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Training Tips

Training Tips
September 3, 2024

Training Tip: Horse Backs Up When Asked to Go Forward

Question: I have a Tennessee Walker that is used mainly for trail. When I ask him to stand, he will stop and then he proceeds to back without me asking him to. Yesterday, I asked him to move forward on the trail and he gave me a few bunny hops before finally moving forward. He […]

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Training Tips
August 27, 2024

Training Tip: Be Patient With Your Horse

One of the best ways to train your horse to be a calm, respectful and responsive partner on the trail is to never pass up a training opportunity. When you ride your horse outside the arena, there will be plenty of opportunities to expose him to new objects and reinforce old lessons. In this short […]

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Training Tips
August 20, 2024

Training Tip: Gaining a Horse’s Trust

Question: Have you ever had a horse come to you with trust issues about you getting on them? I’m working with a horse that doesn’t trust anyone getting up in the saddle. I guess the previous owner abused her. What can I do to gain her trust so that she knows that I’m not going […]

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Training Tips
August 13, 2024

Training Tip: Confronting Unfamiliar Objects With Your Horse, Pt 1

One of the things I love most about riding my horses outside the arena is exposing them to an uncontrolled environment. The arena is what I call a controlled environment. You’ve got four walls around you and everything inside those four walls stays pretty much the same.

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Training Tips
August 6, 2024

Training Tip: Help for a Spooky Rope Horse

Question: I have a mare that’s scared of everything. I cow horse and rope on her. I can’t carry a horn wrap on her because she’ll try and run off.

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Training Tips
July 30, 2024

Training Tip: Exercises Your Horse Should Know for Trail Riding

Before taking your horse on the trail, he should know the entire Fundamentals Series. That ensures he respects you as his leader, he knows how to use the thinking side of his brain, and you have control of his feet. When you head out to the trail, you’re no longer in a controlled environment like […]

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Training Tips
July 23, 2024

Training Tip: Colt Bolts Backwards With a Rider

Question: I sent my colt off to get started by a local trainer. While they did ride my horse, they didn’t trot or lope him. He was just ridden in the roundpen and eventually in a large arena at the walk. Now, when I attempt to get in the saddle, as soon as I lift […]

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Training Tips
July 9, 2024

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 Answer: When she runs backwards, go with her. Point up in the air in the direction you want her to move […]

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Training Tips
July 2, 2024

Training Tip: Does Your Horse Have Magnets or Anticipate?

When you take your well-behaved arena-trained horse on the trail for the first time or if trail riding isn’t a regular occurrence, you’ll likely be surprised about how distracted he is outside the arena. Maybe he keeps trying to turn around and gallop back to the barn. Or he sees other horses up ahead on […]

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Training Tips
June 25, 2024

Training Tip: Using Draw Reins to Train Your Horse

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 […]

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