Hill Haven Stable

08/17/2024

Carl Hester tells us:
“Self-carriage is really easy to see. It’s that tension into the hand that we were talking about with Valegro, the first place you see it is through the whole of the top line of the horse. The best thing you can do for self-carriage is the give and re-take of the reins. It is amazing how you forget to do that when you ride on your own. That constant giving the hand, taking, giving, taking, making sure that the outline is stable, the mouth is soft. You only have to look at the mouth to know how it is working, the horse is carrying its own head and neck. People that ride on their own, it can be something that they forget they are doing, people put in too much power and that’s why they find self-carriage difficult, and I always think you’ve got to create balance and then put power in, that way around.”
https://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2021/02/balance-self-carriage-and-the-importance-of-rider-position/

07/05/2024

To avoid overriding your horse… Use your aids only when you feel the horse is beginning to disrespect them. You can compare this to a kick-sled—when it has picked up the desired speed, you stop pushing it and only push it again when it starts to slow down.—Kyra Kyrklund

Kyra Kyrklund represented Finland at the 1990, 1994, 1998 and 2006 World Equestrian Games. This solution originally appeared in her book, Dressage
with Kyra.

06/28/2024

Things your riding instructor wants you to know:
1. This sport is hard. You don't get to bypass the hard…..every good rider has gone through it. You make progress, then you don't, and then you make progress again. Your riding instructor can coach you through it, but they cannot make it easy.

2. You're going to ride horses you don't want to ride. If you're teachable, you will learn from every horse you ride. Each horse in the barn can teach you if you let them. IF YOU LET THEM. Which leads me to…

3. You MUST be teachable to succeed in this sport. You must be teachable to succeed at anything, but that is another conversation. Being teachable often means going back to basics time and time and time again. If you find basics boring, then your not looking at them as an opportunity to learn. Which brings me to…..

4. This sport is a COMMITMENT. Read that, then read it again. Every sport is a commitment, but in this sport your teammate weighs 1200 lbs and speaks a different language. Good riders don't get good by riding every once in awhile….they improve because they make riding a priority and give themsevles opportunity to practice.

5. EVERY RIDE IS AN OPPORTUNITY. Even the walk ones. Even the hard ones. Every. Single. Ride. Remember when you just wished someone would lead you around on a horse? Find the happiness in just being able to RIDE. If you make every ride about what your AREN'T doing, you take the fun out of the experience for yourself, your horse, and your instructor. Just enjoy the process. Which brings me to...

6. Riding should be fun. It is work. and work isn't always fun.....but if you (or your rider) are consistently choosing other activities or find yourself not looking forward to lessons, it's time to take a break. The horses already know you don't want to be here, and you set yourself up for failure if you are already dreading the lesson before you get here.

7. You'll learn more about horses from the ground than you ever will while riding. That's why ground lessons are important, too. If you're skipping ground lessons (or the part of your lesson that takes place on the ground), you're missing out on the most important parts of the lesson. You spend far more time on the ground with horses than you do in the saddle.

8. Ask questions and communicate. If you're wondering why your coach is having you ride a particular horse or do an exercise, ask them. Then listen to their answer and refer to #3 above.

9. We are human beings. We make decisions (some of them life and death ones) every day. We balance learning for students with workloads for horses and carry the bulk of this business on our shoulders. A little courtesy goes a long way.

Of all the sports your child will try through their school years, riding is one of 3 that they may continue regularly as adults (golf and skiing are the others). People who coach riding spend the better part of their free time and much of their disposable income trying to improve their own riding and caring for the horses who help teach your child. They love this sport and teaching others…..but they all have their limits. Not all good riders are good coaches, but all good coaches will tell you that the process to get good is not an easy one.

📝 Kimberley Reynolds

📸 Max & Maxwell: Equestrian Photography

06/17/2024

Just hanging out. The newest member of the Hill Haven Team. Tanner!

05/04/2024

It’s that time of year again to focus on our own riding fitness. Abbey Road Fitness once again is offering a program on Wednesday evenings at 5:30 at Hill Haven for a group of riders looking to improve their own fitness. PM for more information if interested.

04/26/2024

More words from the wise- RS Training
Today I want to address something that can be quite a challenge for many riders...

The flying changes.

One horse has it completely under control, while another struggles greatly with it.

Some riders keep trying endlessly to execute a correct change.

But it's important to realize that in most cases, the issue does not lie with executing the change itself.

Because almost always, the cause of problems with flying changes is something else.

Namely, the quality of the canter.

