Tag Archives: Dressage

Jumping

10 Tips for Better Jumping, and a great partnership, with Your Horse

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Horse Scout Blogger asks: Are you getting to know your new horse or training a youngster? Whatever your competitive goals, Showjumping, Eventing or the flatwork of the Dressage or Showing arenas, jumping should be built into your training programme.  Building a good relationship with your horse in the home arena will give your partnership a head start. Start simple and build on success.

  1. Start your jumping session with a proper warm up on the flat.  Work through the muscles groups and ensure your horse is moving off your leg well.
  2. Work with poles on the ground on circles and in grids to increase your horses elevation before asking him to jump.
  3. Always use an experienced lead horse when you’re introducing a new jumping concept. Horses are herd animals. Let a youngster see his friend do it first, and he’ll think it’s OK, too.
  4. Build in a confident approach from the start. Never test a young horse’s courage over fences; give him a chance to learn how to be brave in the first place. He may not be timid he may simply not understand what he is being asked to do.
  5. Trot jumps first. Trotting will pay off in spades down the road. Trotting teaches your horse to remain calm on the approach to his fences and encourages him to rock back on his hocks and jump correctly.
  6. Keep the jumps so small that he can go over them from a standstill for the first few months jump training, Never give your horse the option of refusing. If your horse questions a jump, do not him turn away and reapproach the fence. Instead, quietly keep your leg on for as long as it takes, until your horse hops over the jump from a halt or walk. It is important not give your horse the option of refusing.
  7. Use a neck strap so you can hang on however awkwardly he jumps so you can follow him in the air with your upper body and arms, even if he jumps from a standstill. If you catch your horse in the mouth as he attempts to jump, you’ll quickly teach him that this game is not fun.
  8. Train progressively. Ask one new question at a time. i.e. if you jump a three element grid at the end of one session reward by finishing there.  Add the three element earlier in the next session and follow this with an easier exercise before stopping.  Reward progress with down time, hack out or turn out to build a positive attitude to new things.
  9. If you get into trouble, make it low and simple. If your horse loses confidence for any reason during a jump session, don’t take a chance. Quickly lower the jump or simplify the question.
  10.  Working with a trainer will work in your favour.  Having someone on the ground to increase build your training programme will pay dividends and, on a practical level, a pair of hands altering the jumps for you will allow you to keep up the flow of the training session.

Horse Scout has a great selection of trainers and coaches in all disciplines and from all over the UK.  Find your self a trainer to help you build a great partnership with your horse.

Horse Jobs

Going Dutch? – Opportunity for Living and Learning with Ron Smeets in Holland

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Learning and living in Holland with Ron Smeets Dressage Horses There are many different programmes available at Ron Smeets dressage horses in Hulsberg , Limburg. Trainer Ron Smeets is a FEI Grand Prix rider for almost 20 years and is offering a fantastic opportunity to a working pupil to join his team in Hulsberg, Limburg. He says on his Horse Scout profile, “We offer a simple boarding/ livery with a lesson or training session included once a week. We also take horses at all levels for training; from breaking to Grand Prix. With a wide range of international clients and contacts, you can also place your horse with us to be sold” He says that their working student program focuses on teaching training techniques and philosophies of dressage and barn management. This program* helps the rider learn to “train” and not just to “ride” horses. We invest a lot of time every day in training and developing our working students as professional riders. Working students will be provided with full room and board along with meals. References are available from previous working students. Please note that this is not a program for a novice rider. ‘Ron Smeets Dressage’ provides quality top horses that are sold around the world. Ron Smeets started his riding career training with Sjef Janssen (trainer of Anky van Grunsven, and he is currently training the Dutch Dressage Team). He became extremely successful at a young age showing in many different national and international competitions. At 18 years old he joined Young Riders and competed with them till the age of 21, representing Holland in many different international competitions. Now Ron has been a Gold Medal rider for 20 years. Currently he is focused on his training, selling, and breeding programs at home. He travels several times a year to teach clinics in various places in the United States as well as England. Charlotte Osborne – is currently the yard manager and rider at the fantastic private dressage barn in the south of Holland where Ron Smeets is based.

