The Paddocks Equine

08/09/2025

Teach your horse to approach new things with curiosity—not fear.

05/09/2025

05/09/2025

05/09/2025

02/09/2025

02/09/2025

07/06/2025

🇬🇧 Have you ever seen a horse slightly turn its head away, blink softly, or briefly pause when you make contact?
*Voor Nederlands - scroll naar beneden*

When a horse blinks several times, turns its head slightly, or slows its pace — it’s rarely random. These kinds of behaviors are often intentional: a way to communicate, regulate tension, offer reassurance to the environment, or connect without pressure.

Calming signals are behaviors horses use to reduce stress — in themselves and in others. They’re used in interactions with fellow horses, people, other animals… and sometimes even in response to non-living stimuli, like an unfamiliar sound or scent.

These signals act as social lubricants, perhaps even invitations to connect — calmly. When we learn to recognize these signals and when needed to respond accordingly — something changes. In our interactions. In the calm. In the trust.

🇳🇱 Heb jij wel eens gezien dat een paard z’n hoofd iets afwendt, zacht knippert of even stilvalt als je contact maakt?

Wanneer je een paard ziet dat verschillende keren met de ogen knippert, zijn hoofd iets afwendt, of een pas vertraagt — dan is dat zelden zomaar. Dit soort gedragingen zijn vaak bewust gekozen: een manier om te communiceren, spanning te reguleren, de omgeving gerust te stellen of contact te maken zonder druk.
Kalmerende signalen zijn gedragingen waarmee paarden spanning proberen te verminderen — bij zichzelf, en bij een ander. Ze worden ingezet in contact met soortgenoten, mensen, andere dieren… maar soms ook als reactie op niet levende stimuli; als bijvoorbeeld een onbekender geluid, of geur.

De signalen vormen een sociaal smeermiddel, een uitnodiging wellicht tot verbinding in rust. Als wij leren deze signalen te herkennen en er indien nodig goed op te reageren, verandert er iets. In onze interactie. In de rust. In het vertrouwen.

07/06/2025

📚 “But it’s textbook... and it works!”

I hear this a lot - both on my posts and in riding discussions.

You challenge a common habit, and someone replies:
"Well... I was always taught that way."
"Everyone knows that."
"It just works."
"It’s what’s in the textbook."

But when you stop and think about it:
👉 Which textbook?
👉 Who wrote it?
👉 Does it match how the body is actually designed to function?

Recent example:
I posted about placing the stirrup across the ball of the foot, with a neutral ankle - to promote better stability and leg alignment.

Someone replied:
"It’s in the textbook. I haven’t really thought about why it works biomechanically. It just works and it’s taught to be that way."

👉 But here’s what the textbooks actually say:

✨ BHS, FEI, Pony Club, USDF, biomechanics books: All recommend ball of foot, neutral ankle, even pressure - not rotated or diagonal foot position.

👉 Why?
When standing on a small surface (step edge or stirrup), your foot works best when weight is evenly distributed across the forefoot. A larger contact area gives more stability and lets the arch muscles function properly.

👉 Deliberately twisting or rotating the foot is usually a compensation - not good biomechanics. Try it on a step and see how it changes things.

👉 Just because something "works" or feels “easier” … doesn’t mean it happens for the right reason.
Sometimes it’s just masking a problem elsewhere.

So next time you hear “It’s textbook” or “It just works” - ask:
✅ Is it supported by how the body is designed to move?
✅ Is it actually in the textbook - or coaching tradition?
✅ Is it improving biomechanics - or hiding a weakness?

🙋‍♀️Want help with your foot position? Book a Rider Physio session or check out my Video Subscription!

🔗www.pegasusphysio.co.uk

09/05/2025

𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠
As a coach in-training, I’ve discovered how powerful visual language can be in the arena. Being a visual learner myself, I’ve found that using imagery helps riders connect with what their body should feel often more effectively than technical instructions alone. It encourages a positive, confident atmosphere while improving technique naturally.

Here are a few of phrases to use during practice ( Kids sometimes find it hard to understand my Irish accent🤣):

“𝐈𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐞𝐚.”
This helps riders keep their hands soft and steady. It creates the image of carrying something delicate, which promotes quiet, level hands and light contact on the reins.

“𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐨.”
This encourages upper body awareness. Rather than turning with the hands alone, riders lead with their torso, guiding the horse with their whole body.

“𝐒𝐢𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐫𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐱𝐞𝐝.”
This phrase reminds riders to sit with confidence and balance, without stiffness. It encourages a proud, upright posture while staying supple.

“𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐞𝐥𝐛𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐬𝐰𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬.”
This is useful for softening tense or rigid arms. It creates a sense of freedom and movement, especially at trot or canter, helping the rider stay in sync with the horse.

These cues don’t just teach form, they help riders feel their position and timing. They make the lesson more engaging, and the corrections easier to remember. One thing I love about Pony Club!

Do you have a phrase you use or used when you learning to ride 😃