Another reason why grooming is so important and one that I didn’t even think of, till it happened.
The cool change and rain hit Monday and I hopped on for a walking ride around the trails after two days off. When I got back I brushed the horse down myself, and when the brush hit the hindquarters I noticed a change to the tone of the tissue. It was firmer than it should have been. I immediately went to the other side, also firm. This was the first time in a week I had groomed the horse, she does have two other grooms looking after her but none know her as well as I do nor do they, or are they expected to, have my level of attention to detail.
It had been a hot couple of days and the horses were worked early and thoroughly cooled down and hosed off for an extended time before spending the day naked in a shaded paddocks. But the heat persisted through the night staying in the mid to high 20s overnight.
She did a sloppier than normal poo twice over the weekend, and didn’t consume all of her hard feed for brekkie Monday and Tuesday morning which was very out of character.
These were my only indicators that something was happening.
So I write this as a reminder to all of us to heed the very wise words, if you think there is something wrong, there probably is. Trust yourself, look further, and for goodness sakes, groom your own bloody horse every few days!
A huge thanks to our faithful and knowledgeable equine herbalist, Julie Cook of Natures Farmacy for formulating some specialised support to ensure this doesn’t happen again!
#importanceofgrooming #grooming#metabolicsupport #dressagetraining #hotweathertraining #clossondressage
I love the trust Ziska puts in me. It is one of the most precious gifts.
This is a video of her walking over a bridge to a crouching human behind a long lens with no other horses in sight.
This was her first time at this property and she walked on a long rein following my unwavering gaze to our destination.
#lifesgifts #nevertakeforgranted #dressagetraining #clossondressage
The expressions of Frutti’s ears!
What do your horses ears look like whilst you are working? How long do they stay in any position? How loose are the muscles around the base of the ears?
We are learning how important the mental state of the horse is to the overall well-being. And we use these physical behaviours to provide us with markers on which we can assess their mental state.
Welfare, until very recently, focused on the physical state of the horse, and is now not only incorporating the mental state but also emphasising its importance.
It is such an important change in our industry and one I am loving the journey of understanding more about.
#dressagetraining #equinewelfare #mentalstate #clossondressage
A favourite exercise to improve balance.
Balance is vitally important to my training system. And as a result, I prioritise its inclusion in the horse’s early training.
It is a foundation on which rhythm, straightness, and connection amongst others are built but it’s real benefit for me is that I can increase the longevity in my horses by balancing them over their hooves and up through every joint correctly from there.
Think of putting a wobble or riser in one of your shoes and notice how your knees, lower back and neck feel by the end of the day.
A focus on balance ensures my focus is also on the mechanical function of my horses which allows them to optimally perform.
So here is Toledo on his 19th ride performing slight counter flexion on a circle which I think transition into inside, or true, bend and follow it with leg yielding out of the circle. This helps him more evenly weight, and also learn how to shift the weight and correct, over his shoulders. Followed by softening his ribs, suppling his back, and stepping more under with his inside hind when I ask for the leg yield steps.
All of this is very subtle. I am just looking for a few steps and only slight angles or crossing and the emphasis is on the transitions being rhythmic and flowing.
#dressagetraining #trainingexercises #younghorsetraining #trainingbalance #clossondressage
How do we create change? We want to development and evolve, we know that this requires change, yet we are wired to resist change.
I am one of those people that both holds onto something, resistant to change because I feel that I will lose something by moving on; and in juxtaposition to that I am excited about the opportunity that the change will bring, and look forward to the unforeseen gains.
Commitment is a required element of this process. And positivity helps created that commitment. The more momentum I can create for something the more I will be encouraged to embrace it.
I have changed so much over the years. As a person, in my riding, in my horse management... And I am so proud of the person I have become from the bravery of “jumping in” and backing a movement without knowing where it might take me.
Spread your wings and fly. We will all be here to fan the air when you don’t have enough to carry you!
#embracechange #personaldevelopment #dressagemovement #clossondressage
Our bodies are a two way communication device. Which means we need to listen and speak, or receive and give information.
How do we increase our sensitivity to what the horses are saying?
Does this come through alignment and self awareness?
When we put the magnifying glass over ourselves do we inadvertently transfer this awareness to others as well?
When we are in more balance are we more open to information from others?
