If you don’t make it a habit to clean and oil your horse’s bit on a regular basis, more than likely, it’s caked with crud — pieces of dried hay and grass and whatever else might be in your horse’s mouth. Depending on the type of bit you have, or how long you’ve neglected it, […]
Fundamentals With Phoenix: How to Train Your Human
Lesson 5: Intimidation is Your Friend Whenever you find yourself around humans, imagine that there’s a four-foot circle drawn around you. For a lack of a better term, we’ll refer to it as our personal hula hoop space (I may have heard that somewhere before?). It’s like an invisible electric fence designed to keep your […]
Training Tip: Get Experience With as Many Horses as You Can
If you have a desire to be a great horseman, I encourage you to ride not only as many horses as you can, but a variety of horses. Otherwise, you run the risk of fooling yourself into thinking your horsemanship skills are well-rounded. No two horses have the same personality, move the same or react […]
“Ian Francis used to tell me, ‘Training a horse is all about putting him in a mental or physical bind and allowing him to figure out the puzzle.’ The only way the horse can work on figuring out the puzzle is if he’s using the thinking side of his brain and is relaxed. If a […]
When it comes to selecting tack and training equipment for his horses, Clinton is adamant about investing in quality products. He carries that same belief over into the products he offers for sale, ensuring each piece passes his expectations for quality and performance. All of the Downunder Horsemanship reins are hand crafted at the ranch […]
Fundamentals With Phoenix: How to Train Your Human
Lesson 4: Baby Got Back Quarter Horse, Thoroughbred, Mustang, Akhal-Teke, Spotted Saddle Horse … no matter our breeding, we all of share the same super power and when it’s fully locked into position, it’s an unmatched force for a human. I’m talking about our hindquarters. It’s where all of our power comes from, and we […]
Training Tip: Add Variety to Your Training Sessions by Incorporating Objects Around the Barn
When it comes to training your horse, your imagination is your greatest tool. The more creative you can be in your lessons, the more interested your horse will be in his job. You’ve heard me say, “Consistency is your greatest ally and inconsistency is your greatest enemy.” And that’s absolutely true.
A new contest that focuses on setting and achieving horsemanship goals in the Method is up and running for No Worries Club members! A Method Ambassador will judge the entries, picking first place, second place and third place winners. Our winners will receive gift cards to the Downunder Horsemanship e-store, ranging from $100 to $50! […]
The verbal cue “whoa” should be used for one thing and one thing only – to tell a horse to stop. When a rider says, “whoa,” their horse should stop immediately. In a bonus clip to the third training session in the Performance Horses: Reined Cow Horses series, Clinton shares why it’s important to not […]
Problem Solving: What to do When Your Horse Won’t Move Forward
Have you ever been on a trail ride when your horse stopped in the middle of the trail and refused to move forward? Or, maybe he started backing up, refusing to take a step forward down the trail? A horse that suddenly stops and runs backwards usually does it for one of two reasons. “He […]