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Horseback Riding/Questions Answered by Expert Sarah Lothmann
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Proper Dress | 2/22/2010 |
| Q: I am a beginner Dressage student. I have spent almost 500 dollars so far on my apparel and boots. ... A: The proper attire consists of one thing ONLY: SAFETY!! The proper riding helmet needs to be ASTM ... | |
| show apparel | 12/1/2009 |
| Q: For hunter equitation, is is acceptable to put long hair up in a show bun or is it more appropriate ... A: For all of the disciplines you've asked about, you will be required to wear a helmet. Most girls ... | |
| problem with lunging | 9/11/2009 |
| Q: My horse tends to come in on the circle from time to time while lunging. She's very good in every ... A: This is a bit tricky! Below are a few links that can help clearly explain proper lunging technique. ... | |
| Showing/National ranking | 8/21/2009 |
| Q: I am thinking about entering into a business relationship with Kris Morris, from Fat Chance Farm in ... A: I have not heard of either the person or the farm in question. Although I live in Arizona and my ... | |
| Saddle | 8/16/2009 |
| Q: For the last 2 years, I have ridden him in a Wintec Pro Dressage. I bought this saddle new, ... A: So many good questions! The first thing I want to share with you is most tack stores will allow you ... | |
| Shoulder muscles | 7/8/2009 |
| Q: My horse has over developed in his near side shoulder, what exercises can i do to correct this. He ... A: Try working on your transitions, especially from the walk to the canter. Also work on your right ... | |
| weight | 3/9/2009 |
| Q: Someone I ride with is about 200 pounds and is riding a 20 - 25 year old pony with a saddle. Is ... A: That's not a question I can easily answer "yes" or "no" to. The pony's comfort and safety depends ... | |
| Strong Necked | 2/22/2009 |
| Q: I have a 14.2 piebald cob. Ive had him for about 3 years and not really had many problems, but ... A: The tenseness you described could be indicative of some pain developing which often can in such ... | |
| bucking and vices | 2/17/2009 |
| Q: I'm currently riding a 5 year old Quarter Horse mare. She's pretty mellow and doesn't have a mean ... A: Sounds to me that she is for whatever reason uncomfortable or not confident with working in a frame ... | |
| lead changes | 1/26/2009 |
| Q: hey its jenny agian i was wondering my horse preacher changes his leads great but only in the front. ... A: This process requires repetitive, consistent, methodical practice. If practiced consistently, you ... | |
| welsh pony mare | 1/19/2009 |
| Q: I bought a welsh pony mare last summer. The people told me that she was bomb proof, but she is not. ... A: Exposure, repeated exposure! Also intolerance for improper behavior. I'm not suggesting you scold ... | |
| pony falling to her knees | 11/13/2008 |
| Q: i have had my pony for about 3 months, she is ten years old, she has stumbled a few times when out ... A: Well there could be something going on with her that may ultimately require you having a vet out to ... | |
| riding. | 10/6/2008 |
| Q: Hey Sarah! You're just the person I need to talk to. I have been riding horses for about 3 yrs ... A: =) Okay Hayley, remember you asked for this! =) I don't care who anyone is, what their, physique is ... | |
| a new pony | 10/2/2008 |
| Q: i am 17 years old and have just left school as a project i have just(3 weeks) ago brought a pony ... A: "Half-seat in canter or gallop In a half-seat position, the rider's seat bones are lifted out of ... | |
| a new pony | 9/30/2008 |
| Q: i am 17 years old and have just left school as a project i have just(3 weeks) ago brought a pony ... A: Emma, the advice about running her is a tactic to play on the flight instinct in a horse, and to ... | |
| older equitation horse | 8/14/2008 |
| Q: I have a question about "rehabilitation" of an older equitation horse of mine. Currently, I am ... A: That is wonderful that the shoes are now a better fit! I have seen many horses lame particularly in ... | |
| How Many | 8/12/2008 |
| Q: I was wondering if You New How Many Horse Riders Are In The World? A: There is no way currently to even begin speculating on such a statistic. As of current times, not ... | |
| How is my position? | 8/12/2008 |
| Q: These are some pics from a horse show this weekend, the first for both the horse and pony I am ... A: Fun photos! Thank you for sharing! My opinions on the horses: The paint pony is your winning ... | |
| Equestrian scoring in Olympics | 8/10/2008 |
| Q: I was looking at the equestrian scoring for olympics and have no idea what the letters mean - i.e. H ... A: In the Dressage portion of the Eventing competition, there are three judges scoring the horse and ... | |
| nervous rider PART 2 | 8/8/2008 |
| Q: my da still insists i ride the 17.2hh horse.the last time my da was rining the horse he hel the ... A: I definitely feel that some of the things you have mentioned are putting you in harms way. It ... | |
| nervous rider | 8/6/2008 |
| Q: 3 weeks ago i was riding at ridng school and the horse spoke on me on the road he was 16 hands and i ... A: Nervous, coward, afraid - these all mean nearly the same thing. Your anxieties are justified. ... | |
| older equitation horse | 8/1/2008 |
| Q: I have a question about "rehabilitation" of an older equitation horse of mine. Currently, I am ... A: Well you definitely have all the bases covered as far as I know...have you ever had an MRI done one ... | |
| older equitation horse | 7/28/2008 |
| Q: I have a question about "rehabilitation" of an older equitation horse of mine. Currently, I am ... A: I am not surprised to hear that steady light work helps your horse. As you work him be sure you are ... | |
| Equitation Help! | 7/22/2008 |
| Q: this coming Saturday I am going to be showing all week until the next Sunday. I have been doing ... A: Equitation is not just how well you maintain your position while you ride, but also how well you ... | |
