blogup
19 Mar
Sometimes in living we tend to be a bit harsh to ourselves that is because of the trials and tribulations in which we all convergence in story. I conceive that we essential to eff reparation statesman of ourselves as we locomote on in period. Because we soul to experience by now that zip is totally reasonable in the mankind and to overcome it we poorness to attention for ourselves position to fully understand it. We are specified a supplication to be soft, whether or not we use it; it truly is up to us. Here are 10 promote better you on where to solon with all that kindness.
13 Mar
How do we connect the art of Feng Sui to our bonk vivification and relationship? It seems those are 2 variant worlds that can not strike to each other. Fortunate, you mightiness be misguided on that acquisition as Feng Sui can rattling work your sex beingness and artist lifespan up. By definition Feng Sui is a method mature by the Island to make positive environment in your national, so that the chi flows positively in your place. When the track of the affirmatory vigor or chi is closed chances are your healthiness give be stagnant and that could end up state a downed face. Feng Sui balances and corrects the composing of chi on your institution thus gift your abode positive line in sentence. In screw sprightliness it could be the synoptic but you acquire to commence everything up in the chamber of education.
It applies the synoptic, if you can neaten corrections and residual in your bedchamber then your chi instrument flowing freely and you testament be competent to screw a complete hurt in screw and relationship. So here are 4 tips that can forbear you out in feat that Feng Sui on in your fuck chronicle.
Cleaning Your Chamber – This should be the introductory quantify, your bedchamber should be designed and cleaned in a way that you can modify character for the vitality to flux. Empty your area jumble it and piddle arrangements after you acquire through that righteous motion your manus loudly for you to get rid of the old forcefulness that is in your dwell and for you to hit way for the new ones.
Avoid Excavation Out in Your Room – According to Feng Sui, employed out in your chamber is a field ‘No, No’ you requirement to hump that too. Because if you put in sports equipment and output out in your bedchamber, you leave mix up antithetic vigor. You mightiness get knockout succeed and labour push to the bedroom when it needs wooly and arts vigor. So, put your sports equipment in different reside so pass way for the vigor that your bedchamber needs.
Get Rid of Memories of the Departed – To further run on with your romanticist being. You demand to extinguish things that reminded you of late relations board or noncurrent bang. Get rid of the things that your Ex’s gave you or you portion together with. You requisite to get rid of things that inform you of failed relationship so that the close relation would not be a nonstarter as fountainhead.
Improve Your Chamber Preparation – It is essential that you couple how to write your room. Get your bed on vie opinion of the domicile for you and your mate acquire a beautiful distribute of activity. Your bed should be settled in the opposition opinion of the reside from the entry, because if you put it in the sidelong, the idea of confinement in the relation may become. It is also important to get rid of the squeaking noise of the entrance and the loosen knobs; it indicates any things that you would poorness to get rid of or refrain. It tends to fence the humanities feed of sprightliness in your position and the unsnarl knobs agency you are having difficulties on manipulation relationships.
9 Mar
Sometimes in chronicle we lean to be a bit harsh to ourselves that is because of the trials and tribulations in which we all receive in life. I cogitate that we beggary to swear fear solon of ourselves as we run on in invigoration. Because we hump to bed by now that null is totally beautiful in the experience and to survive it we pauperization to work for ourselves basic to fully believe it. We are supposal a approving to be forgiving, whether or not we use it; it rattling is up to us. Here are 10 further exploit you on where to start with all that mercy.
25 Jan
Boots are one of my favorite things about winter – once the novelty of snow and sweaters has worn off, anyway.
Boots can be practical or sexy, although rarely both in the salt-laden streets of harsh winter climates. Speaking of which…
While it may often seem like store clerks are just trying to boost their commissions by ringing up protective sprays and gels, their sales gimmick is not totally bogus.
It is essential to understand that not all boots are created equal. The word ‘boot’ is not synonymous with water-proof or snow-friendly. Respect your fashion investment by weather-protecting and cleaning all of your winter footwear regularly.
