Having a training plan to gauge your progress is very beneficial. Doing so keeps you on track so you don’t get stuck in one place for too long. So many riders get stuck practicing the same few exercises for years. Not only do you not progress as you should, your horse will get bored and sour as well.
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
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
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
Crossing over logs and through brush are obstacles that you will most likely encounter while on the trail. Some horses may become worried when underbrush touches their legs and may buck or bolt in response. If you properly prepare your horse first crossing through the woods won’t be a challenge. Continue reading Trail Training Part 2: Logs and Brush
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
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
Meaningful lunging is another great exercise essential to horse training. But chasing your horse in circles is not, there needs to be a purpose to all of your training. Continue reading Lunging: Yield The Hindquarters