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Training Tips

Training Tips
November 12, 2024

Training Tip: Horse is Sour About Spurs

Question: My 4-year-old gelding is just starting to learn Bending at the Walk. He knows all the Fundamentals groundwork and half of the Intermediate groundwork exercises. The first few times he was ridden with spurs, he was a tad cranky, but he suppled and bent his ribs nicely. The fourth day of working with spurs, […]

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Training Tips
November 5, 2024

Training Tip: Transitions Teach Your Horse to Read Your Seat

If you want your horse to be tuned in to you and be responsive to your cues, get in the habit of practicing transitions. Transitions are asking the horse to stop, slow down or speed up when you cue him to. They simultaneously work on the horse’s gas pedal and brakes and his overall suppleness. […]

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Training Tips
October 29, 2024

Training Tip: Horse Won’t Accept the Bit

Question: I have a young mare that I sent out for training. We were able to put a bit in her mouth and ride her and we began simple exercises. We changed bits, and now I can’t get a bit in her mouth. I got a D-ring snaffle, which should be a milder bit, but […]

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Training Tips
October 22, 2024

Training Tip: Practice Transitions to Engage Your Horse

If you want your horse to be tuned in to you and be responsive to your cues, get in the habit of practicing transitions. Transitions are asking the horse to stop, slow down or speed up when you cue him to. They simultaneously work on the horse’s gas pedal and brakes and his overall suppleness. […]

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Training Tips
October 15, 2024

Training Tip: Working With a Blind Horse

Question: I have a horse that had an eye removed. He is penned with horses that don’t ambush him on that side, so he doesn’t become as jumpy. He is good with being desensitized on that side, but he is really pushy with groundwork, even if I am talking to him so he knows where […]

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Training Tips
October 8, 2024

Training Tip: Practice Transitions on the Trail

When training horses on the trail, focus on transitions on the way home to keep your horse engaged with you. Our usual approach is after letting the horses spend three or so minutes walking on a big, loose rein to relax, we start giving them little puzzles to solve. We might trot forward and then […]

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Training Tips
October 1, 2024

Training Tip: Horse Ducks During the Cruising Lesson

Question: I have a training question about my 15-year-old Quarter Horse gelding. I’ve only had him for a year and really enjoy riding him, but there are some characteristics that I find challenging. I am still in the Fundamentals and am working through the Cruising Lesson. My horse doesn’t trot or canter in circles or […]

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Training Tips
September 24, 2024

Training Tip: Stay Safe When Trail Riding

One of the best ways to train your horse to be a calm, respectful and responsive partner on the trail is to never pass up a training opportunity. When you ride your horse outside the arena, there will be plenty of opportunities to expose him to new objects and reinforce old lessons. In this short […]

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Training Tips
September 17, 2024

Training Tip: Horse Won’t Walk on the Trail

Question: I have a Paso Fino that won’t stop running. I’ve tried running him until he is sweaty, but he still runs. I have tried making work look hard and standing still look easy, but he still goes.

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Training Tips
September 10, 2024

Training Tip: Keep Your Horse Dialed Into You

One of the best ways to train your horse to be a calm, respectful and responsive partner on the trail is to never pass up a training opportunity. When you ride your horse outside the arena, there will be plenty of opportunities to expose him to new objects and reinforce old lessons. In this short […]

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