Chikara

Chikara A New Way of Looking at Horses, Riding, and Your Potential as a Rider. Train the Body. Train the Brain. Transform the Ride. Livery, Lessons & Schooling in Jhb.
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We cater for all ages and disciplines, from beginner to advanced. With large airy stables, big paddocks, great grooms and exceptional care, we offer 5 star stabling at affordable rates. Learn to ride your best with Lynn Bremner - an Advanced level dressage rider and trainer who has many times ridden for Provincial and SANEF teams. Lynn specialises in dressage but also offers lessons in show jumping, eventing and showing. Call Lynn on +27636921357 for more information.

16/08/2026

Yesterday was day 1 on the ACCELERIDE Program for a lady who l know as a very accomplished rider and instructor. I worked with this lady many years ago, with a mare that was very beautiful and very hot. Since then l have seen her frequently in the arena, in various disciplines, and with her students.

I was delighted to connect with her again. I was more delighted to watch her riding transform in the saddle in front of my eyes. Every new suggestion and explanation was met with enthusiasm. Now l am kicking myself because l did not take any photos or videos. However - how much delight can l endure from one session - below is her "homework", which all riders get to do. Her lightbulb moments from the session.
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Lesson 1 lightbulb moments.

Subtle changes in the riders body creates big positive changes in the horses body.

Doing less and achieving more can really only be done if you are in the correct position.

By focusing on using my body in a more effective way I felt much more secure which in turn stopped my brain going to the ‘what if’s’ and just focus on what’s happening in the present moment.

By using the correct cues my horse felt like he was focused on me and we were working as a partnership. Instead of resistance there was more flow through he body.

I always ride on the shorter side as with longer stirrups I felt unbalanced. I realised that it was because my hip and leg were not in the most effective position.

Do I use the same leg position when I’m jumping with shorter stirrups?

I had a ball today and can’t wait for what’s to come, thanks so much !
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This program is so rewarding and l am loving teaching it. And yes, l will explain the leg position changes for shorter or longer stirrups in her next ride. But first we will explore how we can change her cognitive performance for riding.

Picture is me of course.

After 40 years of riding and teaching, including competitive higher-level dressage, I've learned that real progress come...
11/08/2026

After 40 years of riding and teaching, including competitive higher-level dressage, I've learned that real progress comes from understanding more than the connection between horse and rider. More than the requirements of the test or the judge. More than what the horse should do, and when. It requires understanding how the subtlest of aids impacts the horse, and the biomechanics of rider and horse to achieve that impact. Then comes mindset training for both athletes. Cognitive training is the most neglected most times.

This is why at Chikara Stables lessons are private or limited to 3 riders. If you ride one of my horses, you ride correctly trained, advanced-level horses - not horses that simply happen to be available for lessons.

For riders wanting to take their performance and confidence further, ACCELERIDE combines riding biomechanics with NLP and mindset coaching.
If you're looking for more than just a riding lesson, let's talk.

30/07/2026

Feel Better - for Free
Join us - send your WhatsApp number on a DM for the link to join.

28/07/2026

Hello August, hello Spring!!

It's time to start thinking about that bikini bod you wish you had. We know breeches and jackets hide some of the bulges, but not all of them. But who wants to diet?! Not me!!!

So, we have a new Challenge starting 3 August until 30 September.

The FEEL BETTER CHALLENGE for FREE.

It is FREE
You will not be giving up your favourite foods
It is to assist you to FEEL BETTER.

For 8 weeks, you will have a FREE personal trainer. You can train in the gym or you can receive programs on line to use are at home.
A wonderful Body Coach will guide you in your choice of foods, way of living, resting, goals, way of thinking..
An Awesome Life Coach who will guide you in life with your mental state, work and relationships.

ALL for FREE to FEEL BETTER.
Comment FEEL BETTER or drop me a whatsapp and l will send you the link to join.

07/06/2026

The track you ride does not look like the track you chose to ride.
You stand at the edge of your fear, your confusion, your self‑doubt.
We see your breakthroughs.

Where you see:
•confusion
•overwhelm
•“I can’t do this”

We see:
•clarity
•harmony
•the rider you are becoming

The track will not look different next time you ride it, unless you have new equipment at your disposal. Not new saddlery - new body and mind patterns.

We train the body - biomechanics.
We train the mind - neurolinguistic programming.
We change your ride before you saddle up.

Bits. Do I like them? Yes. The dressage approved ones. Very few others.Why? Because when used correctly, a bit offers ...
19/05/2026

Bits.
Do I like them? Yes. The dressage approved ones. Very few others.
Why?
Because when used correctly, a bit offers clear, honest and safe communication between horse and rider.

So what does “used correctly” mean?
Certainly nothing like the scenario in my previous post. In that case the horse was the one rudely abusing the rider’s hand (and often hurting the rider's neck) through the bit.

A skilled rider creates poise and elegance in a horse, without using the bit to force the neck and "frame" the horse. Subtle leg, seat, and weight aids shift the horse’s balance, lift the sternum, and allow the back to arch softly. The balance moves toward the hindquarters, lightening the forehand. The neck’s beautiful curve is simply the extension of a body that is coiling correctly.

