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Training Tips

Training Tips
June 7, 2016

Training Tip: Should You Use a Snaffle Bit?

A lot of people wisely start the Method with a horse that’s already trained, and often times, these horses have been ridden in shank bits. When starting the Method, I encourage people to use a snaffle bit to train their horses. Of course, this brings up the question of whether or not you need to […]

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Training Tips
May 31, 2016

Training Tip: Correct a Crabby Loper

Until they’ve been taught to move forward off a gentle squeeze of your legs, some horses get crabby when asked to lope, especially those cold-blooded, lazier types. If your horse kicks up or crow hops when you ask him to lope and you feel it is more than you can ride through, do a One […]

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Training Tips
May 24, 2016

Training Tip: Curb Eating on the Trail

If you have a horse that’s too busy eyeing up his next meal on the trail rather than paying attention to you, use these steps to regain control. 1) A horse can only think about one thing at a time. He’s either got his attention on you or on his next snack. As soon as […]

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Training Tips
May 17, 2016

Training Tip: Fix the Cause, not the Symptoms

The majority of horse “problems” (such as bucking, rearing, biting and pawing) aren’t really problems at all; they are really just symptoms of a cause. Ninety-five percent of all the problems you will ever have to deal with as a horse owner will fix themselves if you do the groundwork and earn your horse’s respect. […]

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Training Tips
May 10, 2016

Training Tip: De-Worming Tip

Most people have trouble de-worming their horses because of the way they approach the horse. They sneak up to the horse and then jam the syringe in his mouth, which makes the horse defensive. Teach your horse to willingly accept de-wormer by desensitizing him with the de-wormer and teaching him to associate it with feeling […]

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Training Tips
May 3, 2016

Training Tip: Spooking on the Trail

From time to time, your horse is going to spook at objects on the trail. Having a fail-safe approach to handling a spook and remaining in control of the situation will make the incident a minor inconvenience rather than a ride-ruiner and will provide an opportunity to train your horse and make him a better […]

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Training Tips
April 26, 2016

Training Tip: Drawn to the Arena Gate

All horses have what I like to call magnets–objects they are naturally drawn to. Magnets can be things like the barn or other horses in the arena or pasture. A common magnet for horses, especially horses ridden mainly in arenas is the arena gate. Horses are drawn to arena gates because the gate leads to […]

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Training Tips
April 19, 2016

Training Tip: School ‘Em and Fool ‘Em

Horses are smart enough to know when they can chump us and when they can’t. For example, more than likely, if your horse spooked at an object when you were riding him at home, you’d immediately correct him and solve the problem. However, when we’re at a show and we’re being judged, most of us […]

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Training Tips
April 12, 2016

Training Tip: A Horse That Plays With the Bit

It’s very normal for young horses to mouth and play with the bit. They’re 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 the mecate bridle so the horse gets used to feeling […]

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Training Tips
April 5, 2016

Training Tip: Safely Bring Your Horse Back to Work

If your horse has had the winter off and you’re ready to get back in the saddle, keep these success tips in mind so that it is a safe and enjoyable experience. The first two sessions you spend with your horse after time off should consist of strictly groundwork. Groundwork is the safest way to […]

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