The closed fist link

The third in a three part series in exploring how to use that most basic of exercises that of leading a horse on the lead rope and how helps us establish the beginning concepts of the rein to the horse. This time we address the concept of the fixed rein and how to apply it.

While scientific study has been able to measure how the weight on the hind end is increased by the horse in collection, they also uncovered some very surprising insights into collection that we have never really considered before. Insights that provide us with yet additional information that impact upon our training and the methods that we can use to best help our horses.

Explore the concept of leaning and how this influences our training as well as the physical well-being of the horse. When we see a horse leaning through a circle or a corner, what does that tell us about his training?

Opinion on long and low. A challenge to the popular concept that a back that is raised through long and low is one that is effective for the horse. Instead challenging that instead this induces increased tension in a part of the equine body that needs to be free to work.

An Editorial on how sadly it has become a joke to think of a dressage horse that is calm. A dressage horse that we could trust in exhibition or parade, or even out in the field doing cross country hacking. Where have we gone wrong? Where many can only ride their horse in the arena.