Or is it simply that when we are balanced we recognise when we are not in balance more quickly. Whereas when we are not in balance it is harder to recognise when we just lose a little bit more?
How do you increase your ability to listen to your horse? We all know that we have good days and not so good days. How do you ensure you are more sensitive more often?
#dressagetraining #listenwithyourbody #listenwithyouraids #clossondressage
Training isn't always a straight trajectory but some sessions come with big wins!
The goal is to not lose sight that what feels like a great leap forward is an accumulation of lots of small wins accumulated from the previous sessions.
We need a lot more 1x, and the straightness needs some work, but huge pats to Ziska for her super expressive and ground covering changes 🙌
More exercises! This is one of my absolute favourites.
I do this in all three paces on straight lines and circle tracks. So, what is it???
I start in true shoulder in, and transition to counter shoulder in and then to travers. On my more experienced horses I head into renvers as well.
The focus is on suppling the horse laterally and engaging the inside hind in the shoulder in which of course changes direction not longer after establishing it and the travers really checks the balance and throughness as well as the adjustability.
I use these exercises as well as small serpentines to help improve half circle to half circle as we do in the elementary tests or half pass to half pass as we see in the Advanced tests forward.
There are lots of wobbly moments in this video and it is definitely a work in progress but I thought it was nice to show the beginning of these exercises.
As Frutti gains understanding, confidence and balance she will fluently changer balance and bend.
#younghorsetraining #dressagetraining #clossondressage
Young horse training exercises!
Who is bringing on a young horse this year or starting a new level and looking for some ideas to help?
Here is one of my favourite exercises to increase suppleness and balance.
I am starting with a leg yield to the wall, focusing on getting her to really accept and soften into my outside aids, and maintaining the leg yield feeling even after I have reached the wall. I then turn her, starting in true flexion and progressing to counter flexion for the second part of the turn. This helps develop the balance of weight over the hind legs.
You can see slight losses of straightness, rhythm and fluency in these movements which is what I am hoping to improve as she gains confidence and ability. And as she does I will add new exercises to test and develop her further.
I am performing this in walk but also practice it in trot and canter.
#younghorsetraining #dressagetraining #clossondressage
The single, most important thing that will determine your future is your sense of who you are.
And who you are is guided by your ethos and refined by your ethics.
Every experience give you the opportunity to refine and define who you are.
Who are you today? And is it helping you be the best version of yourself?
The year is flying by
Literally how I feel 2025 has started!
I cannot believe it is mid-January already. We have so much planned!!! I will list the Jan and Feb events below so they are easy for everyone to see. Here is a list of those that I am co-presenting:
⭐️ Jan 20: DNSW - New Rules and Equine Welfare Workshop presented by Julie Jones, Sue Cunningham, Jobina Kennedy & Kristen Closson - 7pm - Zoom
⚜️ Feb 5: DNSW - E Level (Elementary) Judge's Theory Session presented by Sue Cunningham & Kristen Closson - 7pm - Zoom
⚜️ Feb 6: DNSW - C/D Level (Medium/Advanced) Judge's Theory Session presented by Sue Cunningham & Kristen Closson - 7pm - Zoom
⚜️ Feb 12: DNSW - G/F Level (Prelim/Novice) Judge's Theory Session presented by Sue Cunningham & Kristen Closson - 7pm - Zoom
🔔 Feb 15: DNSW Judges' Practical Sessions Day covering G-C Levels (Prelim - Advanced) presented by Sue Cunningham & Kristen Closson - 8.30am - SIEC
And in addition DNSW is also hosting the following which I be an audience member at:
⚜️ Feb 3: DNSW - A/B Level (FEI Levels) Judge's Theory Session presented by Jane Venture - 7pm - Zoom
⚜️ Feb 10: DNSW - Young Horse Judge's Theory Session presented by Sue Cunningham & Jobina Kennedy - 7pm - Zoom
🔔 Feb 14: Young Horse Judge's Practical Session presented by Sue Cunningham & Jobina Kennedy - 8am - SIEC
🔔 Feb 16: A/B Level (FEI Levels) Judge's Practical Session presented by Jane Venture - 8am - SIEC
We have put together a super start to the year to support and inspire everyone involved in our sport and cannot wait to see you at one or more of these events!
#DNSW #judgeeducation #startofftheyear #clossondressage
Soph looking fabulous at 47 days pregnant 👌💪