Thank you so much Amelia for such instructive videos! Would you please upload a video about different bits, bridles & related equipment, their usage, pros & cons? It would be a great help for enthusiastic riders. Hope this comment finds you safe & healthy.
Yes... ive been kicked! And it hurts! Great video! Especially the bridle and mounting block! Im a stickler for standing still and dropping the head... I admit... I do cheat with sugar cubes but its better than fighting him with the double! Win win! Thanks for the reminders! Its so easy to get complacent! 🙃❤
Always good to cover basics. Reminded me I need to work on lowering his head while bridling. I'm 4'10" so it is a struggle with any size horse lol Thank you :) I enjoy your videos
Great video Amelia, perfect timing as I just purchased a young horse and trying to establish great habits immediately. Love learning new things. Going to start work on poll lowering tomorrow. Thanks
I did like the video! A couple of things I worked on with my mare and several other horses I have handled. She would clinch her teeth. I would take my index fingers and massage her gums between her front teeth and molars. I have actually put horses to sleep doing this. It starts to loosen up their mouth. A little more time and I have actually built desire to take the bit which is really cool. Not to pick on anyone's tack but I like the rope halters. One benefit is when I have a horse that is, well, easily distracted, I can bridle it and remove the halter by untying it and slipping the nose band down the nose and around the bit and out of the horses mouth. It important to not be rude here. Great video! Thank you. Hope you don't mind I share these things.
Great video as always, Amelia! The best is the teach your horse to bring the head down to bridle. How many barns have I been to where riders are getting the good step stool out. :D
Thank you Amelia. I was hoping you would show your dismounting technique. Do you remove your left foot from the stirrup before swinging your right leg over or do you keep your left foot in the stirrup as you swing your right leg over then lean over the saddle and remove it before jumping down? There seems to be two schools of thought.
Good question. I have read and seen varying opinions on this. I thought looser was better and more humane and then I read from an Olympian that snugger is better so that the horse does not avoid the bit and it stays in place in their mouth. I would love to get Amelia's opinion and thoughts on this.
Kicking story with a twist: A fellow yoga teacher (who was very disciplined & accomplished) also had decades of horse experience; her real job was judging horse shows & buying & selling horses. One day one of her horses suddenly kicked her in the face. Since she dislikes going to doctors, she put her yoga training to the test, lay down & did three days of a particular pranayama, yogic breathing. The bones that had caved in & moved, shifted back into place. When she recovered & returned, we couldn't see that she had been kicked in the face.
Feel free to share with me any other safety tips that you have for us! And be sure to take my FREE Dressage Rider Assessment Quiz! Https://quiz.amelianewcombdressage.com
Excellent video! Would like to add one more safety practice when putting on/taking off a halter or bridle. Credit to Dennis Reis who is a former rodeo and Universal horsemanship clinician--took dressage lessons every day for a year attained 4th level status--inspired me to do dressage. He had students stand close to horse's shoulder, bring the head back to them and lower it to do these tasks. That way, a person couldn't get bashed by the horse's head if it decided to suddenly move it (the head weighs approximately 10% of the horse's total weight and it is hard!).
You can be standing too close to the horses shoulder and if the horse moves they can knock you off balance and even knock you over. I don't recommend standing that close if a horse is green or fidgety especially.
@@mshorselover77 I agree. I was standing at a horse's shoulder once when something spooked the horse on the other side of it and it knocked me down and ran over me.(didn't step on me) I think I was in the horse's blind spot .
Hi, Amelia, many thanks for these useful tips. Now, this may be a bit off topic, but any chance you could explain how to assess from the ground whether we have placed the saddle too far forward or back, and importantly, how improperly placed saddles might affect our balance (and then also safety) when riding? Thanks 😊
For the mounting tips, I would recommend grabbing the saddle at the front rather than the back, so you don't apply like a twist motion to your horse's spine... But idk, maybe your way is better for some reason 🤷♀️😊😊
What brand of bridle was that? Also, you are so right about getting overly comfortable with your own horse. I do many things I absolutely would not do with a horse I don't know.
Can you please explain why looping the halter around the neck with the crossties is dangerous but it is okay on the leadline? Is this just in case the horse bolts forward? Thanks!
What do you do if you have a mare that just doesn’t like her hind legs handled? I can brush them but 6 out of 10 time if I try to picker her feet she will fire at me with at least one of them. The other day I got a buck and double barreled kick and then she swung her whole body at me. She is very sensitive, will drop at the poll, gives space when I asks, backs up, etc. Just won’t give me her feet without a fight.
First it's important to stay safe. Second, you have to remember that whatever you reinforce will be the behaviour that gets stronger. It sounds like you will have to re-condition her to give you the correct response. I don't feel comfortable giving you more advice without seeing what's going on since she's already progressed to kicking, try getting someone local to you to help, or to join one of my classes for video review.
