Time to Process and Create a Calm Nervous System If you’ve ever worked with horses, you know that timing is everything. One simple yet powerful technique that’s gaining attention among horse trainers and riders is the idea of giving your horse “3 Mississippi's”—a short pause—before asking them to come back to you after a cue or correction. It sounds almost too simple, but this approach can transform your relationship with your horse. Here’s why it works. The Power of the Paus

Embarking on the journey of horse ownership is both exciting and challenging. For new horse owners, understanding how to train their horse effectively while building a solid bond is crucial. This blog post provides you with essential advice, exercises for groundwork (in-hand) and riding, and emphasizes the importance of patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Understanding Your Horse’s Needs Before diving into training, it is important to understand your horse’s ne

From the Lagoballo team (Loz, Maestro, Thor, Gwen and all the bun buns: Milkshake, Toastie, Fudgie, Ollie, Tiggie, Bumbles, Flurry, Pepper, Pikelet, Zebbie, Hi-ho, Dusty, Igloo & Nimbus), we wish you a beautiful Christmas for 2025! We hope you are all safe, enjoying whatever celebrations/festivities you have planned and that you get some amazing equine/bun-bun-related pressies! Ensure you give your horse's some love, cuddles and treats at this glorious time of the year. Looki

A beautifully kind, fellow rider recently said to me, “You’re very dressage-focused.”  And she’s right— dressage  is at the heart of my approach. But here’s the thing: dressage literally means training  in German. It’s not just about competition (and I don't actively pursue this); it’s the original foundation for riding, developed centuries ago to create balance, harmony, and communication between horse and rider. However, the comment got me thinking... what makes a good trai

How to Keep Yourself – and Your Horse – Balanced When Riding and Turning Building on our last blog about harnessing the magic of body cues to guide your horse through a turn , today we’re diving into a vital but easily overlooked skill and advancement to enhancing your riding: staying “lifted” and avoiding the dreaded “man hole” when your horse drops its back or hollows out in a turn. This subtle art is the difference between a ride that feels smooth and connected, and one wh

Why the Shoulder-In Fixes So Many Things for Horses If you’ve spent time working on your horse’s balance and strength, you’ve probably heard about the shoulder-in . It’s one of those exercises that seems simple on the surface—but in reality, it’s a powerhouse for improving your horse’s body and mind. So why does this one movement solve so many problems? Let’s break it down. This post builds on the introduction to laterals. You can read more on this here . What Is Shoulder-In?

The Importance of Proper Body Stacking for Riders Riding is not just about the horse; it's equally about the rider's body position and balance. One of the most critical aspects of effective riding is the concept of body stacking. Proper body stacking refers to the alignment and positioning of a rider's body parts in relation to each other and the horse. This technique is essential for achieving optimal performance, maintaining balance, and ensuring safety. In this blog post,

A Day in the Life of a Remote Worker, Horse Lover, and Canberra Volunteer I not only own and run Lagoballo , I also nerd it up by working for Microsoft. A lot of people wonder what it is like working for one of the largest organisations in the world. When people ask what it’s like working at Microsoft, I think of two things: world-class software, hardware and innovation and, perhaps less predictably, world-class horses (ha ha!). As someone who's managed to blend my Senior Pro

Why Heat Management Matters When the mercury climbs above 30°C, horses are at risk of heat stress, dehydration, and discomfort. As responsible owners, we need to take proactive steps to keep them cool and happy. Here are practical, horse-friendly strategies you can start using today. 1. Hose Them Down (But Skip the Scraper!) A cool rinse is one of the fastest ways to lower your horse’s body temperature. ✅ Tip:  Don’t scrape off the water—letting it evaporate helps cool the sk

Things to Consider if your Stable Your Horses Creating a safe and comfortable stable environment for your horse is crucial for their well-being and performance. A well-designed stable not only enhances the horse's quality of life but also makes it easier for owners to manage their care. Below, you'll find valuable tips on stable design, maintenance, and how to create the perfect environment for your equine friend. Importance of a Safe and Comfortable Stable A safe stable is m

