Feature Articles: Horse Training and Riding

The following articles are part of an award winning article series by Ron and Faith Meredith focusing on Riding and Training. The articles have been published in over 150 equine books, magazines and journals. A new article is posted every month. Reading through these articles is a great way to learn more about the philosophies and methodologies taught at Meredith Manor.

If you would like to purchase a booklet containing a compilation of our articles, visit our Article Booklet page.

May Feature Article:

9 Tips for Managing Horse Show Jitters by Nancy Wesolek-Sterrett

- Riding Articles

Gold Horses, Green Horses and Color Coordinated Riders by Faith Meredith
Is it my Fault, Or my Horse's by Faith Meredith
Communicating by the Seat of your Pants by Faith Meredith
The Riding Tree: Relaxation by Faith Meredith
The Riding Tree: Balance by Faith Meredith
The Riding Tree: Following the Motion by Faith Meredith
The Riding Tree: Communicating Through Aids by Faith Meredith
The Riding Tree: Coordination Of The Aids by Faith Meredith
The Riding Tree: Influencing The Horse by Faith Meredith
Finding the Right Instructor by Faith Meredith
Overcoming Riding Fears by Faith Meredith
Developing an Independent Seat by Faith Meredith
The Importance of Timing by Faith Meredith
Developing Balance: Exercises by Faith Meredith
Developing Balance: Using Your Horse’s Feedback by Faith Meredith
When Good Gaits Deteriorate by Faith Meredith
Establishing Rhythm, Don’t Interrupt Me by Faith Meredith
A Good Start Avoids Bit Evasions by Faith Meredith
Fixing Bit Evasions by Faith Meredith
Applying Natural Aids by Faith Meredith
Using Artificial Aids by Faith Meredith
Going in Circles to Change Direction by Faith Meredith
Traveling in the Best Circles by Faith Meredith
Rhythmic Riding Starts on the Ground by Faith Meredith
Old Habits Die Hard by Faith Meredith
Bulging Out and Falling In by Faith Meredith
Bucking, Shying and other Attention Deficit Disorders by Faith Meredith
Longeing for Riders by Faith Meredith
First Rides: Evaluating a Horse’s Vocabulary by Faith Meredith
Pulling Contests by Faith Meredith
Understanding Flying Changes by Faith Meredith
Preparing to Ride Flying Changes by Faith Meredith
Improving Flying Changes by Faith Meredith
Riding Smooth Transitions by Faith Meredith
Who is Training Whom? by Faith Meredith
Straightness as Body Building by Faith Meredith
Monitor Yourself to Straighten Your Horse by Faith Meredith
Using Lesson Feedback by Faith Meredith
Understanding Leg Aids by Faith Meredith
Understanding Weight Aids by Faith Meredith
Understanding Rein Aids by Faith Meredith
Correct Rider Position: Upper Body by Nancy Wesolek-Sterrett
Correct Rider Position: Lower Body by Nancy Wesolek-Sterrett
Following the Horse's Motion: Basics by Nancy Wesolek-Sterrett
Following the Horse's Motion at the Walk by Nancy Wesolek-Sterrett
Following the Horse's Motion at the Trot by Nancy Wesolek-Sterrett
Following the Horse's Motion at the Canter by Nancy Wesolek-Sterrett
Talking with Your Seat by Nancy Wesolek-Sterrett
Leg Aids: Thigh Bone Connected to the Hip Bone by Nancy Wesolek-Sterrett
Allowing Forward Motion by Nancy Wesolek-Sterrett
Getting It Straight by Nancy Wesolek-Sterrett
Coordinating Aids by Nancy Wesolek-Sterrett
Achieving Steady Hands by Nancy Wesolek-Sterrett
Riding Responsibly by Nancy Wesolek-Sterrett
The Trouble with Circles by Nancy Wesolek-Sterrett
Leg Yield Basics by Nancy Wesolek-Sterrett
Lateral Work: Progressing to Shoulder-In by Nancy Wesolek-Sterrett
Riding Different Horses Tests Seat Skills by Nancy Wesolek-Sterrett
Stop Struggling with Canter Departs by Nancy Wesolek-Sterrett
Timing Canter Aids by Nancy Wesolek-Sterrett
Focused Riding: The Seldom Taught Riding Skill by Nancy Wesolek-Sterrett
Speed Control by Nancy Wesolek-Sterrett
Jumping and Connection by Nancy Wesolek-Sterrett
Jumping, Connection & Releases by Nancy Wesolek-Sterrett
Distracted Riding - Don't Text and Ride by Nancy Wesolek-Sterrett
Seat Bones from the Horse's Side of the Saddle by Nancy Wesolek-Sterrett
Seat Bones from the Rider's Side of the Saddle by Nancy Wesolek-Sterrett

