Adiva Murphy Horsemanship

I've been working hard the past few years to understand and develop my classical understanding and skills, my art. Slowly, the more I know and feel confident, the more I've been sharing.

Bettina Biolik has many educational webinars in her classroom.

Enjoy the read and the webinar!

I found this interesting passage in Gustav Steinbrecht’s book “The Gymnasium of the Horse” that I want to share with you.

But first let me give you some contexts.

Riding the horse one-handed in a curb bit was an important goal throughout much of the history of European military and courtly riding. You see this on almost all old paintings, statues, coins, sculptures.

It was necessary to be able to ride the horse with one hand while holding a sword, lance or another weapon in the other. Traditionally, the reins were commonly kept in the left hand, leaving the right hand free for the weapon. Also in the working horse traditions, like the Vaquero, you ride one-handed.

Some of the old masters explicitly mention using a cavesson for the education of the green horse, as long as necessary to be able to ride it in a curb only.

Now enter Gustav Steinbrecht (I’ve added some explanations in brackets):
“If, in connection with riding, mention is made generally of only one rein hand, this of course means the left hand, which holds the curb reins, the major reins. However, guiding a horse with the left hand alone requires a completely trained horse that is capable of responding to the curb only. The old masters, who had time and means for such thorough work, knew only the curb as the bit for the well-ridden horse and placed their little finger between its two reins. For preparing the green horse, they used the cavesson. Today, since we have once and for all added the bridoon (snaffle) and its two reins to the curb bit (meaning the double bridle), we admit right from the start that we do not intend to, or are not able to, work our horses to such perfection that they can be mastered under all circumstances with only the curb reins in the left hand. By admitting this, we ask for almost the impossible if we want to guide our horses, that are trained for military duty (campagne horses, meaning not highly schooled horses, just balanced walk, trot, canter with a bit collection), strictly with the same hand movements as the masters did with their dressage (school-) horses. Because of the differences in our bits, and primarily the less perfect carriage of the horse, we must also modify the hand aids just as we must adapt our seat to the changed confirmation of our present-day horses and to the English saddle.” (Gustav Steinbrecht. The Gymnasium of the Horse, p. 19-20, Xenophon Press 2017)

Isn’t this interesting?

Steinbrecht admits the decline of the art of riding, so that it’s not possible anymore to ride the horse one-handed on a curb, and the double bridle is used instead of cavesson and curb. He clearly sees the use of the double bridle a step down from the one-handed riding in a curb.

Because of the French Revolution and the following Napoleon Wars, the carriers of the riding culture (the nobility) had vanished and with it many royal and courtly institutions in which riding was practised as an art.
The Napoleonic Wars then required enormous numbers of horses and riders.
The purpose of riding education changed. The lavish courtly riding art was increasingly replaced by military systems that had to educate large numbers of riders and horses in a relatively short time.

It has taken over a century, but the art of riding is thriving once more. Not at the royal courts and not in the cavalry schools.

WE are now the carriers of the art of riding! We have the time and money (even if we often don’t feel like that ;) ). We can revive some lost practices and form communities to practice our art.

If you are curious to know more: Tomorrow, September 1st 2026, I’m teaching a webinar about the 3:1 reinhold. You are warmly invited! (Free for Classroom members).
👉Link to register: https://www.bettinabiolik.com/3-1-reinhold-webinar

Post workout massage.

These two after every ride have a long grooming session. Like a post workout relaxation massage.

Since the smoke really bothers me as well as Sonador. (He has mild asthma as do I) many days, I am just juggling as to how the weather (heat/wind) looks. How the air is? And I get as much done as I can when it's clear.

I have not been doing my morning. Social media posts as regularly this summer. Because I've changed my schedule completely.

I had been getting up two hours earlier than my normal. I take my dogs hiking as I do every day, and now I work both horses every morning before I go to the office and teach lessons. If it is too smoky, I still catch them. I apply my essential oils to repel the midges (so many relentless flys to) change out their fly masks for clean ones. I changed them twice a day. Their eyes get wiped. Sometimes the nostrils too, depending on how bad smoke particles and dust has stuck to them. They get half of their mash in the morning, soaked alfalfa pellets, then, every evening, just as the bugs are swarming, they are back at the gate waiting for their fly sheets to come back on and me to do the entire routine all over again. They definitely lead very comfortable lives. Fly sheets are off during the day. So they can groom, and it's very hot. Sheets are back on in the evenings to help with the mosquitoes and midges.

I had big plans to film some stuff for my education library. But this summer has been so unpredictable, I never know what's going to happen day to day, so I haven't gotten anything done there. If it's a nice day, I spend the whole afternoon taking care of my gardens and chickens, harvesting veggies, and all that.