That is a great question and I personally think nose band is an area where a lot of people are still getting it wrong. I even remember when I was first learning a big lesson barn, that they taught me to slide my fingers up on the side of the nose band where the fingers could slide in where there was a little opening. You should really check nose band tightness On the bridge of the nose right underneath with two fingers. Here is a good article with some really good pictures. Even if the nose band is tightened too much, you can still slide several fingers underneath the nose band on the side of the face. Check out the pictures in the article. www.eurodressage.com/2018/08/22/ignorance-noseband-tightness-and-vague-fei-noseband-rules
If they insist on throwing their head despite teaching them to drop it, either you really need to work on head-shyness before trying to bridle, or you're doing it wrong.
Very nice, I like your videos. I would like to ask you for something else - why your horses need horseshoes? Why they are not barefoot? I think and many people think, that barefoot is healthier for the horse´s lifes. Thank you so much.
For the most part it is related to balance/confirmation issues. Some horses are built with hooves that don't support their body in the best way. Of course most horses will be fine regardless, but when we are talking about horses who work and especially have impact jobs then using shoes to "correct" is sometimes preferable and helps prevent excess strain.
@@Sarah-rf2fr thank you so much for your response. Do you mean that horseshoes support the horse legs and body? I am not sure if horseshoes support or exactly protect horse legs. And I am interested in dressage horse and their lifes - I can´t understand why horses who spend most of their training or sport´s life on sand surface.
I think of it like this. The horse is supporting you, tack and its own weight. So it needs extra reinforcement or support for it's feet. Just like if I go on a strenuous hike with a pack I wear an extra supportive hiking boot. Also, some horses have harder hooves and their hoof retains it's shape between trims. If that is the case, lack of shoes won't cause excess wear on the joint/tendon due to uneven feet.
This video highlights many things you do automatically without thinking. Great video!
Thank you so much Amelia for such instructive videos! Would you please upload a video about different bits, bridles & related equipment, their usage, pros & cons? It would be a great help for enthusiastic riders. Hope this comment finds you safe & healthy.
Yes... ive been kicked! And it hurts! Great video! Especially the bridle and mounting block! Im a stickler for standing still and dropping the head... I admit... I do cheat with sugar cubes but its better than fighting him with the double! Win win!
Thanks for the reminders! Its so easy to get complacent! 🙃❤
Always good to cover basics. Reminded me I need to work on lowering his head while bridling. I'm 4'10" so it is a struggle with any size horse lol
Thank you :) I enjoy your videos
Awesome tips! Can you talk about spooking under saddle and how to work through the scary end of the arena?
Great suggestion!
Amelia your videos are always amazing, thank you! Even as an experienced rider I always learn something new from your videos!
Great instruction. I started some bad habits since I have such easy horses. I will get back to safety when I start riding!
Great video Amelia, perfect timing as I just purchased a young horse and trying to establish great habits immediately. Love learning new things. Going to start work on poll lowering tomorrow. Thanks
I did like the video! A couple of things I worked on with my mare and several other horses I have handled. She would clinch her teeth. I would take my index fingers and massage her gums between her front teeth and molars. I have actually put horses to sleep doing this. It starts to loosen up their mouth. A little more time and I have actually built desire to take the bit which is really cool. Not to pick on anyone's tack but I like the rope halters. One benefit is when I have a horse that is, well, easily distracted, I can bridle it and remove the halter by untying it and slipping the nose band down the nose and around the bit and out of the horses mouth. It important to not be rude here. Great video! Thank you. Hope you don't mind I share these things.
Great tips, love it!
Any chance you can go over getting your horse to stand still, at the mounting block?
Great video as always, Amelia! The best is the teach your horse to bring the head down to bridle. How many barns have I been to where riders are getting the good step stool out. :D
Super helpful! I just got a new horse, Will definitely be using the leg tip and mounting block tips
Thank you Amelia. I was hoping you would show your dismounting technique. Do you remove your left foot from the stirrup before swinging your right leg over or do you keep your left foot in the stirrup as you swing your right leg over then lean over the saddle and remove it before jumping down? There seems to be two schools of thought.
Good one! I’ll have to do another video on this!!
Thank you for the video..Could you also tell us how tight you make you cavasion?
Good question. I have read and seen varying opinions on this. I thought looser was better and more humane and then I read from an Olympian that snugger is better so that the horse does not avoid the bit and it stays in place in their mouth. I would love to get Amelia's opinion and thoughts on this.
Kicking story with a twist: A fellow yoga teacher (who was very disciplined & accomplished) also had decades of horse experience; her real job was judging horse shows & buying & selling horses. One day one of her horses suddenly kicked her in the face. Since she dislikes going to doctors, she put her yoga training to the test, lay down & did three days of a particular pranayama, yogic breathing. The bones that had caved in & moved, shifted back into place. When she recovered & returned, we couldn't see that she had been kicked in the face.
Wow!! Incredible story!
Your horse seems like such a cutie 😍
He is! 🦄🦄
Feel free to share with me any other safety tips that you have for us! And be sure to take my FREE Dressage Rider Assessment Quiz! Https://quiz.amelianewcombdressage.com
Excellent video! Would like to add one more safety practice when putting on/taking off a halter or bridle.