Realize that protective and restorative shoe applications cannot perform miracles. Have the common sense to know when to air on the side of practicality and not to wear your suede stiletto calf-cut boots. Salt and water produce damaging, lasting stains which – in addition to ruining boots’ finish – actually corrode the integrity of genuine suede, leather and fabric. Purchase a swank boot bag in which to tote your trendy footwear to work in nasty winter conditions while opting for damage-proof snow or rain boots while en route.
Boot Tip: If you remember nothing else: Be seasonally consistent when putting an outfit together. Do not wear boots and a skirt with bare legs; tights, nylons, or even flesh colored fishnet stockings help bridge the (thermal & fashion) gap between your knees and your hemline.
Ankle Boots
Very funky footwear when worn with tights and a skirt. Avoid wearing ankle boots with long skirts past the knee – this tends to look frumpy and matronly.
Mid-Calf Boots
A unique cut that looks great with skirts of all lengths. This style accentuates your calf muscle and stands out from the crowd of knee-high boots. Very sexy, indeed.
Tall Boots
The classic knee-high boot. Ensure that the boot fits snugly around your leg; if the boot gapes open you may need to have it altered for a more chic look—a standard procedure at most cobblers.
Fur-Lined Boots & UGGs
Narrow, fur-lined lace-up tall boots are a sweet accompaniment to a flirty short skirt. For a funky casual style, try wearing knee socks over your tights and letting them peek (ever so slightly) over the top of your boot. This look works best if your socks and tights are contrasting colors.
UGGs have become all the rage as the surfer-type’s (and urban wanna-be surfer type’s) winter foot-wear of choice. These robust, wooly sheepskin boots have been fashioned for years by Australian craftsmen, and were first mass introduced to North America in 1978 by Brian Smith, a young Australian surfer seeking to spread the UGG-love across the United States.
Twenty-five years later, and while UGGs aren’t exactly the height of chic sophistication or glamorous sexiness, they are hailed by wearers as the ultimate in comfort and warmth at 30 below.
Johneen Manning is Editor-In-Chief of http://www.GKFA.com, a hip, savvy & fresh online magazine for the ‘Sex and the City’ generation of women.
23 Jan
This article describes where to look, what to look for, and how to choose day-hiking boots. Knowing where to look and what to look for, you can be sure to get the high-quality hiking boots you need without paying extra for features you don’t need.
Day-hiking boots range anywhere from $40.00 to $150.00. The high end of that range is beginning to cross into backpacking boots, but anything below that range is either an exceptionally good deal or an imitation hiking boot that will disappoint you badly.
So, let’s talk about the kinds of places to shop for hiking boots, features to look for, pitfalls to avoid, and techniques to make sure you have the right fit.
Where to Shop for Hiking Boots
If you have never done any serious hiking, you will want to buy your first serious hiking boots in a hands-on experience. I’m being honest here (habit of mine). Yes, it is in my interest to persuade you to buy your hiking boots through my Web site, but I won’t do that if it is not appropriate for you. Even aside from ethical considerations, it would be bad business for me to create a lot of dissatisfied customers telling their friends about their bad experience. No, I’m just being honest. I don’t want to take your money and leave you unhappy. Buy your first pair of hiking boots at a brick-and-mortar store where you can handle the boots and try them for proper fit. Then, when you have enough experience to know what you want in your second pair of hiking boots (or third, or …), you can take advantage of the lower prices available on the Web.
When shopping for hiking boots, look for an outdoor equipment store rather than a shoe store. The sales clerks in a general shoe store are not likely to know the difference between real hiking boots and fashion imitations of hiking boots. You might pay more money at an outdoor equipment store, but you will realize the savings out on the trail.
Once you’re in the store, ask about some of the things you read in this article. If the sales clerk doesn’t know what a scree collar is or why soft outer soles are better than hard, look for another sales clerk, or another store.
If you are ready to buy your hiking boots on the Web, you can take advantage of the best of both worlds. You can buy from a high-volume store that has the best prices, but first get your advice, recommendations, and reviews from affiliated Web sites that specialize in hiking equipment.
