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The ride where getting off was the bravest—and smartest—thing I did (apologies for the swear words therein contained) I share plenty of good moments with my horses: the breakthroughs, the softness, the connection and those rides where the hard work finally seems to click. But not every ride is like that. Sometimes it is shit. Yep, shit! Sometimes your experienced horse becomes completely overwhelmed, your own survival instincts start screaming, and the best decision you can m

One of the biggest mistakes I see in horse training is the belief that more is better. More exercises. More repetitions. More time spent drilling. More things to tick off the training plan. In reality, piling exercise upon exercise into a session can quickly overload a horse both mentally and physically. Rather than asking, "What can I teach my horse today?", a more valuable question is: "What does my horse need from me today?" When we shift our focus to the horse's mindset a

What I would observe before deciding whether a young horse is a suitable prospect—and worth progressing to an independent veterinary pre-purchase examination. Buying a horse is deeply personal. Buying one under two years old can feel even more so, because you are assessing the horse in front of you while imagining the partner they may become. This checklist is not designed to find a “perfect” youngster. That horse does not exist. Nor can one viewing predict future soundness,

My young horse’s first rides during a six-day Mark Langley Horsemanship intensive at Skylark, Victoria. Thor turned three on 9 September. Some horses might celebrate with carrots, a birthday photo and perhaps an undignified party hat. Thor celebrated with some “pre-flight checks,” a saddle, and me climbing aboard for our very first ride together during a six-day Mark Langley Horsemanship intensive at Skylark, Mark and Jenny Langley’s beautiful property in Rosewhite, Victoria.

When we think about horse welfare, many people immediately focus on nutrition, exercise, veterinary care, or training. While these are undeniably important, true wellbeing is much broader than any single element. A horse's quality of life is built upon several interconnected pillars that work together to create a balanced, healthy and content individual. When one pillar is neglected, the others are often affected. For me, there are seven essential pillars that support every h

When it comes to feeding horses, most discussions focus on what we're feeding. But perhaps we should spend more time thinking about how and where we're feeding. Traditionally, horses evolved to graze with their heads down for much of the day. More recently, many horse owners have embraced the idea that feeding from the ground is always best. While there are certainly benefits to ground feeding, I've come to believe that the "best" feeding position depends on the individual ho

As horse owners, we naturally want the best for our horses. We invest in lessons, clinics, training programs and equipment, all in pursuit of helping them reach their potential. But what if the very thing holding your horse back isn't a training issue at all? What if it's discomfort? Before we ask our horses to carry us, learn new skills, improve their movement or overcome behavioural challenges, we need to ensure they're physically comfortable in their bodies. No amount of t

With spring knocking on our doorstep and the days growing warmer, perhaps it's time to press pause on our training schedules and remember why we fell in love with horses in the first place. Instead of reaching for the saddle and bridle, what if we went back to our roots and focused on simply being with our horses? Spring is the perfect season to slow down and reconnect. Spend some time giving your horse a good scratch and a thorough groom, helping them shed those annoying bit

If there is one topic guaranteed to spark discussion among horse owners, it's body condition. Too fat. Too thin. Needs more topline. Needs less pasture. Needs more feed. Needs less feed. Sometimes it feels like everyone has an opinion. Recently I found myself wondering: if you had to choose between a horse being slightly over-conditioned or slightly under-conditioned, which is actually better? Before anyone sharpens their pitchforks, I'm not talking about obese horses or hors

There comes a point in every horse person's life when you find yourself standing in the middle of a paddock, wearing track pants, a faded top, mismatched socks and, quite possibly, no bra, and think: "Yep. This is my Sunday best." The funny thing is, most of us would never dream of leaving the house like this to go shopping, meet friends, or attend a family lunch. Yet somehow, heading to the stables looking like we've lost a bet feels entirely acceptable. In fact, it's almost