Credit to Dennis Reis who is a former rodeo and Universal horsemanship clinician--took dressage lessons every day for a year attained 4th level status--inspired me to do dressage. He had students stand close to horse's shoulder, bring the head back to them and lower it to do these tasks. That way, a person couldn't get bashed by the horse's head if it decided to suddenly move it (the head weighs approximately 10% of the horse's total weight and it is hard!).
Yes!! Thanks for this tip!!
You can be standing too close to the horses shoulder and if the horse moves they can knock you off balance and even knock you over. I don't recommend standing that close if a horse is green or fidgety especially.
@@mshorselover77 I agree. I was standing at a horse's shoulder once when something spooked the horse on the other side of it and it knocked me down and ran over me.(didn't step on me) I think I was in the horse's blind spot .
You and Harvey look SO GOOD!!!!
Wonderful safety tips and reminders!! Thank you Amelia😄💕
Hi, Amelia, many thanks for these useful tips. Now, this may be a bit off topic, but any chance you could explain how to assess from the ground whether we have placed the saddle too far forward or back, and importantly, how improperly placed saddles might affect our balance (and then also safety) when riding? Thanks 😊
For the mounting tips, I would recommend grabbing the saddle at the front rather than the back, so you don't apply like a twist motion to your horse's spine... But idk, maybe your way is better for some reason 🤷♀️😊😊
Hmm. Interesting. Good point. I’ll have to give that a try!
Thanks a lot, Amelia! What about a horse that open the mouth and goes for the bit and tries to bite any part of the bridle?
Love you, Man , but no brainer! 💕
My horse's pole is unreachable 😄
What brand of bridle was that? Also, you are so right about getting overly comfortable with your own horse. I do many things I absolutely would not do with a horse I don't know.
Custom Saddle!
Can you please explain why looping the halter around the neck with the crossties is dangerous but it is okay on the leadline? Is this just in case the horse bolts forward? Thanks!
I got kicked while I was under the impression I was too far to reach, They can really stretch that back leg out when they want to.
What do you do if you have a mare that just doesn’t like her hind legs handled? I can brush them but 6 out of 10 time if I try to picker her feet she will fire at me with at least one of them. The other day I got a buck and double barreled kick and then she swung her whole body at me. She is very sensitive, will drop at the poll, gives space when I asks, backs up, etc. Just won’t give me her feet without a fight.
First it's important to stay safe. Second, you have to remember that whatever you reinforce will be the behaviour that gets stronger. It sounds like you will have to re-condition her to give you the correct response. I don't feel comfortable giving you more advice without seeing what's going on since she's already progressed to kicking, try getting someone local to you to help, or to join one of my classes for video review.
Your western background shows here. In the best way. 🤍
How do we know when the bridle is too tight for the horse?
That is a great question and I personally think nose band is an area where a lot of people are still getting it wrong. I even remember when I was first learning a big lesson barn, that they taught me to slide my fingers up on the side of the nose band where the fingers could slide in where there was a little opening. You should really check nose band tightness On the bridge of the nose right underneath with two fingers. Here is a good article with some really good pictures. Even if the nose band is tightened too much, you can still slide several fingers underneath the nose band on the side of the face. Check out the pictures in the article.
www.eurodressage.com/2018/08/22/ignorance-noseband-tightness-and-vague-fei-noseband-rules
@@kmiklaszewski thank you so much
If they insist on throwing their head despite teaching them to drop it, either you really need to work on head-shyness before trying to bridle, or you're doing it wrong.
Wish I watched this a week ago…
Oh no! Hope you're ok!
Very nice, I like your videos. I would like to ask you for something else - why your horses need horseshoes? Why they are not barefoot? I think and many people think, that barefoot is healthier for the horse´s lifes. Thank you so much.
For the most part it is related to balance/confirmation issues. Some horses are built with hooves that don't support their body in the best way. Of course most horses will be fine regardless, but when we are talking about horses who work and especially have impact jobs then using shoes to "correct" is sometimes preferable and helps prevent excess strain.
@@Sarah-rf2fr thank you so much for your response. Do you mean that horseshoes support the horse legs and body? I am not sure if horseshoes support or exactly protect horse legs. And I am interested in dressage horse and their lifes - I can´t understand why horses who spend most of their training or sport´s life on sand surface.
I think of it like this. The horse is supporting you, tack and its own weight. So it needs extra reinforcement or support for it's feet. Just like if I go on a strenuous hike with a pack I wear an extra supportive hiking boot.
Also, some horses have harder hooves and their hoof retains it's shape between trims. If that is the case, lack of shoes won't cause excess wear on the joint/tendon due to uneven feet.
Also sometimes the heel needs more support or the angles of the foot need to be changed.
@@karenb9571 thank you...but ad hiking :) I love to barefoot and barefoot shoes...so :)
Shattered forearm. My attention was elsewhere. I wasn't looking at my horse. Worst way imaginable to learn a safety lesson.