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Training Tips

Training Tips
June 2, 2020

Training Tip: Hold The Soft Feel Longer

Vertical flexion is something that you’ll build on with each give. First the horse has to understand that when you pick up on the reins and apply pressure with your legs he needs to maintain whatever gait he’s in and give to the pressure. As soon as he understands that concept, then you can ask […]

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Training Tips
May 19, 2020

Training Tip: Use the “Hot Potato Give” to Teach Your Horse to Soften to the Bit

The first step to teaching a horse how to collect is to teach him to give to the bit, period. Always start at the standstill, and then progress through the gaits as the horse understands. The ultimate goal is collection, but in the beginning, it is just a soft feel. When you first pick up […]

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Training Tips
May 12, 2020

Training Tip: Ride Solo When Introducing a Horse to Trail Riding

When I’m taking a horse out on the trail for the first time, I prefer to ride out by myself so that it’s just the two of us. When you get two or more horses on the trail, they have a tendency to want to race one another and get reactive. And, when you do […]

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Training Tips
May 5, 2020

Training Tip: End a Trail Ride on a Relaxed Note

One of the best things you can do for your horse is to let him walk the last hundred feet or so of a trail ride. That gives him the opportunity to relax and cool down so that he returns to the barn or trailer in a good frame of mind. You don’t want him […]

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Training Tips
April 28, 2020

Training Tip: Get Experience With as Many Horses as You Can

If you have a desire to be a great horseman, I encourage you to ride not only as many horses as you can, but a variety of horses. Otherwise, you run the risk of fooling yourself into thinking your horsemanship skills are well-rounded. No two horses have the same personality, move the same or react […]

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Training Tips
April 21, 2020

Training Tip: Add Variety to Your Training Sessions by Incorporating Objects Around the Barn

When it comes to training your horse, your imagination is your greatest tool. The more creative you can be in your lessons, the more interested your horse will be in his job. You’ve heard me say, “Consistency is your greatest ally and inconsistency is your greatest enemy.” And that’s absolutely true.

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Training Tips
April 14, 2020

Training Tip: Horses That Play With the Bit

It’s very normal in the beginning for a young horse to mouth and play with the bit when he’s first introduced to it. He’s just trying to figure out what the new piece of equipment is. When I put a bit in a horse’s mouth for the first time, I like to practice groundwork with […]

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Training Tips
April 7, 2020

Training Tip: Stop Your Horse From Rearing on the Trail

The key to understanding how to fix a horse that is lazy and rears on the trail is to first understand that the problem is just a symptom of a cause. The horse is rearing (or threatening to) because he has sticky feet. When he doesn’t want to do something, his way of getting out […]

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Training Tips
March 31, 2020

Training Tip: Correct A Horse That Rushes Out Of The Trailer Quickly

A horse that rushes out of the trailer is telling you he doesn’t really want to be in there. So change his perspective on things. Make sure you park the trailer on good footing so that the horse won’t slip and you can safely work with him. If he wants to rush out of the […]

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Training Tips
March 24, 2020

Training Tip: Conquer Fear By Focusing On Gaining Control

When a horse respects you as a leader and uses the thinking side of his brain rather than the reactive side, you can stop worrying about getting hurt or not being able to handle a dangerous situation. Horses are big animals, and it’s only natural to be scared of them. A lot of people come […]

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