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Jessica Bryce Classical Dressage Coaching

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25.01.2022 Trying to explain what we (with our high-powered brains capable of moving quickly from one task to another, understanding cause and effect and creating complicated concepts) want our horses to do (with their differently wired brains and no concept of time or powers of imagination) is like a computer trying to work with a calculator. Remember this, next time your young horse just isnt getting it!

25.01.2022 Every day Susie has the same mud smear on her face. I brush it off (despite her protests) and the next day shes put it back on again. Its like her signature style. Does your horse have a signature look?

24.01.2022 Oh Emmy-Lou! The messiest eater ever! Does this happen to anyone else?

23.01.2022 Documenting the journey of Vladimir, as we go through the exercise program I have put together for older horses. Vladimir is a 24yo retired gelding that lives in a paddock, eats mainly pasture and pasture hay and is generally not rugged. The exercise program involves twenty minutes of sustained walking interspersed with various progressive exercises.

23.01.2022 Theres definitely gold at the end of this rainbow! Looks like its touching down right on top of my horses in their stables!

22.01.2022 Hot tip - put your stirrups up like this for lunging so they won't slip down!

21.01.2022 Were all just hiding inside and waiting for the wind to stop!

21.01.2022 I had a MASSIVE week of "doing" last week, and it felt great! Ticking things off the to-do-list makes me feel good and spurs me on to do more. Find little ways throughout the day to reward yourself for getting things done to keep the momentum going. (If you recognise this photo, youll know what Im referring to!)

21.01.2022 I was just talking to a rider about the horse seeking the contact yesterday, then this comes up on my new feed, perfect timing :) Learning to recognise healthy movement is the first and most important step all riders can take toward quality riding and training.

21.01.2022 Hanging out with my girl Nutmeg today, the sun is shining the grass is growing, the horse hair is falling! I hope you got some horse time in today too! (Its good for you!)

21.01.2022 Bookings are open! Join me in the Indoor arena at El Castillo (near Lancefield) for private and semi-private lessons or come along to the popular Young Horse Social Day group event. Details below, if youve got any questions dont hesitate to get in touch :)

20.01.2022 I have a couple of lesson times available on Friday 2nd April (Good Friday) due to regular riders being away. If you're in Ballan/Bacchus Marsh/Bullengarook/Gisborne/Macdon and would like a lesson please shoot me a message! Riding/groundwork/in-hand/gymnastic lunging - my speciality is setting up young or green horses with the correct basics, and introducing riders to Classical Dressage.

20.01.2022 This week I welcome the delightful Eve in for training. Eve is a green seven year old, here for a couple of weeks of schooling under saddle. Im already impressed with how quickly she has settled in and how soft she was in our first session yesterday.

20.01.2022 I noticed Vladimir often has a patch of hair on his back thats different to the rest. There is an area on his neck where the hair looks different too (Ill try to remember to photograph it too). I dont know what this means, but Ill make a note of it and keep an eye on it. You dont have to have all the answers, just making observations is sometimes enough.

19.01.2022 Ive really enjoyed working with Vladimir so much over the last few weeks, and I think he quite likes being the star of the show too

19.01.2022 Confusing dressage jargon getting you down? Try thinking of your horse as a mango instead! Curious to see how my mango theory can take the confusion out of a complicated concept so you can get your head around one of the key elements of healthy horse posture? Join me this evening for a live chat, it's all happening here https://www.facebook.com/groups/323639235357660

19.01.2022 The rein back can really give us a lot of clues into how a horse is using their body. Ideally (at this level of training) the horse should step backward with the legs in diagonal pairs. When Eve first came in for training she couldnt back in a straight line; now she can, and while we sometimes get a diagonally paired step (as pictured) mostly we dont. Re-wiring the way the brain chooses to use the body takes time and must be practiced frequently.