When you buy a horse, you don’t receive a blank slate (even youngsters or foals). You inherit everything that came before you — their previous training, their experiences (good and bad), their coping strategies, their habits, and their trauma. Whether visible or subtle, it all arrives with them the moment they step off the float. This isn’t a flaw. It’s simply the nature of being a living, learning being. Horses Carry History — Just Like We Do Horses evolve through life in mu

One of the things I see most often in horses isn't poor training, bad behaviour, or even a lack of talent. It's anxiety. Not anxiety in the way many people describe it. Not simply the horse that spooks, bolts, spins, or reacts dramatically. Those behaviours are often the visible symptoms of something much deeper. What I'm talking about is the horse that struggles to regulate its nervous system in a human-created world. I think we, as horse mums and dads, need to do better. We

Being a hypermobile rider isn’t just a fun fact about your body—it deeply affects how you ride, how you interpret instructions, how your muscles fire, and how you stabilise yourself in the saddle. My journey has been anything but linear, and even now I’m always improving, refining, and checking in with myself. This is the story of how I went from struggling to stay balanced, stable, and pain‑free… to finally understanding how my body works and learning how to ride with it, no

One of the most misunderstood — yet quietly powerful — rider aids is the use of the inner thigh . Not gripping. Not clamping. Not squeezing. But suctioning . This idea can sound strange until you’ve felt it: a gentle, controlled drawing‑in of the upper inner thighs (where your thighs meet your saddle near your groin) that invites your horse’s back to rise and connect with your seat. Think of it like this: Imagine you are trying to lift your riding glove off your opposite hand

Introducing a bit and bridle to a young or green horse doesn’t have to be a wrestling match, a drama scene, or something you “just get done.” When done thoughtfully, it can be a calm, easy, even curious experience for the horse — and that first impression sets the tone for their entire future with bridling. Here’s the simple, treat‑charged, horse‑friendly method I used with my youngster.(It took us under five minutes to get the bit in for the first time, and now he literally

We live in a world where answers are available in seconds. Type a question into Google or Facebook and you’ll get five different opinions, three arguments, and at least one person insisting their way is the only way. When it comes to horses, though, this kind of information overload can do more harm than good. Because while the internet is a fantastic place for general knowledge, inspiration, and learning new perspectives, it can never replace the eyes, feel and experience of

Refining Your Feel The sitting trot is one of those movements that looks effortless from the ground… and feels like a small earthquake in the saddle when you’re learning it. Many riders tense up, grip, hold their breath or bounce harder the more they try to “sit still.” But the secret to a good sitting trot isn’t to hold or grip anything still. It’s to soften, organise and allow . Here’s how I break it down for myself — using simple words and physical cues that help me chec

Warming up your horse isn’t just a box to tick—it’s the foundation for a safe, productive ride. A good warm-up prepares your horse’s muscles, joints, and mind for work, reducing the risk of injury and improving performance. But what if you’re stuck for ideas? Here’s a practical guide to help you get started. Why Warm-Ups Matter Prevents Injury: Gradual movement warms muscles and lubricates joints. Improves Focus: A structured routine helps your horse settle mentally. Enhanc

Retiring a horse is one of the most emotional decisions an owner can make. Horses are partners, athletes, and friends, and we want to give them the best life possible—even when their working days are over. But how do you know when it’s time? And what does retirement look like for their health and happiness? Signs It’s Time to Retire Your Horse ✅ Physical Indicators Chronic Lameness or Arthritis: If pain persists despite treatment, continuing work can compromise welfare. Loss

I’m not perfect, and neither is my horse. Recently, I was riding Maestro in the arena, just quietly going about my business. Nothing dramatic, nothing “Instagram-worthy”—just a thoughtful ride. Now, Maestro is usually ridden bitless, but on this day I chose to check in with him in a bit to see how he was feeling about it. What followed was actually quite a conversational ride. No antics. No tension. Just questions and answers. I was helping him soften, reach, and organise his