Rimini Park Performance Horses

16/10/2024

Absolutely 😊🙏👌

Talking with master trainer, Hubertus Schmidt:
Can you tell you are working in the correct way, if the horse is always ready to take the rein and stretch and go long?
“That is one way to check that you are on the right way – in the high collection you must be able to stretch them so they follow the bit and they are not stuck up there. In every situation you must be able to stretch them – even a piaffe or a pirouette, even then, I must be able to do it."
https://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2024/01/hubertus-schmidt-on-classical-training/

01/09/2024

A very good visual of the footfall of the walk sequence. Keep this in mind when I'm saying "right front sneaker left hind sneaker"
😂😂😂

03/05/2024

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬 - a sneek peak at our soon to be released Modern Horse Training Volume 2.

If two opposing operant signals such as reins (deceleration) and legs (acceleration) are given together this contradiction will block the original learned response of one signal and cause it to deteriorate.

Every horse has a predisposition to respond more ‘enthusiastically’ to either 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐩 or 𝐆𝐨 responses.

Typically, sensitive horses tend to have better "Go" responses, and less sensitive horses have better "Stop" responses responses.

When opposing signals are used concurrently, the horse foregoes the weakest one. Therefore, the sensitive horse usually has worse brakes (‘hot’), and the less sensitive horse tends to have a worse Go signal (‘lazy’).

Our team will release little reveal details in anticipation of the book's release in the coming months. Watch this space. ✨

25/02/2024

Brilliant morning with my boys Sunny & Spooks under the sympathetic, effective & educated eye of Classical master Rodrigo Matos.

Monday times included for interested spectators and one vacancy has come up mid afternoon

01/10/2023

Raquel Butler is an amazing practitioner, only a few places left for sign up

Welcome to the Equine Functional Posture to Strength (FPS) course. Split into easy to follow modules with a weekly webinar and Q & A session along with video activities for you to work on with your horse.  This course will teach you how to recognise postural compensation like a pro and you are goin...

04/07/2023

🤔

Researchers discovered a connection between Chromosome 25 and the presence of kissing spines in horses.

03/06/2023

01/05/2023

It isn’t cool anymore 😑⁣
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Let’s let the sparkly-eyed wonder toward this die off:⁣
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“Training” horses at a rapid pace ⚡️ you know, like starting a c**t to ride in a couple hours, then standing on his back to crack a bullwhip.⁣
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There’s this sense of wonder, amazement and respect toward trainers who can get things done FAST…⁣
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Meanwhile, the horse is showing every sign of stress (even while doing the desired behavior), like triangulation of the eye, head held high, tension in the body, flared nostrils, snorting, standing frozen, or eyes glazed over.⁣
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Sure, the trainer is loping him around dragging a tarp today…⁣
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But that doesn’t mean this will be safe or possible in a week.⁣
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Because right now?⁣
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That horse doesn’t feel safe. He isn’t accepting and relaxed… ⁣
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***He’s in a freeze response*** waiting to explode when the moment is right—usually when a less experienced person handles him (or, with extended forceful training, he may shut down long-term, those eyes remaining lifeless and dull).⁣
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❌ Don’t be fooled by quick, flashy training⁣
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✅ Do understand both the obvious and subtle signs of distress (otherwise known as calming signals)⁣
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Speed isn’t impressive. What’s admirable to us is:⁣
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🌱 Being *thorough* rather than fast⁣
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🌱 Staying below the fear threshold⁣
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🌱 The horse feeling relaxed and enthusiastic throughout the session⁣
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🌱 Training results last long-term, rather than producing flashy yet fleeting outcomes⁣
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🌱 The horse is excited to train again the next day⁣
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Training fast (i.e. using force and flooding) is a skill, to be sure… but, we believe it’s less of a skill than training ethically, which requires keen observational skills, enormous amounts of education, empathy, patience, and compassion, at the very least.⁣
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Ethical trainers make it look like they just have an “easy” horse. The session won’t have you on the edge of your seat; it’ll be gradual. Peaceful. Relaxed.⁣
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And the horse will happily participate ♥️ with an unguarded presence, excitement for what’s next, and a sparkle in his eye ✨⁣
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Which do you prefer?⁣
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— written by the MM team 💫

16/01/2023

My beautiful Sunny being a model today 👌

15/01/2023

Thankyou gorgeous Kim for another amazing weekend.
Heartland Equestrian will be returning to Rimini Park early in June, 4th and 5th, then possibly again in Spring

18/05/2022

13/04/2022

Horses show some very subtle body language to tell us how they are feeling. Here is just a glimpse....

Image courtesy of the Pet Professional Guild Australia

12/04/2022

Spending time with gorgeous Gigi, Bloomfield Furstin Desire. She is a very tactile and gentle beauty that thrives on attention. Its only been three weeks and she has settled beautifully.
Cant wait for what the future holds for us ❤️🦄

20/01/2022

Absolutely, the synchronicity between the folding of the quarters and the elevation of the forehand is clearly taught in classical riding. The sequence may vary however the desired outcome is the same, a healthy well balanced horse light to the aids

QUOTE OF THE MONTH JULY

« I have never enough understood...the importance of the lifting of the base of the neck which is everything in the balance of the ridden horse. I have myself focused too much on the ramener which does not acquire all its value than after the lifting of the base. »

(Colonel Danloux)

« It is not the lifting of the neck, it is the lowering of the haunches that is the goal to follow. The lifting of the neck is nothing than a part of the whole work that allows to achieve it."

(Général Decarpentry)

« By engaging his pelvis under the horse, it lifts his vertebral column, his withers. The importance of the lifting of the withers cannot be overestimated. It is a necessity to the tilting of the pelvis which , otherwise, loses a part of its efficiency. »

(Jean Claude Racinet)

Whatever might be the tendency of the protagonists of the High School, all are in unison that it needs to associate the elevation of the neck with the lowering of the haunches.

On this photo of Quavalcadour (1998) this double imperative is well to be seen.

14/11/2021

Inspite of this weather I had a very productive couple of hours. Spook is progressing to wide cavalettis on an arc without missing a beat, and Sunny is starting to show a beautiful lowering of the quarters and lifting of his forehand ❤️❤️

31/08/2021

🤠🤨
Quite the rider!!

14/01/2021

My beautiful Sajonaro had a saddle fit today. He was beautifully behaved, he has been on Mc Dowells Herbal performance horse program for a few months and is just blossoming.
He is also covering mares so Im very pleased with his overall demeanour.

10/01/2021

Trail riding isnt just about getting on and going when it comes to young horses. These two youngsters need quiet rides, not even trotting nor cantering until they are completely ok with heading out. I am a big advocate of dismounting whenever needed and re-visiting any groundwork to help diffuse tension or instil confidence as a young horse will normally follow you if they feel safe.
With this solid foundation the arena work in the future will be solid also.
Plus I love the pricked ears and springy steps when you get out and about.