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Training Tips

Training Tips
September 8, 2015

Training Tip: Calling Out to Other Horses

Oftentimes, busy-minded horses are guilty of sending shrill whinnies up and down the trail, hoping to hear a response from another horse. From nervous whinnies to deep neighs, horses’ voices carry very well, which can attract a lot of unwanted attention. When your horse whinnies, he’s telling you in big bold letters that his attention […]

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Training Tips
September 1, 2015

Training Tip: Kicking in the Trailer

Because horses are prey animals, when they are made to go in tight, narrow spaces – such as a trailer – it’s natural for them to feel trapped and claustrophobic. When a horse feels trapped and claustrophobic and his ability to run and move his feet is taken away from him, his only other option […]

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Training Tips
August 25, 2015

Training Tip: There is No Such Thing as a Magic Bit

Bring up the topic of bits around horse people and you’re sure to enter into a conversation that’ll turn into a heated debate ranging from one end of the spectrum (you need a different bit for every horse in your barn and every situation you ride them in) to the other (only a cruel barbarian […]

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Training Tips
August 18, 2015

Training Tip: #1 Desensitizing Rule

Whenever you desensitize your horse to an object, use the Approach and Retreat Method. Build the horse’s confidence by approaching him with the object that scares him and then retreating (taking the object away) when he stands still and relaxes. The number one rule to remember when using the Approach and Retreat Method is to […]

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Training Tips
August 11, 2015

Training Tip: Buddy Sour at Horse Shows

Show environments can be stressful to horses, and it’s not uncommon for horses to buddy up at the showgrounds and then react when taken away from one another. This is especially true when one horse is left at the trailer and the other one is taken away from it. The one left at the trailer […]

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Training Tips
August 4, 2015

Training Tip: Groundwork vs. Riding

I often get asked if when teaching a horse the Fundamentals if you can work on the groundwork and riding exercises at the same time. People often wonder if it’s better to teach all of the groundwork exercises first, and then start to work on the riding exercises. At the ranch, when we get horses […]

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Training Tips
July 28, 2015

Training Tip: 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
July 21, 2015

Training Tip: Be a Leader Your Horse Trusts

I don’t mind if my horse gets frightened. What I do mind is when he gets frightened and then takes matters into his own hands. Instead of bolting, bucking or rearing, you want your horse to look to you for guidance. Prove to him that every time he gets worried, panicked and uses the reactive […]

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Training Tips
July 14, 2015

Training Tip: Trailering: One Step at a Time

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
July 7, 2015

Training Tip: End Training Sessions Positively

Always end a training session on a good note. The last thing you do with your horse today is the first thing he’ll remember tomorrow. So don’t finish a training session with the horse misbehaving or having a bad attitude. If you’re not having any success on a particular exercise and you have to quit […]

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