Creating Monsters
As freelance coach, I go to a lot of yards, and speak to an awful lot of riders, and there's one thing that I hear repeatedly... people's stories of how horrendous a fall/spook/incident was. Stories are told and retold. Other liveries embellish and describe events in great detail. Injured parties share their videos and photos on social media, full of the horror of an accident. We all love a [...]
Real or Imagined?
Have you ever really thought about how your mind works? The principles of NLP consider there to be two different parts to our minds; the conscious mind, i.e. the logical and rational part, and the unconscious mind, i.e. emotional, contains deeply held beliefs, and controls 97% of our behaviour. I see many riders trying to solve problems with their logical and rational minds, only to find that their unconscious [...]
Are you at Cause or Effect?
It's really easy for our minds to jump straight to the negative. I think for many riders, it's a kind of default setting! When we're thinking negatively, it can make us feel really stuck and demotivated. If we can develop self-awareness around what we are thinking & saying to ourselves, it is possible to get to where you want to be in your riding. A basic principle of NLP [...]
My favourite 3 letter word
Nope, it's not a swear word! The word I'm talking about can flip your thinking instantaneously, and I'd love you to try it out for size. But first, let's think of where it's useful. As a rider, we all have those mindset gremlins that can plague our progress if we let them. You know, those phrases that begin with "I can't". "I can't canter" "I can't jump that fence" [...]
A Riding Instructor and a lightbulb moment
A Riding Instructor and a Lightbulb Moment No Riding Instructor is perfect! There's value in developing good communication skills, and reflecting on what worked & what didn't. As a Riding Instructor and Equestrian Coach, sometimes you just get those moments in lessons where the penny drops, and something you've been trying to improve for a while suddenly becomes clear. I had one of those moments this week. The client [...]
All change!
Where do I even begin to start? The last few months have been an absolute whirlwind of madness & emotion. I have struggled to keep on top of things, and there are many gaps that I want to fill you all in on. At the end of May 2019, I left my job as Senior Lecturer in Equine Science and Programme Leader for the BSc(Hons) in Equine Science, Management [...]
So what’s holding you back?
Sometimes, riding & owning horses is really tough; I know, I'm with you. Now don't get me wrong, there are many many brilliant and rewarding things about having a life with horses, but sometimes it's really hard to get out of a low spell. Perhaps you've just bought a new horse and the honeymoon period has ended; things just aren't going as you had hoped they would [...]
Do you REALLY want to make progress with your riding?
Do you REALLY want to make progress with your riding? I ask this because many people I teach come to me because they are really, genuinely quite stuck (and I mean that in the nicest possible way!). It could be that they're struggling with something specific, either in their riding or with their horse. It could be that they don't feel like they're getting anywhere or reaching their goals. [...]
10 ways to get the most from your riding lessons
Let's face it, finding the money to invest in training for both you and your horse isn't always easy, so here are my top tips to get the very best value from your lessons: Book your sessions in advance - Any good coach who is worth their salt will want to prioritise their best and most valued clients, but with the best will in the world, if you consistently [...]
Why you should be setting your equestrian goals for 2019
Have you got your New Year's resolutions then? I honestly haven't really made any this year, since I don't really ever seem to stick to them anyway! Yes I'd love to be fitter, healthier, more 'sorted', but then what does that actually mean? So this year, I've actually made a plan. Like a grown up. It's on an Excel spreadsheet and everything (ever the geek!). But seriously, the plan [...]
November Madness!
What a month November turned out to be! Busy doesn't even come close to describing it all, what with teaching all hours God sends, alongside heading out for a whole heap of professional development events, I can safely say that I don't think I've ever worked as hard as this month! It has been brilliant though, from catching up with regular clients, to meeting new ones, to running fully [...]
Centaur Biomechanics Equine Sports Science Seminar – October 2018 It was a real pleasure to attend this conference day at Hartpury College; it’s just the kind of thing I love doing! It is so important to keep up-to-date with research and hear it “from the horse’s mouth” (sorry!), so that we can share knowledge and understanding around the industry. The two primary speakers, Prof. Lars Roepstorff and Dr. Rachel [...]
The Rider’s Hands
Improving the Rider's Hands There are lots of novice riders who struggle to keep their hands in a good position and who struggle to maintain an even, elastic contact with the horse’s mouth. The good news is there are lots of ways to improve your hand position and how use your hands as a rider and we're going to talk about those today. The key thing to think about is [...]