This produces rhythm, elasticity, and suppleness. It feels and looks quite different to a "held" horse with a tight back, moving only from the limbs. It strengthens the horse, keeps it sound, and acts as physiotherapy for the entire body. It soothes and focuses the mind too!

So what is the bit’s job?
The bit gives the horse a place of confidence - a place to go. Each stride lifts over the back toward a soft, consistent balance on the bit. The bit is mobile in the mouth and the balance on it is dynamic yet steady.

This skill takes years to develop. Many misunderstand it completely. They assume the bit restricts the jaw, tongue, lips, neck, and the chain of nerves through the body. All true if used incorrectly.

A good rider takes a comfortable, comforting contact and then builds, step by step, the poise, rhythm, and dance. As the body organizes itself into elastic, supple movement toward the bit the mouth, tongue, jaw, and neck relax and become supple and pliable. The bit becomes the horse’s reliable, safe place. Endorphins flow. The mind becomes focused.

Dance partners!
It would be a pity to lose this art.

Today we zoomed back in time to about 2007. This lovely lady came to have a ride with us again after all these years. I ...
17/05/2026

Today we zoomed back in time to about 2007. This lovely lady came to have a ride with us again after all these years. I took a few photos for her while she was sitting on Red, all peaceful and quiet in the sun. It was a very beautiful day today. When l looked at the pics l realised that Red had given me some perfect shots to use on a post l promised to write some weeks ago.

BITS!!!!

Terrible instruments of torture? Cruel people use them? Abuse to horses?

Well, if you choose to beat your husband with a hot frying pan, then frying pans are cruel, abusive and instruments of torture too. (Except of course if your husband enjoys it?)

Take a look at the pics which l took in sequence. The rider just sat waiting. Red chose to flex his neck. Red chose to sn**ch at the bit. Red chose to pull hard to try and reach for some grass.

Red chose..... ! So..... ??

Books love to sprout garbage about how the horse got the bit between its teeth and bolted. Books love to warn about the sensitive bars of the mouth.

Can you imagine that a round slippery metal or other hard bitting substance could be gripped between teeth? It is impossible. Furthermore one would need to cut the corners of the mouth in order to get the bit high enough to reach between the molars. This is why a noseband is actually meant to protect a horse. The bit is very unlikely, and never should be able to reach between the molars.

Then, those sensitive bars? Well, what exactly is "sensitive"? How sensitive? Like the gums in our mouths? Or like our soft ladies fingers? Or like the skin on our inner arms? Nope. Not at all.

Have you ever chewed a handful of hard horse cubes? Worse, try a handful of hard, dry spikey hay. Or spend 10min plucking soft green grass. Chew through that. Just filling a hay net with hay leaves splinters in your hand. Horse mouths are not like ours. They chew wooden fence poles. I saw one chewing happily on one of my jump poles last week. And he chewed and swallowed the shards he had bitten off too.

I have started many young horses. I have been the 1st person to introduce them to a bit. They all mouth at first as it is foreign. Offer a bit of food and they promptly eat, and spill some as it is new trying to move food around the bit. Then take a walk past a nice grassy patch. They all dive at the grass and yank at the lead. Hard. They show zero pain. They will yank again at the next nice patch of grass. They yank hard enough to jerk you half off your feet. That happens with a youngster on the first bitting. That is a soft mouth, never had a bit before. They yank. Often.

Red yanks. Really hard. Often. Especially with riders who are new and are riding with a long soft rein. He knows they will let go if he yanks. Then he can do what he wants, like eat grass. If the bars of the mouth are SO sensitive l think they would behave differently. Just tap a horse gently with the floppy end of a lead rein and they react. If they choose to yank people around with the bit then l think people need ro rethink about how sensitive the mouth really is.

Next post l will discuss how delicately a bit can, and should, be used, and why l understand a bit to be a comfort, a reassurance, and almost a safety blanket for the horse.

The bit is not to control the horse, but for the riders hand to read the horse's mind. Communication. Hear your horse.

We help riders overcome fear, build confidence, and optimize their performance, while ensuring that their horses receive...
22/04/2026

We help riders overcome fear, build confidence, and optimize their performance, while ensuring that their horses receive holistic care and remain happy and healthy.
ACCELERIDE with Chikara Stables
063 692 1357

15/04/2026

The show does not start at the warm-up arena.
It starts well before that… in your mind.
ACCELERIDE incorporates cognitive coaching, along with biomechanic training for riders and horses, giving both the mental and physical tools to stay focused, manage pressure, and perform automatically at their best.

Every time you step into the arena, your partnership should grow.
✨ Train your mind.
✨ Shift your posture.
✨ Transform each ride.

Check out the link in the comments and leave me a message there if you can relate or want help figuring this out.

Address

202 Country Gardens Rd, Nooitgedacht
Mogale City
1739

Telephone

+27636921357

Website

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