| head goes down | 7/14/2008 |
| Q: My daughter has been riding for several years, although she is now only nine years old. We have a ... A: I will be straight and to the point. I will spare you the fluff. The bottom line is she needs to ... | |
| disaster at show | 7/14/2008 |
| Q: so I took lessons and my teacher found me a 25 yr. old retired QH, gentle, mature and quiet ...he's ... A: Lori, I know what you have been through! I too have had those days! So has everyone, including the ... | |
| A Rocky Mountain Horse for Three Day Eventing? | 6/30/2008 |
| Q: I have found a Rocky mountain horse that is perfect for my size (he's 16.1 hh and im 130 lb. 5'4" ... A: I think it is always important to buy a horse that both suits your needs as well as suits your ... | |
| Grumpy horse | 6/26/2008 |
| Q: I am working with a paint/draft mix and have noticed that he will either be happy as can be on ... A: There are so many factors to look at when this happens. To put it simply, something in his schedule ... | |
| flat walk | 5/28/2008 |
| Q: I have owned my horse for 8 years now-I was 12 and he was 6 when I bought him. He is at college with ... A: Argh! This behavior is one of my biggest pet peeves! You are right he is anticipating the trot. ... | |
| Training Older mare | 5/5/2008 |
| Q: I have a quarter horse mare that is 18 years old, I have had her for 6 years and have only loved and ... A: Wow! How unique! The two of you definitely have a mystery to solve. If only she could tell us her ... | |
| Equitation - Sitting Trot | 4/18/2008 |
| Q: Please help me out here!! I have bee working so hard for to win the local year end equitation ... A: Your dedication reminds me of myself once upon a time! There are a few things that will separate ... | |
| Putting his head down | 3/22/2008 |
| Q: I've recently started riding at a new barn and I love it there. One of the horses that I ride, whom ... A: Kent's behavior does sound annoying as well as potentially unsafe. With the information you've ... | |
| Horse Sports | 3/5/2008 |
| Q: I was just wondering if you knew how many sports there are out there??? you know including ... A: This question does not have an exact number for an answer. The question you are asking is like ... | |
| bits | 1/27/2008 |
| Q: Are double-bend snaffle bits softer than regular snaffle bits. I've heard that regular snaffles are ... A: We must be from different regions of the world as I am unfamiliar with the term, "double-bend" ... | |
| problems | 11/11/2007 |
| Q: my name is Jenna. I own an arabianxthouroughbredxaustralian riding pony mare and she is an angel in ... A: Horses are like people in the sense that they don't like to bring their work home. When your horse ... | |
| problems | 11/9/2007 |
| Q: my name is Jenna. I own an arabianxthouroughbredxaustralian riding pony mare and she is an angel in ... A: 1) When turning her out to field, during the actual process of walking leading and turning her out ... | |
| spooky jumper | 11/3/2007 |
| Q: I am an expert on this site myself but am just wanting some different ideas with a horse I have. He ... A: Sounds like a bit of a temperament issue, the old "see what I can get away with" routine. If your ... | |
| horses | 11/2/2007 |
| Q: i have a horse that i haven't been riding and every time i ride him he bucks what do i do. ANSWER: ... A: Okay so we are underway in the process of elimination. Since he's still bucking, I have to then ... | |
| spooky jumper | 11/1/2007 |
| Q: I am an expert on this site myself but am just wanting some different ideas with a horse I have. He ... A: My advice offers a solution that will target three behaviors often closely associated with spooking: ... | |
| horses | 10/31/2007 |
| Q: i have a horse that i haven't been riding and every time i ride him he bucks what do i do. A: If he is bucking from pent up energy, then you may want to have him turned out in the field daily ... | |
| Refusing. | 8/28/2007 |
| Q: my horse is a registered American Quarter Horse, and he is 6 years old. Lately he hasn't been ... A: The truth is all horses refuse a jump at one point or another. However, you definitely have a your ... | |
| old saddle price | 8/12/2007 |
| Q: and I found her old saddle in the garage that was made in 1977 she kept it oiled but hardly used it. ... A: I am unable to provide you an estimated dollar worth of your mother's saddle. Many things will ... | |
| training my 27 yr old Arabian to jump | 8/9/2007 |
| Q: I am wondering if I would do any harm to my 27 year old Arabian mare if I were to teach her to jump? ... A: If you decide you want to pursue training your 27 year old mare to jump, be sure that you have your ... | |
| bareback riding | 8/5/2007 |
| Q: Are ther Bareback riding classes? A: To answer your question simply, yes. Most lessons teaching bareback are either offered in a camp ... | |
| Games... | 8/3/2007 |
| Q: Hey. I was just wondering if you knew any good games that i could use to teach little kids at my ... A: Your question is an entertaining one! Before I get into a list of fun activities, I want to commend ... | |
| horse back riding | 8/2/2007 |
| Q: i just have one problem im terrified of galloping, i can canter with no problems at all but the ... A: Rest assured Nicole, many riders get nervous learning to gallop! Here are both physical and mental ... | |
Horseback Riding
Answers by Expert:
Sarah Lothmann
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
Professional trainer for 10+ years. I happily offer you my expertise, techniques, and advice covering: Hunters, Jumpers, Equitation, Showing, Training, Sales, Behavior, Stabling, Grooming, Tack, Barn Management, Rider Psychology, & Effective Communication.
Experience
Education/Credentials
AAS Degree, Veterinary Assistant, Professional Trainer
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