Riding on varying terrain is great for building trust, strength, and cooperation in the horse. Incorporating hills and ditches into your training regimen will improve your horse’s over all versatility. Continue reading Trail Training Part 3: Hills and Ditches
It is a good idea to teach your horse how to clip even if you don’t plan to clip him regularly. If you sell or lease the horse he will know how to handle that experience. Continue reading Teaching Horse To Be Clipped
Teaching the horse to send between, through, onto, and over things allows you to maneuver him wherever you like. It is also the foundation for trailer loading, and prepares him for obstacles that he will encounter under saddle. Continue reading Sending On The Lunge Line
Teaching the horse to back up on cue is helpful for moving him out of your space, positioning him during groundwork or in cross ties, among other things. Continue reading Groundwork: Backing Up
Anything from classy hunters to speedy jumpers there is a place for nearly all horses and riders who want to try jumping. Unfortunately, jumping can be turned into a dreaded exercise for your horse and sometimes even you. Here I will suggest some tips and exercises that will keep the time you spend jumping easy and successful. Continue reading Groundwork For Jumping
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
Does your horse get nervous when you are riding; spooking at horse eating plastic and other invisible dangers? Spooking is a natural reaction for horses. They are prey animals with a flight or fight instinct, which means they much rather run away from danger then fight it. Create confidence in your horse by doing some simple desensitizing lessons. Continue reading Basic Desensitizing
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
Yielding the horse’s shoulders gives you greater control over your personal space, and the movement of the horse. Teaching this exercise will move the horse out of your space whenever he pushes into you with his shoulders. Also, you can position him anywhere you’d like during grooming or washing. Continue reading Yielding the Shoulders
Teaching the horse to yield his hindquarters when you ask is the foundation exercise of many ground work and riding lessons. This lesson teaches the horse to face you, bend his body, and cross his legs in response to pressure. By teaching him to yield on the ground first, it will be easier for the horse to understand once you start asking him under saddle. Continue reading Yielding The Hindquarters