Wherever you choose to buy your hiking boots, make sure there is a reliable, knowledgeable person in the loop somewhere. If the sales clerk or Web site seems too eager about making the sale and not interested enough in discussing and comparing features, you should look somewhere else before you make a final decision.
Especially when you are shopping the Web sites, you may need to pay attention to brands. Certain brands have a well-deserved reputation for good quality, and you should not ignore that. On the other hand, some brands have an overblown reputation that often has more to do with fashion than with genuine quality. The only way to know the difference, and to find the quality you need without paying for fashion that you don’t care about, is to talk to those who know the difference and to read reviews from people who have actually used the hiking boots in the field.
Features to Look For in Day-Hiking Boots
Here is what you need to look for:
* Deep tread in a soft sole for traction.
* Appropriate height (just above the ankle).
* Soft, wide, thick scree collar (the padding around the top that keeps pebbles out without chafing your Achilles tendon).
* Fiberglass shank. Steel is okay, but fiberglass is better in day-hiking boots because it’s lighter. Full-length is preferred, but shorter shanks may be acceptable if you are planning more moderate hiking.
* Tongue attached at least up to the top of the foot, or higher if you plan on crossing streams frequently.
* Crampon attachments (good, but not essential, unless you do a lot of hiking in icy conditions).
* Hooks for the laces above the top of the foot.
* Choose eyelets, D-rings, or webbing for the lower lace attachment points as a matter of personal taste. My experience does not indicate any one to be better than the others for day-hiking boots.
* Good insulation and padding all around, firm on the bottom, with a tough but smooth lining.
* Double stitching on all visible seams.
* More leather and less fabric is better. Split leather is fine (and you’ll almost never find full-grain leather in a day-hiking boot), but not full suede.
* Fewer seams is better.
Most of these features are self-evident, but here are a few techniques for evaluating specific features.
* Tread should be at least two fifths of the total thickness of the sole.
* Measure the softness of the tread surface by pressing your thumbnail into it. You should be able to make a visible indentation that springs out in a second or so.
* Measure the stiffness of the shank by holding the heel in one hand and the toe in the other, and twisting the sole. You should not be able to twist it at all.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid in Hiking Boots
The biggest problem you’re likely to find in shopping for day-hiking boots is cheaply-made “imitation” hiking boots. They look like hiking boots, but they’re not built to stand up to trail conditions. They will not last long, and they will not give you the traction and water resistance you need.
You can tell an “imitation” hiking boot from the real thing by these characteristics:
* Mild tread, less than about two-fifths the thickness of the sole.
* Hard tread surface that you can barely indent with your fingernail.
* Non-attached tongue.
* Non-rigid sole that you can twist by hand.
* No scree collar. There may be patches of leather or a different color of fabric that look like a scree collar, but if it doesn’t have thick, soft padding around the top, it’s not a real hiking boot. It won’t keep the pebbles out, and it might chafe or constrict your Achilles tendon.
Fitting your Hiking Boots
You must fit your hiking boots with any orthopedic inserts, off-the-shelf insoles, and the hiking socks you intend to wear with them. A good rule of thumb is to start with one full size larger than your regular street shoes.
With all the inserts and insoles in place and your hiking socks on, but with no laces in the boot, put the boot on and push your foot all the way forward until your toes touch the front. You should have just enough room behind the heel to slide your finger all the way in.
Next, lace the boot up snugly and walk around. The boots will be stiff and uncomfortable because they’re not broken in, but they should not allow your foot to slide or rub.
Stand on a steep slope with your toes pointing down. (Use the fitting horse where you’re supposed to put your foot to lace the shoe while sitting. Go ahead and stand on it.) You should be able to wiggle your toes, and they should not touch the front of the boots.
If you bought the boots via the Web, do this fit-test as soon as you get them. Even if you think you know your size, boots from different manufacturers might fit differently. Check the size and fit immediately, and return them for a replacement if they don’t fit right.