- Training Articles

Horse Logic by Ron Meredith
Using Pressures To Shape The Horse by Ron Meredith
Breaking Vs. Training by Ron Meredith
"Leading" is Misleading: Heeding - Part 1 of 3 by Ron Meredith
Working in Corridors: Heeding - Part 2 of 3 by Ron Meredith
Advanced Ground Control: Heeding - Part 3 of 3 by Ron Meredith
Applied Heeding: Handling Stallions by Ron Meredith
Applied Heeding: Basic Trailer Training by Ron Meredith
Applied Heeding: Loading the Scared Horse by Ron Meredith
Applied Heeding: Loading the Disobedient Horse by Ron Meredith
Tools of the Training Trade: Lesson Plans by Ron Meredith
Tools of the Training Trade: Equipment by Ron Meredith
Tools of the Training Trade: Keeping Logs by Ron Meredith
Pressure and Body Language by Ron Meredith
Using Physical Pressures in Training by Ron Meredith
Psychological Pressures and the Learning Zone by Ron Meredith
Dealing with Rearing and Pulling by Ron Meredith
The Daily Training Routine by Ron Meredith
Advanced Heeding: Teaching Your Horse to Stand by Ron Meredith
Advanced Heeding: Teaching Your Horse to Back by Ron Meredith
Advanced Heeding: Teaching Your Horse to Longe by Ron Meredith
Aids vs. Cues by Ron Meredith
Teaching a Horse to Lead by Ron Meredith
Primary and Secondary Lines by Ron Meredith
The Importance of Directing Every Stride by Ron Meredith
Trick Horses vs. Trained Horses by Ron Meredith
Horse Logical Communication Starts With Grooming by Ron Meredith
Keeping a Horse's Attention by Ron Meredith
Intensity & Activity by Ron Meredith
Choosing Bits by Ron Meredith
Loud Bits Destroy Communications by Ron Meredith
Self Control Precedes Horse Control by Ron Meredith
Learning from Horses: Sue by Ron Meredith
Learning from Horses: Mama by Ron Meredith
Learning from Horses: Plute by Ron Meredith
Why Good Training Starts on the Ground by Ron Meredith
The Three Times You Should Punish Your Horse by Ron Meredith
Recipes for Riding by Ron Meredith
Games People Play by Ron Meredith
Learning to Master "Now" by Ron Meredith
Whips & Spurs and All That Excitement by Ron Meredith
Managing Activity Levels by Ron Meredith
Horse Logic Body Building by Ron Meredith
Training with Attitude by Ron Meredith
The Training Tree: Rhythm by Ron Meredith
The Training Tree: Relaxation by Ron Meredith
The Training Tree: Freedom of Gaits by Ron Meredith
The Training Tree: Contact by Ron Meredith
The Training Tree: Straightness by Ron Meredith
The Training Tree: Balance by Ron Meredith
The Training Tree: Impulsion by Ron Meredith
The Training Tree: Suppleness by Ron Meredith
The Training Tree: On the Aids by Ron Meredith
The Training Tree: Collection by Ron Meredith
The Training Tree: Putting it all Together by Ron Meredith
Don't Hold Your Breath by Ron Meredith
Scare Training and Sue Again by Ron Meredith
Threats and Safety Zones by Ron Meredith
Patterns and Habits by Ron Meredith
Sometimes It's the Horse by Ron Meredith
Mastering "Natural" Horsemanship by Ron Meredith
Pattern Building by Ron Meredith
Teaching Pressures by Ron Meredith
Pressure is Relative by Ron Meredith
First Lessons by Ron Meredith
Early Lessons for the Green Horse by Ron Meredith
Riding the Better Side of Bucking by Ron Meredith
The Most Important Routine by Ron Meredith
Ground Work Goals by Ron Meredith
Reading Horses by Ron Meredith
More Early Lessons for the Green Horse by Ron Meredith
Green Horse Lessons: Adding the Lead Rope by Ron Meredith
Teach Your Horse Anything in 3 Simple Steps by Ron Meredith
Heeding Groundwork: Class Review by Ron Meredith
Groundwork: From Basics to Games by Ron Meredith
Little Things Do Mean a Lot by Ron Meredith
Applied Heeding: Backing by Ron Meredith
Mythunderstandings About Riding the Trot by Ron Meredith
Emotionally Neutral Training by Ron Meredith
Stopping a Runaway Horse by Ron Meredith
Gender Differences: Training Geldings by Ron Meredith
Gender Differences: Training Stallions by Ron Meredith
Gender Differences: Training Mares by Ron Meredith
Horse Logical Trailering by Ron Meredith
How Patterns Can Keep You Out of Trouble by Ron Meredith
How Patterns Can Get You Into Trouble by Ron Meredith
The Blurry Line Between Aids and Cues by Ron Meredith
The Blurry Line Between Pressures and Aids by Ron Meredith
Training Tools I: Psychological Pressures by Ron Meredith
Training Tools II: Physical Pressures by Ron Meredith

- Miscellaneous Articles

Building a Profitable Public Lesson Program by Ron Meredith
Horse-Friendly Facilities Design by Ron Meredith
Equestrian Education: Choosing the Right Horse School by Ron Meredith
It's Hard to Get Back to Basics When You Haven't Been There To Start! by Ron Meredith