Dressage

Is Elastic Fantastic? The Impact Of Elastic Inserts On Rein Tension

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Horse Scout Bloggers’ conundrum toady: In conversation the other day I was asked about a horse which consistently tensed against his riders hands, his rider wondered what she could do with a pulling horse, and the conversation turned to the use of elastic reins to diffuse tension. The first port of call is always to seek advice from the ground with the help of a professional trainer but the question was an interesting one and I decided to investigate the arguments for and against.

I notice that, among others, Carl Hester sells them through his website shop under the banner “CARL HESTER FANTASTIC ELASTIC DRESSAGE REINS’ The website states that they are designed by the Olympic Gold Medalist to give an elastic feel from the hand to the horses mouth. Followed by a quote from Carl Hester – “As a rider and trainer my constant quest is to connect horse and rider with the ultimate ‘elastic’ feel, these reins do exactly that”

The bullet points for their use state that the elastic inserts

  • Encourage a soft consistant contact
  • Help improve hand position
  • Eliminate resistance in the mouth
  • Elastic insert for soft contact

And that they are:-

  • Training aid only, not permitted in competition
  • Horse size only in black or brown
  • Top quality British leather
  • Dressage rein has rubber grip on inside

I can certainly understand the thinking behind the design, particularly when teaching riders about the need to think forward at all times and not to rely on force or tension through transitions and that they may well help with the understanding of “feel” in riding.

Conversely I can also empathise with the IESC findings which indicate that, whilst they had a positive impact on tension in horses; riders can easily mistime their rein aids, not release sufficiently or apply to much tension (thus learning bad habits) because the elastic dulls/blurs the feel on the horses mouth.  Below is the report from the conference.

17-Aug-last year the 10th International Equitation Science Conference was held in Denmark.  This conference covered Equine Stress, Learning and Training and one particular topic was the impact of elastic inserts on rein tension.

They say: Elastic has been used over the years to achieve ‘give’ and flexibility in equestrian equipment such as girths and reins. The reins provide a physical means for the delivery of signals/aids from the human to the horse. Rein design with the inclusion of elastic inserts are designed to “diffuse tension, to avoid pressure on the horse’s mouth and to avoid sustained tension on the reins”. However researchers found that this design can have a substantial impact on the tensions applied particularly when making transitions during equitation.

 

The study bought to the table to argue this was was conducted by Hayley Randle, PhD, Academic Lead: Quality and Research at Duchy College and Hon. President of the International Society for Equitation Science and Alison Abbey Equitation Science programme manager from Duchy College, UK. Randle and Abbey set out to determine the effect of elastic inserts in reins on first, the tension applied for normal riding and a walk to halt transition, and second, the ability to release the tension in the reins.

Thirty female riders (note: the study does not seem to comment on the expertise of these riders) rode horses with either standard rubber or rubber reins with elastic inserts. Rein tensions were measured using a Centaur Rein Tension Gauge TM for left and right hands, with both rein types when taking up a normal riding contact and executing a walk to halt transition.

The results of the study demonstrated significantly different tensions were applied by riders with the two types of rein. Lower tensions were exerted on reins with the elastic insert than with the rigid reins in the normal riding contact condition, whilst higher tensions were evident with elastic insert reins than with rigid reins in the walk to halt transition. The time taken for rein tension to return to zero following complete release by the rider was significantly greater, and less consistent, with the elastic insert reins than with the rigid reins.

Since sustainable and ethical equitation relies upon the effective delivery and receipt of clear signals and timely pressure-release; rein tension and pressure-release should be used carefully and consistently in training. This study suggests that although elastic inserts in reins may result in less tension in general riding, they may alter riders’ behaviour in terms of the tension applied when executing a particular equitation task. Furthermore, elastic inserts in reins may have a deleterious effect on a rider’s ability to apply negative reinforcement accurately and therefore clarity during training.

The impaired ability to simultaneously release pressure may have a negative impact on equine learning and training, and consequently equine stress and welfare.  The consensus at the conference was that further research is needed into the incorporation of materials such as elastics.

On the Ground

Your Horse Editor, Julie Brown, says:

Carl Hester gave me these reins at Your Horse Live last year, as he thought they might be useful for my horse Boris – I was struggling to keep him in a consistent, soft outline. I sold Boris shortly after but recently I’ve been using them with my young mare Vespa. Being a baby, she sometimes tries to use my hands as a prop, particularly if she’s a little tired. To stop this and to make sure I wasn’t making it worse by pulling back, I thought I’d give these a go. The reins have an elastic insert that gives slightly, allowing for a soft feel. It’s impossible for the horse to take a hold which, in turn, makes sure the rider isn’t being too heavy either.

