Cougar Hill Training

09/19/2025

09/17/2025

Always worth a share!!

Here's an interesting comparison between human and equine anatomy from our friends at Barrow Veterinary Service:

"Did you know that horses are actually walking on the tips of their fingers and toes? 🐎👣
This diagram shows how the horse’s leg bones compare to ours. What looks like a single strong hoof is really the distal phalanx (or coffin bone) – the same bone that makes up the tip of your finger! The long and short pastern bones above it help absorb concussion, while the cannon bone provides strength and support.
Over time, horses evolved to lose most of their “extra toes” (shown in gray on the left). What remains is a highly efficient structure designed for speed, weight-bearing, and shock absorption.

Understanding this anatomy is one reason hoof care and regular farrier/veterinary visits are so important. Any imbalance or injury in these bones can affect the entire limb and your horse’s comfort.

So next time you watch your horse gallop, remember – they’re essentially running on a single finger, protected by a hoof!"

09/15/2025

From the American Association of Equine Practitioners:

As we approach the start of fall and the temperatures start to drop, here is some important information to know regarding fall laminitis.

Fall laminitis refers to cases of laminitis or founder that occur in the autumnal months. Although laminitis can happen in any season, anecdotally there seems to be an uptick in the number of cases in the fall.

Why could this be?
• As the days get shorter and colder, grasses have been shown to respond to this stress with higher sugar concentrations. Diets with higher simple sugar concentrations may increase the risk of laminitis.

• Decreases in exercise may cause increases in body condition. Fat or obese horses are at risk of developing laminitis.

• Horses naturally have increased levels of certain hormones in the fall. If you have a horse with PPID (previously referred to as equine Cushing’s), the increase in their cortisol levels could put them at risk for laminitis.

If you have questions concerning fall laminitis or are concerned that your equine companion may be at an increased risk, contact your equine veterinarian so that they can properly evaluate your unique situation.

Thank you to the Horse Owner Education Committee for providing this information.

09/10/2025

HowToDressage inspired this post today.

There's a saying "Practice Makes Perfect" which I remember my coach in college repeating this, followed by "Only Perfect Practice makes Perfect; otherwise Practice Makes Permanent". Quite true and it applies to every aspect of horsemanship from any contact we have with the horse on the ground, on up into the saddle. If I let my horse only give me his foot when he feels like it, then how is he to know how to hold his foot up for the farrier's work? If I chase my horse through the gate today, how is he to know how to walk quietly through the gate tomorrow? If I don't practice accurate circles at home, then how do I ride them accurately at shows?

Every step, every action is important for accurate schooling.

So, directly addressing these images of 20-meter circles - remember to ride every step of your circles too! Circles do not have straight lines so they only touch the straight sides of the arena for one step on the wall. The easiest way to get an accurate circle is to ride each quarter one at time. Focus on leaving the wall/rail at the centerline, then aim for your one step on the next wall, then ride to the next step on the centerline, then to the next step on the wall, ending back at the centerline where you're allowed to return to the rail. You can use cones to help mark out these points and guide your eye. Then practice the circle in other areas of the arena - the opposite end, the center, etc....

Accuracy is important! Another quote I love is "Be Particular" which applies to many aspects of life and horseback riding! Be particular about your horse standing to mount, about transitions, about riding your figures and you'll be on the right track to success!

08/29/2025

Just in case there was any confusion.... 😂

08/27/2025

Helpful info to keep on hand!

08/26/2025

In honor of National Dog Day we have to give a shout out to our beloved farm dog, Cleo, who loves helping to look after "her" herd here. 💙

08/25/2025

I see this with a lot of riders, not necessarily in just the dressage discipline. Especially with adult riders who perhaps aren't moving around as much as they used to, those hip flexors get TIGHT. Here's some great stretches to try!

https://dressageridertraining.com/article/flexor-chain-stretches-for-dressage-riders/?fbclid=IwY2xjawL3aqFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF2YnRCcmRQR0kzVXp4SG1lAR4CI_ok0uA37aPu0PyLBMiAUWz5GMXuUzDi3k9BQg-mmWB1youpvyMeICl4gQ_aem_7C4OxjYYyHvuynaIgNtC8w