absorbine Archives - Practical Horseman https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/tag/absorbine/ Thu, 28 Aug 2025 14:36:33 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 https://s3.amazonaws.com/wp-s3-practicalhorsemanmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/14150009/cropped-practical-horseman-fav-icon-32x32.png absorbine Archives - Practical Horseman https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/tag/absorbine/ 32 32 How Cross Country Translates to Upper-Level Dressage https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/featured-articles/how-cross-country-translates-to-upper-level-dressage/ Wed, 27 Aug 2025 13:46:08 +0000 https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/?p=30371 Eventers of all levels are well versed in riding over varying terrain due to their experience on cross country where they’re often required to ride down banks and navigate drop-downs into water and jumps with drops behind them. “This helps us learn how to put our position in the backseat when we need to,” five-star eventer and Grand Prix dressage rider Laine Ashker said. “Riding cross country teaches you how to naturally balance your horse, which carries over to dressage.”

Five-star eventer and Grand Prix dressage rider Laine Ashker says her experience riding cross country helps improve her upper-level dressage movements because both are all about finding balance in your horse.

Here, Ashker explains how her experience as a five-star eventer helps with her upper-level Grand Prix dressage movements and vice versa. You can also watch a video of her demonstrating this concept below.

From Drop Jumps to Pirouettes and Piaffe

“In eventing, especially when coming down to the head of a lake or dropping into water, you have to create balance in your horse. You can see in the video as I prepare for my left half pirouette turn, I stay behind my horse so he can more easily lift his shoulders for the turn. And then I ride him out. We repeat it one more time. I take my time and am very patient as I continue to stay behind him to keep his shoulders lifted.

“In piaffe, it’s the same idea. You want your horse’s shoulders to lift, not his head. There’s a big difference. And in order for the horse’s shoulders to lift, his back and rear need to drop. You horse can’t do this if you’re ahead of him all the time.

“Here, I’m going to demonstrate my position. You should always be able to draw a straight line from your shoulder to your hip and down to your heel. It’s very similar to our takeoffs over some cross-country jumps because it requires us to naturally balance our horses. The jumps actually help us do this. In dressage, we obviously don’t have jumps, so we have to use our position and posture to achieve that balance.

“In the piaffe, it’s a very light aid with the hand. Then, my legs alternate to ask my horse to lift his front legs. There’s a very fine line here between throwing him out of balance with my position. I continue to stay behind his motion to allow his shoulders to lift, and I might allow him to travel just a bit to keep the steps the same.

“In summary, if you do both eventing and upper-level dressage, be proud of being an eventer. Improving your position on cross country will only make your position that much better in your dressage work, no matter your level, and it will be more supportive for your horse.”

Click to watch the full video of Laine Ashker demonstrating how her experience on cross country as an eventer carries over to her upper-level Grand Prix dressage movements.

About Laine Ashker

Five-star eventer and dressage professional Lainey Ashker has competed in numerous FEI competitions at the five-star level, including the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials CC14* and the Defender Burghley Horse Trials CC15*. The horsewoman, who trains out of her Keystone Acres farm in Chesterfield, Virginia, also won the National Eventing Championship (Advanced Level) in 2013 aboard her long-time mount, Anthony Patch. More recently, she won her first CDI in May 2023 aboard her upper-level dressage horse, Zeppelin.

For more with Laine Ashker, click here.

This video is brought to you by Absorbine.

]]> Young Horses with Kelly Soleau-Millar https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/team-millar-videos/young-horses-with-kelly-soleau-millar/ Thu, 28 Dec 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/?p=22310 Meet Kelly Soleau-Millar and her first homebred Bit of Luck, aka “Clover”. She shares tips on how they bring along young horses to hopefully make them the next group of superstar show jumpers. Young horses grow up in a herd together, but they are handled regularly from a very young age so they are comfortable doing basic skills with a human. Overall, she feels the biggest trait people need to have with young horses is patience. Watch the full video for more great tips on starting young horses!

