Training Tips
Slow & Right
This Training Tip is brought to you by the power of “Slow & Right”! Taking the time it takes, not rushing things and allowing the horse to be in charge of the timelines is what I would like for you to take from this Training Tip to the barn with you. People can make horses […]
Set It Up & Wait
Once you & your horse have made it past the “flight, fight or no response” stage, you will start getting results by asking your horse to yield to pressure in 4 phases. That’s a huge success and deserves to be celebrated!!! Don’t rest on your laurels for too long though, because you’re about to enter […]
Lightness
From a teacher’s point of view, one of the hardest things to teach is FEEL: Closing one finger at a time, starting with Phase 1, allowing the horse to drift, giving the horse more rope, having hands that open quickly – and release pressure! Your horse will only be as light and responsive as you […]
Purpose Driven Horsemanship
I would like to challenge you in this Training Tip to join me in the pursuit of purpose-driven horsemanship. Next time you warm up your horse, ask yourself: “why am I asking my horse to do this?” Am I causing him to be safe to ride? Am I teaching him something new? Am I preparing […]
Prepare For The Unthinkable
Can your horse load into the trailer when you ask him to? (Imagine having to evacuate or take your horse to the vet in a hurry…) Is your horse vet-savvy? Can you take his temperature? Can your horse receive injections without a problem? Can you win the catching game? Can you lead your horse by […]
Phases
Let’s clean up your phases! Can you have an attitude of “don’t make me pick up the stick!”? Or “do we have to go there?”! I would like to challenge you to see how little it takes for your horse to offer the answer to the question you asked him or her. Just because […]
Backwards & Sideways
I can’t tell you how many times I have heard Pat Parelli say: “The better your horse goes backwards & sideways, the better he does everything else!” Backing and going sideways is asking for a good quality yield from our horses. Yields are what give us communication so really your horse’s yields can’t ever be […]
Frustration
This Training Tip also has to do with frustration. We have all heard the saying “Frustration begins where knowledge ends”. What can you do to get less frustrated around horses or with yourself? We all have those moments where that frustrated feeling creeps up inside of us. In my case, I usually notice it when […]
Steady Pressure
I would like to challenge you to improve your Porcupine Game. As Pat Parelli says, the Porcupine Game is the most “under-used” Game of the 7 Games! The nice thing about it is that you can practice it in tight spaces, such as your horse’s stall or paddock. Teach your horse to yield the front […]