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Training Tips

Training Tips
April 11, 2017

Training Tip: Take Your Horse’s Experience into Account

Be smart about the trails you take your horse on, being sure to take his experience, your experience and the type of trail into account. For example, if you’re taking your horse out on the trail for the first time, I recommend riding in an open area where you have plenty of room to move […]

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Training Tips
April 4, 2017

Training Tip: When it Feels Good, Quit

Vertical flexion is something that you’ll build on with each give. First the horse has to understand that when you pick up on the reins and apply pressure with your legs he needs to maintain whatever gait he’s in and give to the pressure. As soon as he understands that concept, then you can ask […]

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Training Tips
March 28, 2017

Training Tip: Incorporate Everyday Objects Into Your Training Program

When it comes to training your horse, your imagination is your greatest tool. The more creative you can be in your lessons, the more interested your horse will be in his job. You’ve heard me say, “Consistency is your greatest ally and inconsistency is your greatest enemy.” And that’s absolutely true.

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Training Tips
March 21, 2017

Training Tip: Are You Tipping Your Horse Off?

If you’re having trouble with your horse getting ahead of you, stop and assess the situation. Without realizing it, you may be unintentionally giving your horse “pre-cues” to a maneuver. When I was riding Mindy regularly, I had to be very careful of this. Because she was so in tune to me after 13 years […]

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Training Tips
March 7, 2017

Training Tip: Teaching a Horse to Back Up Under Saddle

When I introduce backing up to a horse, I always start by yielding the horse’s hindquarters first and then asking the horse to back up a step. By yielding the horse’s hindquarters, you’re putting energy in his feet and then just redirecting it backwards. Think about it like this – what’s the hardest part about […]

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Training Tips
February 28, 2017

Training Tip: Don’t be Greedy

When you first teach a horse something, it’s a concept lesson. From there, you’ll work on perfecting the exercise. Each time you work with the horse, you’ll look for a little more improvement.

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Training Tips
February 21, 2017

Training Tip: A Soft Mouth Comes From a Soft Body

People often complain to me about their horse leaning against the bit and pulling on the reins. “He has a hard mouth, Clinton. How do I fix him?” they’ll ask.

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Training Tips
February 14, 2017

Training Tip: Incorporate Waiting Periods into Your Training

If you want your horse to wait for your cues and be patient, you have to practice. Whatever you practice with your horse is what he gets good at. I literally include periods of waiting into my training sessions.

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Training Tips
February 7, 2017

Training Tip: Always Bring Your Horse Back to the Barn Relaxed

Let the horse walk the last hundred feet or so of the ride so that he returns to the barn relaxed. You don’t want him running back to the barn thinking that the faster he gets there the sooner you’ll get off his back. The best saying when working with a horse is, “A tired […]

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Training Tips
January 31, 2017

Training Tip: How Collection Begins

The key to getting true collection isn’t in the horse’s head and neck, but rather from his withers on back. It’s about creating impulsion and then driving that energy from the horse’s back end to his front end. But, there’s no point in driving that energy forward if the horse doesn’t know how to give […]

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