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Similarities Between Western and “Regular” Dressage

Similarities Between Western and “Regular” Dressage

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You’ve probably already figured out that you can do the same dressage maneuvers in a Western saddle that you can do in a “regular” dressage saddle. This reminds me of our Western Dressage motto, “Why Not?!” I’ve been saying that since I learned of the vast interests in Western Dressage at the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games.
For the first 30 years of riding, I rode consistently in the dressage saddle. I still find myself training the exact same way whether I am in a Western saddle or a dressage saddle. Dressage principles are the basis of my show ring success. By using these principles with the training of the horses, I find I ride the same when riding in a hunt seat or Western saddle.

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Dealing with a Horse That Rears

Dealing with a Horse That Rears

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I’d like to discuss what causes a horse to rear and how we can actually set a horse up to rear. There are two basic facts to consider. Horses learn by pressure and release and, a horse can go six different directions: forward, back, left, right, down and up. If you think in those terms, when we work with a horse, we always have to give the horse a way out, a way to find release. If you try to close off all the directions, the horse is going to take one of the directions that you can’t block. In other words, you may not get the response you wanted and the horse may go a direction that you didn’t want at all. For example, if we want our horse to go over a log, a tarp, a pole, through a creek or toward anything that the horse does not want to go near,

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Irish officials deny knowledge of Racing Panorama investigation

Irish officials deny knowledge of Racing Panorama investigation

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Irish Government officials have come out to deny they were aware “thousands” of horses, formerly trained in Ireland, were allegedly being sent for slaughter at abattoirs.

As per a BBC Panorama program, it was reported that most of the 4,000 horses slaughtered in British abattoirs had been moved from Ireland, with some covering over 350 miles by road with severe injuries.

It is highly illegal under Irish law, as well as European law to transport a horse in a manner that could possibly “cause it injury or undue suffering”.

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Working With a Pushy Horse

Working With a Pushy Horse

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I see a lot of rude, pushy horses. Probably 90% of the horses brought in to the barn for training are pushy and do not respect our space.  As owners, we usually spend more time riding than dealing with ground issues. There is nothing wrong with riding and having a good time. We buy a horse so that we can go out on the trail, rope, sort cattle or do any number of activities.  However, believe it or not, more accidents happen on the ground than while riding.  

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