Recent content by Ella Bella

Had the same problem, my mare turned out have EPSM. She ate all day(3x grain and hay) and was still so lean. I added fat (oil) to high fat/fiber pellets, beet pulp and free choice hay. The trick with her was to cut out starch/carbs and replace it with fat as the main energy source. She's in...

I have days that I will hack for a change of scenery but it's still work as usual. Ill work on contact, and still expect a responsive, supple horse and I still consider it a training session and quality ride. Then there are days (at least once a week) that I let my horse out on the buckle, look...

Be careful with eventing, you may get hooked, it's the most fun you can have on horseback!

My mare was always a hard keeper and I was experiencing the same issues as you. People were shocked at the amount of grain (also fed pails of carrots) and beet pulp she was getting plus she had free choice hay all day. She was still lean and we weren't even in serious training at the time. She...

Both have super front ends, both look scopey. If they use their hind ends as efficiently as their fronts your all set! The term "snappy" usually means the horses ability to snap the knees up to the ears, quick, high and tidy (even and tight). What are your plans for them?

Good advice here, Ill just add that pivots on the haunches are useful for getting the horse to step up, over and away from your active leg. Sometimes as a first step or a suppling exercise before you begin shoulder-in and lateral work. Be sure that the horse stays on contact, slightly bent...

I agree Baggybreaches! Likewise, you can't fairly a add a stride in the last second. You have to stay committed to the stride and pace that you have set. Not to say you can't sit up and balance but you can't make changes in front of the fence.

It greatly depends on the situation. I have heard some pros say "when in doubt leave it out" but that's in a stadium situation when you are on the clock and jumping fences that knock down! A hunt or xc situation is a different game, and in my personal experience Id sooner sit up and wait...

Lol! He is so eager.....I love his little face, he's got this determined expression like a kid saying "I know mum! I can do it myself"!! Grids and gymnastics with carefully set striding, lots of bounces. Insist that he mind you and wait for the first fence. Trot in easy and slow, a nice...

Focus (as always) on quality of flatwork. You will now become painfully aware of any holes, the canter specifically. Introduce him to low grids and combinations. Aim for getting him relaxed, your pace and tempo consistent. I'd be trotting into small combinations (3 strides or more for now)...

Can you suggest to put him in the round pen a few hours a day with a laid back type for a companion? Just for a temporary quick fix until they can beef up the fencing, geld him or (whatever the main issue is) gets fixed? The more time spent in confinement the harder he will be to manage. It...

That big trot can be difficult to sit to with no saddle but it can be done! I have spent countless childhood hours booting around the countryside bareback but was still not prepared when I tried to ride my current horse bareback. ( Could be because I'm not 12 anymore) but I felt useless the...

Providing she is fit and sound enough for the increased physical activity I would take it slow and keep it simple. Treat her as you would a young horse just being intoduced to the concept of jumping. I would break it down into small easy goals each ride rather than attempting an entire...

There very well may be an underlying physical issue. Regardless tho, the horse cannot jump any better than he is currently if his approach isn't ironed out. How can he possibly jump round out of an inverted, strung-out stride? Fix the ground work, improve the quality of canter and control of the...

I would think possibly he has been over schooled and gets riled up in anticipation of work? You may want to lunge him in there first for a bit and see if you can ease him through his jitters without asking anything from him undersaddle for now. Keep it short and rewarding at first so he...