LRM Equestrian Services: Recent Episodes
LRM Equestrian Services
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Ground work is essential when introducing your horse to the Garrocha pole. I make the pole smaller (If you use a telescoping swimming pool sweep pole, you can make it much shorter than the traditional 13 feet). On the ground, I walk next to my horse, carrying the pole – starting and stopping. Allow my horse to become accustomed to the pole on both sides, out of both eyes. I keep the pole up off the ground until my horse accepts it, then I slowly “drag” the pole next to my horse. (Dragging the pole creates a sound as it drags across the footing and can scare horses). If the horse is very concerned, I do this until my horse doesn’t care, maybe over the course of several days, a few minutes each day. If another person is available, I will have them carry the pole in front of my horse and me, and I will follow the pole, similar to a cow that you would trail. This usually piques curiosity in the horses. I do this until my horse is very calm and relaxed with the pole. You can also back your horse and drag the pole with you while backing. I then allow the pole to gently touch my horse, until I can gently “bump” with the pole and the horse doesn’t care. I “bump” on the neck and hindquarters as I want them to be accepting of my mistakes. (You do not want your horse to react if you make a mistake when riding and accidentally “bump” with the pole while doing various exercises). My next exercise is to have someone carry the pole walking next to me while I ride forward in a walk on my horse. I have them do this on both sides. Again, I am looking for a calm horse with no reaction to the pole. When my horse is calm, I will have my helper hand me the pole and I will hand it back to the helper, several times, on both sides while my horse is standing still. If the horse is calm, I will walk forward carrying the pole, making sure my horse is OK with it, and my helper walking next to us, ready to take the pole, if needed. (I prefer to have a helper, as I don’t want to drop the pole if my horse gets nervous – it is much better to hand it off to someone). I then make sure I can carry the pole on both sides, and my horse can see it out of both eyes, with no reaction. My next step is to be able to drag the pole while riding my horse forward at the walk. I do this on both sides and periodically circle around the pole. At this point, if my horse is calm, I usually am good to go and can begin introducing jog and, eventually, the lope. I am never in a hurry to go faster – I want my horse to be confident and accepting. It is a good idea to briefly do a ground work check each time you use the pole, just to make sure your horse is OK with it. The Garrocha pole creates a nice change in your work routine and will really help you define your circles and straight lines, not to mention it is a lot of fun.
The post Introducing Your Horse to the Garrocha Pole appeared first on LRM Equestrian Services.
The term “ride forward” can mean different things to different people. In this episode, Lyn gives us a definition of riding forward as well as how to accomplish it with our horses. (Thank you to the band Miller and Sasser for their composition “East Texas Pines” which we used for the musical background for this podcast.)
The post Riding Forward appeared first on LRM Equestrian Services.
In this episode Lyn Ringrose-Moe talks about the importance of making a correct halt/stop. She also walks us through how to make the perfect stop and how it’s all in the preparation. (Thanks to Derek Clegg and his composition of “Selfish” which provided our musical background.)
The post Importance of the Halt/Stop appeared first on LRM Equestrian Services.
Are you like most riders who can easily feel guilty about not spending more time with their horse? In this episode Lyn talks about this issue, and just like most things in life, it’s quality time that wins out. . (Thanks go to the artists Thorn and Shout for the composition of “Trouble” which we used as our musical background.)
The post How much time do you need to spend with your horse? appeared first on LRM Equestrian Services.
What is positive tension? Why is it important in riding? In this episode Lyn discusses “positive tension” and how it contributes to soft feel. (Thanks to Miller and Sasser for “East Texas Pines” which provided our musical background.)
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Lyn suggests factors to consider before allowing others to ride your horse. She also talks about important elements when leasing your horse including the importance of communication. (Thanks to the artist Krestovsky for “Litterbug” which we used as our background music.)
The post Letting Others Ride or Lease Your Horse appeared first on LRM Equestrian Services.
Relying on her years of training horses and teaching students, Lyn describes essential characteristics which separate a great rider from a good rider. (Thank you to the band Miller and Sasser for their composition “East Texas Pines” which we used for the musical background for this podcast.)
The post What Separates a Great Rider from a Good Rider appeared first on LRM Equestrian Services.
We all have experienced challenges with our horses that seem to defy conventional approaches. In this episode, Lyn describes how thinking “outside the box” just might be the best approach to intractable problems. (Thanks go to the artists Thorn and Shout for the composition of “Trouble” which we used as our musical background.)
The post Thinking Outside the Box appeared first on LRM Equestrian Services.
Lyn is a founding partner in Cowboy Dressage World and in this episode Lyn talks about the basic philosophy behind this popular equestrian discipline, including soft feel and being kind to your horse. (Thanks to the artist Krestovsky for “Litterbug” which we used as our background music.)
The post The Philosophy behind Cowboy Dressage appeared first on LRM Equestrian Services.