Have you ever met someone and just known that you were going to be friends? Have you met someone and known that you would have to work hard to understand them in order to like them? Do you feel yourself uplifted and energized by your social circle or do you feel drained, heavy-hearted or critical…
Ignorance is bliss. There are many different “methods” available all over the world which claim to have the answer to all of your problems with horses. If you have learnt to be an open-minded individual, or are trying very hard to be (it is tricky!), then you have likely come across a variety of these…
Saddle fit is a contentious issue in horse riding. Quite recently, I decided to take the plunge and ask a local tack store to bring in their saddle fitters, so that I could save up to buy whatever fits my horse. Owning a horse riding school is no joke and ensuring that every horse and…
Horse riding, especially in a competitive capacity, has always been a world of jargon, fierce comparison and intense drive. “Horsey people”, as they are quite often referred to, are a breed unlike any other homo sapiens sapiens – the closest comparison likely being competitors at dog or cat shows. This is of course an exaggeration,…
“I don’t want to use a whip” is a phrase often heard by new riders who embrace our philosophy. As much as it can be frustrating as an instructor to have to repeat yourself about your teaching methods, I greatly appreciate the rider who can approach me with a question of “why?” What I hear…
As I sit here, with only the light of my PC screen illuminating my face, listening to “Sacrifice” from the “Beautiful Creatures” OST repeatedly, I am overcome by emotion. I am usually an expert at separating my personal life from business. The past few weeks, however, have lead me both pensive and explosive moments; those…
In Psychology, Maslow developed a theory on basic human needs. This is displayed in the form of a pyramid, with the most intrinsic needs forming the base. The theory is that each level is a need which has to be fulfilled in order for an individual to achieve the next step in their journey towards…
B.F. Skinner proposed Operant Conditioning as a theory of learning in humans, as well as animals. The theory explores the relationship between reinforcing a desired behaviour and preventing an unwanted behaviour through the use of stimuli, as well as reinforcers such as rewards or punishment. The thinking is that each behaviour will have a consequence…
For many years, the false principle of tight or gripping knees has filtered into the common riding school. It is unclear where exactly this concept comes from, as it is never outlined in school texts. The first time I heard about a gripping knee was when I started riding and older riders would tell me…
This is a very common phrase among horse riders. Quite often, the phrase “my horse loves jumping” is closely followed by “because he gets so excited when he sees a jump”. Experienced horsemen will tell you that in order to be successful with Show Jumping, you need a horse that is careful, brave and willing,…