Amazing how an entire day can absolutely disappear. By nightfall, it's time to go look after my ponies again.

The training that we are doing has been very interesting, I want to share an update.

Stay tuned!

Again, I would love to hear how everybody is doing this summer. Especially in BC coping with the very unpredictable nature of the weather and the smoke. It is very hard to do anything with the horses with consistency.

Happy Friday

Emergency Evacuation Preparation

Due the number of active fires locally, I decided to hook up the truck to the trailer, check everything and empty out my 'storage locker'. I have not used my trailer for hauling my own horses in a few years.

So I have to share a story, this just happened. I had finished riding my two horses and had them loose in the yard to nibble, the four or five blades of grass that are still around.

Hooked up my truck and trailer pulled it out so that it had lots of room to practice some trailer loading. Not something that I was going to do today, but I wanted to have everything set up and clean it out.

As soon as I hooked it up and pulled it out of its parking area, both horses ran over. What are you doing they asked?

I opened up the backdoor unloaded things that needed to go into the shop. As i'm in the shop, I hear banging. Sonador loaded himself and stood in the front stall, which is his, waiting for a treat. Last year I practiced in fire season as well, apparently he remembered the drill load yourself into your stall, and you get a treat after you're tied up. (I go around to the outside and hook to trailer tie after doors close etc.)

He looked mighty pleased with himself, and of course he got rewarded with some treats. He did not unload until I went in the trailer and then cued hime to back out. I ended up having to close the back door or this would have repeated itself many times. I am very glad to have such a willing horse. And to put the time in to make trailer loading enjoyable, and also a game.

There is a short video that I made as a trailer loading challenge that you can look up on my youtube channel.

I just had to share as it was so fun and I didn't actually have my phone. Tucker was waiting in line to also participate but I had a lot of stuff to do. We will practice tomorrow. I know they load but its so nice to have them load without stress added in a situation so they don't associate all loading situations involve high energy and expectations.

Practice your loading!!! You never know, when it becomes your turn for any sort of emergency.

So that's my training tip tuesday for you!

Throwback Thursday
Celebrating 20 years as an independent business owner!

From 2022 to 2024, I really dove deep into getting a straightness training certification.

That was hundreds of hours in the classroom, hundreds of videos, and tons of practical tests.

I even put both my horses through the testing. That was a huge challenge since they're built so differently and need different ways to be motivated.

The stuff I learned in that program has been super valuable. So many behavior issues or feedback come down to a horse's balance, or lack thereof. All horses are asymmetrical, and the more we get that and learn to help them balance, the more willing they are to do what we need them to do for us.

So this throwback isn't that far back, but it was a ton of dedicated hours, and it feels like it took a decade 🤣

Happy Thursday!

Happy 9th Birthday 🎂 to my loyal dog Bendito.

We missed our morning hike, its to smokey 😢 he sits here looking sad at the farm in which he protects.

We are safe from fires, but not safe from the smoke.

Hoping everyone is safe out there from evacuation and danger to homes and livestock.

In the least ill celebrate 🥳 9 years with this amazing dog 🥰

When the weather clears later today we will hike, I promise little man!

Those who have attended my clinics are aware of my meticulousness regarding groundwork and the safety hazards that can be averted through proper training.

It is crucial to learn how to interpret a horse's behavioral signs of stress, as these can trigger a flight, fight, or freeze response.

Here is an article worth reading.

Enjoy.

The grave yawns for the horseman” is an ancient Arabic proverb about the danger and fragility of life for those who dealt with horses.

The flight response can be described as a rapid anti-predator behaviour that evolved for survival.

These panic behaviours involve hyperreactive emotional states that may escalate into bolting, bucking, shying, or rearing.

This reactivity stems from the horse's origins as a prey animal of open grassland habitats, where the ability to accelerate quickly was essential to outrunning predators.

Such dangers are not merely theoretical, but are substantiated by a substantial body of published scientific literature detailing injuries and deaths sustained by people handling and riding horses.

Here are some sobering statistics:

One in every 350 hours of contact results in serious injury requiring hospitalisation. This is 20 times higher than for motorcycling.

In Australia, 25% of sport-related hospital admissions of children are the result of interactions with horses. Roughly half of all serious injuries occur during handling, while the others occur when ridden.

In the USA, equestrian sport was found to be the leading cause of adult sports-related traumatic brain injury over a 10-year period.

A 2022 broad study of horse-related injuries in the UK revealed that of 80 equestrian injuries, 21% sustained a hoof kick and of those 53% suffered facial injuries.All kicked patients were unmounted at the time of injury and were either standing next to the horse or behind it.

Research also shows that horse veterinarians are exposed to more days off work and more career ending events and fatalities than any other profession.