Conclusion
If you are looking for your first pair of serious hiking boots, you must do your shopping in an outdoor equipment store where you can handle the boots and talk to knowledgeable sales staff. Only if you have some experience with day-hiking boots, take advantage of the bargains available on the Web.
Check for the features that identify a quality hiking boot, and avoid “fake” hiking boots.
Bring all the inserts and socks you will wear with your hiking boots, and check for a firm but comfortable fit with no rubbing or sliding.
Look for quality, and expect to pay for it, but don’t pay more than you have to for features that don’t contribute to the durability and comfort of your hiking boots.
Chuck Bonner is a lifelong hiker and amateur naturalist, and webmaster of http://www.HikingWithChuck.com For more information about hiking boots and other hiking equipment based on many years on the trail, visit http://www.hikingwithchuck.com/Gear/HikingGear.htm
20 Jan
Packing men’s clothing is easy once you get organized. As a rule, they will not take as many items as women pack so you can use a smaller case. Lightweight luggage with a removable suiter inside is the easiest way to go if you are packing one or two suit or sports jackets. The suiter will keep the jackets almost wrinkle free. Of course, you can always pack a travel steamer just in case. There are models that will use any type of tap water. International steamer models can be used around the world. If the luggage does not have a suiter or if you are taking more than two jackets, you will have to use a garment bag. A garment bag will hang all of the clothing on hangers right from your closet.
Shirts can also be hung on the same hanger underneath the jacket. Garment bags are easiest to pack when they are hung up. Gravity will pull the clothing straight and keep everything neatly in order. There are usually small mesh pockets and other zippered pockets for underwear, pajamas and shaving gear. A small narrow pocket will hold ties. Shoes or sneakers will fit on the bottom of the garment bag. Pockets that will hold socks are located on the top on either side of the hanger hook. Because hangers slope down, this is a perfect area for small items. In the outside pocket, you can slip some casual items or gym clothing. Try to leave room for a lightweight raincoat and a small travel umbrella. Garment bags come in soft models or those with wheels and a pull handle.
Packing a Pullman case with the removable garment sleeve is very easy. Jacket and slacks can go on one thin wire hanger. Place them inside the garment cover. They will usually fold once or twice depending on the size of the luggage. Then the balance of the clothes you’ve chosen can be packed. The garment cover is generally in the top part of the luggage. Underwear should go in first on the bottom of the case, against the inner bars of the pull-up handle. It’s easiest to pack first inside a packing cube, so he can unpack quickly by dropping the cubes in one of the hotel drawers. Next, pack any additional slacks on hangers to continue to make unpacking easy. His cotton shirts can be packed in a shirt cube. These keep the shirts from wrinkling and they will look like you just picked them up from the laundry or cleaners when you unpack. This type of cube also keeps everything from shifting inside the suitcase to further eliminate wrinkles. His socks can be placed inside the shoes or sneakers. Cover the shoe or sneaker with a travel shoe cover and pack them around the perimeter of the bag. Continue to pack any travel accessories around the perimeter of the case.
The new airline regulations do not allow you to take your toiletries on board. The only liquids and gels you can carry with you have to fit inside a quart sized clear plastic bag. Inside the bag, liquids can be in containers no larger than three ounces. And travelers may take only one of these on board. Easy-go and Travelon are two companies that make this convenient 3-1-1 bag with the correct sized travel bottles included. The balance of your toiletries must be packed in your luggage. That means hair gels, toothpaste, shampoo, mouthwash, and shaving cream and after-shave lotion all must be carefully packed. The safest way is to cover each container with plastic wrap and then pack everything inside a man’s shave kit. These are usually leather on the outside and washable nylon lined inside. If anything leaks or spills, the kit will hopefully protect your clothing from being soiled or ruined. Discount luggage can also be stained inside from these dangerous spills and leaks.