About Kelly Soleau-Millar

Kelly Soleau-Millar starting riding at the young age of two and had her first pony, Sweet Dreams, when she was three. Competing as a professional, Kelly works full-time as a rider, trainer, and the manager of Millar Brooke South. In December of 2015, Kelly married Jonathan Millar in Key West, Florida, and as a true animal lover, Kelly is rarely seen without her pack of Welsh corgis in tow.

Have you seen these other Team Millar videos?

Position Exercises with Jonathon Millar
Nonverbal Cues with Amy Millar
Counting Strides in a Line of Jumps with Ian Millar
Fungasol with Danny Ingratta
Raised Trot Rails with Ian Millar
Santa Fe Spray with Cayden Hill
Trot Rail Tips with Ian Millar
Magic Cushion® Lineup with Danny Ingratta
Stride Control with Ian Millar
The ShowSheen Lineup with Caden Hill
The Mental Side of Show Jumping with Amy Millar
Lunging Your Horse Safely and Effectively with Ian Millar

brought to you by Absorbine
]]> Position Exercises with Jonathon Millar https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/team-millar-videos/position-exercises-with-jonathan-millar/ Thu, 07 Dec 2023 14:32:01 +0000 https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/?p=22149 Rider position is crucial regardless of level. Canadian show jumper Jonathon Millar explains the importance of position and demonstrates how it can be improved with flat and jumping exercises. Watch the video below to see how he starts on the flat and then goes on to riding an exercise that is a combination of jumps and ground poles. It helps improve both the horse’s and the rider’s balance.

About Jonathon Millar

Jonathon Millar was a member of the Canadian Show Jumping Team for 20 years and first alternate for the Olympic team in 2000. He is the oldest child of Canada’s most decorated equestrian, Ian Millar, and his late wife Lynn. In early 2023, Millar suffered a severe brain injury in a non-riding accident in 2023, from which he is still recovering.

Have you seen these other Team Millar videos?

Nonverbal Cues with Amy Millar
Counting Strides in a Line of Jumps with Ian Millar
Fungasol with Danny Ingratta
Raised Trot Rails with Ian Millar
Santa Fe Spray with Cayden Hill
Trot Rail Tips with Ian Millar
Magic Cushion® Lineup with Danny Ingratta
Stride Control with Ian Millar
The ShowSheen Lineup with Caden Hill
The Mental Side of Show Jumping with Amy Millar
Lunging Your Horse Safely and Effectively with Ian Millar

Learn all year from the show jumping experts at Team Millar. Check back every month for more Team Millar Tips brought to you by Absorbine!

brought to you by Absorbine
]]> Nonverbal Cues with Amy Millar https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/team-millar-videos/nonverbal-cues-with-amy-millar/ Thu, 16 Nov 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/?p=22035 Canadian Olympian Amy Millar talks about how people communicate with their horses through nonverbal cues – basically body language. If you can understand your horse’s body language, then you can better understand your horse and that will ultimately help you in your training. Watch the video below to get tips from Millar on what to look for and some of the nonverbal cues she uses with her horse.

About Amy Millar

As the daughter of Olympian and Canadian legend Ian Millar, Amy Millar was born into equestrian sport, riding horses at an early age on the family farm. Training alongside her father and older brother Jonathon, she also found her niche as a show jumper. In 2015 she began competing with Heros. In 2000, she made history with her father and brother at the Spruce Meadows Masters tournament in Calgary as they became the first family of three to compete for a Canadian Nations Cup team.The pair were Canada’s top performers at the 2016 Nations Cup in Ocala, Florida. Millar and Heros made their Olympic debut at Rio 2016 where they were part of Canada’s fourth place finish in the team event, losing a jump-off for bronze to Germany.

Have you seen these other Team Millar videos?

