Belvidere Farms, Kentucky

09/18/2026

09/07/2026

09/06/2026

In an industry full of stronger bits, training gadgets, and hours-long schooling sessions, it’s easy to believe that more is always better. But Geoff Teall argues the opposite: when it comes to good riding, less is almost always more. He outlines why the simplest solutions create the best results for both horse and rider.

Many riders turn to equipment or extra work as the first answer to a training problem. A horse feels heavy? Put in a stronger bit. Is the horse too fresh? Add more lunging. A horse isn’t responding? Try another gadget.

Teall cautions that these quick fixes don’t actually solve the issue. At best, they mask symptoms for a short while; at worst, they create new problems. As he explains, “All the bits in the world won’t make an unbalanced horse move correctly. The best they will do is mask the problem for a time.”

Instead of asking, “What equipment will fix this?” Teall encourages riders to ask, “Why is this happening?”

Take the example of a horse that leans heavily on the bit. The heaviness isn’t the real problem. It’s just a symptom. The root cause is often a lack of balance and engagement from the hind end.

The solution isn’t to pull the head up with leverage. It’s to go back to the basics: teach the horse to move forward from the leg, carry more weight behind, and balance himself properly. Only then will he feel lighter in the rider’s hands.

📎 Continue reading this article at https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2025/09/17/less-is-more-why-simplicity-beats-quick-fixes-in-riding/
📸 © Heather N. Photography

08/15/2026

A little truth telling---

When an event rider talks about a “fast gallop” that would be a slow lope to a Thoroughbred racing jockey.

A nice Thoroughbred will cover a five furlong race at about 1,000 meters a minute, so by that standard an advanced event horse going at 570 meters a minute runs cross country at little more than half speed!

https://www.pedigreequery.com/reputed+testamony