JAG Arabians

29/10/2026

𝐈𝐟 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝, 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞!

Not forever, don't worry! Just to help both you and your horse understand what it is you're trying to do, and to put you in a position where it becomes achievable without culminating in a tense mess, also known as stressage.

We have seen the addition of lunging, long lining and in-hand work to a training program transform many a horse and rider and get results that seemed out of reach while the strategy was to try to simply ride through all the problems.

Lunging builds muscle, rhythm and balance and helps prepare the horse for carrying a rider and staying happy and healthy through it. We don't want to ride a horse with no topline, because they won't have the physical structure to support the rider's weight. Horses did not evolve to carry people, so it is our responsibility to prepare them for doing so if we want to ride!

Long lining can be used as a lunging substitute for horses that shouldn't be worked in a circle due to physical limitations. We have a horse with an old tendon injury, who we don't lunge, but work in the long lines instead. They are also excellent for working towards collection!

The in-hand work helps us place the horse's inside and outside hind under the body, which helps greatly with collection as well! Through different patterns and lateral work we can help our horses become supple, agile and strong and explain the dressage exercises to them from the ground so everything is much more clear once we get on!

We have also seen many riders start to ride better after working with their horses on the ground, because it enhances the understanding of the aids and exercises and improves body awareness, which can then be taken into the saddle!

The aim here isn't to quit riding, but to build in supportive elements that help you create a more lighthearted, joyful ride where things can be done with ease.

How are you including groundwork in your training program? Let us know in the comments, we might all be able to get good ideas from each other!

29/10/2026

29/10/2026

We are submitting Regional Champion CA Destiny Gro+ for the Georgia Arabian Horse Association Ambassador Award for 2025 and 2026 and need your testimonials! Gorgeous video by Nadia Onici featuring Natalie. ✨💕We are giving away Riding Warehouse e-gift cards for write ups of 10 sentences or more that must include answers to some of the following…

- How did you end up being introduced to the Des or when did you first meet her? (Example: Lesson, show, educational event, meet & greet, ladies’ sunset and horses, private one-on-one visit, free riding opportunity, Meet An Arabian Horse Day, clinic, seminar, etc.)

- What makes her a hallmark or a wonderful AMBASSADOR for the Arabian breed of horse?

- What did you learn from Des in terms of being a good equestrian or improving your horsemanship?

- What makes her stand out to you? (Teaching beginners, giving lessons to newcomers, show record, being an important part of educational events/clinics, national and/or regional awards, versatility, patience, intelligence, kindness, athleticism, etc.)

- What makes her a unique individual personality and/or talent wise?

- What’s your favorite memory of Des?

- Was this your first time meeting an Arabian Horse?

You are able to learn more about CA Destiny Gro+ on our website at www.jagarabians.com/cadestinygro

Read more about the Georgia Arabian Horse Ambassador Award at https://www.georgia-arabian.com/ambassadoraward

Don’t know Des well? You are more than welcome to submit feedback on any of the horses and still be eligible for the Riding Warehouse e-gift card! Please see all the October Riding Warehouse Gift Card Giveaway details here: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CWdBo7fgw/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Please email [email protected] OR group text both Megan and Jessica your testimonial and/or recommendation letters and any photo(s) for one, a couple, OR all of the following horses by no later than end of day October 31st to be eligible for the Riding Warehouse Gift Card Giveaway Contest.

[email protected]
www.jagarabians.com
www.Georgia-Arabian.com

Thank you so much in advance! We appreciate your time.

29/10/2026

Philippe Karl, renowned rider and teacher of French classical riding, shares his passionate critiques of modern dressage riding, and discusses how we can tra...

29/10/2026

29/10/2026

28/10/2026

"Psychologically the pony offers many advantages. A horse looks very big to an eight-year-old and actually no child can hope to control one unless it is so docile that it requires no guidance.

My personal experience with ponies has not been extensive but in general they just have a lot more sense than horses. Since the better breeds of horses have been selected and hand raised in order to obtain such things as animation, speed and brilliance, the hardiness and self-sufficiency that characterize the pony has frequently been lost in the shuffle.

The pony has a highly developed instinct of self-preservation and for that reason it is not apt to run itself into exhaustion, frantically fight restraint, or blow up in the face of unexpected circumstances.
..

Because ponies are not too numerous their initial cost may seem high but remember that you are paying for your child's safety and that nothing will reimburse you for an accident which could have been avoided by the selection of a safe mount. Of course, the pony will be outgrown in a few years but that generally presents no problem as there is usually a waiting list among your friends when your own child is ready for something larger."
- George C. Saunders, "My First Horse"

28/10/2026

THE LESSON HORSE…

When I was facilitating equine therapy for inmates in a correctional facility, I started to question… how do we utilize horses in therapy, without exploiting them?

I saw my fair share of equine therapy sessions where the horse’s well-being - physical, mental, emotional - was disregarded, because facilitators were fixated on sticking to a scripted lesson.

But really, the lesson participants were learning was, it’s ok to disregard another being while trying to fulfill our own emotional needs.

So I completely deconstructed my own sessions to be horse-centric, because I believe the best lesson for a human participant, is showing up for the horse.

I believe the same philosophy should be applied to lesson horses.

If we prioritize the lesson for the student, we risk disregarding the horse, and teaching the student the wrong lesson.

If we prioritize the lesson for the horse, it’s always going to be the right lesson for the student.

When we show up as our best selves, to serve the horse, to empower them be their best selves, we both ascend…

28/10/2026

28/10/2026

Missed last night's webinar? Catch up here 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChbPg01a-0o

This evening! 🚨

Our first Welfare Wednesday Webinar takes place this evening at 7pm where Lucy Chester Horsemanship will share her insights on the benefits of training horses at liberty, her approach, the importance of choice and how to get started if you're interested in giving training at liberty a go with your own horse.

Lucy will be joined by World Horse Welfare Field Officer and trainer, Bridget Colston for a live audience Q&A so please do come prepared with your questions for our expert trainers!

Sign up here 👉 https://bit.ly/4BmlGfK