Yucca Valley Equestrian Center

12/30/2024

We work on this daily

11/24/2024

11/22/2024

Good information

"The Biomechanics of Jumping Position" by Alexis Soutter DVM

"There is much debate these days about the “best” jumping position. For over thirty years now, it has been very common for riders in the hunters, equitation divisions, and even the jumpers to favor a position in which they lean their upper body well forward onto the horse’s neck. The most common explanation for this position is that it in some way allows a better release of the horse’s mouth. Very little attention has been paid in many circles as to what this does to the rest of the horse, however."

Click on the link below to continue reading 👇

https://www.myvirtualeventingcoach.com/articles/guest-blog-48-biomechanics-jumping-position-by-alexis-soutter-dvm

10/16/2024

Very good information

10/08/2024

Ever wondered how our anatomy compares to a horse’s? 🧐 Check out this colorful schematic of a human foot and a horse’s hind limb! Did you know that our heel is actually the equivalent of the point of the hock in a horse? 🦶➡️🐴

09/28/2024

I firmly 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

08/02/2024

Sadly both Dr Reiner Klimke and Susan Hayes Woods are no longer with us, but this edited interview from 1995 is a pignant reminder that modern dressage started to go wrong over 20 years ago...

SUSAN’S INTERVIEW WITH DR. REINER KLIMKE AT THE AACHEN CHIO JULY 1995

Susan: I was watching you as you schooled Biotop in the indoor arena this morning, and it was wonderful. I noticed you were working him in a fat snaffle, and I wondered if you could talk about the importance of working in the snaffle for upper level horses.

Klimke: I ride at home only once a week on the double bridle.

Susan: Do you mean for most of your Grand Prix horses, or for this one especially?

Klimke: All. I want to have them very light in my hand. It is easier when they are really “through”, and they take the bit and take your hands. Then they are not afraid to come out to the double bridle.

Susan: Biotop seems to be very “out” to the bridle–there is not a lot of overflexing.

Klimke: And when he goes in extensions, the neck and frame extend too. And yet there are horses who make their extensions with overflexed necks and they score just as well…

Susan: Can you explain that?

Klimke: Well, when I tell you this, I don’t want to sound jealous, but I live for classical riding. Classical riding means that the horse must go: that is, the energy must come through and the horse reaches forward. But the judges don’t always mark accordingly. I don’t mind; I know what is right. I have been in this sport for nearly 40 years.

Susan: I also saw today that you were doing a lot of work on the basic paces, and simple transitions.

Klimke: Yes. The horse must go forward and he must be happy. If the horse is happy and he trusts you, then you can teach him. If you punish him, that is wrong.

Susan: They never forget. Is there any place for punishment in riding?

Klimke: I hate to punish a horse. It must not be. It can happen to anybody. Sometimes you lose your patience, you try to make the horse a slave. But it is not right. Sometimes you see riders blowing up, even here, with top riders. I say to myself, “Poor horse, I wouldn’t like to be in your stable.”

Susan: Why does it happen? A lot of these riders will teach and talk about riding classically, and mean to do it, but then it is different here. Is it the pressure?

Klimke: I think everybody wants to win. Perhaps they think if they make a horse tired it will be submissive. Sometimes it may work, but if you really look you can see what is wrong. Some judges don’t have a really good eye, and they judge by punishing mistakes, like too many or too few strides in a pirouette, for example.

Susan: Too much counting and not enough…

Klimke: Yes. The principle is: how is the walk, how is the trot, how is the canter, how is the acceptance of the bridle, how does the back work–all of these things. And in addition, the figures. But they deduct too much if a figure is not 100% okay. You see? If you make a pirouette and the horse really uses his hindquarters, and maybe the pirouette is a little big, you should not be given a 5.

Susan: That’s a little extreme.

Klimke: Yes. It can be at least a 6, can also be a 7, when the horse really canters classically. Even if the circle was too large, remember that you must deduct from 10. The judge must be able to see the main achievement of a horse and rider, in a movement.

Susan: This brings up another question, and that is–there are some amazing equine athletes here, and some of them get a lot of points because of that. Where are the places in the Grand Prix test where the talent can’t cover up the problems with the training?

Klimke: I look only at the way that the horse moves, in all three gaits. He must come from behind, with a swinging back. The head and neck must seek the bit. I hate it if the horse comes behind the vertical and stays there. When the horse is really “through”, you must be able to open and close the frame, and keep him reaching into the bit. And right now, in the judging, in my opinion, this doesn’t count for enough. But sooner or later, good riding will be rewarded. You must not lose your patience, you see. And don’t give up.

https://woodsdressage.com/ for the full interview and about Susan Hayes Woods

Concordia Equestrians.
Register as a Friend or Professional and help us make the world a better place to be a horse www.concordiaequestrians.org

06/25/2024

When a horse walks, trots and canters its body throws off waves of motion. Some riders get flung around by these concussive forces, some can pretty well be in rhythm with the horse, while the best riders have become so integrated into the motion of the horse that they become almost one flowing entity, like the Centaur of myth and fable.

Having this blending seat and body more than any other skill defines the better riders, so much so that the former multi-gold medal winning USET 3-day coach Jack LeGoff phrased it like this---

“What are the three things that you must have in order to become a good rider?”
1. A good seat
2. A good seat
3. A good seat

Jack wasn’t big on listening to riders in self-praise mode. I have heard him say more than once, “Don’t tell us how good you are. Get on that horse and show us.”

Almost instantly he could spot the fakes from the real deals just by whether or not they were part of the motion or apart from the motion. The seat doesn’t lie. You either bounce or you don’t bounce.

If your body isn’t supple enough and trained enough to merge with those waves of motion thrown off by the moving horse, you are not, by LeGoff’s high standards, a good rider, nor will you be until or unless you learn to blend.

If this seems harsh, too demanding, that’s not LeGoff’s intent. He wasn’t a coddler, rather he was telling a truth as he saw it. You either can sit the gaits or you can’t sit the gaits. Pretty basic and simple as he saw it.

02/24/2024

02/24/2024

02/09/2024

So true

❤

01/05/2024

Circles are hard!!