AJ's Blog

I often see riders become angry because their horses aren’t doing what they want them to do. So, for a moment, I’d like you to consider riding from the horse’s point of view. Although we know that we’re planning to ride in the arena and jump a few fences, the horse doesn’t understand this at […]... [Read more]

If a horse is excitable when it comes out to work, riders tend to work the animal for long periods of time in an effort to wear it out to achieve compliance. The initial excitability of the animal causes an adrenaline rush, just as though the horse were fearing for its life and needed adrenaline […]... [Read more]

It is wise to teach your horse to land on a certain lead after each fence that is last in a line of fences and over any other fence that immediately precedes a turn. By landing on the correct lead, the rider avoids the flying change of lead altogether, which makes the round smoother, gives […]... [Read more]

The two most important factors in a relationship with any horse are trust and consistency.   Especially when a rider is approaching an obstacle to be jumped, the horse needs to feel that the rider is trustworthy—that is, the rider is presenting the horse at a reasonable take-off spot from which it can safely clear […]... [Read more]

My horse, “Rivet,” was featured in 2016 on EquestrianCoach.com (http://equestriancoachblog.com/), a website created by Bernie Traurig, who famously reached the top of the sport in all 3 of the International Equestrian Olympic disciplines: Show Jumping, Dressage, and Eventing.  His educational website opens the door to a wealth of knowledge provided by some of the best riders, […]... [Read more]

The horse-show season is in full swing, and many parents are struggling with how to be helpful to their children involved in competitive sport during their formative years.  Having had a great deal of assistance from my parents and eventually reaching the pinnacle of my ambitions as a junior rider, I believe I have some […]... [Read more]

A horse usually “jigs” at the walk when it does not fully accept the rider’s leg. You need to do a lot of relaxing work at the walk, such as riding on trails or in a field, making sure that you don’t take your legs off the horse’s sides for even a moment. If you […]... [Read more]

Where I live in the South, there is often an oppressive heat wave for many days.  The challenge is to make your training enjoyable, productive, and safe during hot weather.  First, try to ride early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the highest temperatures of the day.  The morning hours are […]... [Read more]

For those of you who don’t already know, there is a wonderful online resource at  http://www.equestriancoach.com/, created by well-respected horseman, Bernie Traurig.  The site provides video instruction by Traurig and many other fine riders.  A subscription fee provides full access to the site, and specific videos can be purchased individually.  This site is an extraordinary […]... [Read more]

As many of you know, for several years I cared for an elderly friend, who at one point was “at death’s door,” but made a miraculous recovery. I was thinking about the various aspects of her care, and it brought to mind how the success of any endeavor—whether it involves a human or a horse—has […]... [Read more]