Centaur Biomechanics Rider Workshop
So last weekend I attend one of two annual events hosted by Russell Guire's company Centaur Biomechanics. It was held at the Unicorn Trust in Gloucestershire, which was absolutely lovely (although a day spent on wooden benches wasn't the most comfortable, but they had pre-warned us so I was a proper middle-aged woman and nicked the sofa cushions to take with me!). The clinic was presented by International List [...]
Back in the game!
I cannot even begin to explain how happy I am to be getting my life back together again! Some of you will be aware that three months ago, I underwent some fairly major surgery for an ongoing health issue, which meant that I simply had to put everything on hold for 3 months. It's not the first time that I've been forced to put my life on hold through [...]
Why don’t horse riders look after themselves?
Why don’t horse riders look after themselves? www.theeverydayequestrian.co.uk I can honestly say that I look after my horses better than myself. It’s true! They have all their needs met; they have the very best diet, a structured exercise & work plan, they are groomed & pampered regularly, they have friends they can socialise with, the vet is called at any sign of pain or injury, and they pretty much have [...]
The 5 Second Rule
The 5 Second Rule www.theeverydayequestrian.co.uk I’ve recently read a book by Mel Robbins, called ‘The 5 Second Rule’, and it is amazing! The concept is incredibly simple and can be used in any aspect of our lives, but I want to think about it in terms of horses and our motivation to ride. What do you want to improve in your life? What are the things that you really should [...]
Stop being so hard on yourself!
Stop being so hard on yourself! www.theeverydayequestrian.co.uk I coach a wide variety of different riders and I can honestly say that I love doing it. My clients are primarily grass-roots level and for the most part just want to improve and enjoy the time they spend with their horses. It is so very rewarding seeing the partnership progress and develop, overcoming their fears & problems. One of the biggest issues [...]
Managing horses and a family
Managing horses and a family www.theeverydayequestrian.co.uk I had my little girl 20 months ago, and it has been an absolutely whirlwind. We never really planned to have children; we’d always talked about it but had got to a point where we simply didn’t think it was meant to be. Now I was never ‘mumsey’ or remotely maternal; I had no idea about what to do with babies or children, and [...]
Traditional Grooming
Traditional Grooming www.theeverydayequestrian.co.uk We don’t groom our horses enough these days! Traditionally, when horses were working animals, grooms would be employed to provide the horse with a range of massage and grooming techniques, and I think it’s a real shame that we have lost the time and knowledge to give our horses proper, correct daily grooming. If you’re anything like me, a quick brush over before I ride is [...]
To rug or not to rug…
To rug or not to rug? www.theeverydayequestrian.co.uk My horse struggles to keep weight on. He always has, it’s just the way he is. He’s been checked by the vets (lots!), but he’s just not driven by food. Consequently, he has a body condition score of 3/5, which is healthy and good, but he can drop weight very quickly when weather gets cold. I have a whole range of rugs [...]
Time to Ride
Time to Ride www.theeverydayequestrian.co.uk We’re at the time of year where the nights are now longer and darker, and it can be difficult to maintain motivation to ride and keep our horses fit and strong. So how can we do the best for our horses and fit in time to ride? Here are my top tips… Timetable Plan your week ahead to help you identify spaces or gaps [...]
Do we take worming seriously enough?
Do we take worming horses seriously enough? www.theeverydayequestrian.co.uk Worms, or more correctly, internal parasites, can be at best a nuisance or at worst fatal to horses. There are so many different types, it can be difficult to know how best to manage them. The constant challenges of poo-picking and maintaining horse pasture, of choosing which type of wormer (anthelmintic) to use at which time of year, and of assessing [...]
Brilliant Bedding
Brilliant Bedding www.theeverydayequestrian.co.uk I’ve tried most types of bedding over the years, from straw to shavings to paper. I admit that I haven’t used cardboard! But my all-time favourite is wood pellets. I’ve been using them for about 18 months & they are officially ACE! Why do I love them? Easy to muck out Soo very easy. Basically, I use approximately 10 bags to set up the bed, and [...]
Supplements vs. Balancers
Supplements for Horses www.theeverydayequestrian.co.uk I know an awful lot of horse owners who add things to their horse’s feed. In my experience, there seems to be a trend for feeding horses a mixture of chaff, nuts and an array of supplements. Now don’t get me wrong, there are horses which require additional supplementation for specific issues, and who benefit from a specific product, but does every horse and pony really [...]
