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This fear comes in all age groups and genders.
Concerns are about the horse stepping on their foot, while others fears could be where a horse may have ran off with them or other happenings, incidents in which may have stem from a bad experience in their past.There are those that just haven't been around these great animals, and...

Have you been to a riding facility that was dirty, the horses were dirty, skinny and straggley, the tack was a mess, and the feeling was overall busy/chaotic? I have. My equine education has taken me all over the country, and I have witnessed close to perfection to downright unfathonable. I know what is right from what is not, but have never found a facility as well run and orderly...

i found one of my first life passion at Wild Bill Coady's Dude Ranch when i was seven years old. my dad jokes that it was probably the most expensive vacation we ever took. i fell in love instantly and started taking riding lessons from Tammy Jay in Bob Whitlatch's barn willow pond. my first horse was a Half-Arabian gelding named Nimbus. my...

I have a passion for horses and an education in Dressage. Dressage (pronounced dress-ahhzh /ˈdrɛsɑʒ/) (a French term, most commonly translated to mean "training") is a path and destination of competitive horse training, with competitions held at all levels from amateur to the Olympics.
Dressage levels begin at Introduction and go through Gran Prix movements. The horse looks to be the athlete and the center of attention, while the rider is to make it all look effortless. It is similar to ballet in that there are various movements required per level. At the upper levels, movements...

We teach kids and adults, 7 years old and up, the basics of horsemanship and sportsmanship. Our riders are taught how to be safe around horses, they are taught how to...

The following interview was held between Nicole Vernon, the President of the San Ramon Valley Horseman’s Association and Cindi Leisure.
 
Cindi Leisure is a classical seat and position specialist. She began her professional teaching career in 1978 after returning to the U.S. from an intensive and extensive study at Crabbet Park Equitation Centre in Sussex England.
Cindi earned her instructor’s credentials and horsemastership from the prestigious British Horse Society. By 1986, after a five year study in Centered Riding, here in the states, she earned her instructors certification level I and by 1998 her level II. Between 1991-2009 she has participated and received seven continuing education certificates in Centered Riding.
 
Nicole- You decided to specialize in the rider.  What prompted this particular direction?
Cindi- I was convicted very early on about this direction.  I observed people with years of riding experience that had no basic foundations upon which to build their riding careers.  Also I became aware of the fact that most people teaching...

Balanced Seat Training
 
Balanced Seat Training for the rider is similar to a college education for the business professional.  Without a solid and correct educated foundation, one will find it difficult and challenging to be fully successful in any future endeavor.
 
In building the foundation for the rider, exercises and many combinations of exercises are given to develop the qualities of an independent seat, independent hands, balance, security, coordination, strength and...

Something that I have noticed over the past few years while riding and working with others and their horses is how often people are not thinking while they are riding. They tend ride as passengers for a majority of their ride, until they want to do something, stop, change gaits, turn, or move laterally. When it is time to take one of these actions, without the proper preparation they ask their horse to complete a maneuver. They are usually met with some resistance from the horse, even if it is only short term, while the horse prepares itself and then responds to the request. Then they wonder why the horse is bracing against them, stiff, or just plain non responsive, and more times than not, they blame the horse, this can be avoided if the riders will simply THINK while they ride.  
For example, if you are going to stop, plan ahead, make sure the horse is with you mentally and is soft, then change your body position and allow the horse to respond. If you...

I was introduced to Vaquero/Buckaroo Horsemanship when I met Dan Knuth in Chandler, Arizona. Intrigued by what I learned in the first month, you could say I became somewhat of an addict! If I was not at work, I was at the ranch practicing what I had learned, watching Dan give other people lessons or just simply spending time around horses. I continued to watch Dan as much as possible and practice everything that I learned or saw. It wasn't long before Dan noticed my desire and commitment to become a horseman. He was kind enough to take me under his wing as an apprentice and spend countless hours helping me with starting colts and refining my horsemanship skills. I spent countless hours riding with him, learning to start colts and work with troubled horses using these methods, and even working with Dan’s students from time to time.
Jessie was introduced to Natural Horsemanship as a young teenager, at age 14 she purchased a green-broke 9 year old Arabian, whose history, much like many horses who cross our paths, was far from good. She knew she needed to find another way to get with Skylark and get safe, which is when she was introduced to the Parrelli method of training which ultimately led her to...

People who already ride know the basic safety rules around horses; always wear a helmet, don't make sudden movements or noises, keep your distance from feet and teeth, and many other common-sense rules that any competent horseman can teach.What many new riders don't realize is how deeply the management of a horse can effect your safety in the saddle. Much as a puppy who doesn't get enough exercise is likely to destroy your furniture, a horse constantly confined is likely to let loose at the most inopportune moment; when you are on his back. Horses evolved roaming very large spaces, moving at a leisurely pace and eating constantly. Modern management practices have confined these...