She goes on to say “The results weren’t instantaneous but after a few sessions I definitely saw the benefit. Even if Vespa did try to lean, she

wasn’t able to, and a nice soft contact ensued. They aren’t dressage legal, so Vespa needs to learn to take a nice soft contact no matter what reins I’m using, but I find that if I have a schooling session full of leaning and pulling and everything else fails, then using the reins really works. I can highly recommend them as a training aid to be used when needed.”

Having read articles for and against I think that they are a good idea in moderation, I think, like many training aids, they have a place.  I also think that training aids are not a panacea and that, ultimately, it is correct training, correct riding, goal setting and incremental training programmes which make a horse work well and a partnership successful.

They say “Patience is a virtue” the reality is that you will get virtually nowhere without Patience.

British Dressage

Count down to Brightwells Elite Auction on 21st March

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Brightwells is staging an Elite Auction at the 2015 CDI 3* Addington on Saturday 21 March 2015.

Are you in the market for a future star dressage horse?

The 2015 Brightwells Elite Dressage Horse Auction offers an exceptional collection of 17 talented young dressage prospects.

All auction horses have been selected throughout Germany, Holland and the UK and present a collection of high quality 4 to 7 year olds, of which many having already been successful in competition and command the attributes in their training for higher level sport. They have all under gone X-ray assessments, which can be forwarded to the Veterinary Surgeons of prospective clients prior to the sale.

This is a unique opportunity to purchase high quality, well trained dressage prospects, who have the potential to compete at Championship level.

Private Viewings & Trial Rides

We welcome you to view and try our auction horses at their stables in Europe prior to the sale.

Our vendors riders and agents will provide you with professional and friendly assistance, helping you to find the right horse for you, in a relaxed atmosphere.

Wednesday 18 March 2015

Trial Rides by appointment in the Indoor Arena at Addington Manor E.C.

Please complete the Trial Ride Form click HERE

Thursday 19 March 2015 at 8pm

An Evening Presentation of the Auction Horses with the international renowned team of Judy Harvey and Ingo Pape

The Presentation will be Live Streamed and available to be viewed on brightwells.com

Friday 20 March 2015 – Trial Rides by appointment. Please note due to the FEI competition Trial Rides will take place in the outside arena.

Saturday 21st March – 9.00pm – Evening Auction at the conclusion of the FEI Grand Prix.

Addington Manor Equestrian Centre is situated 1 hour from London Heathrow Airport

For further information contact

Sarah Johnson or Richard Botterill

Tel: 0044 1568 619777

Sarah Johnson 0044 7900 784014

Richard Botterill       0044 7770 766769

Email: sarah.johnson@brightwells.com

Horse Advice

Lets Look at Leg Yielding – 9 Top Tips to help you make use of this strengthening exercise.

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The aim of leg yielding: To demonstrate the suppleness and lateral responsiveness of the Horse.

Leg-yielding is performed in Working trot in FEI Competitions.

What is looks like

The Horse is almost straight, except for a slight flexion at the poll away from the direction in which it moves, so that the rider is just able to see the eyebrow and nostril on the inside. The inside legs pass and cross in front of the outside legs.

Leg-yielding is preparatory work for more complex movements and is a good first step in strengthening the horses back muscles. It should be included in the training of the horse before it is ready for Collected work. Later on, together with the more advanced shoulder-in movement.

It is the best means of making a horse supple, loose and unconstrained for and a will prepare the horse to move with freedom, elasticity and regularity of its paces bringing lightness and ease in its movements.

Leg yielding can be performed “on the diagonal” in which case the Horse should be as nearly as possible parallel to the long sides of the arena, although the forehand should be slightly in advance of the hindquarters. It can also be performed “along the wall” in which case the Horse should be at an angle of about thirty five (35) degrees to the direction in which he is moving.

How to Execute the Leg Yield (tracking right)

  1. Start in Working Trot, sitting
  2. When approaching the long side, half halt
  3. Shift weight to left seat bone
  4. Apply the left leg behind the girth – actively pushing sideways each time the left hind lifts and starts a forward/sideways step
  5. Right rein guides the direction of travel and prevents bulging of the right shoulder
  6. Right leg continues forward movement and prevents rushing away from the left leg
  7. Apply left rein for slight flexion – this is the last aid and is applied lightly
  8. Straighten and ride forward
  9. Please note that the horse is ridden straight between the reins.

