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How to keep the inside shoulder back by Jane Savoie - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0Ezgqy_wao

Here is a link to RIDER POSITIONS  - Quite good site - http://horsus.ning.com/video/program-your-position-for 

Follow the links below to have a beginners view of Dressage. It is a two part series and is a wonderful talk through of the different stages of training.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Av46MENpIAA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgTMrAcEVzA&feature=related

http://americashorsedaily.com/good-hands/    learn soft hands from the ground

This common problem in horses can be handled with regular maintenance.

Learn complete care with AQHA's "Your Horse's Health" DVD set.

From Knack “Leg and Hoof Care for Horses,” by Micaela Myers. Published by KNACK, an imprint of The Globe Pequot Press, Guilford, Connecticut

Thrush is a bacterial and fungal infection of the frog. You can spot it by its foul smell and black tar-like discharge, which often ends up on the end of your hoof pick. If thrush is not treated early or the infection progresses too far, it can spread to the sensitive parts of the hoof.

Author Micaela Myers offers her strategies for preventing and treating thrush:

Regular Hoof Cleaning

  • Daily cleaning allows you to catch any concerns early.
  • It also removes manure and other debris that can lead to thrush.
  • Be sure to thoroughly clean the sides of the frog as well as the frog itself.




http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=9728FAB4F62CCABF  follow this link to view the USA Olympic trials.

Carl Hester 7 part series http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbk7HWtQWbM

For that classical seat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Sl6SeJEzOo&feature=related 

Horsegirltv - tune in. tack up.
http://www.horsegirltv.com/11-feb.php

Standards by Tim Malin, 2007 13th Ranked US Grand Prix Rider

Judges know what standard of riding they will judge to. Trainers know what standard they will train to. Ultimately, the rider determines what standard of riding occurs in any given ride (providing the horse is capable). I will share the steps that will help achieve your own standard.

1. See the Standard

Many riders mount and take an approach of "let's see what happens". The rider who sees clearly in their mind the desired performance before mounting will have greater success in meeting a desired standard. There are many ways to establish a standard in your mind. Reading training books, viewing training videos, observing professionals or other amateurs working the same material in training, warm-ups or in classes are all ways that may assist you in cementing a standard in your mind. Auditing clinics and symposiums are also great resources.

2. Executing Your Standard

Reaching a desired standard to riding takes an honest assessment. Know the capabilities of your horse and what is fair to ask of them. Age, experience and conformation will affect what your horse can do. Be fair to your partner. Within the abilities of your horse determine a standard that progresses your training and builds a confident partnership. You must also be willing to look at yourself and know whether you possess enough skill to develop the desired outcome or whether you require professional assistance. In assessing yourself and your horse it may be valuable to engage a professional whom you respect in providing honest feedback.

We spend the majority of our riding in one of two ways. We are either schooling material or confirming material. Set standards that reflect the current capabilities of your horse. In the schooling mode there will be an idealized standard in mind. In this stage accept there will be honest mistakes made by rider and horse. Do not get frustrated with yourself or your horse. Continue to work toward your standard and reward your horse when progress is made. Tremendous repetition is required to teach a rider or horse a skill. When the horse has shown reliability in executing a particular movement one enters the confirming mode.

In this mode there are two components to be evaluated during a ride. Has the rider set up the horse correctly to execute the desired movement? One must develop a sufficient skill set to ensure the proper aids are given to set the horse up for success. If the standard is still not met then a determination needs to be made of the obedience of the horse.

Everyone wants a light and harmonious ride. But, disobedience and harmony will never be friends. Obedience often is a difficult concept for riders to implement. At some point the rider needs to address that the horse may be tuning them out or saying no.

Standards are deliberately achieved. A rider needs to be willing to increase the strength of physical aids and being willing to put a little mental pressure on a horse to get the appropriate response. Once the horse gives the appropriate response, see if you can get the same response with a lighter aid. A good rider rides assertively and sensitively for their standard and for their horse's success, happiness and well being.

3. Evaluating Your Standard

Taking regular lessons and or clinics with the same trainer will allow a consistent voice in determining your progress. Having a friend record your rides over and over will give you the ability to see whether day in or day out if you are meeting your desired standard. Ultimately your horse's progression in their abilities and the willingness in which they execute the work will let you know if you are meeting your standard.

Riders need a higher degree of focus and clarity in developing standards. Accepting personal accountability is important to the rider accomplishing their standard. Once your standards are met you will be setting new ones to continue your development. Congratulate yourself and your horse on a job well done!

I would like to thank Kelly Walkup for her great series. Horsegirltv - tune in. tack up.

Tips for Transition Work
Learn to use half halts and make transitions work in your training.

By Susan Dutta

I use transitions to make each of my horses stronger, to work through his problems and, in the end, to make him a better ride. Transitions simply require excellent communication between horse and rider. The value of transition work is twofold: Transitions benefit both training and test results so they are incredibly important in daily training.

Here's how to ride a transition well: First, half halt. Close your fingers on either your outside rein or both reins, depending on your horse. Close both legs on your horse's sides and sit up straight and a little deeper in the saddle. Think of shifting your horse's weight backward by resisting slightly in your back and seat, without pulling on the reins. Keeping your legs on and your upper body straight, soften your reins and allow his energy to go forward. The goal is to lighten his front end by shifting his weight backward to his hind end. The half halt makes the horse balance himself for the change of gait.

Next, give the aids for the transition, and then soften and reward if the horse responds well. If he does not, patiently repeat the above until you get the response you want.

Horses come in all forms: strong, hot, lazy, responsive or a combination. Decide what transition work is best for your horse's personality. For example, with hot and strong horses, ride trot-halt and trot-walk transitions to encourage him to engage his hindquarters and lighten in front. Mixing trot-halt and trot-extended walk work also will help relax a hot, strong horse. A sensitive horse usually responds well to trot-canter, canter-trot exercises that also alleviate tension.

Transitions within the canter are my favorite exercises. When I canter my horses, I never think about the actual movements. I just think about how to make those movements very rideable. First, I canter forward until the horse is round and through. Then I begin a few steps of collected canter and after a few strides, transition to working canter. I repeat this often. Once my horse has mastered this exercise, I try going from collected canter to a pirouette canter and back to collected canter, making sure the horse remains soft and light in the bridle. I add medium or extended canter to change pace.

Then I add more complex movements to my workout. Here's a series of transitions that will keep your horse waiting for your next command. Begin at collected canter on the short side. As you come out of the corner, ask for four steps of pirouette canter, then transition back to collected canter. Follow this with a shoulder-in to half pass. Remember that it will take the horse several transitions before he is accurately on the aids. Don't punish him if he doesn't obey immediately. Repetition will solve most problems. Reward your horse when he responds correctly.

Now that you've done the training, bring your program of transition training to the show. I use my transitions in every warm-up on every horse I ride, and the horse focuses on me rather than on distractions. When he engages his hindquarters and softens in the bridle, I know my chances of riding a nice test are good. I continue to use transitions around the ring before I enter. Make transitions a big part of your training. Use them every day and on show day.

Susan Dutta is a USDF gold medalist and a Grand Prix competitor with recent successes at the USET Festival of Champions and World Cup Qualifying Classes. She has been the reserve member of the U.S. team for the Pan American Games in 2003 and 2007. She trains at her farms in Brewster, N.Y., and Wellington, Fla.
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