Horseback Riding

You should only consider using spurs when your leg is strong enough that it only moves when you are consciously giving your horse a leg aid. Spurs are considered an artificial aid (as opposed to...

Backing your horse in circles is an exercise recommended by reining trainer Mario Boisjoli for teaching his amateur riders to change leads on their horses during reining patterns. It is an...

Picking a properly sized English saddle is vital to having a comfortable ride, whether you are going to be riding in competitions and going over jumps, or just going for a pleasant ride around the...

So you have mastered the timing needed to post a trot, and can post on the correct diagonal. Now, it's time to practice posting correctly. Incorrect posting can create a burden on your horse's...

You will learn a variety of exercises to improve your strength, balance and posture while on horseback

A rider's posture, leg position, and reins all signal a horse and communicate something to the horse. Learn how to discern what signals you are sending your horse by posture, position, and leg...

A figure 8 transition allows the rider to think about how the horse turns around the rider's leg and how to signal the horse with leg pressure. Learn more about using a figure 8 to train a horse...

Take time to get to know your horse as you learn to ride. Talk to him, brush him, let him know you how you feel when you're on his back. First you walk. Get comfortable walking and then you trot....

Keep your horse safe when jumping with proper tack and leg gear. Practice getting your horse ready for jumps with a riding instructor in this free challenge course video.

Learn information and advice about horses and their lower back legs in this free video clip on the body parts of horses.

Learn information and advice about horses and their lower front legs in this free video clip on the body parts of horses.

Learn information and advice about horses and the back of their front legs in this free video clip on the body parts of horses.

Learn how to take leg wraps off your horse - free video.

Learn how to clip your horse's leg for proper showmanship - free video.

Learn what an "All Around Leg Horse" is in this free video clip.

Renvers, or a haunches-out, is a collecting movement to supple and straighten your horse. This movement may be required in some upper-level dressage tests but is also a good exercise to use while...

When a horse is moving at the canter or gallop, its center of gravity will naturally follow the front leg, which extends farthest within a stride. This leg, left or right, is called its lead. If...

Riding hunter seat equitation at a show requires the rider to be familiar with basic correct position on a horse while riding on the flat and over fences. This type of class at a show is judged...

Teaching a horse to turn on the forehand will initiate him to yielding to the leg. After a turn on the forehand is mastered, you can move on to leg-yielding, shoulder-ins and eventually the half-pass.

A half pass at the trot on horseback is an upper-level skill to be found on upper lever Dressage tests. It is not for beginner riders or horses to attempt. If you are, however, at the point of...

Horse hooves are circular in shape with a triangle of flesh inset at the base called a frog. The hoof itself is cartilage, like your fingernail, and needs to be cleaned at least twice a day to...

Wearing spurs while riding can help you give more precise and more discreet cues to your horse. It may take some time, however, before you and your horse become accustomed to them. Follow these...

Is your instructor always nagging you about your circles? Does your horse break to a walk halfway through? Is your circle more square then round? Here are some tips that will have you trotting the...