Many shorter trips can use a carryon bag. These trips have to plan carefully because carryon bags generally can be no larger than 45″ measuring length plus height plus width. Some of the carryon bags have a suit fixture inside. You will need to pack your slacks and jacket on one thin wire hanger inside the carryon. It will fold up with soft padded folds usually once or twice depending on the design. Toiletries will have to be in the regulation 3-1-1 clear plastic bag. There’s usually room inside these carryons for a small travel umbrella. Underwear and pajamas will fit inside one of the smaller packing cubes. These carryon bags are convenient and easy to travel with on short trips. You don’t have to wait at the baggage carousel and can be on your way as soon as the plane lands. These cases are popular corporate gifts and can be individually monogrammed with your initials, or with a company name or logo. However you travel, pack well and enjoy your trip!
Maxine Greco has been in the luggage and travel business for over 38 years. She is currently working at Village Luggage and Gifts.
titleHow To Get Your Dog To Stop Jumping On You (And Pee On Cue)/titlepDoes this scenario sound familiar? Youre dressed to impress, ready to leave home for an important business or social gathering. Youre about to open the door when your dog-who doesnt want you to go without him-jumps up on you, leaving smudgy paw marks and pet hair on your best clothes. Feeling exasperated, you raise your voice and shove your dog away from you, which does nothing to change his future behavior and quite possibly leaves him feeling a little confused and with hurt feelings in the present./ppOr, youre walking your dog right before bedtime. The hour is late, youre tired, its beginning to rain and your umbrella is back at the house. You really want your pooch to hurry up and pee so you can both go back inside-but your dog is having such a tough time finding the perfect clump of grass to water that getting to bed looks like being an hour away./ppDont feel like the Lone Ranger. Even the most experienced animal communicators can find it difficult to alter canine behaviors like these. Just remember that the trick to changing a dogs natural behavior lies in creating positive experiences, preferably ones that provide multiple positive reinforcements for the behavior you desire./ppConsistently visualizing what you want your dog to do is tremendously important. Because visualization is the most ancient and powerful means of communicating, animals always give precedence to the images we hold in mind over our verbal cues. Unfortunately, we humans tend to unconsciously hold the image of the behavior we dont want in our minds instead of the action we would like the animal to take. When our mental images are different from the verbal commands we give, animals choose to obey the mental image almost every time!/ppTeach jumping on before staying off/ppNow, to help you solve the first of the two very common problems mentioned above: In order to teach your dog not to jump on you, you must actually teach him to jump on you first./ppThere are two psychologically sound reasons for this approach. The first is that teaching your dog to jump on you is easy because jumping is something most dogs enjoy. The second is that teaching him to jump on you provides a frame of reference for staying off of you./ppBegin by changing into some clothes comfortable for playing with your dog. Invite him to come and sit in front of you and provide a soft food treat when he does. Picture your dog standing on his hind legs with his front paws on your chest as you pat your chest invitingly and say, Come up! in a friendly, playful tone of voice./ppThe moment your dog obeys, spend a minute petting and praising him, telling him how smart he is. Then, using the same friendly tone of voice, say, Off as you gently place your hands flat against on his chest and lower him into a sitting position in front of you again. Spend no more than five minutes repeating this sequence before ending the training time./ppAdd visual reinforcement/ppRepeat the sequence several more times during your next training time, which can be later the same day. This time, after praising your dog for jumping up as instructed, hold your hand palm facing out in front of the dogs face for a second before saying Off. This adds a visual reinforcement to the verbal command and helps you to shift the mental image youre holding from on me to off of me./ppGradually increase your emphasis on the hand signal until you feel confident your dog understands what it means. Then call the dog to you, but hold your palm up and say off before he begins to jump. Reward him for staying off with praise and a treat. When your dog has this sequence down pat, youll never have to worry about his jumping on you without an invitation again!