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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

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

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

How Self-Assessment Can Make You a More Mindful, Effective Rider If you're passionate about horses, you've probably spent more hours in the saddle than you care to count—only to discover, occasionally, that old habits have snuck back in. Maybe your horse in really lazy or is heavy in the contact. Don't fret! There's a refreshingly simple tool that can help you reset and ride with renewed awareness, it's what I like to call, the "horse shopping list" . This clever twist on int

How to Use Intentional Self-Assessment to Improve Your Body Mechanics in the Saddle If you’ve ever caught yourself gripping the reins too tightly or tensing your shoulders while riding, you’re not alone. Bad habits can sneak up on even the most experienced riders, often going unnoticed until they start to affect your comfort and communication with your horse. But what if there was a simple tool to help you reset those habits and ride with more awareness? Enter, what I like to

From Heavy to Harmonious: Unlocking Forward Energy Heavy breeds like Friesians, Andalusians, Gypsy Cobs, and draft crosses are stunning, powerful horses—but when it comes to uphill movements, forward thinking, and collected work, they face unique challenges. Unlike lighter breeds such as Thoroughbreds, Arabians, or Warmbloods, heavy horses are built for pulling, not lifting. This means they often carry more weight on the forehand, and even some have a forward-placed sternum,

A Guide for Riders to Match Style and Comfort for Every Horse in Australia When it comes to riding, your horse’s comfort and style are paramount. (It's good to look schmick!) The English saddle pad might seem like a simple accessory, but it plays a crucial role in protecting your horse’s back and completing your look, whether you’re in the show ring, clinics, lessons or out on the trails. In this post, we’ll explore some of the most popular English saddle pad brands readily a

Sit Down with a Cuppa and Get to Know Ben It's time to sit down and get to know one of our regular coaches that coaches regularly in the Canberra region and a big favourite here at Lagoballo . Ben Netterfield is the visionary behind Dare To Coach , a platform dedicated to empowering equestrian coaches and riders to reach their full potential. With a passion for education and a deep understanding of the challenges faced in the horse industry, Ben created Dare To Coach to prov

How Do Equine Owners Fill the Gap and Why Root Cause Thinking is the Key Do you frequently find yourself unsure about how to advance or progress with your horse? Or do you sense that something is lacking in transitioning your horse from moving adequately to moving with complete ease? Or do you want to understand how to read their behaviours and patterns to enhance your connection more? (Whether this be on the ground or ridden.) Horsemanship, connection and advancement of ridi

Exploring the Pros, Cons, and Personal Approaches to Equine Training When it comes to training horses, the debate between the use of scientific methods and more intuitive, emotion-driven approaches is ongoing. While science-backed methodologies have brought about substantial improvements in safety, consistency, and welfare, they often fall short of addressing the complex emotions experienced by both horse and rider. In this blog post, we’ll examine why scientific methods in h

Horses are beautiful, gentle creatures—but they’re also powerful, sensitive, and sometimes unpredictable. It’s tempting to offer a treat or give a pat when you see a horse, but doing so without the owner’s permission can lead to serious consequences. From life-threatening health issues to behavioral problems that last a lifetime, here’s why you should never feed, approach, or handle someone else’s horse—and what you should do instead. Why You Shouldn’t Feed Other People’s Ho

Why it is Important to Help Reduce Friction in the Saddle If you’ve ever experienced discomfort during short or long horse rides, you’re not alone. Friction, heat, and sweat can lead to chafing and even saddle sores—making what should be an enjoyable ride feel like a challenge, and not so enjoyable. That’s where Premax Chamois Cream for Women steps in. Why It Works pH Balanced for Women : Designed specifically for female riders, this cream helps maintain a healthy skin envir

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