Small changes can make huge differences

We all know we can always improve at riding our horse, but it can feel overwhelming at times, so much so that you don't even want to begin thinking about it, or you might not even realise what you need to do. So you just keep doing what you already did. And likely you are getting the outcome you always did. Potentially even slowly getting less if  your horse is feeling the effects of noet moving as well as it should.
But if you start with changing 1 small thing and focus on it, that could already make a huge impact.

What small change would you make? 

Or maybe you are not aware or sure of what needs improving a little and you'd like some help to think about which change will work well for you and your horse. I can help with that!
We can either have a 1-to-1 chat via zoom (or f you are closeby a ridden session) and see what we can work on. Have a look at our coach page on the webiste.  Or you can have a look at other content available on the website. We have some blogs that give you some more help with things to focus on (they are in the GE Community FREE Member section, so you might need to log in for them first:
The healthy happy equine athlete
Improving your horse
Improve yourself to improve your horse

And we also have some webinars which can help you:
Webinars to have a look at are:
Train smarter 3. Optimising and unlocking potential
Prepare your season: Make the action Plan
Avoiding injury

Or start with this blog; Take the 2 examples of this post cover for instance:
* correct contact on the reins 
* healthy use of the back for your horse

How will working on one of those small changes make a difference?

How you hold the reins seems very basic but it can have a big impact on how your horse is moving. Maybe you always ride with a loose rein so you feel this is not applicable to you, but what happens on the moments you do use the reins and what does that message convey to your horse? 
Correct use of reins and therefore a good contact is harder than you think; it will guide the horse to go where you want, and at a speed you can control, without inpacting the movement and flow of the horse. As soon as we ride with a "kink" in our wrists, or with wide elbows, our horse will actually feel that restriction of movement. This can show up in different ways: lack of forward going, arching of the back, working on 3 or 4 tracks and many other issues. So have a look at how you use the reins, play with some differences, ask the advice from your instructor (or get in touch with me) and use the coming months to make a positive change by focussing and training yourself to do it differently!

The way the horse moves is of course a much bigger concept, but let's take that horse on those pictures. I called her "the Giraffe" as she liked to work with her head up high, but her legs and back show the impact this has. When she lowered her head (which I did here by letting her concentrate on the ground more by placing a pole) you can see the difference on the joints, the improvement in the stride, and the much better use of the back.
Your horse might be doing something similar, or something completely different that could do with improving. Knowing what you can address is the first step and then find some help to get working on your horses posture. It will make a big difference in the long run! Especially in its longevity. 

Again, I'm here to help if you need, I will be doing a webinar on this topic later as well so keep your eyes on our winter planning! 
Good luck and keep making those small changes!