D & D Ranch

12/24/2024

Look who is all dressed for Christmas! 😊

12/19/2024

To maintain the well-being of our horses and provide an optimal learning experience for our clients, we conduct riding lessons seven days a week. This schedule allows us to distribute our clients evenly, preventing overcrowding and ensuring each individual receives the attention they require to become proficient riders. We invite you to inquire about our lesson program or winter camp.

12/19/2024

- If your torso is collapsing to the right, your hips slipped to the left
- If your right leg keeps creeping up, or you lose just the right stirrup, your hips have slipped left
- If you find it easier to ride to the left, than to the right, your hips likely slip to the left.
- if you find yourself clinging to the right rein, while practically forgetting that you have a left one, good chances are that your hips slept left
- If your left hand is higher than your right hand, it’s possible that your hip slipped to the left
- If cantering counter clockwise, feels okay, but cantering clockwise feels awful, I’m gonna say your hips slipped left.
- if you can leg yield your horse to the right (off your left leg) pretty well,  but cannot lead guild to the left to save your life, your hips are probably chronically slipping to the left.

So many times, when a rider or is collapsing to the right, their coach tells them to fix it by stepping into the left stirrup. 🤦‍♀️ Like, I’ve heard of very famous coaches, giving this instruction.
And the thing is, it does look a little better, because at least when they step into the left stirrup, it gets them to straighten up their entire body -the problem is they are still off-center.
 I think the coach then typically gives students other exercises that bring them back over to the right (like twisting the shoulders to point a little to the left would help), but what I can tell you is these students then talk to me about their ride and they have absolutely no idea how to reproduce whatever straightness they may have accomplished during that clinic. 

The number one, needs solved now, issue in the rider in this sketch is that the hips fell left. I don’t care that the rib cage is collapsing to the right, or that the right leg is creeping way up. All of that will be fixed once the Rider brings their pelvis back to center.

This person is also riding with the left hip forward and the right hip back, but that will also likely resolve once you get this person to scooch over to the right.

 I would tell this student to put their left butt cheek in the middle of the saddle, high centering it, and drop the right butt cheek down into the hole that creates.

Another great exercise (on a trotting horse) is to drop the left stirrup, go clockwise, and posting trot utilizing just the right stirrup. This will feel horrible at first- to the point that I often have to let students try the exercise the opposite direction with the opposite stirrup so they realize how easy it is on their “strong” side. 

If you really struggle to keep from slipping left, it can also help to turn your chest to point a little bit to the left (while traveling right). This can be very effective at putting your weight into your right leg. You can stand up, assume a position similar to riding, and then twist your torso, one way, and then the other. Not all, but definitely most people find that when they twist to the left, it shifts weight into the right foot and vice versa.

Btw- I do virtual video review lessons! Very little tech knowledge needed. $65/lesson.


12/16/2024

12/14/2024

Leap frog

12/14/2024

115 Need To Know Horse Terms For Beginner Equestrians! - The Flaxen Filly

12/13/2024

Time flies - our SART Sponsored Trainings for Spring 2025 are coming up soon! Register today to secure your seats! bit.ly/SART2025ATR

12/11/2024

12/08/2024

This has to be the biggest carrot I’ve ever seen. It’s 12 1/2 inches I had to measure 🤣

12/08/2024

Omggg I’ve never seen so many carrots. The horses are gonna be so obsessed!! I love my clients She did say she had a large sum of carrots. 🤣😂❤️

12/07/2024

Another successful day of teaching!
Horses will keep you busy 😊
Great job riding today Paisley see you next week !

12/07/2024

We had a little visitor this morning!

12/06/2024

Christmas is coming up! Do what you can to support

We’re excited to announce a unique way for you to support our amazing horses 🥰 We’ve teamed up with Promofect to create a special T-shirt and sweater fundraiser featuring a beautiful photo of our beloved Hoss, and the name of all horses involved in the accident.

By purchasing one of these items, you’re not only getting a limited time & one-of-a-kind piece of merch, but you’re also directly contributing to the care and well-being of our herd. 💙

Visit this link to check them out:
https://stores.inksoft.com/florida_beach_horses_fundraiser/shop/home

12/04/2024

People often ask me why I am huge advocate on posting on social media. You can reach at least one person through any social media account you have!

Don’t forget, we have TikTok if you wanna see content of the horses and their students!

12/04/2024

Introducing Winter Horse Camp! ☃️❄️

Join us for an unforgettable equestrian experience this winter! Our Winter Horse Camp offers two convenient session options, allowing your child to enjoy the crisp winter weather while developing essential horse care and riding skills.

Under the guidance of our experienced instructors, campers will participate in comprehensive horse care activities, as well as riding lessons tailored to their skill level. This unique opportunity fosters a deeper appreciation for horses, promotes teamwork, and builds confidence in a fun and supportive environment.

Secure your spot today and give your child the gift of an unforgettable winter horse camp experience!

Offered for ages 5-16 years old

Session Dates: Dec 26-30 & Jan 2nd - 7th
Contact: Ann: 561-929-9270
Address: 6 Hialeah Dr. Ocala 34482