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Training Tips

Training Tips
November 14, 2017

Training Tip: Great Trail Horses Aren’t Born; They’re Trained

The biggest misconception about trail riding, in my opinion, is that people think that every horse should be a good trail horse. Most people think, “Surely if he’s a good riding horse in the arena, he’ll make a great trail horse.” That couldn’t be further from the truth. The number one thing I want you […]

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Training Tips
November 7, 2017

Training Tip: Ask Clinton: 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
October 31, 2017

Training Tip: Foundation is Everything

The Fundamentals, the first level of the Method, is the level where, through a series of groundwork and riding exercises, you earn your horse’s respect and trust and prove yourself to be the leader in your relationship. Horses are great followers if you are a great leader. Think of it as the foundation of a […]

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Training Tips
October 24, 2017

Training Tip: Ditch Being Predictable

Predators are very predictable – they do the same thing every day. Think about yourself. What do you do every morning when you get up?

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Training Tips
October 17, 2017

Training Tip: Personal Space and Safety

The safety category of respect refers to your personal hula hoop space. This space is a 4-foot circle that surrounds you and serves as your safety zone. Whenever you are working with a horse, always imagine that there’s a four foot circle drawn around you—almost like an invisible electric fence. Unless you invite the horse […]

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Training Tips
October 10, 2017

Training Tip: When Your Horse Spooks, be a Leader

When they’re on the trail, a lot of people put their horse on a big, loose rein and let their mind wander or gab with friends. They put their horse on what I call “autopilot” – he’s left on his own, which for a lot of horses means they go down the trail constantly looking […]

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Training Tips
October 3, 2017

Training Tip: Why Getting Two Eyes is Important

I have a saying: Two eyes are always better than two heels. If I want to teach you something, I need you to give me your eyes and your attention. If you’re looking out the window and staring at the people walking on the sidewalk or the cars going by on the street, all the […]

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Training Tips
September 26, 2017

Training Tip: Beat Fear

When a horse respects you as a leader and uses the thinking side of his brain rather than the reactive side, you can stop worrying about getting hurt or not being able to handle a dangerous situation. Horses are big animals, and it’s only natural to be scared of them. A lot of people come […]

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Training Tips
September 12, 2017

Training Tip: Symptoms of a Cause

The majority of horse “problems” aren’t really problems at all; they are really just symptoms of a cause. Ninety-five percent of all the problems you will ever have to deal with as a horse owner will fix themselves if you do the groundwork and earn your horse’s respect. Most people think that their horse’s problem […]

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Training Tips
September 9, 2017

Training Tip: Keep it Simple

It wasn’t until I started attending clinics and apprenticing under Australian horseman, Gordon McKinlay, that I realized that horses are just like humans – they don’t learn perfectly. When you first introduce a new lesson to a horse, he’s going to get confused, frustrated and maybe even agitated or nervous. And you know what? That’s […]

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