How to slow your horse down and get steadier contact

In this video I have a guest student! We work to regulate tempo on her mare and get more bending. Thank you for submitting this video!

[jberard]

This is the type of instruction/correction videos we need on utube. Please consider doing more. They are very helpful to the rider and utube viewers that don't have access to instrution close to home. Thanks.

[Lisanisky]

Firstly To the Rider. Good for you sending the video and allowing yourself to be put out there. That shows a great attitude.
Amelia that was so wonderfully done. It could be used as an example to any young Instructor on how to point out what's needed in a encouraging way.

[mjgardiner]

Thank you Amelia you’re education is much appreciated👍

[silkepsula]

Amelia I love your comments, such as taking a moment away from the initial purpose of this video and suggest a different/better way to handle when the horse goes from trot to canter when this was not asked. Because now I see how I "punished" my horse for these little things which was really him trying to figure it out - and thank you to the student for being vulnerable.

[kmiklaszewski]

I really enjoy watching videos like this with professional feedback. I search for and constantly watch full length lessons and clinics lower level riders because I am an adult rider and teacher that is not at your level and it helps to see rider and horse mistakes and corrections and gives great ideas for lessons. It is always very helpful to audit other people riding and training when you cannot get in as many professional lessons. There are a lot of us out there that are at lower levels that need a lot of help and I’m sure I’m not the only one that is grateful to see the not so perfect rider and the not so perfect horse so we can learn from that. Thank you and keep up the great videos.

[UnicornCentaur]

This was incredibly helpful, thank you to you Amelia, and thank you to the horse and rider (they look great together)!!!! My Arab is a lot like this to ride, and I've been fighting him with my hands instead of turning him - looks like we need to do a LOT more circles! :)

I can't afford weekly lessons, so videos like this are wonderful to brush up between sessions with my trainer, I would love more -- with horses and riders of all different levels!

Thanks again!

[benitascott]

Great analysis here Amelia! Very helpful! I have a forward, fast, Arab mare, often rushing, & hearing your tips helps reinforce my perceptions of all these issues: tempo control, my position, reign position & contact, & using the bend! Great video! 👍😘🐎🙏

[flawlessfluidity]

Thank you Amelia! Your videos are always detailed, informative and so helpful 🙄

[maggy]

Greetings from Kentucky.
The alleged mistake transition to canter (around 3.35 ish) may have been perceived differently by the horse.
Food for thought: This horse and rider both appear to be right handed. The horse has a moment of being more heavy on the right rein (maybe just leaning on it) and is then set up ( unintentionally) for the left lead canter depart which was pretty decent. Another way of handling this is rewarding (voice, pet on the left neck), carrying on with some canter (oppotunisticly) and then asking for trot making maybe 2 successes. There will come a time when what the horse felt is intentionally asked by the rider.
It is often hard to stick to a plan, especially on an overachiever and/or young horse.
They are such kind simple creatures with a heightened awareness of conditioned responses.
I really liked this horse and rider! Loved the constructive critique! Lots of good going on here. Thank you to all involved.

[heathertempleton]

Many thanks to the rider for sending in this video. I learned so much. Loved listening to Amelias excellent instructions for her.

[lindav]

So many take aways even in first 6 minutes. - doing changes of directions [serpentines etc], and I like how you said be willing to go with the horse like when she broke into a nice canter, just turning into a small circle rather than pulling on her mouth . "going with the horse". I like that. And your recommendation to have shoulders a bit more back and shorter reins with hands a little bit more forward. I can tend toward leaning forward when we speed up so this is great instruction!! I need this instruction too. Thanks, even almost 3 yrs after initial post of this video.

[yellowrose]

What a terrific idea of the pyramid . I really appreciate your analysis if the horse's attitude/ability---idea of "forward", & the circle idea as a remedy. 3 cheers for rider position advice. this should be reviewed from time to time.

[teresastanley]

Great video! I too am not certain what to do when my horse breaks into canter. Thanks to the guest rider and Amelia! This is a great instructional video!

[savvywillow]

This is exactly what I needed to see. Thank you so much!

[noorazahariahzainon]

Thank you Amelia for a great analysis video. I’m a beginner at late 50’s and always panic when cantering. ❤ from Malaysia

[meretesrheim]

Loved this and your positive attitude and useful Feedback for her!
I have been working a lot with my horse to listen to the rhythm I want rather than allowing him to set the rhythm and this has helped to have him stay with me rather than running - a lot of halhalts.... really good comments you gave there. The use of circles and serpentine 👍
I currently work on contact where we need to improve- inside rein outside leg... l think she also should use more inside leg 😅

[briarspillane]

Lots of valuable advice in this video. It helps me as this is where many of us will be with our riding. Thankyou👌

[danihworld]

Thank you so much for the feedback!! Your tips help so much! I will work on these things and send another video. During riding my horse I feel like when I asked for the bend she tries to evade and breaks into the canter. Also she ignores inside rein to outside leg at times. In hand work she understands lateral movements. I would love a video on what to do when horses evade.

[anuschkaarmstrong]

I really like a lesson on a rider in public. great stuff thank you

[annieoakley]

This could be my mare. I have been working with her and much of the advise you give here is what I am trying to do. I guess I am on the right track.