Guest blog from Reveal Equestrian

This month we have a second guest blog kindly written by Jenna from Reveal Equestrian and this time she is sharing her knowledge on dressage riding by providing an introduction to this sport. Jenna is based in California and runs an equestrian centre which teaches a variety of training and lessons.  They are dedicated to teaching students about the fundamentals of equestrian riding and horsemanship.

Introduction to The Sport of Dressage Riding

Many people notice the Olympic level dressage on the televisions. Dressage isn’t a stylish move with lots of impressive names. Further, you may notice the horses seem to have complicated maneuvers because they sit motionless over them. 

Horses will be trained by the trainers with the basic dressage to create balance and responsiveness. So, you will be given the set of required elements and perform a dressage test with music. 

Photo Credit: Reveal Equestrian

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Reveal Equestrian – Guest Blog Post

Today we have a guest post by Jenna from Reveal Equestrian based in California. Reveal Equestrian is dedicated to teaching students about the fundamentals of riding and horsemanship, from groundwork to competing at “A” show levels. Jenna has produced an article for us on their top tips for beginners starting to ride.

5 Horseback Riding Tips for Beginners

Horseback riding can provide endless hours of recreational fun for you and your family, and allow you to spend time in nature and the company of animals. Especially if you are taking your firsts lessons or wishing to enjoy a horse riding holiday, some tips allow you to make the most out of your experience. Read on to discover what to expect from horseback riding in San Juan Capistrano. 

Groundwork for Equestrian Mamas

This post is all about groundwork for equestrian mamas, a topic useful to all horse owners but one which may be beneficial to all equestrian mamas, new or old. Time with our horses isn’t all about riding. There are many other things we can do with them when we aren’t able to ride, whether that be due to illness, age, time, circumstances etc.

Groundwork consists of teaching your horse on the ground and if done well these skills should transfer to under saddle. It is important to take time to do this correctly and not to rush. I am going to work through with you some groundwork which has helped to improve my horse and the bond which we have created. 

Bitless, treeless and barefoot!

The first time the word bitless was mentioned to me I must admit I laughed, I mean surely having no bit would mean no brakes, right? Wrong, this is a common misconception by most in relation to bitless. Before going further, this is not an I hate bits post but about how bitless can have its uses.

Now, what bitless won’t do though is replace bad training and in order to go bitless, the right amount of groundwork and training is still required. For me I tried it after a recommendation from my daughter who rides her 16.1hh mare in a bitless bridle and my then 3-year-old cob wasn’t going well in a bit but rode fine in a halter.

So I made the change and rode for about a year in an English hackamore, now I know you might be thinking that this is a

12 Ways to be a Good Horse Riding Student

Every one of us goes to our riding lessons in order to get better at the sport we love. We go to our riding lessons because we enjoy them. They’re time away from being a mama. They’re time just for us. But, even though we know they’re fun, and we have fun while we’re participating in them, we also know they’re serious. We are there to learn, to become more skilled riders and our coaches want that for us too. But sometimes these things are easier said than done. So I’ve put together a list of 12 ways that you can ensure you are a good horse riding student … one who’ll learn, grow and achieve their goals.

How to Prepare for a Horse Riding Lesson as an Adult

When I started riding lessons a few months ago I was starting them off the back of having had owned horses for over 7 years. Admittedly, I hadn’t done a lot of riding in those years but I was lucky in that I already owned a lot of the required equipment and had a fair idea of what to expect from lessons. If you’ve been out of the saddle for a while, or if you’re starting lessons for the first time ever, then you may be unsure how to prepare for your first horse riding lesson as an adult rider. Today I wanted to share with you 5 things that you can do TODAY that will help prepare you for a horse riding lesson as an adult rider!