Natural Dressage

16/12/2022

21/01/2021

Worked on some easy lateral work exercises and improving contact this evening. I'm focusing on releasing when she is quiet in her mouth and consistent in head carriage. She understands the process so responded quickly but we still have a way to go to get her back to where she used to be! If you need help or advice with contact issues message me.

03/01/2021

Have a go.... I am.

03/01/2021

Something to focus on to prepare for summer...

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10/09/2020

Sideways along a fence (a very long fence!) Is a great supplying exercise and helps to strengthen the abductors and abductors to improve lateral work.

10/05/2016

Annual Review and demonstration using a painted horse with Pippa Winkworth BHSAI ISM. Tea and coffee available at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

04/05/2016

Study found horses’ heart rates increased and they struggled to chew when nosebands were over-tightened, leading to calls for stricter regulations on use

21/04/2016

Some good points.

Learn how to properly ENGAGE YOUR HORSE'S BACK through gymnastic stretches. www.EquitopiaCenter.com presents Art 2 Ride trainer Karen Loshbaugh and Equine Ve...

10/02/2016

Early morning pole work. Great for improving range of motion, balance, core stability and strength required for higher level work. I will try to do 2 - 3 times a week for 10 weeks as part of a training programme which will incorporate therapy techniques to enhance the training. I'm starting at walk and a little trot and will gradually increase intensity and duration. The horse has freedom to position head where she likes as this is important for balance and to build the correct muscles.

13/01/2016

After the last 3 years of illness and injury, riding has been a challenge. Fingers crossed that I can get back on track. The chestnut has been back in work for a couple of weeks and so have I!!! So I thought it maybe an idea to post the exercises we are doing so that you can follow along if you want to. Firstly, your ground work and ridden aids should be responsive for this to make any sense. My horse is nearly 21yrs old so I am trying to identify any areas of stiffness that are new or different. She seems to be throwing me to the right so I will try to find exercises that will help to release tight muscles and develop the weaker areas - I do this by very, soft and fluid lateral steps in walk. Nothing is forced. Then I do a little free rein trot - not being particular about outline but more of a focus on freedom of movement so that she can find her own self carriage. It always amazes me how balanced she is for an unfit horse. I take note of the rhythm and any 'stuck bits' in her body but at this stage I will not try to alter anything. As I don't want to do too much trotting too soon I then go on to an exercise using a few steps of soft trot then back to walk and maybe s back up. This will help to maintain balance and strengthen the hindquarters by increasing engagement - still with a loose rein. I don't care where she puts her neck as I know that when everything is in the right place her outline will come naturally.....which it does! Whilst doing this exercise my focus is on my own posture. Where are my stuck/tight bits? Am I straight? Are my hands independent from my body? Is my jaw, shoulders and arms relaxed? My challenge is getting back to a good sitting trot on such a big moving horse so I have to really focus on my own body over the next few sessions. Today was better than expected so I can't wait for the next session 😀