We’re excited to announce that Downunder Horsemanship has become a corporate partner of the National Reining Horse Association. NRHA is a worldwide organization dedicated to the promotion of the reining horse and the sport of reining. Clinton has been a longtime supporter of the NRHA as a member, competitor, breeder and owner, and sees the […]
Training Tip of the Week: Mouthy horse tip: Make the horse correct himself.
A great way to get a mouthy horse to stop his unwanted behavior is to make him think he’s punishing himself. For example, a lot of young horses like weanlings or yearlings get mouthy. They’ll come up to you and start nibbling on the sleeve of your shirt or your jeans. If your horse […]
Training Tip of the Week: Be realistic of an older horse’s capabilities
It’s never too late to train a horse to be a respectful, responsive and safe partner. However, before you begin working with an older horse, keep in mind that you have to be realistic of his capabilities. What I mean by that is there’s no doubt you can earn his respect and establish yourself […]
A backstage pass to Clinton’s Confidence Clinic taught at the Downunder Horsemanship Ranch this spring is on tap for the September NWC DVD. The camera follows club members through the clinic, sharing their initial struggles and successes as they gain more confidence and start the journey of a rewarding and enjoyable partnership with their horses. […]
Training Tip of the Week: Stopping a horse from kicking in the trailer.
Remember that horses are prey animals and when made to go in tight, narrow spaces – like 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 […]
Great horses are hard to come by and it’s even rarer to find one that passes their legacy onto their offspring. Clinton considers himself lucky to have found both of those qualities in Princess In Diamonds, a 1998 buckskin mare by Shining Spark out of Eyed Be A Princess. Clinton bought Princess as an […]
Training Tip of the Week: Stopping a Grass-Snatcher
A horse can only think about one thing at a time. He’s either got his attention on you or on his next snack. If you’re walking down the trail and your horse grabs a mouthful of grass, he’s obviously not thinking about you.
Training Tip of the Week: Sweeten up your arena sour horse
When you’re working with an arena-sour horse, don’t think, “How can I make the horse get in the arena?” Think, “How can I make it uncomfortable for him not to go in the arena?” You’ll do that by working the horse hard where he wants to be (outside the arena) and letting him rest […]
Training Tip of the Week: Don’t let your foal get pushy.
Letting foals get pushy and dominant is the biggest mistake I see people make with young horses. Someone will raise a foal in their backyard and treat him like a big dog. That’s all well and good when the foal is little. When he rears up, nibbles your clothes, kicks out or squeals and […]
Clinton and the Downunder Horsemanship production crew are in Riverton, Wyoming this week shooting a television show with the Wyoming Honor Farm, a minimum custody facility for male offenders that is part of the Wyoming Department of Corrections. Through its Wild Horse Training Program the Honor Farm puts prisoners in charge of training wild mustangs […]