Ok, will take stab as well... 1. My ideal feeling is when the back of the horse is pulsing up under the saddle, when a hh will slow the shoulder, but not the haunches and when the horse follows the rein with no hesitation. I agree with others that contact and connection are the same, but different :...

Khall, I think you are right. We are just using different words. Your description of what happens under the rider is what I'm calling roundness. So yes, we are on the same page

He is by Festivo MR out of Bandida NSW. Working lines, I'm told.

Orono, he's still 3, so he's not collected yet :) The work is very basic. Circles, leg yields, forward and back (in small degrees), stretching FDO and being a solid citizen on the trail. He has just started playing with some shoulder in, but really that work won't start until late fall/winter. He's ...

Khall, I agree in that you don't need reins to ride the movements, but in terms of training a horse to carry itself and move correctly WITH a rider (not a natural state), the bit and reins play a very important role. I have sat on quite a few horses that are ridden on loose to no contact. They were ...

I think that there is also a misconception that short reins = heavy contact. I ride with quite short reins, but the contact is usually very light, a few ounces. Sometimes it's more if the horse struggles with something, but really, the horse is in self carriage, and at any point, I can extend the ho...

Well done!! Had a sneaking suspicion impulsion would be mentioned- definitely take some risks there, but don't let him spread out too much as you add more impulsion. Axel Steiner is very far, and very constructive. Good luck!!!

I'm so very sorry. I can't imagine how his friends, family and students must feel. My heart goes out to all of those affected

^ agreed!!
And the thing about fixing stuff immediately in the ring is you won't affect the movements directly after the error. If you don't fix, not only do you get a very low score for that particular movement, but it will affect the next movement or two.

You guys make a really nice pair. Have you ridden this test at a show yet? Overall, you'll need more energy. Places where you will specifically get dinged... Accuracy- you're leaving points on the table. I know that you said your ring was narrow, but almost all of your transitions are early, which m...

Which is why it is so important for the horse to always have a forward inclination, and for the rider to understand that the reins do not hold that back, rather, the horse is "held" by the back/seat/core of the rider. That understanding of the horse and the strength of the horse to be able...

Ryeissa, this is a big thing - that positive tension in the horse is good. And a lot of people don't seem to be taught this. I find that people tend to shy away from this positive tension because they are taught that any tension is bad and that all should be flowing and soft, but really, the back an...

Second level is hard. I agree with Chisamba that preparing for collection is part of every day work with a young horse. I personally did not find that to be the difficult portion. I do think that people ride with less energy than 2nd level calls for. They tend to slow the horse to make it easier to ...

Hi, I'm Dresseur. Only because I'm terrible at picking names for myself :lol: I'm 35, I've been riding since I was 5. I started as a hunter/jumper rider, rode anything and everything, especially if it was a "problem horse". I ended up with my heart horse, Sneakers - who is now terrorizing ...

Hi Rosie! Ditto to you and Bliss - I'm a fan! Miro is a 3 year old Andalusian by Festivo MR. He has the distinction of being the first US bred foal by Festivo. I have to say, if this is the temperament and movement that Festivo passes on, everyone should have one!! Right now, he stands 15.2hh. Festi...

I realized that I haven't posted on here since a 2015 goals thread in which I said that I was selling Willie (who was wholly unsuitable for his owner after her stroke and knee surgery), and that I was getting a new horse!! Well, Willie sold and his owner got herself an eminently suitable small quart...

Great idea! Myself and himself. Miro.

I'm here!! So, big news and goals. #1. Sell the Wildebeast :( I've worked him for the past 3 years, and I've learned a lot. I've taught him him changes, and we debuted at 3rd level with a 66+%!! However, his owner is no longer able to ride him due to confidence issues after her stroke and issues fro...