Many variations of this exercise can be used to assist in preparation for more advanced lateral movement. If you are unfamiliar with the leg yield aids, you can practice this exercise at the walk to familiarize yourself with the appropriate application and timing of your aids. This exercise can be executed along the rail or on the inside of the arena as well.

Purpose of the Leg Yield

This movement is the precursor to the shoulder-in and half pass seen in the more advanced tests. The horse should remain supple and relaxed during the execution of this movement.

To supple the horse

To assist with initial straightening for other more advanced movements

Each of the above reasons relates to confirmation of or improvement of the horse’s balance. Half halts can be used as needed so long as appropriate releases and praise are used.

It is also a good exercise in warm up executed with the horse in a long low outline particularly where a horse is broken in the neck and tends to over bend and, therefore, is avoiding coming through along his top line.

Common Errors in Execution

  • Horse does not remain straight
  • Horse leads with hind quarters
  • Rider applies too much inside rein & not enough supporting rein
  • Horse is too steep sideways due to not enough forward driving aids.

 

Dressage

Poll Position – A Head In The Game?

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I saw an interesting comment in an article which talked about the position of the horses head and the use of “Rollkuer”, actually the  list of articles where from a while back but all the same it made for interesting reading.  However from that I decided to look at articles about head position and came across this very interesting study.  This research addresses the controversy regarding head and neck positions of dressage horses by conducting a retrospective analysis of the angulation of the horse’s head during high level competitions to determine whether there were any significant changes over a period of 16 years from 1992 to 2008.

The basic premise of the study was based on the FEI Handbook which, in the description of the object and general principles of the test, states that: “The head should remain in a steady position, as a rule slightly in front of the vertical, with a supple poll as the highest point of the neck, and no resistance should be offered to the Athlete.”Since the position of the head is factored into the judge’s score for every movement and also into the collective marks awarded for general impression at the end of the test, it is reasonable to assume that a persistent faulty position would affect the final score.

The analysis was based on video recordings of the top 15 finalists at the 1992 Olympic Games and at the 2008 World Cup Final. All the horses were warmbloods bred in Europe and were similar in age at the two competitions. At each competition a video camera was set up perpendicular to the short side of the arena. Recordings of collected canter, collected trot, passage and piaffe were made on the short side of the arena. The videos were analyzed frame-by-frame using Dartfish software to measure the angle of the front of the horse’s nose relative to the vertical during a complete stride at each pace.

In all horses the analyzed strides were for the same movements, at the same place in the arena and were not within 3 strides of a transition. The head position in each video frame was classified as being behind the vertical or as being at or in front of the vertical. The overall scores awarded by the panel of judges were also comparedbetween the two competitions and in relation to the horse’s head position.

The results showed that the horses held their heads behind the vertical more than 50% of the time at collected canter and collected trot during both the 1992 Olympic Games and the 2008 World Cup Final with only small differences between the two competitions. However, larger differences were found in passage and piaffe.

In 2008 horses were behind the vertical 71% of the time in both passage and piaffe compared with 48% for passage and 45% for piaffe in 1992.

Movement: 1992
Olympic Games —— 2008
World Cup Final

Percentage of stride during which the head angle was behind the vertical.

  • Collected canter:  56% —— 55%
  • Collected trot:  53% —— 50%
  • Passage:  48% —— 71%
  • Piaffe:  45% —— 71%

 

As one might expect, the overall the scores improved from an average of 65.5% in 1982 to an average of 70% in 2008. Perhaps less expected was the fact that higher placed horses in 2008 were significantly more likely to be behind the vertical. This suggests that the criteria used by judges to interpret the FEI rules may have changed in the intervening period. Of course, many factors are considered by the judges and few people would argue that the standard of performance has improved greatly. However, the correlation between a horse spending more time behind the vertical and receiving a higher placing in the competition requires further investigation.

The entire paper on this study, can be found here.

Comparison of the head and neck position of elite dressage horses during top-level competitions in 1992 versus 2008

by Morgan J.J.O. Lashley, Sandra Nauwelaerts, J.C.M. Vernooij, W. Back, and Hilary M. Clayton
Published in The Veterinary Journal, 2014, volume 202, pages 462-465.

