In This Issue
Barn News & Updates
Dressage Training Video:
Correcting Overflexion in the Horse's Neck
Dressage Training:
Keeping Your Horse from Anticipating the Flying Change
Horse Care Tip of the Month:
The Importance of Feeding Salt to Horses
Life & Style:
4 Ways to Get Into Shape for Horseback Riding
Recipe of the Month:
Summer Niçoise Salad
Paula's Pearls:
"Ah-Ha!" Moments in Riding
A Little Inspiration:
Check Out This Horse & Rider Combo! Inspiring!
About Paula Paglia Dressage
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Upcoming Arizona Dressage Association Shows
Recognized Shows
August 17-18: Mountain Air & Dressage in the Pines in Flagstaff, AZ
November 2-3: Fall Fiesta at WestWorld
February 9: Fun in February at Dale Creek Equestrian Village
Schooling Shows
September 29 at WestWorld
October 19 at Dale Creek Equestrian Village
December 7 at Bar A Ranch
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Dressage Training Video
Correcting Overflexion in the Horse's Neck
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Dressage Training
How Do I Keep My Dressage Horse from Anticipating the Flying Change?
Sandy Hotz shares four exercises to help you keep your horse more attentive to your aids.
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Q: My horse anticipates the flying change every time I cross the diagonal. While I first thought it was a great thing, I now find it more annoying, as my horse doesn’t change from my aids. How can I solve this problem?
A: Congratulations on having such a clever horse! Your problem is common, as many horses delight in executing this newly learned exercise even when you don’t ask for it. The solution is simple and requires going back a few steps before moving forward again. This will help you find the underlying cause of the problem and will clarify your aids and teach your horse to wait and listen.
It is important that for now you refrain from riding flying changes for a bit until you have re-established the security of your basic work, which led up to teaching your horse the flying changes initially. When you can perform the exercises that follow smoothly and without resistance, you may begin to introduce the flying changes again.
Before you begin, be sure that you have a high-quality canter. This means that your horse is collected with good activity of the hindquarters, reliable straightness and is free from tension or resistance. He should be in a good self-carriage and should not lean on the reins for support. Your half halts must be well-established and the transitions within the canter and between canter and walk/trot should be smooth and free from resistance.
Spend a few days (or weeks, depending on your progress) making sure you can calmly and reliably perform these exercises. Then, simply replace some of the simple changes with flying changes. If you encounter tension from anticipation, return to one or more of the exercises until calmness and confidence are restored, then try a change again. The goal is not to take away your horse’s desire to perform a change, but only to ask him to wait for your aid and perform it when you ask.
The Exercises
First, test your horse’s balance and the effectiveness of your aids by riding canter–trot–canter transitions and canter–walk–canter transitions on a 20-meter circle. Make sure each transition is balanced, supple and straight with no resistance. When this goes smoothly, you are ready for work on the diagonals.
1. Canter–trot–canter. Proceed in collected canter across a diagonal with a transition to trot at X, then at the end of the diagonal, strike off again on the new canter lead. Repeat from the other direction. Next, ride a change of lead through the trot over X, also from both directions. Ask yourself: “Is my horse balanced and straight in both transitions? Is there any resistance?” If so, go back to the work on the circle or try adding a 10-meter circle in the trot at X before striking off into the new canter. This redirects the horse’s attention and asks him to wait, balance and focus.
2. Simple change on the diagonal. In collected canter tracking right, head across the diagonal and ride a 10-meter volte to the right at X followed by a simple change, continuing across the diagonal on the left lead. Repeat from the left lead. Variation: Canter on the right lead across the diagonal. At X, ride a 10-meter volte right followed by a simple change, then ride immediately a 10-meter volte left, then canter the remainder of the diagonal. When this goes well, try a collected canter on the diagonal and a simple change at X without the 10-meter circles.
3. Counter canter followed by simple change. Ride across the diagonal in collected canter and continue in counter canter through the corner. Ride a simple change in the middle of the short side. Variation: Continue in counter canter through the second corner as well and ride the simple change in the middle of the long side.
4. Transitions within the canter on a diagonal. Ride across the diagonal in collected canter. Ride a few steps of medium canter over X, then collect again and ride counter canter through the corner. Ask for a simple change in the middle of the short side or continue in counter canter through both corners and ride the simple change on the long side.
