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Creating a Relationship

The dream of most riders and horse owners is to have a special bond with their horses. A lot of people also have problems because they want this bond so much that they let the horse do whatever he wants, as the owner wants to be the horse’s friend. But in horsemanship this just doesn’t work. We have to teach the horse rules in order to safely interact with each other. Continue reading Creating a Relationship

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Two Year Old Training Plan

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.

Continue reading Two Year Old Training Plan

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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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Trail Training Part 3: Hills and Ditches

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

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Teaching Horse To Be Clipped

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

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Sending On The Lunge Line

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

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Trotting Grids

Now that you are comfortable with the sensation of jumping over a single obstacle, it’s time to move on to multiple obstacles in a row also called a grids or grid work. Grid work prepares you for jumping full courses; it also develops your position, helps you learn to find the correct distance to each jump, and helps your horse’s rhythm and shape in the air. Continue reading Trotting Grids

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Pre-Ride Groundwork

Groundwork is very important, but lots of people over look it. Without groundwork you can’t tell what kind of mood your horse is in each day; you’re taking the chance that he may buck, rear, or spook. Now I’m not going to say that those things are never going to happen they just have a much more unlikely chance that they will when you prepare your horse to be ridden. Continue reading Pre-Ride Groundwork