https://youtu.be/yOzAmxCCPxY In the past, I've addressed lunging in the classical style using a bit and side reins. However, some people expressed an interest in learning how to lunge without a…
As aspiring equestrians, we love to talk about collection. I talk about it quite a bit on this blog. But there seems to be one factor that most people overlook…
Self-carriage is a vital part of achieving true collection. It is the ability of the horse to maintain its frame, rhythm, speed, and balance without the rider having to micromanage…
Correction vs. Preemption: What is the difference?
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In horse training, there is a distinct difference between correcting a mistake and preempting a mistake. Too often, as equestrians, we find ourselves instinctually preempting mistakes before the horse has…
With all this "natural horsemanship" that has been a growing trend, people just love to desensitize their horses to death. They think that because their horse can stand there quietly…
Creating Relaxation Stage 3: Lunging with Side Reins
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Lunging with side reins is the next step of the process for creating relaxation. Lunging is a commonly misunderstood exercise. It is often viewed as a way to run the…
Scroll down to the bottom of the page for a video demo of teaching long and low on the ground. Stage 2 of the Creating Relaxation series starts teaching long…
UPDATE: Scroll down to the bottom of the page for a video demo of releasing the jaw. Relaxation is the key to collection. However, there is a key component of…
Many people will tell you that building up your horse's topline is important for proper movement and collection. This is true. However, not all of them know the physiological benefits…
Do you have problems with picking up leads? Dropping leads? Lopsided circles? A horse that is heavy on the forehand? Do you know what all these problems have in common?…
The concept of impulsion was briefly touched upon in my article on the Classical Training Pyramid. However, this vital building block of collection deserves a more in depth discussion. If…
A strong topline is vital to any horse's training. A strong topline helps ensure correct saddle fit, long term soundness, and overall ability to perform demanding physical tasks. Some people…
Uses for the Counter Arc The counter arc is often used by trainers to correct a horse with a tendency to drop his shoulder. It is an especially important tool…
Have you ever wondered what qualities set the best riders and trainers apart from the rest? Unfortunately there is no magic formula, however, there are some common habits that highly…
We've already discussed the common types of boarding available in many areas, but choosing what type of boarding is best for your horse is only the beginning of the process.…
Riding inside leg to outside rein is one of the foundation exercises of classical dressage. Really, it should be the foundation for any discipline. It is a vital component that…
You've probably heard about pressure and release training at some point. It's become all the rage with this "natural horsemanship" movement. However, this is a very misunderstood method of training.…
So often we forget that horses are non-verbal creatures. We teach them verbal commands like walk, trot, canter, and whoa. However, responding to verbal commands goes against their nature. In…
Softness is a key part of collection in any discipline. There are many exercises and theories behind creating a soft mouth in your horse. However, softness is not…
Last year I did an article on dealing with chronic illness as an equestrian. This was inspired by my own struggles with severe asthma and epilepsy. However, I recently got…
Neck reining is one of the most misunderstood arts in horse riding, second only to collection. The very name itself is misleading enough to make you wonder who on…
Selling a horse can be a tumultuous experience. As a continuation of Tuesday's article A Beginner's Guide to Horse Selling, here are a few red flags to avoid setting…
Deciding to sell your horse is a difficult decision. There are many different reasons why you might decide to go through with it. Often, this decision has to do…
Buying a horse can be an overwhelming experience for first time horse buyers. As a continuation of Tuesday's article A Beginner's Guide to Horse Shopping, here are a few…
It is easier than ever to shop for a horse online. Thousands of horses are listed for sale on all kinds of websites--some more reputable than others. With so many…
Open a Gate While Mounted: A Step-by-Step Training Guide
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Learning to open a gate while mounted has many uses. Whether you just want to make use of the skill around the farm or need the maneuver for pattern classes,…
The concept of rhythm was briefly touched upon in my article on the Classical Training Pyramid. However, this deserves a more in depth discussion as as rhythm -- or takt…
Bolting is one of the most terrifying habits for a horse to develop as well as one of the most dangerous. Anyone who has ever had the misfortune of riding…
In horse training we talk a lot about horses' need for consistency. However, their need for consistency is too often mistaken for a need for repetition. There is a…
You probably hear a lot about desensitization in horse training. It is a common approach used to acclimate horses to strange objects and environments. The most common application of this…
One of the governing principles of classical dressage is the training pyramid. It lays out the roadmap for the entirety of the horse's training journey from very first day…
Lateral flexion is a bit of a hot topic in horse training. Most people know it is necessary to achieve softness in the bridle, but too many people do not…
Softness is something that most equestrians strive for. Softness is the bridle, through the rib cage, moving off your leg, responding to your aids. It is vital to putting a…
Does your horse constantly drop his inside shoulder in a turn? This is a common problem in all disciplines, but it is a particularly pervasive problem in barrel racing. The…
Rearing is every rider's nightmare. The biggest fear for most riders when a horse rears is that they will flip over backwards. This is a legitimate concern for some…
Bucking the System: Mechanics and Prevention of Bucking
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Bucking is arguably the most dangerous behavior a horse can develop. It can quickly become a habit if not addressed immediately. But, before you can understand how to stop your…
The circle is the basis for so many pattern classes in the show ring today. It seems like such a simple maneuver, but creating a perfect circle really is…
We've talked several times now about the importance of consistency. Horses are creatures of habit. This is why we use set cues to ask for certain behaviors. This may seem…
Spirals are a very valuable exercise for any discipline. They really help with shoulder and rib cage control. Spirals test a horse's balance and collection. They can be done at…
The Intelligence Factor: Are Horses Really as Simple-minded as We Think?
