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Need Some Ideas or Keen to Find Things to Help Make Your Next Trip a Breeze? Here's a list of things to consider having with you for a weekend away or when you travel with horses, to make your life easier and lighter! I know some of you have the lovely luxury of having accommodation in your horse float, however, consider taking a look at these items to help make your next trip even easier. I have tried and tested these products and have found them super useful for when I go a

Bright Delights: From Breakfast to Boutique Nestled in Victoria's High Country, Bright is a charming alpine town that offers a delightful mix of nature, food, and boutique shopping. If you are on your rest day from a Mark Langley Horsemanship Skylark clinic, escaping Melbourne for the day or stopping by on a longer road trip, Bright is the perfect destination for a refreshing day out. Here's your ultimate guide to making the most of a day trip to Bright. Perfect all-year rou

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

Sit Down with a Cuppa and Get to Know Ann It's time to sit down and get to know one of our regular coaches that visist the Canberra region and a big favourite here at Lagoballo . When it comes to creating harmony between horse and rider, few coaches bring the depth of insight and intuition that Ann Montgomery does. Known as The Mindful Rider , Ann blends biomechanics, emotional awareness, and mindfulness to help riders achieve clarity, confidence, and connection. Q1: Ann, wh

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

Our Personalised Guide to Help You Care for you New Bun Bun Family Member To optimise the lifestyle and longevity of your lovely Lagoballo bun bun(s), we suggest considering the following. We've provided assistance with timings, products, and other factors in the table below: Care Frequency Notes Worming Every month Use Revolution Pink for Puppies and Kittens only Vaccinations Annually Make sure your vet conducts a general check-up and administers the Filovax vaccination Wa

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

Reducing the Ick! Here’s the game-changing tip: Place a mat where your horse usually does their business in the float. That’s it! Instead of spending your arvo scrubbing poo that’s been squished into the floor, you simply pick up the mat and tip the contents straight into the manure pile. No more ingrained, squished-in mess, and your float stays far cleaner with way less effort. It’s such a simple idea, but trust me, once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without

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 right bit isn’t just about control or tradition; it’s about comfort, communication, and respecting the unique anatomy of your horse. In this post, we’ll explore the anatomy of the horse’s mouth, how different mouth and lip shapes affect bit selection, where various pressures are applied, and what you should consider to ensure your horse’s wel

When it comes to horse riding, your sports bra isn’t just about style—it’s about support, comfort, and long-term health Forget the...

Why Riding with Me at Lagoballo Is a Game-Changer Horse riding isn’t just a sport—it’s a soulful experience that builds confidence, deepens your connection, and creates a powerful bond between you and your horse. If you're in Canberra and looking for more than just standard lessons, welcome to Lagoballo . I’m Laura (Loz) Ushay, and I do things differently. What Sets Me Apart At Lagoballo , I blend biomechanics (the sexy word for how horses and humans move and function physica

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

How snuggles, special care, and a few tasty treats make every day wonderful for Milkshake Let me introduce myself, my name is Milkshake....