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Training Tips
April 23, 2013

Training Tip: Are you teaching your horse to have fidgety feet when mounting?

  A horse that constantly moves around when you go to slip your foot in the stirrup is not only frustrating, but potentially dangerous. A respectful horse stands quietly while you mount and waits for your cue to move off once you’re situated in the saddle. When most people come to me with mounting troubles, […]

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Training Tips
April 9, 2013

Training Tip: Approach and Retreat Over Obstacles

  Most horses will try to stop and back away from an unfamiliar object initially because they’re nervous and unsure of the situation. If you think your horse is going to stop in nine steps, stop him in eight steps. Then back him away from the object using the Outback Exercise – wiggle the rope […]

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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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