One of the things that becomes apparent is that it ultimately comes down to your horse's balance.

To what extent is your horse balanced when riding the diagonal and does he stay balanced as you prepare for the flying change?

Do you notice your horse starting to push more onto the forehand and feel an increase in rein pressure? Do you notice your horse beginning to fall apart a bit in the canter?

These are all signs that are not conducive to executing a good flying change.

Because a horse that canters with too much weight on the forehand can never execute a nice change.

People often want to think about riding certain lines or exercises to improve flying changes. That there might be a handy trick.

I certainly talk about this and that in the Grand Prix Course, and there are definitely tricks that can help, but the most important thing is the quality of the canter.

So focus primarily on that if you want to improve flying changes.

Pay attention to the 'front-back' balance and the 'right-left' balance.

To prepare your horse for the change, you can move sideways a few steps in canter, making your horse a bit more 'hollow' towards the side he needs to change towards.

This creates shoulder freedom that your horse needs to execute a good change.

Do this first without immediately attempting a change, as you may lose some balance or notice your horse becoming a bit tense.

Only when the canter remains good can you attempt the change.

04/20/2024

Copied from RS Training

When you're training your horse, you're essentially focused on one thing.

Influencing the balance positively.

As you probably know, there are different stages of balance.

When you start with a young horse, it likely carries more weight on the forehand (which is natural for horses).

Through proper training, you aim to shift more weight towards the hindquarters.

This way, the hindquarters assume a supportive role rather than merely a pushing one.

An exercise I often use to improve balance is shoulder-in.

It's a commonly practiced exercise but not so easy to execute correctly.

Think for a moment, what do you do with your inside leg when riding shoulder-in?

Many people push their inside leg slightly back, but that's actually cheating.

You're pushing the hindquarters outward instead of having the horse place its forehand slightly inward.

This diminishes the exercise's gymnastic effect.

Because you want to position the shoulders inward, allowing the inside hind leg to bear more weight, resulting in an upward movement.

Next time, pay close attention—are you truly riding shoulder-in, or are you actually pushing the hindquarters out? 🤔

01/16/2024

To create the soft, downward transitions that you want to feel with your horse...

Imagine that your transitions land gently, like a leaf floating to the earth.—Kathy Connelly

🎨: Sandy Rabinowitz

11/09/2023

Not just for TB’s…

"That trot -- the overly big one, where power isn't quite perfectly controlled yet -- that is where you can really see potential AND build good strength and muscle. So with a soft hand and slightly more upright back, I ask them to hold that big trot as long as they can." Welcome to the...

10/11/2023

Lightness in front derives from lift from behind.

Stronger bits don't create lightness, though many resort to those strategies when horses seem "too strong."

And part of lightness has to do with strength and fitness because "under and up" takes more buoyancy than forward and down.

And part is rider position and rider feel, to use little half halts, quick and release.

And part derives from horse conformation. It is easier for a horse like Catch A Cloud here, because of her natural inclination to be in balance.

You might want to play with achieving lightness without using stronger hands or stronger bits. See what you can feel once you get rid of various crutches that rely on force.

10/10/2023

This week's editorial is a follow up to my previous article discussing the proliferation of the consumption of talent rather than the training of it to further develop it for the competitive sport of dressage. It is not a judging problem. It is not a breeding problem. It is an education problem. Aft...

09/28/2023

Susanne Hamilton explains this German term that describes a concept of relaxation, looseness, movability and freedom.

09/16/2023

So true!

Appreciate your trainer.

They spend way more hours at work than you could even imagine. They are here six if not seven days a week every week. They work holidays. They work weekends. And just because their office is outside and they get to be surrounded by beautiful animals the whole time does not mean they aren’t working. The barn to you is your sanctuary. It’s your escape. It’s your place to vent. Your place to relax. Your place to unwind. That is not what the barn is to them. While they have moments of serenity when everything is quiet, this is still their job. they are still on the clock. They still need to be on their game. Always.

Their job is not just riding. They deal with all of you every day. Long before and long after they have come and gone from the barn. During dinners. During drinks with friends. During family time. On days off. They are here for you.

They care. They care more than you could ever know. Each and every horse is a part of their soul. They know their mannerisms. They meticulously watch their weight, their movement, monitor what they eat and how much of it, how much they work, whether they are happy doing their job, and how to make them go in a way that pleases you without jeopardizing them. They stay up late with them if they are sick. They write down every time they batted an eyelash wrong. And they remember what they need when.

