Bounce strides
A bounce stride is used for jumping two fences where the distance between the fences does not allow the horse to take a stride between them. The horse lands over the first jump and as soon as the back legs touch the ground, the front legs take off for the second jump.
Bounce strides are [...]
Stables are not the natural environment for a horse but it is often necessary and more practical to keep your horse stabled. Bearing all the below points in mind, it is not necessarily the most expensive stable that offers a relaxed and healthy environment for the horse but the one that has had the most [...]
The nature of working with horses dictates that the clothing you wear must be extremely practical at all times. The major considerations here are safety, practicality for cleaning and comfort. You will find that neat clothing that fits well but not too tightly is the easiest and most comfortable to move around in.
Legwear
Jodhpurs or jeans [...]
Relationship building is an area that should not be overlooked when acquiring a new horse or pony. In our haste to get started with our new animal, we often forget the stress it is under in its new situation. Imagine yourself moving to a new house: it can take a while to familiarize yourself with [...]
Bonding with your horse should start on your first day and continue throughout your life together. The more the two of you bond, the better you get to know, understand and trust each other.
Bonding in the stable
A good early bonding exercise is to run your hand over all of your horse’s body. Using the palm [...]
Before we can put a horse on the cross-ties and expect him to stand quietly, it’s helpful to teach him to stand quietly without being tied. Choose an area where your horse is comfortable and unlikely to be distracted. You may want to use a halter and lead rope for this work, although you won’t [...]
A happy horse is easier to manage. If you want to make sure that your horse lives a happy and long life, you need to pay careful attention to its maintenance. Several aspects such as breed, season, and activity level will affect how you should care for your equine. Some are maintained more like pets [...]