The  study was taken over 12 years ago but was relevant enough to be published only last year as an article.

I am not making a comment her but will see what further information is available, or what conclusions where drawn in 2014.  So watch this space….well not this exact space but a similar one on the Horse Scout Blog

 

Horse Advice

Horse Scouts 6 Top Tips – Warming up from the ground

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What is a warm-up? The term ‘warm-up’ accurately describes what happens when we transition the body from a resting state to a state suitable for activity: the muscles are literally ‘warmed up’, receive increased blood and oxygen supply, gain flexibility and therefore reduce stress on tendons and ligaments.

 

A warm-up will also ensure increased oxygen supply to the blood and the elevation of the heart rate from a resting rate to an activity rate. If you warm up your horse gradually—instead of ‘jump-starting’ his heart-rate—you will also have a calmer, more relaxed, and more willing horse.

 

Sufficient warm up before exercise, training, and competition is essential, in order to avoid injury to muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Our bodies-rider’s and horse’s-are made up of mostly fluids! Warming up body fuids inside muscles reduces the internal friction of a muscle and therefore prevents injury. Mobility and elasticity of muscles is increased, which minimises the strain on ligaments and tendons.

Avoid muscle spasms, discomfort, stiff gaits and in extreme cases torn muscles or tendons or anxiety and unwillingness to work by warming your horse up properly at the beginning of every ride.

Before you even get your horse out of the stable you can start a warm up routine as part of his preparation to be ridden.

Here are 6 top tips to get that blood flowing; the bonus is that it will help get you warmed up too!

  1. A warm up should always start gently.  Getting the blood to start flowing around the body and warming up the muscles. You can start by grooming your horse, and this has an added benefit of giving you the chance to check for injuries and to ensure that all sweat and mud is removed so that it cannot irritate your horse as he starts work.
  1. Having brushed you horse all over start to concentrate on the back area using a technique similar to a Swedish massage, long light stokes using the warmth of your palm and flicking up and away at the end of the stroke.  Its called “Effleurage” you can see graphics on the internet if you search the word. Basically think of it as ironing out the (metaphorical) wrinkles by moulding your palm around the muscles, as you stoke away you will feel a warmth in your hand and he will be feeling the same warmth in his muscles.
  1. Before mounting him walk him around in circles and ask him to walk forward and backwards too.  This will really help if you have a horse with a cold back.
  2. As these movements will help to warm his back muscles up and increase the
  3. blood flow around his whole body.
  1. Finally, before bitting him up, use carrot stretches to help stretch his topline muscles and engage his core muscles. Make sure he has had time to finish his mouthful before setting off. More on carrot stretches later. As these are also excellent at the end of a ride and your horse will love you for feeding him carrots.

When viewing a horse for sale this crucial step is often left out or rushed because of the time element perhaps the seller is a busy yard owner and has to move on to the next sale or job or where buying privately the seller feels rushed because they don’t want to hold you up.  However this could be an important factor in your final decision and it really is best to allow the horse to fully warm up before you get your first impression of him. Perhaps if you go for a second viewing you could ask to take the horse through a full warm up and that way you could also asses his temperament, stable manners, etc from a relaxed and quiet moment or two together, I am sure that if the seller knows you are a serious purchaser they will allow you to do this.

If you are having a training session or clinic with a professional rider then make sure you build in time to do this initial warm up when you arrive, so there is plenty of time to get ready for the start of your lesson.

Mandy Frost holds Show Jumping Clinics at The Mullacott Centre – Mandy Frost is a BS Accredited UKCC Level 3 Coach and Coach of the Year 2009 and also lead coach for Devon Junior Academy as well as being part of the Excel Coaching Programme. As well as competing Nationally. Cost – group of 3 – £20 per person: two sharing – £30 per person: individual -£60

Lucinda Fredericks  Clinics can be organised outside of eventing season. The cost is £1,000 + VAT plus travel expenses. Clinics can be a mix of flatwork, jumping skills or cross country skills or can concentrate on one discipline and can be a mix of group work and private lessons. If you book a 3 day clinic one night can include a video/Talk/Q&A Session and dinner with Lucinda on one of the nights. Lucinda can offer private lessons to individuals or groups from complete beginners right up to advanced competition riders. Lessons can be undertaken at either at Rosegarth or at external locations for more people by booking a clinic day – Lucinda often travels to local XC courses and equestrian centres to offer tuition to small groups. For lessons on site at Rosegarth please note you will need to bring your own horse with you.  Lucinda has two sessions in in Dorset 18 & 28th February 2015 – Her charges are: Individual lessons – £80 for a 45 minute session: Group lesson with 4 people – £35 each for 1 hour: Group lesson for 6 people – £25 each for 1.5 hours charges subject to VAT

 

 

 

Dressage

5 Work riders with profiles on Horse Scout

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Do you need a hand with your horses?

