Common Issues and the Videos to Resolve Them

Do you have a specific riding or training issue that you are trying to resolve? Let us help!

Here is a selection of common issues that we are frequently asked about and the videos that we recommend to solve them. If you have an unanswered question, please contact us.  We will get back to you as soon as possible with a choice of video selections.

How do I get my horse to listen to my leg and move forward more promptly?

Getting and Keeping the Dull Horse in Front of Your Leg by Bernie Traurig

 

How do I train my horse to do flying changes?

Fundamentals of Flying Changes by Bernie Traurig

Improving Your Flying Changes by Bernie Traurig

Flying Changes by Val Renihan

Setting Up the Lead Change by Team Karazissis

 

How do I improve my leg position?

Exercises to Increase Heel Depth by Bernie Traurig

A Lunge Lesson by Val Renihan

Range of Motion Exercise with Introduction by George Morris by 
Bernie Traurig

Building Blocks to a Great Position: Part 1 by Bernie Traurig

Building Blocks to a Great Position: Part 2
 by Bernie Traurig

Building Blocks to a Great Position: Part 3 by 
Bernie Traurig

 

How and when should I use my indirect rein?

Controls of the Horse Part One – Rein Aids by Bernie Traurig

Controls of the Horse Part Two – Leg Aids by Bernie Traurig

 

What are judges looking for in under saddle classes?

Hunters Under Saddle by John French

 

How can I improve my hands to better communicate with my horse?

Developing Good Hands by Bernie Traurig

Riding the Bit by Bernie Traurig

 

How can I ace a Handy Hunter class?

Riding the Handy by Peter Pletcher

 

How do I master bending lines?

Bending Lines by Team Karazissis

Landing the Lead for Seamless Bending Lines by 
Missy Clark

 

What do judges look for in a rider’s position?

Form Follows Function by Cynthia Hankins

Form Follows Function Over Fences by Cynthia Hankins

The Medal & Maclay From The Judge’s Perspective Webinar by Bernie Traurig & Julie Winkel

 

How do I train a young or green horse on the flat and over fences?

Mastering Flatwork Over Fences – Basic by Bernie Traurig

Controls of the Horse Part One – Rein Aids
 by Bernie Traurig

Starting the Young or Green Horse Over Jumps – Part One
 by Bernie Traurig

Starting the Young or Green Horse Over Jumps – Part Two
 by Bernie Traurig

Starting the Young or Green Horse Over Jumps – Part Three by Bernie Traurig

First Jumps Under Saddle Part 1 by Linda Allen

First Jumps Under Saddle Part 2 by Linda Allen

Five-Year-Old Competition Prep Part One by Linda Allen

 

How can I improve my horse’s form over jumps?

A Gymnastic for All Jumping Disciplines by Team Glynn

An Advanced Gymnastic School to Improve the Horse’s Jump by Bernie Traurig

Getting a Horse to Learn How to Back Up and Jump Rounder by Team Karazissis

The Kusner Gymnastic by Bernie Traurig

The Winkler Gymnastic by Bernie Traurig

Vertical Vertical Combination by Bernie Traurig

Rodrigo Pessoa & Lets Fly by Rodrigo Pessoa

 

What is an automatic release and how do I learn to do one?

An Exercise to Perfect the Automatic Release by Bernie Traurig

Teaching the Automatic Release – The Hagman Formula, Part 1
 by James Hagman

Teaching the Automatic Release – The Hagman Formula, Part 2
 by James Hagman

Teaching the Automatic Release – The Hagman Formula, Part 3
 by James Hagman

Building Blocks to a Great Position: Part 4 Jumping Phase with Zazou Hoffman 
by Bernie Traurig

Release and Connection by Missy Clark

The Progression of Releases by Karen Healey

 

What bits do you suggest?

Bits and Bitting by  Bernie Traurig

Bernie’s Big Bag of Bits by Bernie Traurig

 

How do I improve my seat?

Getting Secure in Your Seat and Legs by Val Renihan

A Lunge Lesson by Val Renihan

The Independent Seat by Denny Emerson

Longe Line Exercises for Seat Improvement & Position Correction by Bertalan de Nemethy

 

What seat do I use on course?

Building Blocks to a Great Position: Part 5 To Sit or Not to Sit by Bernie Traurig

What can I do if my horse is low in its carriage or too heavy on the forehand?

The “Nip Up” – A Half-Halt Technique for Your Horse by Bernie Traurig

Self Carriage by Julie Winkel

 

How do I prevent my horse from changing leads right before the takeoff of the jump?

Preventing the Swap by 
Louise Warner Serio

Swapless on Course by Team Glynn

Fundamentals of Flying Changes (7 minute mark) by Bernie Traurig

 

Do you have any tips on riding a strong or fresh horse?

Strategies for Managing a Fresh Horse by Peter Pletcher

 

I get nervous about jumping combinations. Anything I can do to build my confidence?

Building Confidence in Combinations by Bernie Traurig

Fundamental Gymnastic – Helping Horse and Rider with Balance
 by Mandy Porter

 

How can I improve my eye to better see the distance?

Exercises to Develop a Better Eye: Part 1-A by Bernie Traurig

Exercises to Develop a Better Eye: Part 1-Bby Bernie Traurig

Advanced Exercises to Develop a Better Eye Part 2 by Bernie Traurig

Eye Exercise Tips by Bernie Traurig

Winning Eye Exercises by John French

Looking for the Distance by Bernie Traurig

 

How can I train my horse to jump over water?

Introducing the Green Horse & Training the Spooky Horse to the Liverpoolby 
Bernie Traurig

Schooling Your Horse Over Open Water
 by Bernie Traurig

Ditches & Water by Gina Miles

How do I master tests commonly asked in equitation classes?

Counter Canter Over Fencesby Stacia Madden

Fine-Tuning Downward Transitions & Trot Fences by Missy Clark

Advanced Equitation: Changing the Bend in the Counter Canter by Bernie Traurig

Perfecting Your Hand Gallop to a Jump by Stacia Madden

 

How do I teach my horse to back up?

Mastering Flatwork Over Fences – Basic  (Chapter 1B: Walk – Backing) by Bernie Traurig

Backing Issues by Bernie Traurig

 

Are there exercises to train my OTTB?

Mastering Flatwork Over Fences – Basic by Bernie Traurig

Starting the Young or Green Horse Over Jumps – Part One
 by Bernie Traurig

Starting the Young or Green Horse Over Jumps – Part Two
 by Bernie Traurig

Starting the Young or Green Horse Over Jumps – Part Three by Bernie Traurig

Training the OTTB Horse by Bernie Traurig

Training the OTTB Horse – Session Two by Bernie Traurig

An OTTB Jumping School With Bernie by Bernie Traurig

 

What do I look for when selecting an OTTB?

Evaluating the Off The Track Thoroughbred for Purchase by Bernie Traurig

Could the OTTB Be the Right Horse for You? by Denny Emerson

 

How do I improve my fitness to ride?

The Essential Elements of Fitness by Robin Martinez

Riding Specific Exercises for the Gym by Robin Martinez

Staying Fit On the Road by Robin Martinez

Rider Fitness – Exercises While Mounted Part A by Denny Emerson

Rider Fitness – Exercises While Mounted Part B by Denny Emerson

 

How do I improve my horse’s fitness?

Horse Fitness – Developing a Base of Endurance by Denny Emerson

 

How do you help a horse not get too excited or fast when jumping?

Flatwork Over Fences by Bernie Traurig

 

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