Cari Swanson

Count Every Stride

You have heard it from many trainers-ride every stride.  This will eventually become automatic when you train yourself to count your strides.  One of my greatest teachers, Tony Mason, taught me to count the length and width of the arena.  He was adament about knowing the size of your arena and how to carve out space to work in when it was crowded with many horses.  I imagine he learned this years ago when he was trained by his Master in Europe, when riders had to navigate among dozens of horses in small arenas.  There was etiquette about how to pass one another and when to change direction.

If you learn to count the strides in your circles, you will eventually learn how to ride a perfect circle.  This is not as easy as you might expect.  I start all my students whether children or adults learning to count and it pays off quickly as they progress up the levels.

This image is of Ashley Cox riding Classy, winning the dressage test at Kent Horse Trials.  If you are interested in lessons or have any questions, contact cari@cariswanson.com.

Patience and Persistence

This photo demonstrates hours of training.  Justin is one of the most successful movie horses, starring in Black Beauty among many other films.  Now in his mid twenties, he is enjoying retirement, however, his ears still prick up for his trainer Rex  when he comes out to feed him each day.  You must always remember to be patient and take one step at a time when training your horse.  Remember to be very clear about what you are asking and reward your horse when he gives it to you.  After working your horse every day consistently you will see a remarkable change and improvement.  Generally horses have a good work ethic, enjoying their daily routine.  Spring is finally here and it is time to get back into your training routine.

Cowboys and Indians-Happy Trails April 2009

DIED: Hightower,26. One of the most famous and talented trick horses ever to grace the silver screen, Hightower appeared in dozens of films during his long career, most notably as Pilgrim in Robert Redford’s The Horse Whisperer (1998). He was the steed of choice for actress Julia Roberts, who bonded with him during the filming of The Runaway Bride (1999) and famously insisted that the charismatic quarter horse be shipped back from his California corral to an East Coast location for post-production re-shoots. Owned and trained by Hollywood Horse Trainer, Rex Peterson, Hightower also appeared in Winter People (1989) opposite Kurt Russell and Kelly McGillis, in Simpatico (1999) with Jeff Bridges and Nick Nolte, and in writer-director Caroline Thompson’s 1994 adaptation of Black Beauty. “Hightower had a heart as big as the great outdoors”, said veteran trainer and USDF Silver Medalist Cari Swanson, “and he will be remembered as one of the most intelligent and noble equine actors of our day.” In Tehachapi, California, October 30.

Conditioning Your Horse

As Spring approaches, the show season is just around the corner.  Now is the time to consider a program to bring your horse to optimum condition considering your discipline of dressage, jumping or eventing.  It is critical to consider the age and amount of activity your horse has had in order to create an effective plan of conditioning.  Horses who are turned out need a shorter warm up than those standing in their stall or small paddock.  A progressive warm up allows time for the muscles to reach their optimal working temperature (during warm up the muscles rise by about 1 degree C) before increasing the excercise intensity.

After a warm up phase, move into the workout which pushes to horse just beyond his ability to build muscles and stamina.  It is important to work the trot and canter in an active rhythm, thus working the skeletal muscles hard enough to stimulate an increase in blood circulation.  The main objective is to achieve relaxation in all gaits.  Next should come the suppling excercises of lateral and bending movements.  Remember wet saddle blankets make good horses.

Finally, an important element of your conditioning is the warm down period.  This is a time to allow the horse to recover from the workout and helps him release muscular tension and possible soreness.  A walk on the long rein is a great finish to this workout.  Slowly build your horse back up to his optimal fitness, allowing several weeks to reach your goal.  Careful systematic training will help build solid muscles and a happy fit horse.