Improve Your Body Mechanics
April 11, 2018 by Andy Marcoux
Sometimes it’s easy to forget that how you’re using your body on the carriage effects how your horse is moving. After all, you’re fairly isolated from the horse, and you’re sitting 3-4 feet behind him. But small changes in your body can make big differences in your horse’s way
Breast Collar Design Flaw
April 9, 2018 by Andy Marcoux
This style breast collar has been showing up more and more as I travel the country. They seem especially prevalent in small pony and mini harness. They feature a ring where the trace tug is anchored to the breast collar. One assumes this is intended to accommodate varying lines
The Missing Link
March 27, 2018 by Andy Marcoux
Do you ever feel like the second half of your dressage test or pleasure class is just a little better than the first half? Maybe you’ve even thought, “If I only had a little more time to put my pony together, I could have had a much better drive.” That’s a common experience.
Blinders or Not?
March 14, 2018 by Andy Marcoux
It only takes a quick search on the internet to find all kinds of misguided theories on why driving horses wear blinders. The most common reason given is that they are used to keep the horse from being distracted. Speaking of distractions, the search will no doubt soon lead
Driving by the Seat of Your Pants
March 10, 2018 by Andy Marcoux
Think about momentum for a moment. For example, picture yourself in your truck and trailer with horses loaded, heading down the highway. Your exit is coming up in a half mile or so. Being a careful and mindful trailer driver, think about how you are going to approach that
Bucking Strap Routing
March 3, 2018 by Andy Marcoux
In my practice, I rarely use bucking straps (aka. kicking strap.) That doesn’t mean that I’m against them. I have several students who keep bucking straps on their harness because their pony has been known to have a buck or two here and there. The purpose of the bucking strap
Good Pony Syndrome
March 1, 2018 by Andy Marcoux
There's a pervasive syndrome that has been affecting the equine world for years, decades really. Yet it goes on, without discussion, mostly unchecked, and untreated. It's known only as GPS (Good Pony Syndrome) to professionals who can only roll their eyes as they observe
Behind the Scenes
February 14, 2018 by Andy Marcoux
Winter is often the “off-season” for most horses and horse people. For me, it’s the “off-the-field season,” but in many ways, it's my “on season” for a lot of the work I do. I’m always quite busy hosting online classes every other week, but that’s only part of it. Much of my work
Just A Flesh Wound
February 9, 2018 by Andy Marcoux
15 years ago today, I was skiing in Vermont on Killington Mountain. Known as “The Beast of the East”, Killington is one of New England’s largest ski areas (insert heckling comments of Western U.S. and European skiers here.) I had a little fall. It was no big deal really, I
Me and My Outside Rein
February 2, 2018 by Andy Marcoux
The Day I Learned About the Outside Rein. As a young horse trainer, I was aware of this concept called “the outside rein.” But my understanding was entirely conceptual. Sure, I had an outside rein, we all have an outside rein. The rein that is opposite of the way you’re
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