Horses are naturally cautious of the world around them. As a prey animal, their flight or fight instinct – their ability to flee a perceived danger or stay and fight for their lives – has served them well. It can make working around your horse tricky unless you know how to successfully communicate with him […]
Training Tip: Canter With Confidence: Practice With the Right Horse
When you’re learning to ride, it’s normal to be apprehensive about cantering your horse. Getting comfortable and confident riding your horse’s three-beat gait takes practice. You can master the canter by setting yourself up for success with these tips.
Question: I recently put sideline hobbles on Tanzy, my 4-year-old mare. She freaked out. She ran backwards as best as she could, snatched her legs out from under herself, fell down, etc.
Training Tip: Canter With Confidence: Sit in the Saddle Correctly
At some point, all equestrians experience the unsettling feeling of riding the canter. Getting comfortable and confident riding your horse’s three-beat gait takes practice. You can master the canter by setting yourself up for success..
Training Tip: Horse Refuses to Go Over Obstacles but Isn’t Scared of Them
Question: My 7-year-old horse does not want to go over the bridge or through the water box in her western trail class. She is not scared. She just refuses to go over them.
Training Tip: Canter With Confidence: Use Correctly Fitted Tack
If your confidence abandons you when it comes to cantering your horse, don’t fear! You’re not alone and your feelings are completely normal. I was leery of cantering when I first started riding horses, too.
Training Tip: Overcoming a Horse’s Ingrained Bucking Habit
Question: I bought my horse Hank, a 4-year-old Quarter Horse, last fall, and he had a good start. I was told he could be a little cinchy and he had bucked before but he “was honest about it.” I found that he had some holes in his training—he was not soft enough, was a little […]
Learn How to Handle a Horse That Stops and Rolls on the Ground During a Ride
A horse that lies down and rolls while you’re riding him is very dangerous. “If you’re not quick enough to get out of the saddle, he can crush you and seriously injure you,” Clinton warns. Horses most often lie down during rides when they get hot and sweaty and want to roll in the sand […]
Training Tip: Why You Should Teach Your Horse to Sidepass
Sidepassing is a useful way to get better control of the horse’s five body parts (head and neck, poll, shoulders, ribcage and hindquarters). Anytime you can get your horse to move laterally, you’ll encourage him to use the thinking side of his brain. Remember, the secret to earning your horse’s respect and getting him to […]
Question: I have a 4-year-old Arabian that I recently purchased. My problem is I can’t catch him. He has lots of energy and takes off running across the pasture any time I try to catch him. I understand the concept of working with him in the roundpen to get his respect, but how can I […]