Shying and Control
How Can I Teach My Horse To Move From Trot to Canter?
Q: Hi there. I have a five-year-old crossbred who I have just started riding. I am having problems getting him to canter though (he canters fine in the paddock with his mates). He just trots faster and faster and faster when I try to get him to canter. Have your trainers got some suggestions please? … Read more
My Horse Pulls and Shakes Her Head Whenever I Ride
Q: “My horse constantly pulls against me and shakes his head when I ride. How can I fix this?” From Sally *** Hi Sally, There’s no magic fix for head shaking or any other problem. Like all problems, head shaking doesn’t exist in isolation. Your horse’s head-shaking could be caused by any number of things. … Read more
My Ex Racehorse Won’t Settle Down
Q: We were given a thoroughbred former racehorse who is quiet and gentle on the ground, to lead and work on a lunge. But he is a horror to ride – gets extremely wound up and scuttles around sideways, throws his head around, gets into a foaming sweat… all this just trying to walk him … Read more
My Horse Has ‘Separation Anxiety’
Here’s a question from a reader: I am needing some help with separation anxiety in my horses. I have a five-year-old mare who I bred, and she has lived her whole life with two geldings, very happily. She’s always been independent and confident when I have taken her away from them to handle and (over … Read more
A Better Way for Horses
I’ve seen many big name trainers working with horses and I don’t agree with much of what they do or what they say. I don’t agree with harassing horses with ropes and flags, or letting them buck with the saddle, or chasing them until they’re distressed. Every week I get emails from people whose horse … Read more
My Horse Rears or Bucks and Refuses to go Forward. What Can I Do?
Question from a reader: “I’ve owned my 6-year-old warmblood-cross gelding for three years, and he has recently started to get really nappy when I ride him (although not always). He will stop out of the blue, sometimes rears or bucks a little, and refuses to go forward. I’ve ridden horses for many years, and I cannot … Read more
How Can I Calm My Hot Headed Thoroughbred
Question from a reader “I’d like your expert opinion about calming down a hot-headed TB. I have to keep him boxed at night as he gets staggers from the grass. I mostly work him every day but it’s hard to give him a full schooling session when he is so full-on. Some friends have suggested … Read more