Horse Conditioning

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Eventing

Jim Wofford: Some Res … er, Wishes For the New Riding Year

Jim shares his thoughts on making your life with your horse even more beneficial to you both in the year ahead.

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Dressage

How Can I Practice Dressage on Trail Rides?

Top dressage rider and trainer JJ Tate shares ways to keep your dressage horse fresh and build a better partnership with him--outside of the ring.

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Health

Get Him Fit

Improve your horse’s cardiovascular health, muscular strength and suppleness to help him perform his best and reduce his chance of injury.

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Health

Easing Equine Aches with Liniment

Modern formulas go one step farther than your grandpa's favorite

  • Oct 4, 2017
Modern scientific research has described the galloping position we should use cross country. I like the feeling of poise and focus that Sharon White and ?Inspiration (Bounce) give me in this photo. Bounce is secretly taking a bit of a grip on the reins, and Sharon has closed her hands against the neck to stabilize her speed. Notice she is using her hands against the neck to control her horse, rather than to control her upper body. In a perfect world, I would like Sharon's seat a little closer to the saddle, with her knee bent a little more. From this ?position, Sharon's weight will correctly rise and sink into her knees and ankles. This position absorbs the shock of galloping and reduces Bounce's workload. Besides being scientifically flawed, standing straight-legged in the stirrups at the gallop is unstable and potentially dangerous.
Eventing

Design a Horse Fitness Plan for Eventing

Help your horse feel as good at the end of cross country as he does at the beginning with a solid horse fitness plan.