Training Tip: How to Introduce a Halter to an Unhandled Weanling
Just like with any new piece of equipment you introduce to a horse, the halter takes some getting used to. Feeling pressure around his nose and behind his poll will be a new experience for your young horse, but you can use a step-by-step approach to ensure that 1) the weanling isn’t worried about the […]
Question: I am starting a few young horses and I am following the Colt Starting Series. If I don’t have a flag person, how do you recommend I do the first ride? I don’t have anyone to teach to flag.
Training Tip: Rollbacks on the Fence Can Improve Your Horse’s Steering
The more changes of direction you can do with a horse, the better your steering gets. Rollbacks next to the fence work great on horses that have limited steering and work off their front ends. Normally, if your horse is kind of stiff and heavy and not very well-trained, when you turn left, he’s not […]
Training Tip: Horse Runs Backwards When Doing the Sending Exercise
Question: My horse has gotten into the habit of running backwards as soon as she passes by me and yields her hindquarters while doing the Sending Exercise. How do I fix this? – maxcarp Clinton’s Answer: When she runs backwards, go with her. Point up in the air in the direction you want her to […]
Question: Do you ever use draw reins on your performance horses? I’ve seen them used a few times at my barn, and would like to hear your opinion. – sarahdtjt Clinton’s Answer: I don’t use draw reins often, but I do use them from time to time. When I do use them, it’s generally in […]
Question: I have a 4-year-old Quarter Horse/Arab cross I was given for free and was told he was only a little green. Later, I found out that he has been on a dogger’s truck two times, so really I know nothing about his backstory. He is starting to rear up, and the farrier won’t touch […]
Training Tip: Horse Terrorizes Other Horses in Turnout
Question: Our rescue currently has 16 horses on site that live in paddocks in groups of twos and threes. Thomas lives alone because he doesn’t get along with other horses. He is a 15-year-old Percheron mix gelding, about 16 hands. Here is what happens when we try turning him out with a new potential pasture […]
Training Tip: Horse Won’t Move Forward in Roundpen
Question: I just recently picked up a filly from a reservation near me. When one of my more experienced friends goes to roundpen her, she moves away and does it perfectly. When I am trying to do it, I do the “point, cluck and spank” to get her to move, but she does not move, […]
Question: I have a 5-year-old Mustang mare that was unhandled until last fall when I got her. We are working on the Fundamentals. Things were going great in the roundpen, so I decided to start lunging on the lunge line outside of the roundpen in my unfenced arena. The problem I’m having is the mare […]
Q: I’m ready to start riding my horse. Should I use a bit to begin with or do you recommend I use a hackamore? – Kathy C. A: I like to ride all of my colts in a hackamore during their first 10 to 15 rides because it gives them a chance to learn how […]