17.01.2022 Mounting is a big pressure point for a lot of horses and riders. Susie doesn't normally stand still for her rider to get on, she'll line up with the block ok, but as soon as your foot goes into the stirrup she's moving off and you either have to abandon the plan and line her up again, or launch on while she's moving! We've been working on this every ride for the last 5 weeks and it's time to celebrate because we finally got one! Not only did she stand still to wait for me ...to mount, but she also accepted a pat of thanks before moving off! I believe Susie's need to move off before the rider is ready is tied in to her anxiety. As flight animals, a horse's primary way of dealing with stress and ensuring their safety is to move their feet. I've never tried to "make" Susie stand still, I've just taken my time, explained to her than I want her to stand (this is an very important and often left out step) then quietly got on with the job. That she stood and waited for me this time was her choice, and I'll hold no expectations for it to happen again next time. Everything a horse does tell you how he's feeling in that moment, and training needs to be flexible enough to consider these feelings.

16.01.2022 The feet can tell us so much about a horse, and can influence whats going on further up the legs. Some horses are lucky enough to have a pretty closely matching pair of front feet, but for others one is more upright and the other much flatter.

16.01.2022 Thinking back to this time last year - generally, to where I was as a coach and a rider - I relish in all that I have learned since then. It was about this time l in 2019 that I started out on a series of clinics and courses which sky-rocketed my theoretical knowledge and brought a fantastic collection of new people into my life as well. The state of "becoming is an exciting one; the journey, the adventure, the growth and evolution of oneself as a (horse) person. "Being" is boring, its a closed mind, a fixed state; Id rather be "becoming" even if I dont know exactly what just yet!

15.01.2022 Are you the rider of a young horse? Or maybe he's not that young anymore, but still pretty green? These Schooling Days are aimed to give riders the tools they need to bring their young or green horses from 'green as grass' to a calm and confident riding partner. All horses need the same basic training, you can get discipline-specific later, in the beginning we're looking for relaxation and rhythm and to begin developing the horse's balance and suppleness under the rider. If you're bringing on a young/green horse and are struggling to know what to work on next, join me for a step-by-step plan and a few tricks of the trade from an coach/trainer of 20+ years who has done this a time or two before! More details in the event, please be in touch if you have any questions

14.01.2022 You may already be aware, but for those who haven't heard, last year I took the foundations of the in hand training that I do with all my horses and put it into an Online Course! It's a fusion of Classical Dressage training techniques and a targeted exercise program for your horse! It improves suppleness, balance, core stability and posture, all those things that an equine athlete needs! It has the flow-on effect of making your horse easier to ride because it addresses his n...atural one-sidedness and makes him physically more able to do what you need him to for your chosen discipline. If you'd like to know more I'm running a Free Online Mini Course that's kind of like a taste test so you can see what it's all about and how it can help your horse. Full details in the event below, I'll drop the link to join in the comments. Any questions please reach out, otherwise I'll see you there!

13.01.2022 Heres a HOT TIP for you as I watch the snow coming down out my window Save these big clips off your old or broken lead ropes, theyre great on hay bags!

13.01.2022 Yesterday was a day filled with dressagey goodness at my Winter Dressage Clinic at El Castillo Equestrian Centre. Heres a glimpse of some of the afternoon lessons as we welcomed both new and returning riders and their lovely horses.

12.01.2022 In the words of the masters, "the horse is not for dressage; dressage is for the horse"

11.01.2022 Drinking from the well - if you're a rider like me who pretty much always trains on my own, it can be hard not to just fall into habits and patterns and just keep on doing what we've always done. I have decided to keep expanding my horizons by setting aside some time each week to spend reading my many horse books, discussing with my colleagues and making sure I'm getting some study in. This helps me keep motivated, on the right path and in a seeking mindset. What do you do to keep yourself moving along the learning curve?

11.01.2022 Young Horse Social Day is one of my favourite events; not only do I get to meet a bunch of horse owners/riders who are on the path of doing the best by their horse, bringing them on slowly and carefully, and supporting each other along the way, but everyone walks away smiling at the end of the day :D Today we covered girthing issues, mounting block manners, the difference between acceptance and tolerance, feeling and influencing balance, and had some fun over poles! Can't wait for the next one