Once your horse is more attentive and on your aids from these exercises, you can begin to replace some of the simple changes with flying changes. Praise him profusely when he waits for your aids and performs a nice balanced flying change. Be prepared to go immediately back to some of the exercises if he begins anticipating again. It is useful to alternate or combine the exercises so that your horse does not know in advance whether he will be asked for a simple change, a flying change or a transition.
Once you have attained a successful result, leave the changes for the day and move on to something else entirely or better yet, reward your horse by ending the day’s session. Before long, you will have a calm, attentive horse who waits for your aids.
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Horse Care Tip of the Month
The Importance of Feeding Salt to Horses
A horse’s behavior is the best sign of a salt deficiency, rather than subtle and non-specific symptoms
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Salt is the most important mineral required by horses, yet its importance is often overlooked in favor of seemingly more important minerals.
Although the majority of a horse’s mineral quota will be met with a good-quality long-stem forage, the salt content in grasses and hay is too low for the needs of a horse. Consequently all horses will need salt supplementation. Salt is an essential part of nutrition and just like any other nutritional deficiency, when a horse’s salt requirement is not met health consequences develop over time.Common salt, a combination of sodium and chloride, is essential for countless critical functions in the body. When dissolved in the bloodstream these two minerals become ionized and are integral to electrical signals and communication throughout the body. This communication is instrumental for the nervous and musculoskeletal systems to function properly.
Sodium has the ability to hold water in the tissues and thus its presence has a major influence on hydration and fluid dynamics in the body. Insufficient sodium inevitably leads to a degree of dehydration. This function of sodium is so important to the body that the sodium levels are “read” by the brain in determining when to trigger thirst.
Sodium is also involved in moving glucose across the cell membrane where it is used as a fuel source. If sodium is insufficient at the cellular level glucose transport in the tissues is impaired. Ultimately this translates into ill health and may present as early fatigue, muscle weaknesses and impaired performance. Less recognized benefits of adequate salt are an aid in blood sugar regulation, hormone balance, maintenance of healthy weight, health of hooves and hair coat, pH balance of the body and its function as a natural antihistamine.
Salt insufficiency generally develops over a period of weeks or months and clinical signs of minor deficiencies are generally non-specific and subtle. Fortunately the behavior of the horses themselves provides a valuable clue regarding their salt requirement. Horses lacking salt often develop an abnormal appetite, also known as “pica” and lick objects that may have traces of salt on them. These can include but are not limited to wood, metal, stones, fences, bark, hands, vehicles, and soil. Although the occurrence of pica does not necessarily...
click here for the rest of the article.
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Life & Style
4 Ways to Get Into Shape for Horseback Riding
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The best way to get in great shape and become a good rider is to ride. Having strong muscles is half of it, but training your brain and eyes and having balance and body control while on a moving object is also important. If you don't get this experience regularly, you will not be in the best possible shape for riding. The following are several exercises you can use on a daily basis to help stretch, strengthen, and tone the muscle groups you use during riding.
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Recipe of the Month
Summer Ni
ç
oise Salad
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"With this scorching weather, I just can't bear to heat up the kitchen night after night. I'm sure you feel the same. This Niç
oise salad fits the bill. It's perfectly savory and hearty enough for an entree and it's light enough so you won't feel uncomfortably full in this heat. Enjoy!" Paula
Ingredients:
DRESSING
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
- 2 oil-packed anchovy fillets, drained
- 1 garlic clove, grated
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- kosher salt and black pepper
SALAD
- 1 pound mixed baby potatoes
- 1 bunch asparagus, ends trimmed
- 3-4 ears corn on the cob, husked
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cups fresh chopped greens, such as romaine or arugula
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved if large
- 1/2 cup mixed Greek olives, pitted
- 6 radishes thinly sliced or quartered
- 2 cans (6 or 7-ounce) tuna packed in olive oil, drained
- 1 avocado, sliced
- ½ cup mixed tender herbs, such as basil, parsley, thyme, and or dill
- 4 hard-boiled eggs, sliced (optional)
Directions:
1. To make the dressing. Combine the olive oil and anchovies in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until anchovies have broken down into the oil and disintegrated, 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the garlic, tossing to combine. Mix in the lemon juice, mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Taste, adding more salt, pepper, and oil as needed.
