Training Tips.....

The key is in the groundwork! Groundwork, Groundwork, Groundwork! Taking the time to understand your horse is very important. If you take the time to spend with your horse, then they will in turn take the time to spend with you! You only get out of it what you put into it! Here are a list of training tips that I suggest trying so as to ensure your horses and you share the same, strong, inseparable bond!

Always remember safety must be at the top of the list for anyone planning on working with a horse, or any animal for that matter. Animals are unpredictable; even the sweetest ones. A noise or sudden movement can offset all sorts of behaviors. PLEASE make sure you always observe the buddy system and make a friend or family member aware if you are attempting to work with your horse.

1. Make sure that you have your equipment all ready to go! You will need a Carrot Stick ( Training Whip), Lunge Line (12-foot extension lead), Training Halter(You can order these training halterseoff any major training website, via, Parelli, Clinton Anderson, etc.) (These halters are designed to have the pressure points of the horses face in the perfect position.


2. Make sure you take the time to really practice these things with your horses, and at the end of the day before you wrap things up ask yourself if your horse really is understanding what you are saying. If not, be patient and remember tomorrow is another day. Always try to end things on a good note if you finish up early!


3. To make sure that they get a good warm up take 15 min to lunge the horse on both sides, remember, they all have one good side, and one bad side! Work each side equally.


4. After you have done the third step take your Carrot Stick and press gently with the covered part (where the whip is positioned). The idea is to keep steady pressure until they move away from it. Practice this on both sides for a couple min. until they get the hang of it! Eventually, you will be able to point the stick at their side and they should instantly move away. This may take time, so again, be patient.


5. You can also practice the Circling Game with your horse. You first get them lunging in any direction that you find to be their good side. Start to lunge them in a smaller circle around YOU, make sure they don't penetrate your personal space bubble which is for safety purposes. When you have had them lunging for about five minutes start to bend down like you would be touching the floor, focusing your eyes at their hind quarters. They should turn into you as soon as you start to bend down! Practice this excercise a couple times to make sure that your horse understand this! If you have ever had the privilege of observing a herd of horses, take note of how the dominant males and females in the herd communicate. It is all done with the eyes and ears. You are exhibiting dominant behavior and asking for their submission to you when doing this.


6. You can also practice the Yo-Yo Game. This excercise is a trust game! This game involves the use of a 12-ft extension lead. Have the horse back up all the way to the end of the arena, roundpen, etc. Once they are backed up the whole lenght of your facility, back up slowly but make sure they don't follow your foosteps for this excercise they need to stay exactly where they are. Back up and disperse the extension lead out of your hand as you are backing up, then once you have dispersed your lead the lenght of the arena and have kept the very end of it in your hand, you will then start to run your hand (without pulling) on the end of the extension lead. When your horse has finally understood what you are asking of it, he or she should slowly start to walk pace up to you gradually. When the horse touches you, give your horse a couple of treats to let it know that the horse did what it was asked to do!


7. Always be on the positive side, never get frusturated with your horse if it is not understanding what you are asking of it. These excercises will take some time and not every horse responds the same to these things, some take longer than others! Every horse is different! Smile a lot and let your horse know that nothing is to harm him or her!


8. Desensitizing excercises are the best for being out on a trail ride or out in the field or pasture! Take an empy feed bag, bedding bag, or anything that makes a lot of noise when shaken. Let your horse smell the bag first, then if your horse doesn't seemed bothered by it's presence, rub the bag all over them to ensure them that it will not hurt them! As time gradually goes on shake the bag all around the horse and ensure them that they are safe and you will not let anything hurt them!

9. Be sure to give your horse lots of treats to make doing groundwork a POSITIVE experience with them, so they will want to do more with you every day!

10. HAVE FUN! Thanks so much for reading these Training Tips and be sure to read more upcoming posts later in the week!