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Training: English
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Ten Horse Arena Work Boredom Busters
You'd rather be out on the trail or hauling your horse to some
fun riding event. Instead, you're stuck riding in an arena. And merely going in
circles seems boring. One dictionary defines being bored as "tired of and
slightly annoyed by a person or situation that is not interesting, exciting,... | read »
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Training: English
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Take the Hazard Out of Foal Handling
In many ways, foals are like children. their early experiences
stay with them for a lifetime and can make for either a well adjusted, trusting
companion--or a horse that will pose a constant challenge. Getting an early start
with your foal and keeping his training experiences positive will... | read »
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Training: English
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Learn to Mount and Lead Equally
Does your horse lead and mount equally well from left and right? Do you
practice both regularly?
In pre-firearm days, mounting from the left was a necessity for most riders,
who were cavalry officers or others needing a blade weapon. Most people are
right handed, so a sword was carried on... | read »
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Training: English
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Put the Horse Before the Horse Cart
Imagine your perfect horse hitched to a cart, trotting down a
country road. The lines are in your hands, the wind is in your hair. Your horse
moves forward--steady and confident between the shafts.
You might be thinking. "My horse? Yeah right!"
The fact is, yes, your horse can learn to... | read »
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Training: English
from the pages of Horse Journal
Get Your Sluggish Horse Moving
Even though you're kicking like mad, your horse just won't pick up
the canter. Or maybe every time you try to jump, he refuses the first fence two
or three times. Or perhaps he walks so slowly when you go trail riding that you
always seem to be 10 yards behind your friends.
Worse, your... | read »
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Training: English
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Clicker Training With Horses and The Power of "Yes"
In my introductory article ("Clicker Training and Horses: Stepping Stones
Across the Swamp," October 2007), I described the first steps with clicker
training horses and how I began to work out ways to blend this positive approach with
John Lyons' single-rein training techniques. Now it's time... | read »
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Training: English
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Stepping Stones Across the Swamp
I'm a clicker trainer. that means i use a marker signal to
tell my horse when he has done something right. I pair that signal with positive
reinforcers--activities or treats my horse will actively work for.
I also use John
Lyons' "give to the bit work." That means I use pressure--and the... | read »
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Training: English
from the pages of Horse Journal
The First Horse Rides
The big day has arrived--the day you actually swing your leg over
your young horse's back for the first time and sit aboard him.
It's an exciting moment for horse trainers and for anyone who's
raised a young horse, rather like your child going off to their first day of
kindergarten. But it's... | read »
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Training: English
from the pages of Horse Journal
Young Horses Need A Leader, Not A Friend
People seem to either not make time to handle their young
horses at all or go too far with the admirable "let-them-be-horses" philosophy.
Yes, young horses absolutely should live outside, as naturally as possible, as
they grow physically and socially. But it's so vital to teach them, while... | read »
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Training: English
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Prioritize Problems
Whether you're a weekend rider or a professional trainer, there is one thing
that we all have in common: There are days when our horses just aren't giving us
the performance we want. And when that happens, there usually isn't just one
thing going wrong--there are lots of things happening all... | read »
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| Bonding Exercises |
| Question: I have a 7-year-old grade-horse gelding that’s very receptive to training. I'm aware of the importance of bonding — that is, building mutual respect and trust to create a positive relationship. I was wondering whether you could suggest some specific exercises... | read |
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