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Training Tips

Training Tips
March 19, 2013

Training Tip: Teach your horse vertical flexion at the canter on a circle

  I’ve found that introducing vertical flexion at the canter to a horse on a circle makes it easier for him to catch on to the lesson rather than cantering in straight lines because it automatically puts some lateral bend in his body. Anytime you add speed to a horse’s feet, his resistance to pressure […]

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Training Tips
March 12, 2013

Training Tip: Practice approaching your horse quickly

  Horses are naturally frightened of being approached quickly because they’re prey animals. When you run up to your horse or approach him in a quick manner, you’re acting very much like a predator. I teach all of my horses the Intermediate exercise Run Up and Rub, so I can run up to the horse […]

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Training Tips
March 5, 2013

Training Tip: Whoever moves first, loses

  Horses establish dominance by being able to move each other’s feet. The most dominant horse in a herd can make all the other horses move their feet forwards, backwards, left and right. Horses use that same principle when they are around us. Anytime you can move your horse’s feet forwards, backwards, left and right, […]

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Training Tips
February 26, 2013

Training Tip: Gain control of your horse’s front end with Yield the Forequarters

  Control of your horse’s forequarters equals control of his direction of movement. Think of your horse’s head and neck like his steering wheel. The better control you can get of his steering wheel, the more responsive he’ll be and the more respect he’ll have for you.

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Training Tips
February 12, 2013

Training Tip: Avoid these common pitfalls of a Barbarian: Part 2

  Avoid these mistakes to keep from acting like a Barbarian when training your horse. Barbarians lack a sense of feel and timing and try to force their horses to respond, which often results in the horses being fearful and reactive. No FeelFeel – knowing how much pressure to apply, takes time and experience to […]

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Training Tips
February 5, 2013

Training Tip: Avoid these common pitfalls of a Barbarian: Part 1

  Avoid these mistakes to keep from acting like a Barbarian when training your horse. Barbarians lack a sense of feel and timing and try to force their horses to respond, which often results in the horses being fearful and reactive. Lack of KnowledgeFrustration begins where knowledge ends. The more knowledgeable you are, the more […]

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Training Tips
January 29, 2013

Training Tip: Help your horse stay stumble-free

  If your horse is stumbling during your rides, keep these points in mind to make sure you’re not accidentally causing the problem. (Of course, if your horse is stumbling, first rule out that it isn’t being caused by a physical or health related problem by consulting with your veterinarian.) Stay balanced in the saddle. […]

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Training Tips
December 11, 2012

Training Tip of the Week: Why you should tie your horse up

  Tying a horse up for long periods of time accomplishes many important things in your training. I have a little saying, “End each training session by tying your horse up to the ‘Tree or Post of Knowledge.’” When you tie your horse up after a training session, it teaches him not only respect and […]

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Training Tips
December 4, 2012

Training Tip of the Week: Use Squeeze, Cluck and Spank to stop a grass-snatcher.

  If your horse stops at a patch of clover and refuses to move, even if you’re bumping him on the sides, he’s telling you you’re being ineffective and you need to get more aggressive. Remember to use Squeeze, Cluck and Spank. Squeeze the horse with the calves of your legs to get him to […]

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Training Tips
November 27, 2012

Training Tip of the Week: Hard-to-catch horse tip: Use the halter as a desensitizing tool.

  Most horses balk at the sight of their owner coming to the pasture with halter in hand because more than likely, they’re going to be taken to the barn, thrown in the cross-ties and saddled up. It doesn’t take long for horses to associate the halter with hard work and sweat. You need to […]

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