A 2013 study revealed that 91% of horse owners in UK experience problem behaviours under-saddle and another study in the same year revealed that in the leisure riding industry, behaviour is believed to be the principal reason horses are sold, re-homed or euthanised.

Luckily, this risk can be substantially reduced through awareness of the horse's flight response and adoption of safe handling and riding practices.

📑 Modern Horse Training: Equitation Science Principles & Practice, Volume 2 by Andrew McLean

Today (11 July) we celebrate World Horse Day,

*created by the United Nations in 2025 to honour the incredible partnership between horses and humans

On a smokey (forest fires) day here in Kamloops BC, my unicorn 🦄 wanted to work despite the air quality.

So here we are playing with canter pirouette, collection in trot, levades and flying like Pegasus 🤣 (not planned) and then his proud wave at the end!

Let's take a moment to celebrate our amazing partnerships with our horses today!

Happy unicorn 🦄 day!

Happy Thursday ☀️?

So, I have been busy traveling visiting friends in Alberta helping them with their horses..... had absolutely crazy rain!!! So more coffee inside to catch up and visit????

Once home, hosting a client for a private intenstive seat training, riding and theory holiday. HOWEVER a fire 200km away that is out of control is in direct lone of the normal wind pattern moving over Kamloops.

The air unsafe, very unsafe. So if you are wondering where I have been, silent on Social media....I have been working around mother nature! She is keeping me on my toes getting very creative keeping up my obligations to teach but outside of the arenas.....more classroom?

Happy Bipolar 2026 weather year.

🙃🤪

Sunday Snapshots

Tucker's 20 now! I can't believe how fast time flies. He was a gangly 9-month-old when he came to me and he's been an amazing partner as I've grown in my horsemanship.

The connection we have is just indescribable. He's truly been a one-of-a-kind horse. ❤️🐴
I have been bless with a few amazing horses in my life. My late Cowboy, Tucker and now Sonador.

Hopefully, we'll have many more years together! As you can see, he looks fantastic 🌟🤩

Got a truly special horse? Share pics and your story in the comments, I'd love to hear about them!

*He is in the best shape of his life due to the straightness training using gentle but effective body work in movement!

Thursday tack check!

When I do a tack check at each clinic, I mostly look for issues with saddle or bridle fit that could affect the horse's well-being and create a safety risk. The main focus is on the animal's welfare, because even though most horses tolerate discomfort, it can sometimes lead to head tossing, head tilting, poor contact with the bit, or issues with bitless riding. A poorly fitting saddle can also cause pain and pressure, which can hinder the horse's natural movement.

Here is a guide to check your bridle before you ride!!

How Well Does Your Horse's Bridle Fit?

A poorly fitted bridle can create discomfort that affects your horse's ability to relax, focus, and cope with the demands of being ridden.

Pressure is often greatest over prominent bony structures and areas of movement, where straps, buckles, and padding can rub, pinch, or compress sensitive tissues.

Most horse owners understand the importance of saddle fit, yet many overlook the discomfort that an ill-fitting bridle can cause. Even relatively small pressure points can contribute to tension, resistance, head shaking, rubbing, and reduced comfort under saddle.

This graphic highlights several common bridle fitting problems:

**A & B – Poll, Atlas Wing and Ear Pressure**
The headpiece should be shaped and positioned to accommodate the wings of the atlas and the base of the ears. A poorly designed or incorrectly fitted headpiece can create concentrated pressure in these sensitive areas.

**C – Browband, Cheekpiece and TMJ Pressure**
The browband should fit comfortably and not pull the headpiece forward into the base of the ears. Excessive bulk created by the browband, headpiece, and cheekpiece buckles can place pressure over the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Ideally, cheekpiece buckles should sit lower and be positioned more in line with the eye to reduce bulk in this area.

**D & F – Noseband Pressure**
A noseband should be fitted loosely enough to comfortably allow two flat fingers beneath it on the bridge of the nose. An overly tight noseband can create pressure on either side of the nasal bone and under the jaw. It can also dig into the face as the horse changes head and neck position during movement.

**E – Pinching and Rubbing Around the Bit**
When a noseband is fitted too tightly, the soft tissues of the lips and cheeks can become trapped between the bit and noseband, leading to pinching, rubbing, and discomfort.

The goal of a bridle is not simply to stay on the horse's head. It should fit comfortably, minimise unnecessary pressure, and allow the horse to perform without avoidable sources of irritation.

➡ So... how well does *your* horse's bridle fit?
And...if you want to add to the list please add to the comments below❤🙌

Collectable Advice 237/365.
RECOMMENDATION:
I highly recommend Anna Minogue-Equine Dentist and her Bit and Bridling Foundation Course. Also, follow her on social media as she shares some super information. I also have done two excellent podcasts with her for Canter Therapy Podcast. See comments for details.❤