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Training: English
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Handling Reins
We communicate with our horses primarily through the reins, and yet our
instructions to our horses are often too abrupt and hurried to get the results
we want. The best way to develop a softer, more responsive horse, according to
John Lyons , is to slow down our hands.
Rather than snatching... | read »
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Training: English
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Equine Education Options
Judy Dawley, a children's therapist, began riding at age 50 and later
realized her childhood dream of owning a horse.
She felt she owed it to her mare to learn more about horse care, and so she
signed up for classes at Rochester Community and Technical College in
Minnesota .
Chris... | read »
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Training: English
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Ponying
It's easy to see the potential benefits of riding one horse and leading
another. Also called "ponying," it may be the only way you can give your second
horse the exercise he needs. Or perhaps he's young or untrained, and ponying him
helps you build his confidence and teach him to cooperate... | read »
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Training: English
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Is Stallion Ownership for You?
Stallions are animated, vital creatures that awe and intrigue us. And whether
we're new to horses or have years of experience, most of us understand that
stallion ownership is a step above and beyond mare or gelding ownership because
of the additional responsibilities caring for a stallion... | read »
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Training: English
from the pages of Trail Rider
Teach the Two-Track
Question : I've been trail riding for about a
year. My 9-year-old Paint Horse gelding does pretty well on the trail. Someone
told me that a maneuver called "two-tracking" comes in handy on the trail. What
is two-tracking, and does it really help? If so, how do I teach the maneuver to
my... | read »
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Training: English
from the pages of Perfect Horse
The Ups and Downs of Posting in English Riding
Posting--the
act of rising and sitting in the seat of your saddle-- isn't only for chasing the
hounds anymore. Just take a look in rodeo rings, western show pens, and trail
systems around the country, and you'll see riders of all disciplines doing it.
Posting in
rhythm with your horse's... | read »
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Training: English
from the pages of Perfect Horse
20 Questions About Your New Horse
Warning: if it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone. I'd gone to a
regional horse sale merely as a curiosity seeker--something to do on a mild,
midwinter's day. My pre-tense was to see how the horse market was faring.
Although the bleachers were full, it quickly became apparent that... | read »
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Training: English
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Perfect Ground Manners
There's a long-standing comic line that asks, "Where does an 800-pound
gorilla sit?" The answer is, "Anywhere he wants to."
While it still gets a chuckle, the moral of the story is: The gorilla is so
big and dangerous, he can call the shots.
That's exactly the situation that we don't want... | read »
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Training: English
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Stop Your Horses Prancing
At one time or another, you're likely to encounter a horse who just can't
seem to contain himself. He pulls against the reins, dances in place, tries to
push ahead, and generally seems unwilling or unable to settle down. Maybe it
happens when you start out on a ride. Or maybe it happens all... | read »
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Training: English
from the pages of Perfect Horse
An Open and Shut Gate on Horseback
If you and your horse head for the trail, the two of you must be prepared for
obstacles, both natural and man-made. You can ride around some of them, but when
you encounter a gate, you have to know how to work it, dismount and open it from
the ground, or give up and turn around.
Working a... | 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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