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Training Tips

Training Tips
January 5, 2021

Training Tip: A Bit or Hackamore?

Q: I’m ready to start riding my horse. Should I use a bit to begin with or do you recommend I use a hackamore? – Kathy C.  A: I like to ride all of my colts in a hackamore during their first 10 to 15 rides because it gives them a chance to learn how […]

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Training Tips
December 29, 2020

Training Tip: Have a Plan for When Your Horse Spooks

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
December 22, 2020

Training Tip: Horses That Check Out at Competition

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
December 15, 2020

Training Tip: Horses That Run Through a One Rein Stop

Here’s a scenario that’s common for a lot of riders: They’re riding their horse on the trail and the horse spooks and takes off. When they do a One Rein Stop to regain control of the situation, the horse bends his head to the side, but keeps running sideways. When you do a One Rein […]

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Training Tips
December 8, 2020

Training Tip: Having Trouble With Your Horse?

The main thing to understand when dealing with a problem horse is that if you want your horse’s behavior to change, you have to be willing to change the way you interact with him. You also have to be willing to put in the time necessary to work with him. People ask me all the […]

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Training Tips
December 1, 2020

Training Tip: Look for Your Horse to 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
November 24, 2020

Training Tip: Building Your Horse’s Confidence About Trailering

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
November 17, 2020

Training Tip: Partner 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
November 10, 2020

Training Tip: Increase Pressure as Needed When Training Your Horse

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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Training Tips
November 3, 2020

Training Tip: Don’t Nag Your Horse

Nagging a horse, constantly pecking at him without getting a result or failing to reward him for correct behavior, only teaches him to be resentful and dull. Imagine you’re sitting at your desk at work and a co-worker comes up behind you and starts tapping your shoulder. No matter how you respond, they keep tapping […]

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