How-To

Pressure without Panic - How Equestrian Riders Can Feel More Present and in Control

Updated:

September 3, 2026

equestrian competition, horse and rider, competitive riding, rider confidence, competition pressure, horse show nerves, equestrian mental performance, riding psychology, eventing, horse sport, equestrian athlete, competition mindset

Growing up as a three-day eventer, I spent many minutes waiting to enter the ring or the start box. At times, the nerves felt almost unbearable while waiting to compete. I would find myself thinking about all the money and time I’d invested to get there and how much I wanted to succeed. The thought of making a significant mistake, or failing, made me feel panicked. With hindsight I can now see how the experience of pressure was distracting me and pulling my attention away from the task at hand. Ironically, this loss of focus sometimes contributed to the very mistakes I feared making.

Winterising Horse Fencing

Updated:

September 2, 2026

horse fencing problems, fixing horse fence, equine flex fencing, electric fence horses, equine guelph, system fencing, board fencing horses, gates horses

As winter approaches, ensuring fences are ready for winter can prevent costly repairs and reduce stress when storms arrive. A little preparation now pays off through the season.

Nail the Correct Canter Lead

Updated:

August 21, 2026

canter lead, correct canter lead, horse picks up wrong lead, lindsay grice horse trainer, my horse doesn't canter right, exercises to improve canter

Every Time, Everywhere - Wrong lead! It’s one of the earliest alerts a young rider hears from her coach. One’s heart sinks to hear that same alert from the coach calling over the show ring rail. The novice rider learns the outside leg back and kiss cue to canter but I’ve found that riders are often unsure why they should use this cue. Let’s break it down. We’ll review the phonics of teaching your horse to pick up the correct lead and some hints to help the rider recognize it.

Correctly Fitting the Child's Saddle

Updated:

August 19, 2026

Girls Outnumber Boys horse riding, Jochen Schleese, horse riding, McClellan Saddle, horse riding erectile issues, George B. McClellan, dysfunction, Dr. James Warson

Why Do Girls Predominate Equestrian Sport? Imagining a young equestrian rider typically brings to mind a young girl proudly leading her pony. Youth-oriented horse media predominantly showcase girls, with photos of boys being a rare sight. While I’ll explore some reasons why boys tend to shy away from horses at a young age later in this article, it’s important first to highlight the critical need for proper saddle fit from the very beginning.

Equestrian Psychology - Remain Calm and Ride On

Updated:

August 16, 2026

staying calm riding horses, anxiety horse riding, better relationship horse and rider, regulating nervous system Annika McGivern, breathing exercises for horse riders, equestrian psychology

Tuning In To Your Internal State - All riders are familiar with the joy and challenge associated with mastering the dance of connection and communication between horse and rider. However, fewer riders are familiar with the role which regulating our nervous system plays in this intricate ballet.

Saddle Fitting for the Larger Rider

Updated:

August 12, 2026

horse saddle fit, heavy horse rider, horse saddlefit4life, schleese, sabine schleese, jochen schleese, horse saddles for women, heavier horse rider, overweight horse rider, horse rider fitness

Every equestrian—regardless of discipline—benefits from using a saddle that fits correctly. But individuals with higher body weight (specifically women over 180 pounds and men above 250 pounds) often encounter unique obstacles when searching for a saddle that suits both their frame and their horse’s build.

How to Choose the Best Saddle for Riders of Shorter Stature

Updated:

August 7, 2026

saddle fitting, short person saddle, short legs saddle, schleese, saddlefit4life

Riders of smaller build often require very specific adjustments in saddle design to ride comfortably and effectively. Simply cutting the flap shorter is not enough to create a proper fit. If the knee roll or thigh block sits in the wrong place, it can push the rider’s leg outward, preventing correct contact between the horse and both the upper and lower leg.

Understanding Motor Learning for Equestrians - Why Progress in Riding Feels Slow…

Updated:

July 30, 2026

Equestrian rider developing motor learning skills during a flatwork training session

And How to Progress With More Clarity and Less Frustration - Have you ever spent an entire ride working on something that should be improving… but isn’t? You’re asking for a consistent contact, a more balanced canter, or a smoother transition. You feel like you’re doing the right things. You’ve had moments where it clicked before.

Fly ID: What’s the Buzz Around Your Horse?

Updated:

July 27, 2026

flies that bother horses, keeping flies off horse, flies on horse eyes, diseases flies equine, fly masks

Summer brings with it a surge in insect activity, and flies can quickly become a serious source of discomfort for horses. These pests are more than just irritating—they can transmit disease and provoke allergic responses.

Navigating Stress and Emotions for Success at a Horse Show

Updated:

July 22, 2026

annika mcgivern equestrian psychology, anxiety horse show, emotions horse show, how do i calm down at horse show, equestrian psychology

Last summer, I observed a rider in the warm-up ring at Thunderbird Show Park in Vancouver, BC, who seemed to be struggling. Her horse was tense and unfocused, despite her best attempts to establish a connection. The horse appeared distracted, and when they approached a practice jump, it refused. The rider fought to maintain her composure, but her frustration and tension were clearly visible. Although she cleared a few jumps at the trot, once they began cantering, the horse rushed the jumps and nearly bolted after landing. After a few attempts, she pulled up to the corner of the arena, her face showing the emotional toll of the situation.