Virginia Arabian Horse Association

09/07/2025

💞🐴

09/07/2025

It's easy to get caught up in the details and endless schedules of lessons and shows. But Geoff Teall cautions against forgetting the most basic truth: horses are still horses. He reminds riders that giving horses real downtime is just as important as training them in the ring.

Teall believes riders too often project human preferences onto their horses. We may love a hot shower at the end of the day, but horses don’t. We may value polished manes and tails, but horses don’t. “I’m quite sure that they don’t like braiding and pulling and twitching and trimming and all of the nonsense,” he says.

Instead, horses thrive when they can live more naturally with turnout, room to move, grass to graze, and other horses to socialize with. Allowing them this downtime is not indulgent; it’s a crucial part of keeping them sound in both body and mind.

One of Teall’s strongest pieces of advice is simply to stop. “Stop picking at him. Stop clutching the reins. Stop smothering him. Stop fussing. Just stop.” Horses don’t need to be micromanaged every second. Constant fussing creates tension, not progress.

Instead, Teall urges riders to make time in the saddle count. Be clear, specific, and fair when you ride, then reward the horse with release, rest, and time off. A horse learns far more from short, focused training sessions followed by downtime than from endless drilling.

Teall even builds deliberate rest periods into his horses’ lives. He likes to pull shoes, let manes and coats grow, and give his horses time to get dirty and relax. This isn’t laziness; it’s an investment in longevity. Horses that are allowed to recharge come back fresher, happier, and more willing to work.

“No work for a period of time makes the horse more willing the rest of the year,” he writes. That willingness is what sustains long-term performance and prevents burnout.

🔗 Continue reading this article at https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2025/09/03/downtime-matters-letting-horses-be-horses/

09/07/2025

09/06/2025

Our deepest condolences to our members Robin and Greg Peake on the loss of Robin’s father “Coach” Bill Mountjoy. You are certainly in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. 🙏

08/30/2025

Don’t forget! The USDF All-Breeds Award Program enrollment deadline is Monday, September 1, 2025.

Arabian, Half-Arabian, and Anglo-Arabian horses must be lifetime-declared with USDF and enrolled through AHA to be eligible.

Enroll Now: https://hubs.la/Q03DcS8T0

📞 Questions? Call the AHA Competitions Department at (303) 696-4500 (Option 1).

08/24/2025

Horse racing legend Ron Turcotte has died 🙏

08/22/2025

7 Days to Go!
Did you know Distance Nationals is held in conjunction with 5 other breeds, all coming together for the Distance Horse National Championship?

Partner Breeds:
Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC)
Paso Fino Horse Association (PFHA)
Performance Shagya-Arabian Registry (PShR)
American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA)
Akhal-Teke Association of America (ATAA)

Get ready for a weekend of endurance, teamwork, and amazing horses!

08/09/2025

Can anyone else relate 😂😂😂

08/08/2025

Because visual learning just hits different 👀
Finding the right feel in your reins starts with your fingers. Too loose, and you lose connection. Too tight, and you risk tension in the whole body,
yours and your horse’s.

👉 Let’s break it down:
a. ✅ Correct – Fingers softly closed, fingertips touching the palm. You maintain light, consistent contact without gripping.
b. ❌ Incorrect – Fingers open. This weakens the connection and creates an unstable line to the bit.
c. ❌ Incorrect – Fist clenched. Tension travels up the arm, restricting softness in the hand and communication with your horse.

It’s all about that sweet spot: closed enough to hold, soft enough to feel. 🖐️

( Image found off Pinterest )