Counting Strides in a Line of Jumps with Ian Millar
Fungasol with Danny Ingratta
Raised Trot Rails with Ian Millar
Santa Fe Spray with Cayden Hill
Trot Rail Tips with Ian Millar
Magic Cushion® Lineup with Danny Ingratta
Stride Control with Ian Millar
The ShowSheen Lineup with Caden Hill
The Mental Side of Show Jumping with Amy Millar
Lunging Your Horse Safely and Effectively with Ian Millar

Learn all year from the show jumping experts at Team Millar. Check back every month for more Team Millar Tips brought to you by Absorbine!

brought to you by Absorbine
]]> Counting Strides in a Line of Jumps with Ian Millar https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/team-millar-videos/counting-strides-in-line-of-jumps-with-ian-millar/ Thu, 26 Oct 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/?p=21744 Do you know how to count strides when riding a course? When watching a show jumping class, can you tell how many strides a horse and rider combination will take between each jump? Canadian show jumping legend Ian Millar shows you how riders might walk a line in a grand prix class and why riders might have to make adjustments based on their individual horses. Watch the video below and then try it out at the next show!

About Ian Millar

Ian Millar is an icon in international show jumping. The most decorated equestrian in Canadian history, his record-breaking career has set the bar for its numerous achievements and unparalleled longevity.

Millar has competed in more Olympic Games than any athlete in history, in any sport. As of the 2012 Games in London, he set a new World Record for number of Olympic starts—10 in total—and recorded his best individual result to date, finishing ninth overall. Ian’s Olympic attendance record from 1972 to 2012 is blighted only by the 1980 Games, which Canada boycotted. That year, he rode for Canada at the Alternate Olympics in Rotterdam in which Canada won the Team Gold. 

Have you seen these other Team Millar videos?

Fungasol with Danny Ingratta
Raised Trot Rails with Ian Millar
Santa Fe Spray with Cayden Hill
Trot Rail Tips with Ian Millar
Magic Cushion® Lineup with Danny Ingratta
Stride Control with Ian Millar
The ShowSheen Lineup with Caden Hill
The Mental Side of Show Jumping with Amy Millar
Lunging Your Horse Safely and Effectively with Ian Millar

Learn all year from the show jumping experts at Team Millar. Check back every month for more Team Millar Tips brought to you by Absorbine!

brought to you by Absorbine
]]> Fungasol with Danny Ingratta https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/team-millar-videos/fungasol-with-danny-ingratta/ Mon, 02 Oct 2023 14:35:49 +0000 https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/?p=21309 Fungasol is another must-have product at Millar Brooke Farm. Watch the video below to find out why head groom Danny Ingratta loves Fungasol shampoo and spray and how he uses the products.

About Danny Ingratta

Danny Ingratta is the head groom at Millar Brooke Farm. His love and passion for the horses and the sport is what allows him to achieve greatness. He studied Animal Biology at the University of Guelph, and in 2013 won the Royal Groom award at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Ingratta has travelled all over the world with Team Millar and groomed at some of the most prestigious shows worldwide, including going as Amy Millar’s groom to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio with Heros.

Have you seen these other Team Millar videos?

Raised Trot Rails with Ian Millar
Santa Fe Spray with Cayden Hill
Trot Rail Tips with Ian Millar
Magic Cushion® Lineup with Danny Ingratta
Stride Control with Ian Millar
The ShowSheen Lineup with Caden Hill
The Mental Side of Show Jumping with Amy Millar
Lunging Your Horse Safely and Effectively with Ian Millar

Learn all year from the show jumping experts at Team Millar. Check back every month for more Team Millar Tips brought to you by Absorbine!

brought to you by Absorbine
]]> Magic Cushion® Lineup with Danny Ingratta https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/team-millar-videos/magic-cushion-lineup-with-danny-ingratta/ Thu, 13 Jul 2023 13:33:00 +0000 https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/?p=20235 Team Millar’s head groom Danny Ingratta explains and demonstrates two different methods of packing a horse’s hoof. The first way utilizes plastic wrap and duct tape to keep the Magic Cushion® in place. He also then shows how to easily remove the wrap with a hoof pick. The second method to pack the foot is even simpler. After the Magic Cusion® is applied, it can be covered in shavings, which creates a barrier between the Magic Cusion® and the environment. Then removing it is as simple as picking the horse’s hoof.

