2024 Clinician Academy
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April 1 - May 17
Location
Downunder Horsemanship Ranch
Farmington,
AR
Training Tips
Training Tips
August 31, 2021
Training Tip: Horse Terrified of Plastic Bags
Question: My husband brought home a cute project mare. She does well at all the Fundamentals exercises, but she has a deathly fear of plastic bags, only when a human is involved, though. She strikes and rears if it is going to touch her. We have had four or five three-hour sessions and it’s a […]
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No Worries Club Training Tips
August 24, 2021
Training Tip: What’s Your Horse’s Passion?
Just like people, horses’ attitudes and abilities vary from one individual to the other. Some horses are more naturally talented at a certain task than others. Sometimes the hardest thing for people to realize is that not every horse suits every course. For example, I used to breed reining and cow horses, but not every […]
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Training Tips
August 17, 2021
Training Tip: Rollbacks on the Fence Issue
Question: When we’re doing rollbacks on the fence, my horse, Austin, a 4-year-old Appendix Quarter Horse, will stick his head over the fence rather than tucking it in and stopping. The fence is 5-feet high and sturdy, and even when he has bumped his nose against it a few times he still has trouble rolling […]
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Downunder Horsemanship - General Training Tips
August 17, 2021
Problem Solving: Horse Won’t Stand Still
A horse that constantly moves around when you try to slip your foot in the stirrup is not only frustrating, but potentially dangerous. A well-trained horse stands quietly while you mount and waits for your cue to move off once you’re situated in the saddle. “The secret to getting a horse to stand quietly when […]
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Training Tips
August 10, 2021
Training Tip: Is Your Horse Making an Honest Mistake or Not Trying?
Determining whether a horse is making an honest mistake or not putting any effort into doing what you’re asking of him is a crucial skill for a trainer to have. You have to be able to recognize when a horse is giving you the wrong answer but he’s trying to figure out what you’re asking […]
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Training Tips
August 3, 2021
Training Tip: Help for a Horse That Drags Her Feet
Question: I have an 8-year-old Quarter Horse mare that barely moves. She is cutting bred and is very athletic, but she drags her hind feet and if I’m not constantly pushing her on, she walks and trots at a turtle’s pace and will break down to the trot from the canter. I try to use […]
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Training Tips
July 27, 2021
Training Tip: Don’t Underestimate the Power of Rest
Where you rest a horse is literally where you’re telling him to be. Resting is a complete release of pressure. We train horses by applying pressure and then releasing pressure when they do the right thing.
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Training Tips
July 20, 2021
Training Tip: Q&A With Clinton: Ground Tying
Question: I solved my gelding’s old habit of occasionally pulling back by using the Aussie Tie Ring, completing the Fundamentals, starting on the Intermediate, as well as hobble training him. Now I’m interested in advancing his ground-tying skills. I’ve started slowly adding it to our routine as best I can. Where can I find info […]
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Training Tips
July 13, 2021
Training Tip: Time Does Matter When Training a Horse
In a perfect world, time shouldn’t matter when training a horse. However, in the real world, time does matter. I tell the Academy students all the time, if you’re not aware of your time, typically you’re not focused on getting results. You’d think the more time you gave yourself to train a horse the better […]
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Downunder Horsemanship - General Training Tips
July 13, 2021
An Exercise to Prep Your Horse for Group Riding on the Trail
While you are training your horse to be a confident trail partner, it is best to ride him outside the arena by yourself rather than attempting to train him while being on a ride with six other horses and riders. “That way it is just the two of you concentrating on the training sessions. There […]
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