/ppOnce you have taught your dog when he can and cant jump on you, you can take it a step farther and teach him he can jump up and down with you. Just start jumping up and down yourself after you have given the off hand signal. Your dog may initially misinterpret this as an invitation to jump on you, but just continue to give the off signal and continue jumping, and your dog will soon catch on and enjoy this new game./ppAnd now, a few words about peeing…/ppFinding precisely the right spot to pee is terribly important to dogs. They can spend hours sniffing every tree, shrub and blade of grass in an area no bigger than the average garage. And while allowing our pets to retain as much of their culture as possible, sometimes we simply need them to hurry it up a bit./ppThe way to speed up your dogs relief trips is to cue the dog to do what you want as he or she is actually doing it. In other words, when your pooch starts to pee, say, find a spot, find a spot, find a spot over and over again to set up an association in your dogs mind between the cue phrase and the action you want./ppBe patient-it usually takes a number of sessions for this association to be firmly made. But once it is, all you have to do is say, Find a spot, Spot and youre on your way back home!/ppCopyright Julie S. Crawshaw 2007. Julie S. Crawshaw is a freelance writer, animal lover and the author of Talking With Animals, available at a target=_new href=http://www.howtotalkwithanimals.comhttp://www.howtotalkwithanimals.com/a ./ppPlease feel free to use this article with attribution and without changes, and to visit a target=_new href=http://www.howtotalkwithanimals.com/books.htmlhttp://www.howtotalkwithanimals.com/books.html/a for more articles about interacting and communicating with animals./pbrbr
17 Dec
Let’s face it; in the fun department, baby boy clothing often just doesn’t measure up to the clothing choices offered for baby girls. From frills and bows, to lace and gingham, the variety of baby girl clothing is just plain cute, cute, cute – from the top of their bonnets to the bottom of their Mary Janes. But, in many cases, an outdated perception of baby boy clothing has actually perpetuated its negative image. When, in reality, baby boy clothing has made great strides in recent years due in large part to the commitment of cutting-edge designers.
The trend can be seen everywhere from retail outlets to high-end department stores. It seems the word is out; being a baby boy does not mean you are condemned to a wardrobe of strictly yellow ducks, red fire trucks, and blues of every variety. Rather, there seems to be an ever-growing understanding, that baby boy clothing – just like clothing made for girls – should be offered in a multitude of styles and colors from which to choose.
Today, in many stores, you can see firsthand the evolution of such clothing. Baby boy clothing now comes in a diverse palette of colors. Of course, baby boy clothing changes depending on the age of the child; newborns are most comfortable in that clothing provided in a layette – onesies, baby “sacks” with a drawstring at the bottom, one-piece sleepers, and receiving blankets. Baby boy clothing at this age should be comfortable and safe beyond anything else.
As baby grows, clothing styles continue to change to keep pace with activity levels. Older babies who are crawling are most comfortable in soft, elastic waist pants, onesies, and a simple shirt to match. But even at this stage you don’t have to sacrifice form for function. Classic khakis, deep hues, even designer styles you love in your size, are available as baby boy clothing.
Baby boy clothing takes on even more sophisticated styles as your toddler begins to walk around. You’ll find fashionable – even trendy – designs that incorporate comfort as well as style. And, as always, high-end department stores and small boutiques most often offer a line of formal wear baby boy clothing perfect for that special occasion.
When it comes to baby boy clothing, you don’t have to settle for the status quo. Check around to find those stores that offer creative designs that are out of the ordinary and full of personality.
For easy to understand, in depth information about baby boy clothing visit our ezGuide 2 Baby Clothing.
16 Dec
Falling off a horse is a very dreadful scenario. After the fall, the pain is made worse by the thought of giving up horse riding due to serious injuries.
Even if you have been riding for several years, an accident will make it hard for you to regain the confidence to go horse back riding again. It may help though if you think of other people who went through the same ordeal but was able to overcome the fear and enjoy riding again.
The fear that you experience after an accident is normal. If you broke your leg or your shoulder, there is physical pain and you might doubt your abilities to control your horse again. What is important is to look inside you and discover your deep passion for horse riding.
Horse riding is a relationship between two living creatures. The element of trust is displayed when you go on top and the horse is being sensitive to your cues through your body language, look, and tone of your voice. Horse riding is having confidence with your horse and the horse trusting you in return.
Things you can Do to Overcome Fear After an Accident
• Take a Break- it is true that time will heal. Take a long break rather than force yourself to go back and mount a horse again.
