Managing, Exercising, and Caring for Your Senior Equine Mate As horses age, their needs and capabilities change, requiring a thoughtful approach to training and management. Whether your old mate is a retired champion or a beloved paddock companion, understanding how to care for and exercise an older horse is vital. This guide will help you identify what constitutes an “older” horse, recognise their limits, spot warning signs, and offer practical steps for keeping your senior

Practical Tips and Exercises for a Softer, More Connected Ride Have you ever finished a ride feeling like you’ve just done an upper-body workout, or noticed your horse chewing the bit in frustration? I sure have! Stiffness can creep up on even the most experienced riders, quietly sabotaging our connection with the horse. The good news is, with a bit of awareness and a few handy exercises, you can transform stiffness into real suppleness—making riding more comfortable for you

Techniques and Step-by-Step Exercises to Overcome Anxiety and Build Trust Every horse owner wants their horse to feel safe, calm, and confident in any situation. For nervous or anxious horses, building confidence is a process that takes patience, understanding, and consistent training. In this blog post, we’ll explore practical techniques and step-by-step exercises you can use to help your horse overcome anxiety and develop a more relaxed, self-assured outlook. Understanding

Plan, Ride, Achieve: Smart Goal Setting for Equestrians Goal setting isn’t just for riders—it’s for partnerships. When you set goals with your horse in mind, you create a roadmap that respects their abilities, your skillset, and the bond you share. What Kind of Goals Can You Set? Competitions/outings:  Are you aiming for a local show or a national level event? Clinics:  Do you want to learn from experts and expose your horse to new environments? Movements:  Maybe you dream of

Tight, clamping thighs are a common challenge for many riders, yet they’re often misunderstood or dismissed as simply a “bad habit.” In reality, thigh tension is usually the result of a combination of biomechanics, muscle imbalance, skeletal structure, and nervous system responses. In this blog, we’ll explore  why  riders clamp with their thighs, how it affects both horse and rider, and practical ways to improve freedom, comfort, and harmony in the saddle. What Happens When t

Why the STC Bungee Breakaway Trailer Tie Is the Best Choice for Your Horse Float When it comes to transporting horses, safety is everything. A horse float can quickly turn into a dangerous space if something goes wrong—especially when ropes or gear become airborne. One sudden stop or unexpected movement, and those items can turn into high-speed projectiles aimed straight at your horse’s face. That’s where the STC Bungee Breakaway Trailer Tie  comes in. This clever piece of eq

Reflecting on Old Riding Habits and Embracing Better Ways for Our Horses For as long as I can remember, horses have been at the heart of my life. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of connection, freedom and partnership that comes from working alongside these magnificent animals. But with every journey, there are moments that stop us in our tracks—hard realisations that challenge everything we thought we knew. Today, I want to share the toughest lesson, and an honest trut

Practical Strategies to Enhance Connection, Safety, and Confidence Around Horses Anyone who spends time around horses knows that these magnificent animals are keenly attuned to our energy, emotions, and intentions. Whether you’re a seasoned rider, a weekend trail enthusiast, or simply enjoy tending to horses at the paddock, your ability to self-regulate—stay grounded and centred—has a direct impact on your safety, your horse’s behaviour, and the overall experience for both of

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