slow down, collect, and accept the bit and stop being so neurotic about whenever the reins are gathered and the bit makes contact with her mouth?"
This is a great question and you have given me lots of detail to help in forming a response. I like to define a...77780
Written on 26/03/2012, 01:11 by admin
I like to define a ‘broke horse’ by saying that you have full control of direction and impulsion, regardless of how good your ground work is and how soft he is. Using this definition, If you cannot control the speed of the canter, he is not broke or not broke enough. The quick and simple...71930
Written on 26/03/2012, 01:10 by admin
“My horse sleeps better at night in a barn because he feels safe, my horse comes to me in the field because he loves me, my horse won't take its medicine just to spite me.” We can’t help but love our equine friends because of their social nature, but can we be accused of the dangerous behavior of...416530
Written on 26/03/2012, 01:05 by admin
Question: I have a beautiful 9 year old Paint/Qtr gelding. He hadn't been handled in over a year before we brought him home, but we've been handling him everyday. However, most of the handling has been allowing him to graze on the lead. Last weekend, I attempted to give him some wormer...349630
Written on 26/03/2012, 01:01 by admin
"In a world full of horse trainers, clinicians and equine professionals competing to make a mark for themselves, many find new ways to reinvent the wheel; however, several try to put their knowledge into some package where we may identify with it all. In the equine world, leadership is the key to...275660
Written on 26/03/2012, 01:00 by admin
In the world of “Natural Horsemanship”, there is a widely used phrase “be as soft as possible and as firm as necessary.” It you ask 20 people what Natural Horsemanship means, you will get 20 different answers. There is also a growing concern about how firm is too firm and how gentle is too gentle.
If...146580
Written on 26/03/2012, 00:58 by admin
"I have been raising a family for the last 20 years and I need help with my confidence. I was a fearless rider when I was younger, but now I am nervous. Last year I got hurt and I am not sure if I want to just hop on, now. My horse is very pushy on the ground when I lead him."
“Confidence” is...89180
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