Equestrian Writer

In the past, I’ve addressed lunging in the classical style using a bit and side reins. However, some people expressed an interest in learning how to lunge without a bit. So, I decided to make a tutorial on how to lunge with a cavesson. This technique is a great intro to lunging for an inexperienced […] The post An Intro to Lunging with a Cavesson appeared first on Equestrian Writer and was written by Alexi Mast... [Read more]

As aspiring equestrians, we love to talk about collection. I talk about it quite a bit on this blog. But there seems to be one factor that most people overlook when considering collection; calmness. We talk about impulsion, rhythm, and relaxation, but you can’t achieve any of those without calmness. Relaxation is the key to […] The post Calmness: A Key to Collection appeared first on Equestrian Writer and was written by Alexi Mast... [Read more]

The last few articles have been on the topic of the dangers of preempting mistakes and why it is detrimental to your horse's training. However, that discussion raises the question of how we teach our horses to take responsibility for their feet if we are not allowed to preempt mistakes. The post Maintaining Gaits and Fixing Lazy Gaits appeared first on Equestrian Writer and was written by Alexi Mast... [Read more]

Self-carriage is a vital part of achieving true collection. It is the ability of the horse to maintain its frame, rhythm, speed, and balance without the rider having to micromanage everything. In my last article on Correction vs Preemption, we discussed how there is a difference between correcting a mistake and preempting a mistake. Before […] The post Self-Carriage: The Effects of Preempting Mistakes appeared first on Equestrian Writer and was written by Alexi Mast... [Read more]

In horse training, there is a distinct difference between correcting a mistake and preempting a mistake. Too often, as equestrians, we find ourselves instinctually preempting mistakes before the horse has fully committed to them. At first, it seems logical that preventing a horse from making mistakes will prevent him from developing bad habits. However, this […] The post Correction vs. Preemption: What is the difference? appeared first on Equestrian Writer and was written by Alexi Mast... [Read more]

With all this “natural horsemanship” that has been a growing trend, people just love to desensitize their horses to death. They think that because their horse can stand there quietly while they crack a whip in front of his face it means he’s perfectly calm and “bomb proof.” Hate to burst your bubble, but he […] The post Desensitizing: Shutting Down vs Calming Down appeared first on Equestrian Writer and was written by Alexi Mast... [Read more]

Every horse has different needs, but there are a few horse care essentials that every horse owner should have on hand. Whether you are a trail rider or avid competitor, your horse deserves to have the best care possible, and these six items will help you make sure he gets the care he deserves. Cold […] The post 6 Horse Care Essentials Every Horse Owner Needs appeared first on Equestrian Writer and was written by Alexi Mast... [Read more]

Lunging with side reins is the next step of the process for creating relaxation. Lunging is a commonly misunderstood exercise. It is often viewed as a way to run the energy out of the horse. However, this is extremely counterproductive. The more you lunge the horse, the fitter the horse gets. Therefore, it will take […] The post Creating Relaxation Stage 3: Lunging with Side Reins appeared first on Equestrian Writer and was written by Alexi Mast... [Read more]

Scroll down to the bottom of the page for a video demo of teaching long and low on the ground. Stage 2 of the Creating Relaxation series starts teaching long and low on the ground. Here we will be applying the cue established in Phase 1 and expanding on this base. Prerequisites for Long and […] The post Creating Relaxation Stage 2: Long and Low appeared first on Equestrian Writer and was written by Alexi Mast... [Read more]

UPDATE: Scroll down to the bottom of the page for a video demo of releasing the jaw. Relaxation is the key to collection. However, there is a key component of relaxation that is so often overlooked; the release of the jaw. Relaxation required for true collection starts in the jaw and travels through the poll […] The post Creating Relaxation Stage 1: Releasing the Jaw appeared first on Equestrian Writer and was written by Alexi Mast... [Read more]

When it comes to long term soundness, the hoof is the most important part of the horse. Therefore, taking care of your horse’s hooves is your first priority. There are many different components that go into maintaining healthy hooves. However, the most important part of your horse’s hoof is the frog. This seemingly innocuous triangle […] The post What does a horse’s frog do? appeared first on Equestrian Writer and was written by Alexi Mast... [Read more]

Many people will tell you that building up your horse’s topline is important for proper movement and collection. This is true. However, not all of them know the physiological benefits of a strong topline. The Physiological Necessity of Lifting the Spine In the Anatomy of Collection article, we discussed the primary muscles and ligaments that […] The post The Physiological Benefits of a Strong Topline appeared first on Equestrian Writer and was written by Alexi Mast... [Read more]

Do you have problems with picking up leads? Dropping leads? Lopsided circles? A horse that is heavy on the forehand? Do you know what all these problems have in common? A lack of shoulder control. Picking up your horse’s shoulder is a vital piece of gaining full body control. Without full body control, you will […] The post How do I pick up my horse’s shoulder? appeared first on Equestrian Writer and was written by Alexi Mast... [Read more]

The concept of impulsion was briefly touched upon in my article on the Classical Training Pyramid. However, this vital building block of collection deserves a more in depth discussion. If you recall the classical training pyramid, impulsion — or schwung as it is referred to in the German classical tradition — falls on the fourth […] The post A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Impulsion appeared first on Equestrian Writer and was written by Alexi Mast... [Read more]

A strong topline is vital to any horse’s training. A strong topline helps ensure correct saddle fit, long term soundness, and overall ability to perform demanding physical tasks. Some people seem to think that building a strong topline requires all kinds of gadgets and complicated training programs. In reality, it is quite the opposite. Like […] The post How to Build Up Your Horse’s Topline appeared first on Equestrian Writer and was written by Alexi Mast... [Read more]

1. The Fashionista Most of us can fall in this category at some point or another. This is the type of equestrian who has the matchy-matchy bug. Blue polos and yellow saddle pad? Never! Green saddle pad and purple turnout blanket? Absolutely not! Never mind the fact that they will never be on the horse […] The post 8 Types of Horse Owners appeared first on Equestrian Writer and was written by Alexi Mast... [Read more]

Uses for the Counter Arc The counter arc is often used by trainers to correct a horse with a tendency to drop his shoulder. It is an especially important tool for disciplines such as barrel racing which require sharp turns at high speeds. Prerequisites collection shoulder control bend neck reining impulsion Before you begin teaching […] The post A Step-by-Step Guide to the Counter Arc appeared first on Equestrian Writer and was written by Alexi Mast... [Read more]

Have you ever wondered what qualities set the best riders and trainers apart from the rest? Unfortunately there is no magic formula, however, there are some common habits that highly effective riders have which we can all learn from. Here are 10 habits that every rider should develop. 1. Patience The number one habit every […] The post 10 Habits of Highly Effective Riders appeared first on Equestrian Writer and was written by Alexi Mast... [Read more]

We’ve already discussed the common types of boarding available in many areas, but choosing what type of boarding is best for your horse is only the beginning of the process. You shouldn’t just go find the nearest boarding barn that offers your preferred type of boarding and move in. Vetting a boarding barn is a […] The post What do I look for in a good boarding barn? appeared first on Equestrian Writer and was written by Alexi Mast... [Read more]

Being a first time horse owner can be a bit intimidating. The process of just finding the right horse to buy is hard enough, but if you don’t have anywhere to keep the horse at home, you need to find somewhere to board. This is another nightmare in itself. Here is a quick breakdown of […] The post What is the difference between full board and partial board? appeared first on Equestrian Writer and was written by Alexi Mast... [Read more]