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Training Tips

Training Tips
August 18, 2015

Training Tip: #1 Desensitizing Rule

Whenever you desensitize your horse to an object, use the Approach and Retreat Method. Build the horse’s confidence by approaching him with the object that scares him and then retreating (taking the object away) when he stands still and relaxes. The number one rule to remember when using the Approach and Retreat Method is to […]

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Training Tips
August 11, 2015

Training Tip: Buddy Sour at Horse Shows

Show environments can be stressful to horses, and it’s not uncommon for horses to buddy up at the showgrounds and then react when taken away from one another. This is especially true when one horse is left at the trailer and the other one is taken away from it. The one left at the trailer […]

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Training Tips
August 4, 2015

Training Tip: Groundwork vs. Riding

I often get asked if when teaching a horse the Fundamentals if you can work on the groundwork and riding exercises at the same time. People often wonder if it’s better to teach all of the groundwork exercises first, and then start to work on the riding exercises. At the ranch, when we get horses […]

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Training Tips
July 28, 2015

Training Tip: Improve a Little Every Day

When you’re working with your horse, remember that you’re not trying to perfect every single lesson every day; you’re just trying to improve each one a little bit. If the horse is doing better today than yesterday, quit – you’ve done your job. It’s time to move on to a new exercise. The worst thing […]

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Training Tips
July 21, 2015

Training Tip: Be a Leader Your Horse Trusts

I don’t mind if my horse gets frightened. What I do mind is when he gets frightened and then takes matters into his own hands. Instead of bolting, bucking or rearing, you want your horse to look to you for guidance. Prove to him that every time he gets worried, panicked and uses the reactive […]

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Training Tips
July 14, 2015

Training Tip: Trailering: One Step at a Time

When you begin to teach the horse to load onto the trailer, the first rule is to completely forget about the trailer. Act like loading the horse onto the trailer is the furthest thing from your mind because the more you think about getting the horse on the trailer, the more you’ll start to act […]

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Training Tips
July 7, 2015

Training Tip: End Training Sessions Positively

Always end a training session on a good note. The last thing you do with your horse today is the first thing he’ll remember tomorrow. So don’t finish a training session with the horse misbehaving or having a bad attitude. If you’re not having any success on a particular exercise and you have to quit […]

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Training Tips
June 30, 2015

Training Tip: Start Your Journey With the Right Horse

When you begin your horsemanship journey, try to pick a horse that will help you learn and will build your confidence as opposed to one that wants to wreck your confidence and intimidate you. I’m a firm believer in the theory that horses teach people, and then people teach horses – in that exact order […]

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Training Tips
June 23, 2015

Training Tip: There’s Only so Much Space Between his Ears

Any horse that has not been trained by human beings only knows how to use the reactive side of his brain. The reactive side of the horse’s brain is what has kept him alive for millions of years. Mother Nature says, “Don’t think – run!” So horses are naturally born with a big reactive side […]

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Training Tips
June 16, 2015

Training Tip: Sometimes You Have to Increase Pressure

Most people want to start with a low amount of pressure, which is great, but when their horse ignores them, or doesn’t move his feet, they don’t increase the pressure. It’s important that you first ask the horse to respond with the lightest amount of pressure possible because a horse will never get any lighter […]

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