Managing the veteran horse
Managing the Veteran Horse www.theeverydayequestrian.co.uk For many horse owners, there comes a time when your horse gets older and his needs change. For some, this might happen at a reasonably young age, but for others changes may not become evident until the horse or pony gets past 20 years old. As with the human population, horses are increasingly living well into old age! So what kind of things do we [...]
Feeding Hay in the Field
Feeding hay in the field www.theeverydayequestrian.co.uk Not many of us are lucky enough to have an endless acreage of pasture for our horses. Indeed, many livery yards restrict turnout over the winter months so much that we’re lucky to let our horse’s stretch their legs in the field at all! Good grazing is at a premium over winter, and to attempt to keep horses occupied, meet their need to trickle [...]
10 ways to save money with horses
No matter what you tell your other half, horses are expensive. But don’t worry, there are things you can do to try to be a little thriftier & save money for the fun stuff, like competing, going to events, shopping, etc. Buy in bulk So we’re coming to Autumn/Winter where many of us will be stabling our horses more, which means greater costs. Try to buy in bulk [...]
10 ways to improve your riding
Get fitter The top professional riders know this, but as amateurs a lack of fitness can often get eclipsed by work, family and simply the time involved in riding & managing horses. So anything you can do to improve your cardiovascular fitness is only going to help you ride better. Ideas might include HIIT sessions (high intensity interval training sessions – google it!), swimming, jogging, exercise classes or DVDs at [...]
10 horse things to do each month
Clean your tack! All the books say you should clean your tack after each time you ride, but really? Who has time for that? I certainly don’t, so my compromise is to do it monthly. It could be a quick wipe over or a more thorough, full strip of the saddle/bridle. You might also tie this in with going to a competition or a lesson. Check the fit of [...]
10 ways to help your horse in hot weather
10 ways to help your horse in hot weather Offer some shade in the field. Wherever possible, ensure that your horse can get out of direct sunlight in the field. This might be a posh (or not!) field shelter, or using paddocks with decent hedges or trees. Provide a constant, clean supply of water Horses will inevitably drink more during hot weather, so always make sure that you [...]
Top Tips for riding in the Winter
Top Tips for Riding in the Winter www.theeverydayequestrian.co.uk We’re definitely in the grip of winter now and it can be a real challenge to get motivated to ride at this time of year. Time is precious and here are my top tips for riding in the winter: Wear the right clothes! In my experience the best way to keep warm and dry in the winter is to use layers. [...]
Improve your horse’s straightness
Improve your horse’s straightness www.theeverydayequestrian.co.uk Most horses start their ridden career with a degree of one-sidedness; just as we prefer to use one hand over the other, or curl our legs up a certain side when we’re sitting on the sofa while watching TV, horses also find things easier and more comfortable on one side of their body when compared to the other. The challenge for us as riders [...]
Rules of Relaxation
Rules of Relaxation www.theeverydayequestrian.co.uk The first basic ‘rung’ of the German Scales of Training is rhythm, which is such a key component of the training of any ridden horse. However, for me rhythm can only really be achieved if the horse is relaxed. I teach a wide variety of riders, across many levels with a huge variety of different horses. One of the biggest issues I come across is [...]
Rewarding your horse
Rewarding your Horse www.theeverydayequestrian.co.uk I’m a big believer in rewarding my horses when they try hard, or do something that I ask. But I’m quite particular in howI reward & praise them. I’ve seen many people give their horses praise, but some methods can be really quite alarming! Great big enormous claps on the neck, virtually yelling ‘Good Boooooy’ at the top of their voice, throwing themselves at their horse’s [...]
Connect to the contact
Connect to the Contact www.theeverydayequestrian.co.uk What does the word ‘contact’ mean to you in terms of riding? For me, I think of the connection that I have with the horse down my arms, through the reins to bit and the horse’s mouth. I believe that it should be a true two-way conversation, where I can request something from the horse and he can respond. But that’s easy to say on [...]
Slave to the rhythm
What is ‘rhythm’? Rhythm means how regular the steps are at each pace. Every stride should be a consistent length, height and level of impulsion (energy). For example: Walk – four clear hoof beats, at a good ‘marching’ pace Trot – two hoof beats. The horse’s legs move in diagonal pairs, plus a moment of suspension where all four hooves are off the ground Canter – three clear beats with a moment [...]