 |
Training: English
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Conditioning Your Horse Prevents Injury
Sometimes we just get busy and riding our horse regularly isn't at the top of our to-do
list. Sometimes we simply like to give our horses a rest break. At other times,
there are just no events to go to, so we're not as motivated to keep our horses
in tip-top shape.
Regardless of the reason,... | read »
|
 |
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 »
|
 |
Training: English
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Training Yearlings
At first, you have this adorable little foal, with his little-wittle nose,
fuzzy-wuzzy coat and stubbly tail. You ooo and ahh over him, take tons of
pictures, and show him off to your friends when they stop for a cup of coffee
and a baby viewing. Mama feeds the foal, he's weaned, and then you... | read »
|
 |
Training: English
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Hindquarter Movement with John Lyons
On the trail, in the arena, anywhere, in fact, it's easy to get stuck. You're trying to turn or stop--or simply to move--and you can't seem to get anything right. You pull on your horse's nose to turn him and your horse keeps walking in a straight line. You're trying to communicate to your horse,... | read »
|
 |
Training: English
from the pages of Trail Rider
Stop Your Horses Pacing
Does your gaited horse prefer to pace/step
pace or trot, rather than perform his smooth gaits? First, note that he might be
having trouble because he's experiencing discomfort, which causes stiffness.
Such discomfort can arise from poor-fitting tack, teeth problems, and/or
improper... | read »
|
 |
Training: English
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Collection
The term "collection" gets thrown around by lots of riders,
but if you pinned them down, a surprising number would have a hard time
explaining exactly what collection looks or feels like. Some folks see a horse
who's traveling with nice neck flexion and head elevation and declare him to be... | read »
|
 |
Training: English
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Get Your Horse Easily Out of Your Pasture
Taking your horse out of the horse pasture seems simple enough.
Just open the horse gate and walk on through, right? Well, that's not quite the case
if your horse has pasture-mates eager to escape behind you and your horse. To
help keep the rest of your horses contained as you exit the... | read »
|
 |
Training: English
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Help for the Herd Bound
We recognize the problem. One horse becomes anxious about
leaving another. It could be that he merely puts his ears back and balks as you
lead him out of the pasture, leaving his buddies behind. Or he might start
bobbing his head up and down, taking short steps, and threatening a "temper... | read »
|
Training: English
from the pages of Trail Rider
Creative Control
Imagine riding a wiry mustang at full gallop into a herd of racing buffalo
and maneuvering at top speed for the best shot. You can't rely on your hands to
guide your bareback pony, since you're holding a bow and arrow, aiming for the
kill.
Talk about a solid seat! The Plains Indians were... | read »
|
 |
Training: English
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Choose a Horsemanship Coach
I'm someone who's always respected age. With age, I surmise,
comes experience and wisdom, especially regarding horse training. In my mind,
young trainers often offer more attitude than information. And while those
youthful bodies and no-fear attitudes may propel them to the top of equine... | read »
|
|
 |
|
| 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 |
| More Stories: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
