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A Balanced Horse

Having a balanced horse is not only a physical term but also a mental one. Mentally, horses need to be balanced in order for us to ride them correctly and safely. A horse who is not balanced will not be content where he is.  Instead, he will be attracted to magnets such as the gate, barn, and other horses. When your horse is balanced mentally, he will be on your aids ready to do anything you ask while staying relaxed. Continue reading A Balanced Horse

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Trail Training Part 1: Going Away From Home

The reason that many horses bolt, buck, rear, or balk on the trail is because they want to go back to the barn, other horses, their pasture, etc and you aren’t letting him. If the horse misbehaves by doing any one of these behaviors he learns that he can escape the pressure, go back to where he wants to be, or you may even end the ride, get off and take him home. You must start at the cause of the problem and figure out the source of your horse’s need to be at a certain place. Continue reading Trail Training Part 1: Going Away From Home

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English Saddle Fitting Checklist

 

There is a lot to saddle fitting. However, knowing the basics will help you to select the correct saddle for your horse, or to adjust the one you already have so that your horse feels more comfortable. Continue reading English Saddle Fitting Checklist

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Problem Solving: Biting

Biting can mean a variety of actions. Horses are known to bare their teeth, swing their head with an open mouth, nip at your clothes, beg you for treats with his face in your pocket, nibble on you, and everything else around the barn. Continue reading Problem Solving: Biting

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Bridling

Bridling a horse can be tricky if you don’t know the proper steps to follow. Here I will give you some tips on how to bridle a horse if you have never done so, have only done it a few times, or if your horse has a problem with bridling. Continue reading Bridling

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Solutions For A Spooky Horse

Does your horse tense up when he sees something scary on the trail? Or does he jump and run when faced with a scary object in the arena? If your horse does either of these behaviors often he may need some training to get him through these frightening experiences, and help him to become calmer and think about a situation before reacting. Continue reading Solutions For A Spooky Horse

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Solutions For The Hard To Catch Horse

Does your horse run the other way when you enter the pasture? Or hide in the far corner of his stall when you come near? Horses will tell you how they feel about your relationship by the way they react to you entering the pasture or stall. If your horse is less than perfect and can be a pain to catch, don’t worry as there are some easy solutions to this common problem. Continue reading Solutions For The Hard To Catch Horse

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Leading

A few holes in your horse’s training can turn an easy stroll from the barn into a fight when your horse decides he doesn’t want to go and plants his feet. Despite all of your pulling and coaxing he still won’t budge. You may also have the opposite problem, when your pony morphs into a race horse charging ahead and dragging you around instead of you leading him. Regardless, any leading problem can be solved by going back to the basics. Continue reading Leading

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Mounting Problems

The horse is tacked up, the sky is clear, and the trails are calling your name. You and your horse are all set to go, but right as you go to mount up your horse walks off preventing you from beginning your ride or any ride for that matter. Continue reading Mounting Problems

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Barn Sour Behaviors

Horses who throw a fit every time you try to leave the barn by refusing, turning back, or even rearing are barn sour and rather be at the comfort of the barn or with his buddies instead of riding with you. Horses can also exhibit a barn sour habit by rushing toward the barn on your way back from a trail ride. Here I will give you some exercises to cure your horse’s barn sour behaviors. Continue reading Barn Sour Behaviors