Does your horse have a tense jaw? Is it hard to get him to go forward? Is he unwilling to stretch forward and down? Does he chomp on the bit, pull his tongue back or otherwise fuss with his mouth? The answer may not be where you think! Horses often mirror the rider’s behavior and […]
Murdoch Minutes
Murdoch Minute No. 81: Reach for your horse’s tail
Is it cold where you live? Do you feel stiff when you mount up? Have you been sitting at a desk or driving your car for hours before riding? Are you still wound up from your day? Before you ask your horse to move it would be a good idea to consider spending a few […]
Murdoch Minute No. 110: Seeing Like A Horse
Does your horse shy at stationary objects? Do you feel like he is trying to avoid work? Does he react to the same object again and again no matter how hard you try to make him face it? Understanding how your horse sees can help you come up with a better strategy for solving shying […]
Murdoch Minute No. 103: Press back for Outside Leg
Use this Murdoch Minute to open your hip for a correct outside leg position. When the thigh is in neutral your heel will go back and down toward your horse’s hind foot.
Murdoch Minute No. 71: Ease your back-up woes
Do you have trouble backing your horse up (rein back)? Does he raise his head and hollow his back? Does he refuse to move? Do you try to pull your horse back with the reins? Here’s a quick tip to ease your back up woes. Next time you ride, stop and back your horse up […]
Murdoch Minute No. 92: Change your Rising Diagonal in the Air
Do you push off your feet in rising trot? Tend to fall back into the saddle? Ride the “down beat”? Have difficulty getting your horse to lengthen his trot stride? Alternating between changing your diagonals sitting and rising can help. When you can maintain your balance and keep to a steady rhythm your horse’s trot […]
