We’ve all been there. You drive to the yard full of grand training plans, only to step out of the car and be hit by a wall of heavy, suffocating summer heat. The air is thick, the flies are out in full force, and the thought of putting on a heavy saddle – let alone …
Read more “The Art of the In-Hand Walk: How to Safely Exercise Your Horse When It’s Too Hot to Ride”
When the long summer days arrive, it’s easy to think of horse riding as a leisurely outdoor hobby. But anyone who has ever schooled a 600kg animal knows the truth: horse riding is intense physical exercise. During a heatwave, the saddle can quickly become a high-risk environment if we aren’t prepared. Unlike a runner who …
Read more “Beat the Heat: Why Horse Riding is a High-Intensity Summer Sport (And How to Stay Safe)”
Finding someone you trust to step into your boots when you’re away can be one of the more stressful parts of horse ownership. Whether it’s a long-awaited holiday, a weekend away, or a sudden change in circumstances, you need to know that your horses are not just being “fed and watered,” but truly cared for …
Read more “Peace of Mind: Professional Holiday & Short-Term Yard Cover for Your Horses”
There is a specific kind of silence that happens right before you ask for a movement from your horse when under saddle. It’s that split-second internal pause where technique and psychology collide. In that moment, you aren’t just managing a horse; you are managing your own expectations. I haven’t written here for a little while. …
Read more “Why capability is in our heads as well as our bodies”
With rugging season set to continue for a while longer, it’s the perfect time for a quick safety check. We’ve all seen it… a rug slipped halfway down a shoulder, or leg straps dangling dangerously close to hocks. Rugs are put on with the best of intentions – we just want our horses to be …
We’ve all heard the “old school” riding advice. Perhaps you were even one of the many riders taught to ride while imagining – or literally holding – tennis balls between your knees and the saddle. The logic was simple: if you grip hard enough, you won’t fall off. However, as our understanding of rider biomechanics …
Read more “Beyond the Tennis Ball: Why Gripping with Your Knees is Blocking Your Progress”
If I’m being honest, launching an equestrian coaching business from scratch – where the “product” is your own knowledge and experience – is one of the most challenging and rewarding paths I have ever taken. In a modern world of “video-first” content and social media trends, I have chosen a different route. As someone who …
Read more “The Philosophy Behind the Name: Excellence in Equestrian Coaching”
Everywhere we look in sports psychology, the pressure to set massive, sweeping milestones is all around us. But as equestrians, we know that progress isn’t made in one giant leap; it’s made in the quiet, consistent moments every single day. If you want to truly level up, don’t just set a goal, change how you …
Read more “The Power of the Pen: Why Every Rider Needs a Training Diary”
We have all heard the famous Dr. Seuss quote: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” In the equestrian world, we might be inclined to take this literally; we want to “go places” – whether that is a successful first hack …
Read more “Beyond the Arena: Why the Best Riders are the Best Students”
When I learned to ride – long, long ago – I had a few lessons in a field (there was no formal arena at the stables I went to). I wore welly boots, borrowed a hat, and wore ordinary trousers and t-shirts, although I did also have a bodywarmer that I loved and thought looked …