Brighton Stables

Sore neck, injured vertebra, is what happens over time when people don't ride the horse forward from the hind end, ROUND through the back, and LET the house arch its neck and drop its head down to hold the bit -- AND NOT BE PULLED DOWN BY IT FROM THE FRONT. Never ever pull and hold with both reins at the same time.

Try this: Arch your back, then try to touch your chin to your chest. Now round your back and see how much easier it is on your neck. Same with the horse. Happy Horse, Happy Rider.

Yellow buttercups covering your pasture? They're toxic to horses.

Did you kniw that you can get a pretty good idea of the mature height of a young horse? Measure a straight line from the top of the coronet band to the middle of the knee. That in inches should be the manure height un hands. Exception is that a c**t will be shorter ​if not gelded by one year.

It is not our task to force the horse to submit​, but to teach the horse to trust us and follow our lead

Beat the heat. Brighton Arena (150x100 covered) is open to trailer-in riders. Reasonable $20 fee.

As age takes it's toll, I wish I had passed on more of my training and instruction techniques, and especially partnering with horses in a peaceful harmonious way. Never seems rnough time to put it into a book.

So often I hear frustrated students complaining on line that in several lessons, they're still not trotting. That's something we do in the first lesson, my well trained gentle horses and I.

If you want to jump start your riding skills, to become an instructor and help others learn, or simply want to train your own horses, I'm here for you, and it doesn't take.months if commitment.

Contact me about your goals​. One session at a time, with no long term commitments. ​My horses and I will get you on the right path.

More riders need to know what "on the bit" means​, and how to achieve it. This is ​for the happiness and well being of the horse. ​My logo is:

"Happy horse, happy rider "

I teach this in one ​session. ​Message or text me to schedule.

Balance the horse on a steady but ​not pulling the outside rein (rail side). Then the bit lays across the tongue, where it belongs.

Use bilateral leg pressure behind the girth to engage the hind quarters and round through the back.

Half-halt with the inside rein, using inside leg at the girth to ask the horse to yield to the inside rein.

And yes, it comes full circle as the horse balances on that steady outside rein. That's "on the bit".

Works even with no bit. Just a simple noseband with D-rings on the sides to attach the reins will do.

Periodically release to allow the horse to stretch and relax. This takes conditioning. Serpentine half circles is a good flexion exercise.

Brighton Arena (150 x100 covered) is open again for trailering in riders and students
Reserve 2 hrs any day, 9am > 8pm.

Rates:

$20/rider.
$30 byo instructor.

$75 hour in-house lesson & training session on your horse or mine.

Specialty: joining up and settling the nervous horse.

Note: novice beginners learn the rising trot in one session, and start low jumps in two with my techniques from over 40 yrs of experience.