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There seems to be a lot of misconceptions about equine intelligence. A common comment I hear about horses is "oh, they've got a brain the size of a walnut, they…
Lead Changes: The Secrets to Successful Flying and Simple Changes
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Lead changes are a vital component of all disciplines; from dressage to barrel racing, show jumping to reining. Every discipline aspires to perfect this seemingly simple maneuver. What are…
What does it mean for a horse to have a good handle?
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It is fairly common in the western industry to hear trainers remark about what a "good handle" a horse has. Many newcomers to the industry get confused by this statement…
The leg yield is perhaps the single most important maneuver you will ever teach your horse. The leg yield forms the basis for every other lateral movement from the sidepass…
Last week we discussed conditioning your horse after a layoff. But, just as important as horse fitness is rider fitness. No matter what level of exercise you maintained during the…
Many horses are not kept in consistent work over winter. This, of course, leads to a lack of fitness and muscle tone that must be taken into account when starting…
Last week we started the discussion of synthetic vs natural materials by addressing the issue of saddle pads and cinches. Today we will address the pros and cons…
Natural Fibers vs Synthetics: A Guide to Pads and Cinches
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This is a long standing debate in the equine industry: natural fibers vs synthetics. With so many new technologies and synthetic materials being produced every day, the market…
With winter in full swing in the northern hemisphere, riding time is limited. But that just means that you've got more time to clean out that tack room and sort…
Teaching Your Horse to Take Responsibility for His Own Feet
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A few weeks ago, we discussed the dangers of micromanaging and why it is detrimental to your horse's training. However, that discussion raises the question of how do we teach our horses…
In barrel racing there are two kinds of running styles: push style and free runners. They both have their pros and cons. Push style is the more common of the…
You’ve got a wonderfully trained horse. He’s dead broke, bombproof even, if there is such a thing. He listens to your every cue, attentive to the smallest shifts of body…
Transitions are a sticking point for many riders, especially the lope transition. Even if you get everything perfectly set up, asking for a lope transition can often lead to balking,…
The reining spin is a coveted pinnacle of achievement for many amateur western riders, yet if you don’t have access to a reining trainer, it can be difficult to teach…
The roll-back is a vital maneuver for the western showpen, especially for reining and cowhorse class. Fortunately, it is a relatively simple maneuver once you break it down. Prerequisites…
Sidepassing is an important maneuver to master for the western showpen. Many pattern classes – especially ranch horse classes – will ask for sidepassing maneuvers. Sidepassing can be done over…
In classical dressage, there is a concept called long and low, also known as stretching which is used in the very beginning stages of collection to develop a correct topline.…
Collection, the great holy grail of horsemanship. It’s the unicorn many amateur riders spend years of practice and thousands of dollars chasing. In its simplest form, collection is raising the…
No matter your discipline, at some point in the show pen you are going to be asked to halt. The halt is a deceptively simple maneuver that is often overlooked…
Well, our Bits 101 series is finally drawing to a close. It looks like we'll wrap things up with one last post on "specialty" bits. This article does contain affiliate…
Bitless bridles are one of the most controversial points of the horse industry. They can be anything from the traditional vaquero bosal to the increasingly common mechanical hackamore.…
Let’s start with some basic parts of all leverage bits. There are the cheeks, which are made up of the purchase and the shank. Then there is the mouthpiece which…
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Snaffle Bit for Your Horse
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Choosing the right bit is crucial for both the rider's and the horse's comfort and safety. However, selecting the right bit can be overwhelming with so many options available. A…
Common Mistakes That Many Riders Make When Catching a Horse
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Catching is one of the most common problems faced by horse owners. So, if you are struggling with catching your horse, know that you are not alone. Most of us…
This is a direct follow-up to Friday’s article on The Secret to Turning Every Horse Into Your Dream Horse. When you hear a horse labeled as a “rescue,” what is…
Why your horse is the best trainer you will ever have
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As equestrians, we are always (or should always be) on the lookout for good teachers we can learn from. As amateur equestrians though, we don’t always have the resources to…
Clicker training is a controversial topic in the horse world that gained popularity along with the rise of the natural horsemanship movement. Some hail it as a humane way to…
Is “anthropomorphizing” really as dangerous as people say it is?
