10 tips to get you going this winter

Winter’s here, and it’s tempting to dive under the duvet and hibernate till spring! Our top 10 tips are guaranteed to put the sparkle back into your winter riding, so if you are lacking in inspiration, read on – we’ll get you motivated.

Are you fit to ride?

Fit or not fit to ride - that's the question!

Here, doctor Justine Davies explains how boozing, wheezing, fractures and weight affects our ability to perform.

Armchair confidence boosters

Being an effective rider starts in the mind first – if you think positive and believe in yourself, a better relationship with your horse will follow. To help you become the confident, fantastic rider you know you can be, follow Tina’s top tips.

Avoid common mistakes

We don't instinctively know how to be perfect horse owners - we learn through education and occasional trial and error. Read on to discover how to avoid making the most common mistakes

Balance work/home/horse

Just saying ‘achieving home/horse/life/work balance’ is an ambitious mouthful, never mind an actual objective. Life coaching can help you explore your own home/ horse/life/work balance and discover the power of positive thinking and changing attitudes to achieve a better balance. We asked one Your Horse reader to give it a go...

Core Breathing

Core breathing is an innovative technique that helps you find harmony and balance in your body, mind and spirit, and connects you with your horse. Improve your communication and breathe new life into your training!

Watch Jenny Rolfe's Promo's - More coming soon..

Be happy at your yard

Livery yards can be heaven or hell, depending on where you end up and how it’s managed. We show you how to get the most from your yard – and have a happy horse to boot.

Energy-boosting TV dinners

Hungry? Tired? Curl up in front of the TV with some energyboosting grub and you’ll be raring to mount up and show off your new and improved riding skills.

Exercise while watching TV

Follow this plan to improve your flexibility and muscle strength in the saddle. Try to do each exercise at least once a day – twice if there’s something good on TV!

Guide to buying a horse

Whether you’re about to buy a horse for the first time or can call on years of bartering experience, choosing your next equine soulmate is an exciting prospect, tinged with more than a little apprehension.

Hacking

The next time someone asks what you do with your horse and you reply 'we just hack', say it with pride!
Hacking out requires skill, good training and confidence. It's time to feel proud to be a happy hacker.

Rider back pain

For many of us, back twinges are part and parcel of life with horses. But could our actions now play havoc for us in the future, and what can we do to avoid problems? Joanne Slater – in the midst of her own back troubles – investigates…

Riding while Pregnant

Riding during pregnancy is a personal choice - it probably doesn't have any effect on a healthy pregnancy but there's always a risk of injury. Whether or not to ride during pregnancy really comes down to personal choice.

Doctor Justine Davies gives her advice..

Safety at the yard

You’re at a competition when you spot a crowd of people gathered round a casualty who has become trapped under the ramp of a lorry. Or maybe you're riding out with a friend when her horse is spooked and throws your friend into a metal gate. Would you know what to do next?

Secure your yard

While crime in rural areas is relatively rare, you can’t afford to be complacent when it comes to protecting your yard. The number of organised gangs carrying out equestrian thefts is thought to be low but the threat from opportunist thieves is significant. This is why making life as difficult as possible for criminals is paramount.

Follow these top tips to protect your property...

Test and build core strength

Your limbs can only be as strong, effective and independent as your core tone allows. Your core is not just your tummy – it’s your whole trunk –and controls the position of your hips, seat bones, shoulders and posture. So you can see why it’s essential to balanced riding.

Work on your confidence

Whether you’re keen to work with others or you’d like to try some simple techniques on your own, here, confidence coach Ian Banyard gives us three easy exercises to help you work on your confidence, whether your fear stems from a memory of an accident or something you just can’t pinpoint.

Your Guide to Competition Success

Nothing beats the feeling you get as you jump a clear round, gallop cross-country or put in a winning dressage test. So, if you're hoping for an adrenalin-fuelled summer you've come to the right place.