Do you tense your shoulders? Do you stiffen them when you ask for a transition? Do your hands stop following your horse making your rein contact hard and unpleasant? Here’s a quick warm-up exercise to mobilize and relax your shoulders. Next time you ride notice what happens to your shoulders. Do you have one higher […]
murdoch minute
Murdoch Minute No. 56: Holding the Reins Like Driving Lines
Do you tend to pull back on the reins? Do you tense your shoulders? Are you holding back instead of allowing your horse to use his head and neck over a jump? Here’s a quick tip to help. Next time you ride notice how you are holding the reins. Are your shoulders tense? Do you […]
Murdoch Minute No. 114: Look between the ears
Use this Murdoch Minute to improve your circles and turns. When you align your head with your pelvis and turn as one, your horse will hear a clear turn signal that will require much less use of the reins. Turning Issues Do you have trouble turning your horse? Feel like he is ignoring you? Look […]
Murdoch Minute No. 105: Glide Your Shoulders Over Your Ribs
Use this Murdoch Minute to improve your hands and rein contact. When you can make continuous circles with your hand on your back at all gaits, your shoulders will be free to follow your horses mouth on the flat and over fences. Noisy Hands? Do your shoulders get tense when you ride? Have trouble keeping […]
Murdoch Minute No. 109: Release Your Tongue Tension
Do you know what your tongue is doing while you ride? Is it relaxed or tense? Do you move it around or brace it against the roof of your mouth or cheek? Does your horse play with the bit, pull his tongue back or stick it out to the side? Your horse may be mirroring […]
Murdoch Minute No. 108: Heavy Elbows/Floating Hands
Do you tense your shoulders drawing them upward? Do you force your hands down onto the horse’s withers to keep your hands “low” and “quiet”? Does your horse go above the bit? Do you try to pull his head down? Riding with heavy elbows and floating hands will allow your horse to lower his head […]
