Three Painted Acres Dressage

06/11/2026

eight ways to ensure a bad ride
8 ways to ensure a bad ride!
1.) be grippy. Make sure your legs are grippy and always grip a little bit through your biceps so that you’re always hanging on your horses face at least a little bit
2.) assume that your horse is going to react poorly to anything and everything. Spook at the noise before he does. Assume that he’s going to be bad today because of the new turnout schedule. Is it windy out? Better yank on the lead rope a couple times now to prevent him from noticing.
3.) don’t fix your seat. Do you sometimes slide left? Excellent. You’re gonna wanna do that a whole lot and then blame the horse when he’s heavy in your right hand. Are you prone to anterior pelvic tilt? That’s excellent because it prevents you from moving your hips properly.
4.) Be stiff. Don’t move your hips. Don’t let your elbows move with the horse in the walk, or with your body while posting the trot. In fact, hold your breath as much as possible.
5.) don’t take any breaks. If things are going poorly, and you give yourself and your horse a chance to decompress, you might spend that time doing some problem-solving and end up having a fabulous ride afterwards
6.) keep track of the bad moments, but ignore the good moments! It’s your perception that determines whether a ride was good or bad and the truth is most rides are gonna be a little bit of both. So make sure that you notice and judge you and your horse heavily every time the bend isn’t quite right.
7.) doubt yourself constantly! One of the best ways to have an absolutely horrible ride is to try to fix multiple things at once with no clear idea of what you actually want your horse to look and feel like. Maybe you work on making him round, but the second he’s round he is buying the vertical so you bump him up, but then he’s hollow so he tried to pull his face down… go ahead and repeat that a bunch of times!! or maybe the tempo is too quick so you try to slow it down but then he feels behind your leg so you bang him in the ribs.
8.) don’t ask for help. Only losers ask for help. Do you wanna know what’s cool learning absolutely everything all on your own. In fact, why are you even following this page? If you learn something from me, then you’re not actually self-taught.

Obviously, there are way more, but I feel like this is a great start! Feel free to add your favorites to the comments.

06/10/2026

one of the hardest things for a rider to accept.
One of the hardest things for riders to accept in developing or retraining horses is this:
Correct work often looks slow, quiet, and even a little boring for a long time.
Young horses and retraining horses should not be rushed into bigger movement, faster tempo, or more expression before they have the balance and strength to carry it.
If the horse is constantly pushed in front of his natural balance, the hind legs never truly learn to step under and carry weight. Rather, the horse learns to run forward to avoid falling.
This is where so many problems begin:
• Quick, hurried rhythm that looks stiff
• Heavy shoulders
• Hollow backs
• Tight under-necks
• Leaning on the hand
• Lack of true throughness
• Difficulty collecting later
The horse may look flashy for the moment, but underneath, he is running on imbalance rather than developing strength and confidence in his own biomechanics.
In correct development, the rider allows the horse time to organize his body.
That means:
• Slower tempos
• Smaller steps
• Relaxed repetitions
• Long periods of stretching
• Transitions done without rushing
• Allowing the hind leg time to catch up to the front end
Especially in the beginning, the work should almost feel boring and overly simple.
Gymnastic development is not created through energy it is created through relaxation, balance, and repetition of basic skills.

As the horse becomes stronger and more confident in his balance, he naturally begins to offer more.
More reach.
More suspension.
More power.
More self-carriage.
More expression.
Without the need for the rider to keep trying to produce it. His body became capable of producing it honestly and without pressure.
The best movement is developed patiently.

06/08/2026

this was so funny

06/07/2026

05/25/2026

felix 💙💙💙💙

05/21/2026

05/08/2026

A note to partners who get involved with us horsey peeps ...

Please read carefully.
This is your induction. There will be no refresher training.

1. Do not ask about “basic horse costs.”
There are no basics.
Everything costs £20.
Stop asking. 🚩

2. You will spend long periods outside holding things.
Horse.
Bucket.
Fork.
Coffee.
Sometimes emotional space.
Accept it.

3. You are now Chief Videographer
Film the whole thing.
Not the floor.
Not your feet.
Not half a circle.
Miss the good bit and we will remember forever.

4. “I’ll just be 30 minutes” is a concept, not a promise.
It exists outside of time.

5. Just eat dinner without me.
I’ll eat later.
Or not.
Or I’ll eat three biscuits at 10pm and call it a meal.

6. “I’ll be five minutes” means at least an hour.
Do not ask why.
Do not look confused.

7. Get a good waterproof jacket.
Don't question it just get one.

8. You must admire all horses equally.
Even the ones that are clearly gremlins.
But the ones I own are the best.

9. You will understand the boxes that arrive at the house do not need questioning. .
It's just stuff.
Like...more....stuff.......
For the horse (and me...probs another coat)

10. Weather will be discussed constantly.
In detail.
On repeat.
This is vital information.

11. Your clothes will smell of hay, mud, and horse.
This is permanent.
There is no escape.

12. You will be asked to hold a horse “just for a second.”
This second will last 45 minutes.
And you will become besties by the end of that 45 mins.

13. Weekends are not yours anymore.
They belong to the yard.
You may attend as a guest.

14. You must show interest in rugs. **and saddlepads**
Yes, they all look the same.
No, they are not.

15. If we go to a show.
Just exist.
I love you.
But please only speak to me when I'm done and fed.

16. You will learn to nod sympathetically at vet bills.
Do not gasp.
Do not flinch.

17. You may not suggest selling the horse. Ever.
This is grounds for immediate dismissal.

18. You will be expected to understand that horses come before plans.
All plans.
Including yours.

19. Photos of you may include horse heads, mud, or half a human.
Be grateful.

20. You must learn how to fill haynets without swearing

21. Despite all of this…
If you show up, hold things, film badly but try,
and love us anyway
you are deeply appreciated.
Even if we don’t say it while we’re “just popping up the yard.”

Horse partners.....we love you and sorry if we don't say it as much as we tell the animals.
You're truly appreciated for your support and care 🥰

Welcome to the lifestyle.
There is no opt-out clause. 🐴🤣 you've signed your life away....🙈@

04/25/2026

second dressage lesson they are so cute