Here are hard working grooms and work riders who have listings on Horse Scout. If you are looking for someone to help at your stables or with your horse have a look at our Grooms & Work Riders pagesSome of Horse Scouts listed Work Riders and Grooms

Steph Farrar – Sandbach, Cheshire I am a kind, patient and sympathetic rider, specialising in problem horses. I have ridden since the age of four, and loaned and owned horses for many years. I worked with problem horses for around ten years and have had some marked success with a number of troublesome horses, some of which had been deemed ‘unrideable’ by their owners or other riders. From loading worries to spookers to bolshy or aggressive horses, to those are simply young and green, I will try and help. I specialise in jumping, both show jumping and cross country, but am also happy to school in dressage, lungeing, groundwork and join-up/natural horsemanship techniques. If you need a horse or horses exercising, breaking, schooling, competing or problem behaviour resolved. I am based in Cheshire, but will happily cover Staffordshire, Manchester, Derbyshire and more. My rates vary with distance travelled. My references are available upon request. Specialist areas – Breaking & Producing, Eventing, Dressage, Hunting, Show Jumping, Rehabilitation,

Lizzie Norton – Henstridge – I am a freelance groom based in henstridge, Somerset. I work in the Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire area but willing to travel. Am available for all groom duties from day to day duties, short or long term cover, competition grooming plus able to travel to competitions with you, hunt preparation. Also available for all riding aspects. Specialise in breaking in youngsters, difficult horses, retraining of ex racehorses. Able to meet any need in which you have. Specialst areas – Breaking & Producing, Eventing, Dealing, Hunting, Livery – All Types, Show Jumping, Point to Point, Pre-Training Race, Racing – Flat, Racing – Jump, Racing – Dual Purpose, Rehabilitation, Riding Schools, ROR,

Fiona Jopling in Hampshire is a professional groom. She is available and looking for work She is an experienced groom with 20 years expertise. She has a Lorry 7.5 tonne driving license and a valid driving license. She has experience in Backing /Breaking/P2P/ Race horses/exercising youngsters and competition riding (Affiliated) She lists her areas of expertise as Breeding & Stud work, Breaking & Producing, Eventing, Dressage, Driving, Pre-Training Race & Rehabilitation

Becky Forte from Bexhill in East Sussex says she has a high standard of turnout and can trim clip etc. she has good client liaison skills and is easy and professional with her clients. In my past life I have worked with horses from the age of 17 including event horses up to Badminton level where I was sole charge groom and show jumpers to international standard. I have BHS Stage II, Pony Club B+ and have XC trained up to Novice level. At home I am competing Novice level dressage and 80cm SJ (I’m not as brave as I was!) I am currently working full time away from horses and have a family. I have been doing the odd weekend/holiday/show week (i.e. Hickstead) cover and really enjoy it. I am happy to travel and hold a full clean UK driving licence. I have not driven a lorry but as I am older (!!) I have the facility on my licence to drive up to 7.5 tonne and would be happy to do this if required. If you are in the South and need occasional help at shows or at home and would like a sensible, experienced animal loving person to help then please feel free to contact me. I can still plait and trim but my clipping is rusty and I would not be confident doing a complicated clip. I feel it is important to be honest about my capabilities. I am not looking for a further career in horses, I just enjoy grooming and would like to attend the odd show/event and/or help someone out if I am able.

 

Dressage

Carl Hester – The Curse of Fame?

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Carl Hester MBE has hit the headlines in a big way with talk of his imminent retirement from competition and although he has retweeted the Horse & Hounds story he has not made a public comment.

What’s tough on riders with such high profiles like Carl is that everything they say is spun into even the thinnest web of a story.

