Training Tip: Ask Clinton: Giving a Horse Confidence
Q: I am struggling with my older horse that is losing his confidence. Do you have any recommendations for me to get him back on track? I ride him about two to three times per week, and do some arena work but I mostly trail ride. When he is feeling insecure, I can talk him […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]