10.01.2022 When youre filming for your Online Course and the guy in the next stall wants to be on camera too!

09.01.2022 Allow me to introduce myself. I am hugely passionate about dressage, especially the Classical version. I love how when you use a training system that really works the horses just "get it" right away. I used to spend hours, weeks, months plugging away at trying to train my horse for very little improvement at all. Now Im bringing on the horses that I ride (and riders that I teach) at a rate of knots I never would have through possible! I am a "forever student" constantly rea...ding, watching, thinking, discussing and seeking new knowledge. I have trained in Equine Bodywork which was a gigantic knowledge download that Im still having "ah-ha!" moments from some four years later! Biomechanics fascinates me, Im at the point now where I know a lot about how horses work and I feel like Im lacking in the complementary understanding of how humans work... maybe theres a new avenue for study in that area in the future? I really love working with young horses, theres something so precious about their open hearts and the joy they take in life. I also quite like rehabilitating and re-educating horses that are not necessarily working well under saddle - for whatever reason, sometimes is physical, sometimes its educational, or emotional or just that theyve changed disciplines (from racing to equestrian for example) or come to a new rider. Here is my horse and I, we are on an exciting adventure together and you will see him on this page regularly (good thing hes got the face for photos!) If youd like to chat about how I can help you and your horse please be in touch.

08.01.2022 Sunshine! Feeling grateful for a sunny day as winter becomes spring in my part of the world, and getting out there with the horses to make the most of it! Anyone else getting some horse time in today?

08.01.2022 The home herd, just hangin all together in the sunshine

08.01.2022 Advanced lunging techniques has been the unofficial theme of my lessons this week. Its important to always lunge your horse in a cavesson, rather than a halter. Having the lunge rein connected to the front means you can easily bend the horse without causing him to twist his head, which is what happens when the lunge rein is connected underneath.

08.01.2022 Guess who is being his usual handsome self? I've been hanging out for warm weather so I can wash Flamulo to see if I can get that mane and tail back to white! Looks like this week might be the week it finally happens!

07.01.2022 Eve and I had two sessions in the glorious sunshine today. Sometimes two shorter sessions are more productive than one long one. Especially if theres a lot of learning to be done

07.01.2022 The two ponies that are in for training/bodywork at the moment, making eyes at each other across the vacant paddock in between!

06.01.2022 You may have noticed things have been a little quiet on this page lately, thats because Ive been working (day at night) on an exciting new project! Check out my new page to learn more! https://www.facebook.com/theEquinePTprogram

06.01.2022 Thursday is my studying day, can you guess what I'm reading today? "Those who want to practice the Academic Art of Riding must train themselves and learn from their horse" Bent Branderup

05.01.2022 Susie was a little off when I rode her on Sunday; stiff in the hind and a bit lateral in the walk. I even said to her at the time, "I feel like I'm just sitting on a pair of shoulders, where is the rest of my horse?" She's having some body work and a week off riding this week, so today's pic is from an earlier ride. We'll be doing some core activation ground exercises this week, along with some in-hand work and baited stretches. A week off from riding doesn't mean "see you next week" it just means a shift in our focus and a different approach. Next week I'll see if she's ready to carry me again.

05.01.2022 Try thinking of your horse as a Mango! One of the most confusing concepts in dressage is the idea of the horse being "heavy on the forehand" or of being able to "lighten the forehand". I've come up with a really simple way of explaining this complicated concept and added a little bit of fun to it too! Dressage doesn't have to be boring, it's sometimes presented that way, but I'm often heard to say, "if you don't like dressage; you're not doing it right!" so if dressage is do...ing your head in, join me for a live Q&A session for a cheeky twist on a confusing concept so you can starting thinking of your horse as a Mango! Link in the comments

04.01.2022 Know your starting point. When horses come in for training the first thing I need to do is establish where the horse is at right now. Ill do groundwork, bodywork and ridden (if applicable) assessments, all the while getting a feel for the horses disposition and work ethic. From these assessments I decide on the best path forward for each individual horse, in conjunction with the training goals specified by the owner. Eve and I have had a busy day, and now we have a plan for our next two weeks together

04.01.2022 Using cavaletti makes everything more fun! You dont have to have a full set, there are plenty of patterns you can make with just 4 or 6 poles.

