Rider Training

Buying A Horse

Buying A Horse

Good horses come in all shapes and sizes.

Decide what you want a horse to do.

Look for a horse compatible with your current level of riding. Not one you will be ready for in a couple of years.

I'm sure she will grow into him.

Where to buy from

Any horse magazine has numerous adverts with horses for sale. There are also many web sites devoted to this.

Dealers or Private?

Don't be afraid of dealers. in the small gossipy world of horses, if a dealer had a bad reputation everyone would know.

It is in their best interest to keep customers happy.

With a private vendor, who knows?

We suggest you always check on the claims of the vendor, whoever they are.

If you are told the horse has Ł50 BSJA winnings, call the BSJA and check.

If you are told the horse is good in traffic, jumps ditches, or loves water; try him out, or ask to see a video.

Phone A Friend

It is always a good idea to take someone with you, a knowledgeable friend, a trainer, or even someone of the same level. Two heads are better than one , they may hear or see something you miss.

There is no such thing as the perfect horse

When You Arrive

Look at the horse in his own stable. Note his behaviour.

Next look at him out. Has he a good coat? A bright eye?

Consider his conformation carefully.

A horse with good conformation.

Bad conformation may cause extra wear and tear on joints, tendons, or backs.

A good vet should be able to advise you on any future developments, which may occur.

Ask for him to be walked, and trotted on a hard surface to and from you. Watch carefully how he moves. Is he going to be suitable for you?

If you are looking for a show horse unless he moves straight he will not be suitable.

If you are looking for a hunter it is not so important.

Watch Him Perform

Always watch the vendor ride the horse before you jump on. If someone is going to get bucked off because he is fresh it should not be you!

When you sit on him take your time. Always make sure you feel safe. Don't try to do anything you don't feel confident with.

Remember to try everything you will need to do when you get home.

If possible take a video then you will have something to refer back to.

What Next

If you decide you like the horse and have tried him thoroughly, the next thing to do is to discuss the price. Many horse owners expect to be knocked down on price. Don't be afraid to barter.

Next is to arrange a vet locally to "vet" him, this is similar to an MOT on a car. Ask your own vet to arrange this or to recommend one for you.

Fingers crossed all will go well and you will have a new horse.

If there are problems don't despair, the right horse for you will turn up.

Rider Training

Do You Have A "Good Eye?"

Good eye? See a stride? Most people go weak at the knees when these are mentioned. We want to try and make it simple!

I can't see a stride. How many strides?  Will be things of the past.

Firstly measure your strides against a tape measure laying on the floor. Make your stride as close as you can to 1 yard. Practice this until you feel comfortable your stride is 1 yard, and you can do this anywhere. Your horse's stride is 4 yards (pony strides will be less)

When walking a course, practice striding the distance between fences in doubles, combinations, and related distances.

If you are at a competition and have got confused about a distance, ask a professional who is there to help, they are usually very easy to spot and more than happy to help.

Practice walking courses even if you are not competing in the class, then watch other riders to see if you judged it correctly.

Distances

Horse strides - pony strides will be shorter

In a one stride double - 8 yards

This allows for 2 yards to land. 2 yards to take off, and 4 yards for the horse to stride.

In a two stride double - 12 yards

This allows for 2 yards to land, 2 yards to take off, and 8 yards for the horse top take 2 strides.

For 3 strides the distance would be 16 yards.

For 4 strides the distance would be 20 yards, and so on.

A good way to work this out is:
Total number of your strides minus 4 divide by 4 equals number of horse strides.
eg. 28-4=24 then 24/4 =6 so 28 yards would be 6 strides.

Rider Training

Dressage

This is not as scary as it sounds!

Lets look at what we are trying to achieve:

We want our horses to be; calm, obedient, and engaged (another of those scary words).

It doesn't matter if we never want to do a dressage test. To jump, hunt, or even do gymkhana games our horses or ponies all have to be trained.

How would a gymkhana pony race from a standing start. If not engaged. Or a hunter stand by a covert if not calm and obedient.

We will start by looking at the three basic paces.

