Rockridge Horsemanship Foundation Training Dave and Sue Rowden

06/07/2025

Wise wirds from an equally wise horseman Buck spoken some 14yrs ago
These words ring true today and will again in another decade or so, l say similar when ever l have been asked to do clinic to my students

As a horseman you'd get a sense of what kind of presence you needed for the situation.
You may have a horse that has been sort of spoiled and he's disrespectful that you may need to have the presence as if to appear to be 10 times your size.
But then five minutes later you might be dealing with a horse that's very timid and very fragile and very emotional that you might need to have the presence of being 1/10th your size.
It's for the human to be able to adjust that and a lot of it is your posture and your body language and the way you move around the horse that gives him the message whether or not he should be threatened or not threatened by you.
Well of course you're trying not to be threatening at all, but the way you present yourself on one you might have to adjust it on another horse in order to be able to fit the situation.
My teachers used to tell me you need to learn to adjust to fit the situation.
Don't just do what you've always done - because it might not always work.

Excerpt from an article that was published in 'The Huffington Post' June 2011

19/05/2025

This win was a big surprise in a class of 18 other competitors
Reserve Champion Feature Conformation

09/04/2025

Copies from another link What a great exercise for flat work exercises

Riding exercises that involve a change in bend such as serpentines are beneficial to you and your horse.

Changing the bend requires balance, flexibility and accuracy. It also can help release any build-up of tension within the muscles on the inside of the bend. A smooth change of bend can only be achieved if your horse is straight for one or two steps.

Serpentines are good for developing
✔️ Fluency
✔️ Rhythm
✔️ Outline
✔️ Accuracy
✔️ A smooth, even bend

When ridden correctly serpentines can contribute to symmetrical muscle development and straightness.

Like and follow for more tips and exercises for you and your horse.

08/06/2024

A big thank you to Cecilia Norley here in Broken Hill at her Silver City Riding Academy for organising our Rockridge Horsemanship Foundation training clinic
Slightly different than usual with just myself as instructor with 5 very keen students ☺️
Glad to say all had smiles and went home with exercises to work on
No photos as I forgot to ask permission

22/05/2024

Copied from another post and has been spoken many times before, but a gentle reminder trust is the key

24/01/2024

Nothing quite like rounding the day off with a few laps around the big paddock on miss fatty aka little red aka Lara then a cool off in the dam
Crikey it was humid today

04/01/2024

Very genuine reason for this mare to find her next forever home ( stock reduction)
Registered QH 90378
Jazz has quite a performance record, she is versatile and will perform well in any discipline
She is working bred cow horse 12 yrs 14.3 hh

SA Reining champion derby 2018 plus many blue ribbons in reining competitions
Team Penning open mount champion 2022/2023
Started Team Roping ( heeler)
Reliable trail riding horse she can be placed any where in a group of horses and she will be happy to be there
Ranch Sorting

Well travelled easy loader straight or angle load
Solid foundation, very light in hand works well off leg
Does not require to be constantly worked to get a good ride can be left for months and brought in with no fuss
She will best suit intermediate level rider preferably lady or youth
If you are looking for that next level horse here she is

For more information message or call me 0419035244

Price negotiable home not

As the saying goes “Good horses are not cheap and cheap horses are not ???”

Video available upon request

Location Mount Pleasant SA

14/01/2023

Rockridge property here at Mount Pleasant has safe yards for any horses requiring a place for any one in the bush fire zone
Call me 0419035244 if help required

29/12/2022

Luca patiently waiting my return to continue more of his education

22/08/2022

Some very wise words from two very wise clinicians
Gold is gold regardless of how often it has passed hands

When I was studying under Australian reining and cow horse trainer Ian Francis, he used to remind me that there are a lot of heroes in the graveyard. What he meant by that was that too many people get on horses that aren’t ready to be ridden and get bucked off. They don’t use their heads. Preparation is the key.

Groundwork exercises are designed so that you can get control of your horse’s feet on the ground before getting in the saddle where you have less control. Remember, there’s no shame in getting off your horse if you’re having problems or if you feel unsafe. The horse only “wins” if you get off and put him away, not if you get off and move his feet.

It’s much better to fix a problem from the ground than be in the saddle wishing you were on the ground. Earn your horse’s respect and get him to use the thinking side of his brain on the ground. Then get on his back. You only get one body – take care of it. - Clinton

19/05/2022

Copied from another. I did not like number 12 !!

Read , let it sink in, then read again :

“No. 1. Get your tack and equipment just right, and then forget about it and concentrate on the horse.

No. 2. The horse is bigger than you are, and it should carry you. The quieter you sit, the easier this will be for the horse.

No. 3. The horse's engine is in the rear. Thus, you must ride your horse from behind, and not focus on the forehand simply because you can see it.

No. 4. It takes two to pull. Don't pull. Push.

No. 5. For your horse to be keen but submissive, it must be calm, straight and forward.

No. 6. When the horse isn`t straight, the hollow side is the difficult side.

No. 7. The inside rein controls the bending, the outside rein controls the speed.

No. 8. Never rest your hands on the horse's mouth. You make a contract with it: "You carry your head and I'll carry my hands."

No. 10. Once you've used an aid, put it back.

No. 11. You can exaggerate every virtue into a defect.

No. 13. If you`ve given something a fair trial, and it still doesn't work, try something else—even the opposite.

No. 14. Know when to start and when to stop. Know when to resist and when to reward.

No. 15. If you're going to have a fight, you pick the time and place.

No. 16. What you can't accomplish in an hour should usually be put off until tomorrow.

No. 17. You can think your way out of many problems faster than you can ride your way out of them.

No. 18. When the horse jumps, you go with it, not the other way around.

No. 19. Don`t let over-jumping or dull routine erode the horse's desire to jump cleanly. It's hard to jump clear rounds if the horse isn't trying.

No. 20. Never give up until the rail hits the ground.

No. 21. Young horses are like children—give them a lot of love, but don't let them get away with anything.

No. 22. In practice, do things as perfectly as you can; in competition, do what you have to do.

No. 23. Never fight the oats.

No. 24. The harder you work, the luckier you get." This I do like

Thanks
Bill Steinkraus and Polo Pearls