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Oh yes, I just went there. This is a huge taboo to some people who insist that horses are working animals who should be classified as livestock while others prefer…
This one of the most common questions in the industry: how do I get my horse bombproof? First, I don’t like the term “bombproof.” It implies that a horse will…
There are many different philosophies out there about how to “pattern” a horse on barrels or poles. One prevalent method that I see a lot though is what I refer…
So far, I have kept most of my blogging focused on the horses. However, given my current struggles with seizures, I think this is a good time to address the…
Why being on the forehand is detrimental to your horse
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Last week we discussed the importance of knowing the ‘why’ behind everything you do with your horse. Here is an important ‘why’ that is sometimes skipped over because so many…
1 Exercise To Collect the Trot and Extend the Walk
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For some riders, getting that collected western trot and a forward walk that doesn’t look like the horse is wading through molasses is a constant battle. I have found that…
The Difference Between a Breast Collar and a Pulling Collar
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The pulling collar is popular among working ranchers and ropers as a practical tack choice. The have also been gaining popularity along with AQHA’s new ranch horse pleasure class as…
This may seem like such a small and insignificant exercise, but it far more important than many people realize. Too often I see people who need someone to hold…
Animals are widely considered to be therapeutic for humans, but none so much as the horse. Physical Therapy There are many therapeutic riding programs throughout the world. The technical term…
We’ve all faced this one at some point in our riding career. Maybe you had a accident with broken bones and shattered confidence. Or maybe you lost the one horse…
Bonding with Your Horse: Are you his friend or his leader?
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It is common to hear horse owners talking about their “bond” with their horse. Some see “bonding” as a sort of mystical art that is the pinnacle of horsemanship while…
The Importance of Examining Your Horse’s Sweat Patterns After a Ride
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Proper saddle fit is important for every horse, whether you are a trail rider or a show competitor. One of the easiest ways to check for saddle fit is to…
No matter your level of riding, we’ve all been there. Constantly fighting to keep those heels down. It’s a mantra that get drilled into us from day one. But is…
The warmup is a vital part of training that is too often overlooked. Sometimes you see riders walking their horses in the warmup letting them get strung out and lazy.…
Toddlers in Timeout: Is this really a human phenomenon?
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Even if you’re not a parent, you’ve probably been an aunt, uncle, or cousin to a toddler at some point. So, you’ve probably experienced the joys of dealing with a…
1. Let the horse catch you We’ve all been there. It’s 4am the morning of the show. Everything is packed. The trailer is loaded and sitting in the driveway. You’re…
What does it mean for a horse to have “a lot of heart?”
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Have you ever been mystified when hearing a trainer or rider comment that they like a horse with “a lot of heart?" This is a phrase that is often thrown…
Why you don’t need an arena to train and how a lack of facilities can be an advantage
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There is a common misconception that you need a "proper" arena to train horses. I’ve heard too many people justify giving up on their show dreams by saying: “Well I…
One of the big controversies in the horse world, particularly in the western arena, is over-bitting. The show pen seems to have developed the mentality that bigger is better and…
3 Exercises Every Horse Needs to Know (Part 3): Yielding the Hindquarters
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This is part 3 of a series covering my 3 most important exercises that every horse needs to know to make them a safe riding companion: Lunging Lateral flexion at…
3 Exercises Every Horse Needs to Know (Part 2): Lateral Flexion of the Poll (not the neck)
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This is part 2 of a 3-part series that will cover my 3 most important exercises that every horse needs to know to make them a safe riding companion: Lunging…