Walk

The walk has a four beat sequence. Variations medium, collected, extended, and free walk.

A good walk has the correct four beat sequence with a relaxed outline.

Trot

The trot is two time. The horse moves his legs in diagonal pairs. Variations working, medium, and extended.

A good trot is active with the hind leg stepping under the horse (engagement) the top line (over the back and neck) must stay supple and relaxed.

Canter

Rider Training

Riding A Dressage Test

This month we will go through riding a basic novice dressage test, explaining what the judge is looking for, some common mistakes and how to improve.

A 20m x 40m dressage arena and markers with a rhyme to help you remember their places.

Movements 1 & 2
Make sure you allow plenty of room to turn up the centre line. Look straight at the judge and SMILE. Practise at home riding straight lines. Work away from the sides of the school or down the centre so as not to rely on the edge to keep you straight.

Do not allow your horse to fall out / drift to the right as you prepare to track left. Do not cut the corners, stay straight down the long side and maintain the same rhythm throughout.

• Movement 3
  Concentrate on riding 2 half circles. Remember a 20m circle does not go into the corners of the school. Ensure you go straight across X for 2 or 3 strides. Change your diagonal ( if rising ) and change your horses bend.
  

   

  

• Movement 4
  Show a difference after the half circles and ride correctly into the corner.

   

  Wait until you are straight to ask your horse to lengthen. This is not medium, all the judge is looking for is that your horse is learning to stretch. Lengthen his outline whilst staying in the same rhythm and not rushing. When past X start to soften and allow him to come back to working trot. ( On a more experienced horse we can work more to the marker). Aim to reach the arena side a little before the marker so you are straight and balanced for the corner.

  
  

  
  
  

• Movement 5
  Make sure you again ride the corners correctly maintaining a good rhythm. Do not allow him to run and rush after the lengthened strides. Then as 4 across the diagonal.

   

  
  
  

  

• Movement 6
  Use the corner to help you balance him and prepare for the canter strike off. It is always difficult on a young horse after a lengthen they can get the aids confused when you ask for the canter strike off. They will just go forward to lengthen again. So prepare well, ˝ halt, be very positive with your aids and once in canter do not cut the corner. Ride straight to E. Ride an accurate 20m circle then straight to F. Ask for trot as you approach F, not as you reach it so that you are trotting by F and so balanced and able to ride the corner.

   

  
  

  

• Movements 7 & 8
  Ride a balanced corner, and prepare to walk at A. It is very easy to make the transition abrupt or fall into walk. Use the corner to think about the transition. Squeeze with your legs, sit tall then walk rather than pulling with your hands. Relax in the walk, do not try to rush.

   

  B-M change rein, free walk on a long rein. This is not a LOOSE rein. Allow him to stretch down and out and lengthen his frame. Do not throw the reins at him and hold the buckle. Not only is this not correct but you will have trouble retaking a contact at B. At B pick up the contact again , not rushing and stay calm!

  At M trot. Pick up a good active trot. Use the corner to help you. Again prepare for the canter transition between C & H. Use the space and corner do not be in a rush to strike off. Ride straight down the long side and again ride an accurate 20m circle. Ride straight to K and again be trotting as you hit K.

  
  

  

• Movement 9
  By trotting as you reach K this gives you time to balance him and ride the turn up the centre line. Do not overshoot! Think about turning from K. Ride straight up the centre line and ride a positive forward halt. Do not just pull on the reins at the last second prepare the halt transition. Once stopped wait until he is relaxed, then take your hand off the reins to salute. Always pat your horse after a halt. A test is just as nerve racking for them!!

   

  
  

  As you can see the corners are very important. Not only does it show that you can ride accurately using the arena but it helps you prepare for each movement.

  Keep the rhythm and tempo consistent throughout.

  If one movement goes wrong, relax and concentrate on the rest.

  Remember to breathe!!!

  It is very easy to tense up and this is felt immediately by your horse. Enjoy it!

  The other thing to remember is that your horse will not miraculously go better than at home. Be realistic in what you hope for and PRACTICE!