They take pride in them going well for you. They listen to every flaw you find with them, even if it is in fact your flaw, and try to help them do their job better. When you are unhappy with how they go, they strive to never let it happen again, even if your expectations are unreasonable. They bend over backwards to make your horse perfect, even if what you’re asking for is a horse without spirit, or personality. They stand up for them when they can, trying their best not to make you upset in the process. They are their life’s work, and they know them inside and out.

They listen to you. Whether you are rational or not. They remain calm when you bring the stress of your day job to the barn and take it all out on your horse and on us. They pick up the pieces when you’ve been unforgiving with your horse, who was simply surprised by your lack of patience after a long day. They are your rock, your shoulder to cry on, and your horses.

When they go home, they still reply to your texts and your emails and your calls. They are never off the clock. They take in stride as best we can your rants of frustration when your horse or your riding isn’t exactly where you want it to be exactly when you want it. They take the blame. For you. For your horse. For everything.

And yet here they are. Still showing up. Still being here for you. For your horse. No matter how you treat them. Regardless of whether you deserve them. They are here.

09/14/2023

Totally believe this

Ok H/J industry …we need to pay attention… the NFL is calling for artificial turf to be removed in all stadiums …WHY? Because injuries on AT are 65% higher and more catastrophic than seen on GRASS!

We put these artificial surfaces in because we are not willing to do the work to keep grass or in our case - drag daily or even more often - our natural sand rings. Vets, farriers and the equine insurance industry have all stated that these artificial footings are causing a rise in micro tears within the hoof capsule, side bone injuries, suspensory issues and shoulder/back and stifle injuries.

A horse’s hoof is meant to SCOOP dirt and fling it so it gives ….these new ring additives do not allow this to happen so the force of landing and cantering across these footings is then moved into the horse - ever notice there are NO divots? Or not as much dirt to clean off your horses belly?

Also … because we think these footings are superior we do not drag as often nor water enough - so the footing gets thick, gummy and gooey - you can feel the sludgy texture when you walk across the schooling area …

We have seen racetracks starting to study the increase in fractures and career ending catastrophic injuries in race horses on these same artificial products

We have seen increases in cases of bacterial infections such as scratches - does this fabric additive hold bacteria??

Did you know that if you sell your equine property your new fangled ring footing is considered hazardous waste? It cannot be disposed or removed without special handling as other equine properties disappear into development some have been sued by the new owner when it costs thousands to clear this material away

We have seen more tragic injuries from even simple falls because of horses tripping in the sludge or the impact of a fall not being as absorbed by a naturally giving material

Something we need to pay attention to - yet - we keep seeing more and more of it even though a lot of horseman and well qualified people are seeing huge issues …WHY?

We are fooling ourselves into thinking any footing can be low maintenance - footing is crucial and whether it’s protecting and seeding your grass field and rolling out divots or dragging your 131 screenings while keeping it watered properly … even the new footings require manure to be removed and must be watered and dragged properly to be cared for

This is just my opinion and I am sure many will disagree with me …but…. I think we should all pay attention

07/06/2023

Dressage Olympian Kyra Kyrklund shares a simple solution to common balance problems with horses at any level.

06/29/2023

Your Saddle’s Thigh Block Can Influence the Rider’s Position and the Horse’s Performance Of course, all eyes will be on Charlotte Dujardin who returns to international competition on the European mainland following the birth of her daughter Isabella when she rides Times Kismet and Imhotep at t...

06/15/2023

🥰

06/08/2023

"To correct your seat and posture, imagine your pelvis as an old-fashioned goldfish bowl. To maintain your posture while you ride, keep the water in the bowl level. If your pelvis is tipped forward, the water will pour out onto the horse’s withers. If your pelvis is tipped backward, you will pour the water out onto the haunches." — Janice Dulak

🎨: Sandy Rabinowitz

05/28/2023

Developing Empathy

Frustrated by your horse? Try this---

Go for a run. Yes, you, human rider. Intersperse your run with sets of push-ups. See how long it takes before you lose athletic buoyancy, before you “just can’t.”

Fatigue in a horse, which is pretty much the same thing that you just felt, creates leaning, tripping, stumbling, slow reactions, poor coordination, lugging on the hand, all sorts of what you may be mistaking for “bad behavior.”

The tired horse will feel just like a “disobedient” horse. And then what will happen to that horse if the rider doesn’t tune into the horse’s fatigue? You know exactly what will happen to the horse. It will get drilled on. Drilled on just when the exact opposite should happen.

Trainers who lack the ability to sense what the horse is going through are among the worst drillers, and they create tense, scared, resistant horses, and they then do something even worse, they blame the horse.

