Recent content by Simon Battram

For any lateral work I always break down the movement and see what is required: - lateral flexion - lateral bend - forwards - response to sideways I always start the lateral work from the ground and then continue under saddle. So in hand and under saddle: So the first exercise would...

It sounds like the issue is not the transition but the quality of the canter prior to the transition. The tips given so far are good but if the canter is flat and running the horse will be on the forehand and the downward transition will not be good. The improvement to canter is not just made...

In my opinion absolutely yes!! I have horses that I am working with that are into their 20's and still progressing so 12 is a youngster!! Of course it depends on how much milegage, previous careers, health etc. Not every horse could go GP anyway but enjoy the journey and absolutely have fun...

Sorry another vote for actually at this age she should be handled, led, feet done and then out in a field to be a horse. She is too young to be doing anything else. Edited to add had a quick peek at the YouTube bit - 'Luna working in the indoor' - having a 2 year old walking a 5/6m circle on...

Totally agree with kc100. The young horse should be encouraged to stretch and move in a free unconstrained manner. Like this 5 year old: http://tinyurl.com/okpn9em Then when the horse is established on the single lunge I progress to lungeing with two reins. The reins go from your hands, to...

Don't go near draw reins, not needed, not required and certainly not helpful.

Agreed, in training there is always the physical and mental aspects.

The aids stay the same as for true canter. Don't go switching legs back and forth otherwise you will get in a pickle!! Come through the corner to start the long side and think about turning onto a line from the corner marker, say K (on the right rein) and head towards C. Ride straight for a...

Absolutely! 'Waves' back. Well said. I personally think that too many riders learn things as if from a list, and this goes for the Scales of Training as well. Leg yield, yes tick, shoulder-in, yes tick as if this was bread and milk on a shopping list. There are 3 aspects to an exercise...

The BHS exams are great at giving a person a basic grounding in all equine aspects. In fact this is the reason that after taking the II I did not go any further because I felt it was a little bit of a Jack of All Trades and I thought at least, by the next level of I you should be able to...

However, if they are crooked then you will not get them supple and you will have no rhythm. Its interesting how we all perceive words. I respect your comment however I see it totally the opposite way. A crooked horse is stiff, tight and out of balance; a straight horse is balanced, upright...

If I saw this scenario, with a horse rejecting and complaining so obviously to what is being asked then I would sincerely question what the teacher was asking the horse to do.....

This is the issue I have been voicing for a long time. On the Scales of Training that BD et al are saying we absolutely must adhere to then straightness is point 5 out of 6. Apparently before reaching this we have looseness and swing through the body, an even contact etc etc. Really? simply put...

Good idea. You have two choices - stick a radio on the side and play appropriate music or for getting beats to minute ready for dressage to music I use the MetroTimer app - its free on line and works for me.

I hear this so often and definitely agree with everyone who says do not smack her. The issue is that there hasn't been a break through with the transference of the aids from lunging to rider. The voice is important but at the end of the day you have gone from asking forwards with voice / lunge...