Is your horse struggling with training? Is his back stiff or sore? Does he seem overly bothered when you tighten the girth? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it might be time to check your saddle fit. Using a saddle that fits your horse properly is extremely important! If the saddle pinches … Continue reading Saddle Fit Part I – The Horse →

When choosing your next dressage partner, there are several factors to consider. Whether the horse is a weanling or already under saddle, it is important to look at his movement, conformation, and temperament. Both the walk and the canter are far more important than the trot. As Charlotte Dujardin says, “the trot can be manufactured … Continue reading Choosing Your Next Dressage Horse →

Although not often thought of, every time a horse takes a step a shock wave runs up his leg and through his body. By definition, shock is the effect on an object caused by the energy delivered to it by a force (typically an impact force) over a short period of time. The effect of … Continue reading Effects of Shock on the Horse →

Written for KWPN-NA by YK Ambassador: Mara Santiz Arena footing has been a subject of contention for many years. New arenas with synthetic footing have become more common over the last few years, making them easier to maintain, but are they the best choice for the health of our athletes? There are three general phases … Continue reading Arena Footing and its Effects on Sport Horses →

Many trainers in the United States start training and/ or riding their horses long before they are considered “mature”. The racing industry is a perfect example of this; as soon as the young horse’s cannon bones are finished growing, the trainers put them in work. Even though the cannon bones are finished developing, that does … Continue reading Riding Too Young →

According to the USEF rulebook, the trot is “a two-beat gait of alternate diagonal legs separated by a moment of suspension.” There are many different trots, but every type is expected to be elastic, regular, balanced, supple, and rhythmic. Each trot must express the horse’s natural cadence and must also have impulsion. For those that … Continue reading The Trot →

Ever wonder what the purpose of a noseband is? Or a bit? The overall goal of any bridle is to help the rider communicate with his horse, whether flatting or jumping. A simple bridle consists of two cheek pieces, a crownpiece, a throatlatch, a browband, a bit, and a noseband. The noseband is an interesting … Continue reading Bridles: Good, Bad, and Ugly →

How much jumping is too much? This may not pertain to all Dressage riders, however many of them enjoy cross-training to change up their daily routine. Whether you are looking to cross-train, or you are an eventer or jumper, you must be careful to save your horse’s legs when jumping. Each horse only has a … Continue reading Are You Jumping Too Much? →

There has been an ongoing debate for many years as to whether it is okay to ride horses below a certain temperature. There are many factors to consider when deciding to ride or not, and it is important to understand that it is a case by case basis. First, you must look at your horse’s … Continue reading Winter Weather Riding: to ride or not? →

Let’s have an open discussion about Rollkur, and the way some riders are still riding in a similar manner. Rollkur is defined as hyperflexion of the horse’s neck achieved through aggressive force. This training technique was banned by the FEI, but it doesn’t seem to be as gone as the federation believes. Riding in a … Continue reading Rollkur Training: Is it really gone? →