About Danny Ingratta

Danny Ingratta is the head groom at Millar Brooke Farm. His love and passion for the horses and the sport is what allows him to achieve greatness. He studied Animal Biology at the University of Guelph, and in 2013 won the Royal Groom award at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Ingratta has travelled all over the world with Team Millar and groomed at some of the most prestigious shows worldwide, including going as Amy Millar’s groom to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio with Heros.

Have you seen these other Team Millar videos?

Stride Control with Ian Millar
The ShowSheen Lineup with Caden Hill
The Mental Side of Show Jumping with Amy Millar
Lunging Your Horse Safely and Effectively with Ian Millar

Learn all year from the show jumping experts at Team Millar. Check back every month for more Team Millar Tips brought to you by Absorbine!

brought to you by Absorbine
]]> Stride Control with Ian Millar https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/team-millar-videos/stride-control-with-ian-millar/ Thu, 22 Jun 2023 13:02:00 +0000 https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/?p=20117 Stride Control

Courses are about stride control, and the average canter stride is 12 feet. Ian Millar explains and shows how to walk and count strides between fences. Then Amy Millar demonstrates how to canter a comfortable five stride line over poles. Next she shows how to collect her horse to add a stride and make it six strides or extend the canter to make it four strides between poles.

About Ian Millar

Ian Millar is an icon in international show jumping. The most decorated equestrian in Canadian history, his record-breaking career has set the bar for its numerous achievements and unparalleled longevity.

Millar has competed in more Olympic Games than any athlete in history, in any sport. As of the 2012 Games in London, he set a new World Record for number of Olympic starts—10 in total—and recorded his best individual result to date, finishing ninth overall. Ian’s Olympic attendance record from 1972 to 2012 is blighted only by the 1980 Games, which Canada boycotted. That year, he rode for Canada at the Alternate Olympics in Rotterdam in which Canada won the Team Gold. 

Have you seen these other Team Millar videos?

The ShowSheen Lineup with Caden Hill
The Mental Side of Show Jumping with Amy Millar
Lunging Your Horse Safely and Effectively with Ian Millar

Learn all year from the show jumping experts at Team Millar. Check back every month for more Team Millar Tips brought to you by Absorbine!

brought to you by Absorbine
]]> The ShowSheen Line Up with Cayden Hill https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/team-millar-videos/showsheen-line-up-with-cayden-hill/ Thu, 01 Jun 2023 13:59:46 +0000 https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/?p=19696 Cayden Hill, who helps manage Team Millar horses, talks about his grooming routine, how he uses the ShowSheen products and what he loves about them. These products include shampoo and conditioner, detangler spray and gel for the tail, and green spot/stain remover. He also gives some great grooming tips for helping your horse look his best.

About Cayden Hill

Cayden Hill was introduced to horses through his mother. He grew up riding ponies and doing some showing, but for many years it was a hobby rather than a career. His original profession was team building in consulting and operations management. When he decided to take a break from corporate life, he connected with Jonathan and Kelly Millar and started at Millar Brooke South in 2021. There he wears many hats, including help coordinating the horses, managing staff, and grooming and riding numerous horses. His philosophy of horse care always comes down to “horses first.”

Have you seen these other Team Millar videos?

The Mental Side of Show Jumping with Amy Millar
Lunging Your Horse Safely and Effectively with Ian Millar

Learn all year from the show jumping experts at Team Millar. Check back every month for more Team Millar Tips brought to you by Absorbine!

brought to you by Absorbine
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