TECHNOLOGY

AT  GALE’S

Gale's Equine Facility About Gale ARIA Certification Our Lesson Program Lesson Horses The Facility & Horse Boarding Technology The Friesians News, Events & Photos Frequently Asked Questions Current Dressage Tests Ansur Saddles Calendar and Upcoming Events Contact Information

If you are reading this, then you are already a part of the technology used at Gale’s Equine Facility.  


We are very involved with the internet with our webpage and Facebook.  


I maintain a Facebook “Closed Group” on which I share educational information with my students.


 I also maintain a Facebook page to share general knowledge, event dates and funny or interesting stories.  This page is a public page.


Lesson schedules are sent out, via email, weekly and daily to my lesson clientele along with information of value.  Boarders also get informational emails regarding upcoming farrier or vet visits.  


Every lesson is recorded via a webcam from which I can forward videos to my students for their review.  


I make good use of a Cambox Helmet Cam.  I use the camera to record lessons from “my point of view” as well as trail rides and hunterpaces.

                                                

Read more about the Cambox at their website here.  


And then there is our PIVO Silver. I can use this device to record your lesson for your review afterwards.











More exciting is our Rein Coach (RC) devices.  Both the RC units have small sensor packages that clip onto the bit of the horse, and then the reins connect to the other side of the sensor packages.  The system is calibrated, in Kg to measure the amount of “pull” that is going on between the horse’s mouth and the rider’s hands.  They are very sensitive units.  We use them to illustrate to the rider on how “bouncy” their hands may be.  We use them to illustrate to the rider on how to maintain a light, steady contact.  As an instructor, I use the devices to give clear information to the rider to improve the use of the hand aids in compliment to their leg aids.

The Rein Coach has a  LED light bar, that is connected to the crown of the horse’s bridle.  There are lights on the bar that are triggered by the amount and “heaviness” of the rein tension.  We aim to have a steady, even light contact by keeping the two first green lights on continuously.  The more lights that come on, the heavier the contact.  


Obviously, this is a great training tool for the dressage rider, but my hunt seat riders benefit from the units as well.  For example, when we work over fences, and I’m asking for a full release of the reins, we look to see that the Rein Coach’s lights stay off, or the lines on the graphs of the Rein Tension Device, go to zero.  

When teaching dressage, and if I need a rider to tweak their hand aids, I can advise them to perhaps, increase the tension in a rein until the next LED light comes on.  My clients have marveled on how much this exact science, and instant visual feedback helps them.  Of course, learning how to hold a steady contact is a true must for improving the communications with a horse.  

The RC has been a wonderful asset to my teaching program here at Gale’s.  I am available to work with riders here at Gale’s (haul ins for lessons are welcomed), to analyze and improve the communications that you have with your horse.  I can, sometimes, be available to travel to other stables for clinics and lessons with my equipment. Please contact me for additional information about that.