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Training Tips

Training Tips
December 31, 2013

Training Tip: Going In Reverse 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 […]

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Training Tips
December 24, 2013

Training Tip: Horses Don’t Have Hard Mouths

  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
December 17, 2013

Training Tip: Teach Vertical Flexion With The Hot Potato Give

  The first step to teaching a horse how to collect is to teach him to give to the bit, period. Always start at the standstill, and then progress through the gaits as the horse understands. The ultimate goal is collection, but in the beginning, it is just a soft feel. When you first pick […]

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Training Tips
December 10, 2013

Training Tip: Keep Your Horse Guessing

  You always want your horse thinking, “What’s next?” If you constantly keep him guessing about what you’ll ask him to do, he’ll be forced to tune into you. That means mixing up your training sessions so you don’t practice the same exercises in the same order. It also means that you’re conscious of being […]

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Training Tips
December 3, 2013

Training Tip: Have A Speedy Horse? Test Your Control At Home

  If your horse has a tendency to race ahead when you’re riding in a group, here’s a way to teach him to relax. Find a controlled environment like an arena or a large pasture and enlist the help of a friend on horseback. Start at the walk and ride side by side, about 15 […]

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Training Tips
November 26, 2013

Training Tip: Be Mindful Of Yourself To Curb Anticipation In Your Horse

  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 […]

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Training Tips
November 12, 2013

Training Tip: Horse Overreacts To Other Horses On The Trail

  It’s common for horses to get excited when they see other horses on the trail. Anytime a horse starts to use the reactive side of his brain and it feels like you’re losing control, redirect his energy in a positive way. When a horse uses the reactive side of his brain, the only way […]

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Training Tips
November 5, 2013

Training Tip: Hold The Soft Feel Longer

  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 […]

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Training Tips
October 29, 2013

Training Tip: Choose Your Horse’s First Trail Wisely

  When you ride your horse outside for the first time, I’ve found that it is best if you can give him a path to follow so that you can just put some steady miles under his feet. Ideally, I like to take my horses out on a wide dirt road where I can walk, […]

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Training Tips
October 22, 2013

Training Tip: The Concept Lesson

  When you first teach a horse something, it’s a concept lesson. In the concept lesson, your goal is to get the general idea of the lesson across to the horse. When you first ask a horse to do something, he won’t automatically know what to do. In fact, he’s probably going to do everything […]

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