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Mastering Hand Control with Exercises Whether you're a weekend rider or training for your first competition, one skill that can transform your relationship with your horse is learning how to keep your hands steady. Noisy hands—those that bounce, jerk, or fidget—can confuse your horse, disrupt communication, and make your ride less enjoyable. In this post, we'll explore practical exercises to refine your hand position, discuss the role of Equisk gloves in supporting riders, an

Essential Do's and Don’ts for Australian Horse Owners Keeping horses healthy and happy starts from the ground up—literally. Good paddock management is crucial not only for your horses’ nutrition and wellbeing, but also for maintaining resilient pastures and preventing weed invasions. In Australia, where the climate can swing from lush to drought-prone, knowing how to care for your paddocks is a must for every horse owner. Here’s a comprehensive guide to maintaining healthy pa

Flow, Function, and Feel—Learning from the Inside-Out Eight horses. Three days. One clinician with a deep understanding of equine anatomy and movement. Thirza Hendriks ’ recent clinic (held at beautiful Anamir Equine near Canberra) was a masterclass in functional biomechanics, blending in-hand and ridden work to help horses move with greater ease, efficiency, and flow. Clinic Format: Three Lessons, Three Days, Eight Horses Each participant received one lesson, per horse per

Useful Apps and Gadgets for Horse Owners Across Australia When it comes to managing horses, technology is fast becoming a game-changer in...

How Visualisation, Biomechanics, and Emotional Awareness Create Lasting Change for Horse and Rider If you’ve ever walked away from a riding clinic with more questions than answers, you’re not alone. But attending one of Ann Montgomery’s The Mindful Rider clinics is like stepping into a masterclass in clarity, feel, and transformation—for both horse and rider. I recently participated in her 2-day, 6-horse intensive clinic at Kalaragan Equine (Murrumbateman, NSW), and I can c

A Guide for Horse Owners and Caretakers Laminitis is one of the most serious health concerns facing horses in Australia and around the world. Whether you care for a backyard pony or manage a professional stable, understanding this condition is vital for the wellbeing of your horses. In this blog post, we’ll break down what laminitis is, why it happens, the warning signs to watch for, and what you can do to prevent and manage it. With prompt action and the right knowledge, you

A Step-By-Step Guide for Building Confidence and Curiosity In-hand training is a fantastic way to develop trust, improve communication, and build your horse’s confidence around new objects. One simple but effective tool you can use is a flag. Introducing your horse to a flag in a safe and gradual manner can help them become more resilient and less reactive to unfamiliar sights and sounds. Here’s a step-by-step approach to introducing in-hand training with your horse and a fla

From setbacks to small wins—how to stay grounded and optimistic through the rehab journey Rehabbing a horse from a major injury is a rollercoaster. There are moments of hope, followed by setbacks that can feel crushing. But just like your horse needs time, patience, and care to heal physically, you need emotional tools to stay strong and positive through the process. Here are some tried-and-true tactics to help you stay grounded, hopeful, and connected during rehab: 1. Track

Sharing our journey so far and what’s next on the path to a well-rounded, confident young horse Bringing up a young horse is as rewarding as it is challenging. Over the past two years with my gelding, Thor, I’ve focused on building a strong foundation—one that will set him up for a happy, confident, and safe life, no matter the pathway he ends up taking. Here’s a look at what we’ve done to date, along with some thoughts on what else can help shape a well-adjusted young horse.

Why Towing Knowledge Matters Heading out with your horse or extra camping gear? Safety starts with understanding your towing setup. Overloading or poor weight distribution can cause sway, strain your vehicle, and even lead to accidents. This guide makes it simple to stay safe and legal under Australian standards. Could it also be you just don't know and should know (aka the "She'll be right mate!"? Huge red flags peoples! Every time you go on the road, you are putting your

Simple Exercises to Check Your Body Engagement in Rising Trot The rising trot is a fundamental skill for any rider, but mastering the technique is more than just standing up and sitting down in the saddle. It’s about engaging your body correctly and moving in harmony with your horse. If you’ve ever felt out of sync, bounced, or found yourself gripping tightly with your legs, it could be a sign that your functional mechanism in the rising trot needs a tune-up. Let’s explore ho

Building on the Comprehensive Guide The previous post on floating your horse long distances —whether for clinics, competitions, or relocation—requires more than just hitching up and hitting the road. It’s a logistical dance of route planning, rest stops, hydration, and safety checks. Here’s how to make the journey as comfortable and stress-free as possible for both horse and human. 🗺️ Map Out Your Route Thoughtfully Before you leave, plan your route with these essentials in

Having recently undertaken an extended float trip with both an experienced horse and a youngster—previously longest journeys just over three hours—I am sharing a structured guide to facilitate your planning process for longer float trips or travelling with horses. This resource is designed to support both you and your horse(s) by reducing stress and ensuring thorough preparation. This comprehensive checklist covers preparations for: Float/trailer Towing vehicle Horse(s) Human

Reflections from the Mark Langley 6-Day Intensive: A Journey of Connection and Confidence I’ve just returned from an unforgettable 6-day intensive clinic with Mark Langley ( Mark Langely Horsmanship ), and I’m still buzzing from the experience. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Skylark ( Rosewhite, Victoria Australia ), Mark and Jenny’s newly established property, this clinic was more than just a training—it was a deep dive into the art of true horsemanship. From the m

Guidance for Horse Owners: From Diagnosis to Rehabilitation Kissing spine, medically referred to as Overriding Dorsal Spinous Processes (ORDSP), is a condition in horses where the bony projections along the spine—known as dorsal spinous processes—become too close together or touch (“kiss”). This contact can cause pain, inflammation, and discomfort during movement, often leading to changes in behaviour, performance issues, and reluctance to work. Kissing spine most commonly af

How to Move Forward When You Feel Stuck in the Saddle At some point, every horse rider, from the eager beginner to the seasoned competitor, hits a plateau. Progress stalls, frustration creeps in, and doubts start to nibble at your confidence. If you’re finding yourself stuck in your horse riding journey, you’re definitely not alone. But the good news is, there are ways to get moving forward again—sometimes, it’s just a matter of shifting your mindset, changing up your approac

How to Stay Healthy, Happy and Ready for Every Ride As horse lovers, we often go above and beyond to ensure our horses are in top-notch...

Introduction: The Importance of Structured Learning in Horse Riding Whether you’re a new rider just finding your seat or an instructor guiding students through their first canter, you’ve probably noticed a pattern in horse riding lessons: instructors rarely introduce more than three new concepts at a time. This isn’t just a teaching quirk—it’s rooted in how the human brain (and even the horse’s mind) absorbs, processes, and stores new information. Let’s explore why the “rule

Lick and Chew Away When it comes to horsemanship, one of the most crucial – yet often misunderstood – aspects is the bit. Selecting the...

Preparing for a Horse Riding Clinic Participating in a horse riding clinic can be an exciting and enriching experience, whether you're a...