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Understanding, Practising, and Building Softness with Your Horse Horse riding is a journey of communication, trust, and subtlety. One of the most discussed—and often misunderstood—aspects of this partnership is “contact.” Whether you’re an experienced equestrian, a riding instructor, or just passionate about horses, understanding contact can make a world of difference to your riding and your horse’s comfort. Let’s pull back the curtain on what contact really means, how to tel

Matching Rider and Horse: Why Your Body Shape, Size, and Flexibility Matter When we dream of owning a horse, we often focus on temperament, training level, or breed. But there’s another critical factor that often gets overlooked: our own bodies. The truth is, rider biomechanics and physical attributes play a huge role in comfort, balance, and long-term success in the saddle. 1. Seat Bone Width & Horse Shape Your pelvis determines how comfortably you can sit on a horse. Hyperm

“Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.” This phrase has followed me through many parts of my life, but nowhere does it feel more relevant—or more misunderstood—than in horse training. We often hear slow down as the antidote to rushing, tension, and confusion. And yes, rushing can absolutely create brace. But I want to open a deeper conversation around this idea: 👉 Can moving too slowly also create brace? 👉 And are we sometimes mistaking stillness and micro‑control for quality

Recently, I had the pleasure and opportunity to do something I truly believe every horse owner and rider should experience at least once: a professional bit and bridle fitting. I booked in both Maestro and Thor with Free Flow Equine (Susan Rousak), and what unfolded was one of the most fascinating and eye‑opening sessions I’ve had in a long time. What stood out most wasn’t just finding the right equipment—it was watching the horses functionally change how they used their bodi

Have you ever noticed which side your horse’s mane falls on and wondered if it means something? Could it be linked to body symmetry , strengths or weaknesses , or even fascia patterns influenced by whorls ? This question has fascinated horse owners and trainers for years, and at Lagoballo, we’re curious too. We know that whorls—those unique hair patterns on a horse’s body—can sometimes indicate underlying tension or directional pull in the fascia. So, could the mane’s natural

How Riding Arena Surfaces Can Chronically Affect Your Horse We spend a lot of time analysing horses — their movement, their feet, their saddle fit, their training programs. But one of the most influential factors in a horse’s long‑term soundness is often overlooked: The surface they work on. Not occasionally. Not once in a while. But day after day, week after week. When a surface is consistently too deep or too hard, the horse’s body has no choice but to adapt. And those adap

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

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