Helping Your Horse Self-Manage Nervous Reactions for a More Relaxed Partnership Horses are remarkable animals, well known for their sensitivity and intuition. As prey animals, their nervous systems are hardwired to respond quickly to perceived threats, often through instinctive reactions known as fight, flight, fidget or freeze. Understanding these responses is essential for every horse owner or rider aiming to foster a calm and trusting relationship with their horse. In this

Understanding Tough Days, Trauma Triggers, and Why True Horsepeeps Choose Education Over Giving Up Ever had a ride where your horse feels like they’ve forgotten everything you’ve worked on? They push through the reins, hunker down, or even bolt. It’s frustrating—but it’s also normal. These are what I call “reset rides.” Why Reset Rides Happen Horses, like humans, have good and not-so-good days. Stress, past trauma, or environmental triggers can cause them to revert to old beh

Setting up for a Smooth Transition with Confidence and Clarity Switching to a bitless bridle or sidepull can be a fantastic way to improve communication and comfort for your horse—but timing and preparation are everything. So, how do you know your horse is ready? And what exercises can help set the stage for success? Signs Your Horse Is Ready Before you ditch the bit, check for these indicators, when ridden/under saddle: Softness in the poll and jaw  – Your horse should yield

Ready to Help Your Horse Find Suppleness? Lateral movements are the building blocks of advanced riding. They improve suppleness, balance, and communication between horse and rider. But for many riders, laterals feel intimidating—where do you start, and how do you know what to do with your body? Let’s break it down step by step. Why Learn Laterals in This Order Starting with simpler movements and gradually increasing complexity helps both horse and rider develop confidence and

Setting your Horse up for Success with the Right Fit and Design When it comes to riding bitless, the bridle isn’t just a piece of tack—it’s your main line of communication with your horse. A well-fitted bitless bridle can make the difference between a soft, responsive ride and a frustrating one. So, what should you look for when choosing a bitless bridle, and why does fit matter so much? Why Bitless Bridle Fit Is Different Unlike a traditional bridle, a bitless bridle transfe

Think you’re riding from your seat and legs—not just your hands? Here’s a fun way to find out! At Lagoballo , we love exercises that build independence and harmony, and this challenge will show you how well you can influence your horse using your 7-point seat . Why Try This Challenge? Riders often rely on reins more than they realise. These exercises help you: Improve balance and feel. Communicate through your seat and core. Build trust and responsiveness in your horse. Safet

As a 40+ mature-aged rider (well, mentally I am closer to 12 as we have to have fun riding like we a kid again - keeps you young at heart!), I am finding that I am driven towards overall comfort and functionality of rider tights these days. As I have gotten older, and potentially wiser, I have found what is influencing my choices in rider attire: fit to my changing body shape (think perimenopause & menopause impacts) range of motion not drawing attention to my lumps and bumps

Signs, Exercises, and Tips for In-Hand and Under Saddle Work Horses, just like humans, can develop tension in their ribcage and diaphragm, which can restrict movement, affect breathing, and impact overall performance. Recognising the signs of tension and knowing how to help your horse release it can make a world of difference to their comfort and athletic ability. In this post, we’ll look at how to identify tension, exercises to help your horse, and the differences between wo

Immersive Horse Education at its Finest Spending six days immersed in horsemanship with Mark Langley , in Bungendore, was nothing short of transformative. This clinic wasn’t just about learning new techniques—it was about slowing down, thinking differently, and building a deeper connection with our horses. Here are the biggest lessons I walked away with: 1. Master Leading and Make It the Baseline Before anything else, get your horse confident and reliable on the lead rope. A

Minimising Stress and Maximising Safety for Horses and Humans Introducing a horse, or a group of horses, to a new paddock can be an exciting time for both you and your equine friends. However, it’s important to approach the process thoughtfully to reduce stress, avoid injury, and ensure everyone’s safety — two-legged and four-legged alike. Here’s a step-by-step guide tailored for Australian conditions, with tips on the best time of day and practical advice to make the transit