Change your mind set. Think how YOU would feel if you had gotten beyond your limits and then got ground on and punished to fix your bad behavior.

You think I’m kidding? You think this isn’t going to happen today, all across the world where people ride and drive horses? That unfit for the task horses won’t be cranked and pressured? Dream on.

The best thing that you can do if your goal is to become a competent trainer is to constantly be aware of your own frustration meter. And stop before you create damage, physical and emotional injury and distress. Get a little and end on that. If even a little seems elusive, DO NOT GRIND. Go walk, try again tomorrow. Don’t add fear and anxiety to the training process.

I will say this one more time---“Don’t add fear and anxiety to the training process.”

Why am I saying this so often? Because if I had learned this decades sooner, I would have been a far better trainer and horse person---That’s why. Learn, if you are capable of doing so, from the mistakes that others have made. Do not drill your horse.

05/11/2023

😴😎✅

04/29/2023

Things your riding instructor wants you to know:
1. This sport is hard. You don't get to bypass the hard…..every good rider has gone through it. You make progress, then you don't, and then you make progress again. Your riding instructor can coach you through it, but they cannot make it easy.

2. You're going to ride horses you don't want to ride. If you're teachable, you will learn from every horse you ride. Each horse in the barn can teach you if you let them. IF YOU LET THEM. Which leads me to…

3. You MUST be teachable to succeed in this sport. You must be teachable to succeed at anything, but that is another conversation. Being teachable often means going back to basics time and time and time again. If you find basics boring, then your not looking at them as an opportunity to learn. Which brings me to…..

4. This sport is a COMMITMENT. Read that, then read it again. Every sport is a commitment, but in this sport your teammate weighs 1200 lbs and speaks a different language. Good riders don't get good by riding every once in awhile….they improve because they make riding a priority and give themsevles opportunity to practice.

5. EVERY RIDE IS AN OPPORTUNITY. Even the walk ones. Even the hard ones. Every. Single. Ride. Remember when you just wished someone would lead you around on a horse? Find the happiness in just being able to RIDE. If you make every ride about what your AREN'T doing, you take the fun out of the experience for yourself, your horse, and your instructor. Just enjoy the process. Which brings me to...

6. Riding should be fun. It is work. and work isn't always fun.....but if you (or your rider) are consistently choosing other activities or find yourself not looking forward to lessons, it's time to take a break. The horses already know you don't want to be here, and you set yourself up for failure if you are already dreading the lesson before you get here.

7. You'll learn more about horses from the ground than you ever will while riding. That's why ground lessons are important, too. If you're skipping ground lessons (or the part of your lesson that takes place on the ground), you're missing out on the most important parts of the lesson. You spend far more time on the ground with horses than you do in the saddle.

8. Ask questions and communicate. If you're wondering why your coach is having you ride a particular horse or do an exercise, ask them. Then listen to their answer and refer to #3 above.

9. We are human beings. We make decisions (some of them life and death ones) every day. We balance learning for students with workloads for horses and carry the bulk of this business on our shoulders. A little courtesy goes a long way.

Of all the sports your child will try through their school years, riding is one of 3 that they may continue regularly as adults (golf and skiing are the others). People who coach riding spend the better part of their free time and much of their disposable income trying to improve their own riding and caring for the horses who help teach your child. They love this sport and teaching others…..but they all have their limits. Not all good riders are good coaches, but all good coaches will tell you that the process to get good is not an easy one.

*thank you to whoever wrote this! Not my words, but certainly a shared sentiment!

04/14/2023

Looking to start in agility? Looking to put in a solid foundation for great agility skills? Tabatha has a new session starting this Sunday April April 16th at 2:30pm. We will cover focus games, start lines, jump and tunnel introduction and team connection. Session is 6 weeks long, 1 hour per week. If interested please email Tabatha directly at [email protected]

03/30/2023

Great supplying exercise

Training Tip Tuesday. This fun little exercise adds on to last week. Here, we continue to increase longitudinal suppleness by increasing and decreasing the bend through the body. We also encourage more engagement of the inside hind and connection with the outside aids. The repeated change of direction keeps the horses mind focused, thus improving relaxation. The rider must stay mindful of geometry and the horse's position through the body and acceptance of the aids. Just a great exercise for the complete development of the horse and the rider.

03/20/2023

03/04/2023

Well said!

02/26/2023

Arena time!

How can we prevent the spook? It helps to examine how the horse spooks, so that we can have a plan.