Instead Carl’s latest upload to his face book page is a comment on his support of Cotswold RDA who provide children and adults with disabilities the benefits of riding.  He is helping spread the word that they desperately need to build a large barn to house the horses and ponies through the winter to keep them free from flooded fields.

If you feel you can help with a donation they will be so grateful.https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cotswold-RDA/183896424966179?ref=hl

Carl started his career with his first job being at The Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy. A centre in the New Forest in Hampshie which operates a residential “Further Education Through Horsemastership” (FETH) Course. FETH course students develop the skills that they require to lead more independent lives. The use and involvement of horses in the education process is at the core of its unique work. Teaching and learning is through transferrable skills from the horse-based environment to skills of daily living.  

It was on the centres own skewbald mare Jolly Dolly, he won the 1985 Young Dressage Rider Championship. He went on to event and won the first Blenhiem Horse Trials. He next rode for Dr Wilfried Bechtolsheimer (father of Laura Bechtolsheimer) and in 1990 went to the World Championships on Rubelit von Unkenriff, the European Championships in 1991 and in 1992 the Barcelona Olympics on Georgioni. Hester became the youngest British rider ever to compete in an Olympic Games. He next went into a business partnership with Kate Carter at her yard atStow-on-the-Wold until Carter decided to move for more space. Hester too moved to buy his own yard at Oaklebrook Mill, near Newent, Gloucestershire.

Horse Scout has a few skewbald coloured horses on its lists if you want to start your career on a skewbald.

Moutnview Rosie a lovely 15.1hh coloured mare listed

Her write up states – This outstanding horse oozes presence. Rosie has been professionally broken and produced and is completely unspoilt. Rosie is working on the bridle in all three gaits and rides more mature than her years may suggest. She is extremely pleasing to the eye to watch work as he makes it look so effortless. Rosie is showing real promise over a fence, with a scopey round jump. She has attended training shows in Ireland and Riding Club shows. She has also been xc schooled and has attended a handful of hunts. This horse is extremely trainable and really tries to please. Rosie has huge potential in any sphere. Rosie has a kind temperament and will make someone a special friend. Her owners thing she is a very versatile horse with potential in any field.

Horse Scout also has a sweet young coloured New Forest Pony Minnie. Her owners thing she will make a lovely riding club horse for a small adult.

 

Horse Advice

Looking at loosening up muscles, joints and your horses mind.

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Looking at loosening up muscles, joints and your horses mind.

When you have mounted your horse allow him to walk off on a soft low rein with a loose contact and encourage him to stretch forward and long in his neck. This stretches the ‘nuchal ligament’ which runs from his pole to his withers and in turn pulls on the ligaments which run along the top of the vertebrae and gives him time to get used to your weight.  When you feel he has developed a loose and flexible walk and is listening to you then move into trot keeping the contact soft and low and start in rising trot on large figures of eight in a slow steady trot. This will help him relax and adjust his stance to easily take your weight. Also by riding your horse in this way also it allows for more swing through his back, which is a positive movement to promote.

It’s important to start and finish your ridden session with your horse in a long and low contact to let him use his nuchal and supraspinous ligaments to support his back, particularly as he’s warming up or when he’s tired.

Once your horse is loosened up and moving freely in the large movements you can start to increase his temperature and circulation by asking him to move into canter this will increase his cardio and breathing rates and oxygenate the muscles ready to start working. It also exercises the core muscles which have to extend and contract more in the canter than they do in the trot.

Once you feel he is breathing well and has warmed up then allow him to have a breather and walk for a while. During this walking period you can concentrate on flexibility. Just like people horses will loose flexibility over time unless they are given routine exercises which help them use their joints to the full.

Lateral work for a horse encourages a full range of movement in upper joints, rather like us lifting our arms above our heads to stretch. Depending on what level your horse is training at you can use small circles of lateral work such as leg-yield, shoulder-in and travers. Start any lateral exercises in walk at first as it requires the greatest amount of joint movement because there’s no moment of suspension.

Walking is the horses most flexible pace for his spine.  In walk he is able to more easily rotate and flex and this helps bring his hind legs in to step up and under him. All of these exercises will help to promote and maintain your horse’s skeletal health. Flexing him to the left and right will help the muscles on either side of his spine and poll to flex, and any lateral and circle work will strengthen and stretch these muscle chains further.

Work with an experienced trainer to get the best from your horse.  Horse Scout has a list of professional trainers and coaches one of whom is bound to be in your area