Glenview Stables

10/07/2026

🫨 did you know this?
I didn't 10 years ago!
📷These are photos of myself and my horse Cinderella! Back when I was young and didn't know any better. 1 rein, no curb strap 🙈🙈
We've all done it but now we can learn and know better!

🤔Did you know that you're not supposed to use a martingale with a gag bit?!

🐴That includes bevels, wilkies, universals, 2 ring 3 ring 4 ring and true gag bits.
😳You're only supposed to use them on the snaffle rein. So if you have 2 reins thats okay - but only on the snaffle rein.

❌️And NEVER a standing martingale!

🌞Here is why...

✨️The purpose of a running martingale is to bring the head down from beyond the angle of control. If the head lifts so high it adds pressure to the rein and bit which translates into poll pressure to bring the head down. This pressure releases once the head is back down.
A standing martingale uses nose pressure by attaching to the back of the noseband do bring the head down. 👇👇

Whats the mechanics of a gag bit?
- to lift the head! 👆

👆So when you use your rein you ask for the head to lift.
👆The horse responds by lifting the head
👇👆👆The martingale acts on the rein, asking what you think is "bring your head down". Well, it doesn't. If you are using the rein on the leverage options then the martingale will be asking for more of the lift when it comes into action.
👆👆👆So your horse responds by lifting its head more.

👆👆👆👆👆Then you now get out of control because your horses head is so high it can't go forwards properly. You start to panic, use the rein more. Asking for yet more of that lift.

👆👇👆👇... see the conflict and cycle you're about to get into?

🫤A gag bit and a martingale are conflicting pieces of equipment and shouldn't be used together unless you use 2 reins (which you should be).

09/07/2026

📢 Exciting Opportunity in the Equine Industry! 🐎

HSI is encouraging both prospective candidates and equine employers to register their interest in the Teagasc Kildalton College Stud Farm Manager Apprenticeship programme.

Developed by Teagasc and industry experts, the programme is currently undergoing QQI accreditation. Subject to accreditation, it will provide a valuable opportunity to build skills in equine breeding, production and business management, helping to support the future workforce of Ireland's world-leading equine industry.

✅ Interested in becoming an apprentice?
✅ Looking to employ and develop future talent?

Submit your Expression of Interest today via the Teagasc website below 👇

https://teagasc.ie/education/apprenticeships/stud-farm-manager/

23/06/2026

An amazing opportunity for an experienced horse person …

19/06/2026

18/06/2026

13/06/2026

‼️ Summer Pony Camps coming soon ‼️

🐴 Watch this space as details of our popular pony camps will be posted very soon! 🤩

07/06/2026

Most riders don’t realize how much extra work a horse does to carry an imbalanced rider.

One of my favorite ways to demonstrate this happens before we even get on.
We use the saddle.

(For most English saddles/riders, this also conveniently sits within commonly used 20% guideline ranges for horse carrying load — but this exercise is about awareness, not weight.)

If they are capable, I ask the rider to hold the saddle over their head. I don’t tell them how to hold it, because any orientation becomes part of the exploration.

Then we slow everything down and start observing.
- Where and how are they holding it?
- Is the weight centered or off to one side?
- Are both arms contributing equally, or is one doing more of the work?
- What changes would make it feel more stable or easier to hold longer?

Then we introduce movement.
We gently shift the saddle side to side, and slightly forward and back.
Now the body has to respond.
- Is it easier directly overhead, or slightly off center?
- Do the feet adjust automatically to help balance?
- Does the trunk rotate, stiffen, or brace to keep control of the load?

This is where the lesson becomes powerful.
Because almost every rider eventually says something like:
“The saddle didn’t get heavier… but when it moved, it felt heavier.”
Not because the weight changed.
But because the body had to compensate.
And that is the same principle we see in the saddle.

When a rider is not stacked over a neutral pelvis and organized through their center of gravity, the horse has to absorb that imbalance through their own body.

That affects:
- how freely they can move
- how clearly they can respond to aids
- how efficiently they can carry the work without strain

When riders refine their seat contact, find their center of gravity, and organize their alignment, the load becomes easier to carry and less distracting.

From there, core engagement also changes — from bracing or gripping, to true support through alignment and stability.

A balanced load is simply easier to carry.
An unbalanced load requires compensation.

While riders are experiencing this overhead, they are also doing a form of “heavy work,” engaging the whole body and creating compression through joints. For many riders, this supports regulation, focus, and body awareness (see article on my website).

As an instructor, my attention is focused on what the riders body reveals in real time:
- Which side takes over first
- If they can find a place to hold with symmetry/balance if their trunk collapses, rotates, or stiffens.
- Where effort is being recruited from
Because these patterns often mirror how they organize themselves on a horse.
Before we ask a horse to respond to a rider’s aids, we have to first ensure the rider is organized enough that the horse is not compensating for them.

👇 Do you notice imbalance in your riders before they step into the saddle? Do you continue to see it in the saddle?

13/05/2026

https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/horse-training/how-soon-can-you-ride-after-giving-birth-923951?fbclid=IwRlRTSARxDCRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEec4PR6fCTsiC2pDgtbxKixqAIeL1RLu6atqRDTlifDYanO7lszTXvZ4UP5XU_aem_xUuypsDtCuzpsImbYENjpA

Balancing equestrianism with motherhood is something that always causes debate. We ask when is the right time to ride a horse again after giving birth?