Kula Lunge

03/07/2025

I started with the lead attached, as Wally did try to walk away from me a couple of times, but in the end, I took the lead rope off, and he continued to follow me. In previous sessions, when I have tried this, as soon as he realised I wasn't attached to him, he would walk away.

The purpose of this is to see how Wally is following my body language. He has been extensively trained in hand and knows his job; however, I want him to stay with me because he is following my cues, not because he knows I have control over him.

I started off with the lead attached as Wally did try to walk away from me a couple of times but in the end I took the lead rope off and he continued to foll...

03/07/2025

There have been some questions about whether Wally isn't moving forward because we are training him with a contact, so I've decided to warm him up today without the side-reins attached to clarify that he travels the same with or without a contact. In fact, he actually moves better with a contact as he then travels in a round, balanced, connected frame. The weight shifts back off the forehand, he has lifted the thoracic sling, is travelling straighter, and is therefore finding it easier to move forward.

Horses naturally travel better in one direction, and in this case, Wally tends to carry more weight on the left shoulder, so he moves forward better to the left than to the right. When travelling to the right, he also tries to take more weight on the left shoulder, making it harder for him to move forward.

You will see that over the course of the training session, Wally begins to move forward more freely on both reins, and even more freely when I lunge him down the long side on a straight line, as he can then follow the rail.

There have been some questions about whether Wally isn't moving forward because we are training him with a contact so I've decided to warm him up today witho...

02/07/2025

In an attempt to explain why ‘BTV’ happens, I wrote this article for Equestrian Hub magazine ✍️. Hope it does this and helps spread understanding and kindness🙏🏻.

If you decide not to read it and instead troll me for daring to post a ‘BTV’ photo, go for it. I do bleed and can be hurt, but not by online trolls🧌 …. If however, you have a question, I’d be happy to attempt to explain🤓. We all do have one thing in common…. We love horses🦄.

Thankyou Equestrian Hub for your special free online magazine, free to all equine enthusiasts☄️.

Dressage Queensland
Equestrian Queensland
Dressage Australia