• Rediscover your Comfort Zones – When you ride your horse again, try to rediscover situations or places that make you comfortable to each other. You may start out by doing slower gaits during horse riding, or maybe do not ride at all but help grooming your horse. Sometimes it may help if you ride a more mature horse which you can trust. Try to regain your skills starting from the lowest level of difficulty, and advancing at your own comfortable pace.
• Mental Programming- it will help to practice movements through your imagination first. Mentally plan out all moves, from the way you mount the horse, how you gallop, how you canter and how you jump with the horse. You will notice how this mental programming will help when you do the real thing. Through this mental exercise our brain will correlate our movements and help our body execute properly when the need arises.
• Hypnosis- Using self hypnosis will help you overcome your fear, your anxiety, and your doubts. Your fear due to the horse riding accident might be over triggering your instinct of fight and flight even when not needed. Hypnosis will help balance out your negative thoughts with all the positive things you know about horse riding.
• Discuss Your Fears- opening up to friends or support group and talking about your horse riding fears may actually ease up the situation. Holding that fear inside may actually worsen it. Do not let that fear take control of your whole being, use will power that you have inside you.
• Talk Positive- Always think that you will do things to conquer that fear. Before you know it, confidence will be back and you will be enjoying horse riding again.
Remember that it is all in the mind. No matter how much fear has taken control of you, you can always overcome it. The more you know yourself and your horse will give you the courage to trust each other again.
Prestige Horsebox is a leading manufacturer of Horseboxes in the UK.
14 Dec
1. What is the free walk? The free walk is a gait of relaxation.
2. What should it look like?
* Your horse should lengthen his frame and lower his head and neck so he looks like he’s going to graze. His poll is lower than his withers.
* He should open the angle at his throatlatch so his nose points a bit forward, and he looks like he’s stretching toward the bit.
* His strides become longer so he overtracks to a greater degree.
3. How should you do the transition at the beginning of the free walk?
PREPARATION is the key to getting a good free walk. You should prepare for it the same way you prepare for the “stretchy” circle in the trot.
* Use a “connecting half halt” for 3-4 seconds on the short side while you’re still in medium walk.
* To give a “connecting half halt”, create energy by closing both calves as if you’re asking for a lengthening. But don’t let your horse lengthen.
* Instead, close your outside hand in a fist to capture, contain, and recycle that energy back to the hind legs.
* Keep your legs and outside hand closed for 3-4 seconds.
* While closing your legs and outside hand, vibrate or squeeze and release on your inside rein so your horse doesn’t bend his neck to the outside.
* As you turn onto the diagonal, relax your legs, and open your fingers so your horse can chew the reins out of your hands.
4. How should you do the transition back to the medium walk?
* Use the same “connecting half halt” you used to prepare for the free walk.
* While the reins are still long, press lightly with your calves.
* As you shorten the reins, keep your new outside hand closed in a fist and squeeze and release with your new inside hand.
5. What if your horse is lazy?
If your horse doesn’t march with good energy, “breathe” your legs during the free walk. To “breathe” your legs:
* Take your legs off of his sides.
* Move them an inch or two back, and place them on lightly again.
“Breathing” your legs does two things. If you’ve been gripping, your horse is probably numb to your legs. Taking your legs off allows you to put them on again lightly so he feels them. Moving your legs back puts them closer to your horse’s “engine” and reminds him to use his hind legs actively.
6. What if your horse wants to jig?
* If your horse wants to jig, do several transitions to the halt.
* Praise your horse after each halt.
* Soon he’ll learn to anticipate stopping or slowing down.
* Then you can use just a little bit of your “stopping aids” to remind him to stay in a four-beat flat-footed walk as you make your way across the diagonal.
* If he tends to jig when you pick up the reins at the end of the diagonal, halt first. Then, pick up the reins in the halt. Doing so will train him to stay slow when you do the transition for real.
Are you sick and tired of complicated and confusing training techniques? Are you frustrated by negative emotions like fear and lack of confidence? Would you like to be trained by a Three Time Olympic Coach? Learn how by going to: http://www.janesavoie.com/