2. To make the salad. Place the potatoes and a tablespoon of salt in a large pot and fill with water. Bring to a boil over high heat and then reduce the to heat to medium, simmer 10-15 minutes or until the potatoes are just fork tender. Drain. Place the potatoes back in the hot pot. Cover the pot and let the potatoes steam for another 10 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, pre-heat the grill to medium high heat. Toss the asparagus with olive oil and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Grill the asparagus for 3-5 minutes, turning 1-2 times throughout cooking, until light char marks appear. During the same time, grill the corn until charred all over, 5-8 minutes, turning 1-2 times throughout cooking. Once the corn is cool enough to handle, remove the kernels from the cob.
4. While still warm, cut the potatoes in half and add to a large serving bowl, tossing them with half of the dressing. Arrange the salad greens, grilled asparagus, corn kernels, tomatoes, olives, radishes, tuna, and avocado around the potatoes. Drizzle the remaining dressing over the salad. Top with fresh herbs and eggs, if using. Serve slightly warm or at room temp.
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Paula's Pearls
"Ah-ha!" Moments in Riding
Part 2 of 3
You have established your feet on the floor of your boat (from part one -- see last month's newsletter.) Knees slightly bent. Your core is low and stable. It is time to start paddling. To steer your boat to the left you must paddle a few strokes on the right. To turn your boat to the right you paddle on the left. Think about your legs being the energy or the engine making the boat go forward and the rein side you use is the correct side you would paddle on to direct your boat. This clarifies to your horse a clear line of travel and to go straight you use both reins as needed. It is important you keep your eye on where you are going keeping your horse softly between both legs and both reins.
There will be a part 3 next month.
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Take a look at these two! This is my dream horse & rider combination!
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Paula Paglia, owner and head trainer of Paula Paglia Dressage in North Scottsdale, Arizona began her professional training career in 1979. Paula is a USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medalist and has been named ADA Rider of the Year numerous times through 2018. Paula has been an integral part of the training and success of her clients. She is credited with creating numerous winning horse and rider combinations through the FEI levels. She has developed Regional Winners and sent many students to the National Junior Young Riders Championships, the North American Young Riders Championships and the National Dressage Seat Equitation Finals.
Formerly the head trainer at Dynamite Dressage, and the head trainer at Los Cedros, she is thrilled to now offer her own niche to her clients: a full educational program based on dressage, developing amateurs, young riders and other professionals to their fullest potential. As owner of Paula Paglia Dressage, she has taken the best of training practices used throughout her career to offer a specialized experience for her clients. She considers her facility to be "heaven for horses." Owning her own facility allows her to cater to every horse's special needs.
Paula has trained with some of the most successful trainers and riders in the world, including Debbie McDonald, Leslie Reid, Christine Traurig, and Conrad Schumacher.
In 1992, Paula began importing warmbloods from Holland, Poland and Germany. Presently, Paula conducts personalized buying trips abroad for her clients, as she has extensive experience selecting and starting young horses and developing them up the levels.
Philosophy
The Paula Paglia Dressage philosophy is to develop a partnership between horse and rider. The well-being of the horse is the primary consideration. Paula evaluates each horse and rider individually and will design a program appropriate to their ability, yet focused on the long-term goals of upper-level classical dressage. Each horse and rider is developed at their own pace, allowing each team to be mentally and physically strong at each level of competition.
Paula believes that a successful training regimen is a logical, step-by-step process that utilized the horse's natural intelligence, his loyalty, his goodwill, and his honesty. A sensible, kind and structured training program will produce a horse with a strong muscle structure and a sharp working mind. Both are necessary to compete at the national and international levels of dressage.
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Paula Paglia Dressage
Services & Facility
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Services
- Boarding/Training
- Lessons
- Showing
- Purchase/Sale
- Clinics
- International Equine Procurement
Amenities
- Regulation arena with premium footing
- Oversized stalls, cleaned multiple times daily with premium shavings
- Fly misting system and cooling misting system
- Two all-weather turnouts
- Premium hay feed 5x a day
- Personalized grain/supplement feedings 2-3x a day
- Automatic waterers/outside tubs and interior buckets cleaned daily
- Hot water wash racks
- Locked tack rooms
- Laundry rooms
- Blanketing/final night check
- Caveletti course
- Access to Equine Corridor trails
- Regularly scheduled on-site clinics
- Trailering to shows available
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