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Training Tips

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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Training Tips
June 18, 2024

Training Tip: How Well Does Your Horse Cruise Outside of the Arena?

As far as I’m concerned, if a horse can’t maintain the gait and speed his rider sets him at on a loose rein—in an arena or out of it—he’s sorry-broke. When you can’t get a horse to move forward consistently without micromanaging him, there’s very little you can accomplish with him. One of the exercises […]

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Training Tips
June 11, 2024

Training Tip: Recognize When a Horse is a Bad Match for You

Question: I have a 4-year-old Quarter Horse/Arab cross I was given for free and was told he was only a little green. Later, I found out that he has been on a dogger’s truck two times, so really I know nothing about his backstory. He is starting to rear up, and the farrier won’t touch […]

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Training Tips
June 4, 2024

Training Tip: How Well Does Your Emergency Handbrake Work?

Anytime you feel as if your horse is out of control, you should be able to slide your hand down one rein and immediately bring him to a stop. Teaching your horse how to do a One Rein Stop is like having a big red emergency button on your saddle horn that you can push […]

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