Cedar Ridge Equestrian

11/06/2025

Colic Symptom Checklist

11/06/2025

ENTRIES ARE STILL OPEN! We are looking forward to another great show weekend! Come celebrate 4th of July with us. Lots to do for the family in Cle Elum and surrounding areas!
Saturday = competitor BBQ fun!
Judges: Natalie Lamping, Anne Gribbons and Heidi Gaian
Prizelist here:
https://www.einw.org/uploads/1/1/6/9/116984744/2025_champagne_classic_prize_list_as_of_04062025.pdf

05/06/2025

Correct tracking is like train tracks with two rails, the left rail and the right rail make up one track. Horses must have a left or nearside "rail" and an offside "rail" to establish and maintain one correct track. In the diagram, the blue footfalls are the forehand hoofprints and the red are the hind hoofprints. The left graphic 1 track is correct.

In the two track 2 track diagram at right, we see that the hind has slipped out of correct tracking, thus creating a second track. If a horse slides their butt out to one side, we must correct it and return the hind footfalls back in line with the forehand footfalls.

There are two ways to make this correction. One example of a correction is if the horse's hind slips out to the right, we move our right foot back behind the girth and push the hind back into line. We hold the horse in line with inside leg to outside rein and outside leg to inside rein. Another way, if the buttt goes out to the right, is to apply both reins but have more rein pressure in the right rein. That right rein pressure, when the hind is out to the right, "compresses" the horse's right side, which is uncomfortable for a horse, so they put their hind back in alignment with the front footfalls and track correctly.

I prefer the first method, which is inside leg to outside rein and outside leg to inside rein. But with stubborn horses, the same side rein pressure that compresses one side of the horse can be quite effective.

Tracking is not only in a straight line. The footfalls must remain in alignment in a bend as well, as shown with railroad image. Tracking in a bend is when the inside leg to outside rein and outside leg to inside rein method works the best.

Proper tracking should be established at the beginning of training a horse to be ridden. This is because when a horse doesn't track correctly, it can't stride correctly, and if it can't stride correctly, then all other movements are compromised. Take the time and lay a foundation with correct tracking.

* link to tracking in a bend post -

www.facebook.com/BobWoodHorsesForLife/posts/pfbid0JrSzN8F8nSGXSG8bZJgpsDpyWTXhbJBEjh3YQrHmSMGkSsXajSxPeYFkinFBT7aSl

03/06/2025

Preparing for a corner

In this photo, Elizabeth Ball is preparing the horse for a corner. The positioning precedes the bending. The neck is well bent inward, with the poll dropping deeper, yet sustained as the highest point of the horse’s anatomy. The rider’s aids prevent the outside shoulder from escaping, and compress the haunches inward enough to prevent them from falling off the line. In short, correct bending is an act of “straightening,” because it is based on precise spinal alignment that promotes the evenness of strides, so the hind legs continue toward their corresponding forehands.

Note that the rider’s ankle is flexed, her upper leg is deep and adhesive, and her lower leg is flexed into the stirrup. Her elbows are pressed down from the shoulders, which are rotated back and down, and her hands are together.
Dressage Principle Illuminated, page 108

28/05/2025

🐴 Turn on the Haunches

Turn on the haunches is an immensely valuable exercise. It teaches your horse how to listen to the inside bending aids and the outside turning aids at the same time - which is essential for success with the more advanced lateral movements of haunches in and half pass. It also serves to engage the hindquarters and encourages increased bending of the joints of the hind legs. The end result is that your horse's body feels more packaged. It's a great way to begin working on collection.

Click on the link below to learn how to do it! ⬇️⬇️⬇️

https://www.myvirtualeventingcoach.com/articles/turn_on_the_haunches

27/05/2025

27/05/2025

Good and simple photo