04.01.2022 Is your horse still in full work? Or are the days of consistent riding but a blurry memory? Wouldnt it be nice if someone could bring your horse back into work, school him up for you then right when club, comps and clinics kick off again they hand him back in great shape and ready for you to take out right away? Maybe even up a level/grade from where you are now. I have 2 places available for horses to come in for schooling later this month and can do just that for you! Allow me to put in the hard yards, come in for a weekly lesson, and together we can get through the worst of the winter weather without missing a beat and be one step ahead of the rest when its time to get out and about again. If youd like to chat about a training plan for your horse just send me a message!

04.01.2022 Yesterday I coached at the Ballan Pony Club Inc. August rally. It was a beautiful sunny day and the riders were all smiles. The unofficial themes that arose from the lessons were shoulder control, and the riders seat in canter. I forgot to take a photo so heres an old one of some road-tripping ponies! What was the horsey highlight of your weekend?

04.01.2022 The snow on Nutmeg yesterday Just because you are a hardy cob doesnt mean you cant wear a rug sometimes, so I was out there with the horses in the snow making sure they were warm.

03.01.2022 I posted this one in The Equine Personal Training Program Group but it's such a simple little test to do I thought I'd share it here too :) Next time you see your horse, give him a and watch how he chews, does his lower jaw move to both sides, or only one way? This could be a vital clue to unlocking blockages under saddle! On the circle, the outside forelimb has to take a longer, more reaching step. In this moment in the stride (as pictured) the outside hindlimb and forelim...b are at maximum extension in opposite directions and the whole length of the horse's body on the outside is lengthened. Any physical restriction, nervous tension, or perhaps rider interference, will affect the horse's ability to lengthen in this way. Including dental imbalance which is often hard to see but has a big impact on the entire body and it's way of moving. Try the test and let me know how it goes :)

03.01.2022 Training horses is so much more than just the development of the physical being. The most complicated part is nurturing the horse on an emotional level. He needs to feel safe in the training environment, otherwise he wont be able to learn. A tense horse cannot be physically trained properly as his body will be unable to comply with requests for correct movement, and even more importantly, a worried horse will not be in the right frame of mind to take on any new learning as ...his mind will be occupied with concerns for his own safety. Developing a young horse is a slow and complicated process, but the reward is far greater than the effort, when you have a mature horse with an unspoiled temperament and solid work ethic; a horse that trusts you and will try his heart out to please you. Thats where the real magic between horse and rider can be found. See more

02.01.2022 Warming Up - it means different things to different riders, but for me there are 3 key elements to a good warm up. #1 The Physical, which is perhaps more complicated that you might think. Naturally, muscles warm up faster than joints, as they have a direct blood supply to transport warmth around the body, but also the action of performing work creates heat as a byproduct. While joints, however; have to wait for the warmth to seep in from the surrounding tissue which takes m...Continue reading

02.01.2022 A soft and swinging under-neck. Recognising healthy (and unhealthy) movement in your horse is the first step toward influencing how he moves in a way that's going to build his body up and make him stronger. In the walk the horse's under-neck should be soft, the muscles from the throat down to the chest (where the chest strap on your rug sits) should be soft and relaxed enough to be swinging loosely as the horse walks. Too high a head/neck position will cause those muscles to... go tight and restrict the healthy forward/down action of the neck each stride. Pictured is an example of a softly swinging under-neck, can you see how the jugular groove is clearly visible all the way along? Note Crystal's ears are at about wither/saddle height and the topline of her neck is almost horizontal, a lovely place to be for warming up and cooling down.

02.01.2022 To all the owners of grey horses, struggling to keep your horse any kind of clean this winter; I feel your pain! My horse doesnt get rugged so I cant wash or clip him, and now we have a saddle cloth "tan" line!

02.01.2022 Did you know? Most riders out there are riding at their highest ability level right now, on their current horse. Are you? We tend to want to train our horses ourselves in Australia; when we take lessons we are trying to teach our horse and learn ourselves at the same time. This takes a whole lot longer, it really is the hard way! Sometimes when things aren't working out we think perhaps it's time for a new horse, rather than seeing the help from a coach or trainer to work through the issues. Are you currently working with a coach/instructor/trainer? Let me know in the comments below, post a green apple for yes and a red apple for no