There are variety of reasons why a horse will buck. The first thing I will look at is the equipment that is being used. Does the saddle fit right and is it pinching the withers? Is the bit properly placed in the horses mouth and the headstall fitted correctly? Is the rider cinching the horse up too tight? Is the rider riding the horse correctly or are they off balance and using the reins for balance? Are their feet in good shape? Sometimes we need to look at the simplest things before we try ...

Groundwork is important for many reasons but listed below are the three most important reasons that horses should have a good foundation in groundwork, with a reputable trainer.

First, improve and build upon your relationship with your horse through grooming.

Grooming simulates what the horses naturally do in herds. Horses will stand facing each others hind end, shoulder to shoulder, and facing opposite directions. This allows them to "scratch" each others shoulders, where they normally would n...

It is important that your horse knows how to move away from you on the ground, and move away from your legs while ridden. Even if your horse is 'just' a pleasure horse and you only ride out on the trails on the weekends teaching your horse how to move away from your leg will make your horse safer, easier to ride and more fun. These movements are learned easier when started on the ground. Good ground manners include moving away from you at your cue as well.

Difficulty: Average
Time Required: Va...

1. Lead Quietly In Hand

When you lead your horse he should walk beside you quietly paying attention to you. When you ask your horse to back up, or step to the side he should float away from your cue like a rubber ducky being pushed in a bath tub, not like a brick being pushed through sand. Your horse shouldn’t pull you, barge ahead, hang back or push into you. Teaching your horse to lead properly is the basis for almost every other aspect of good manners.

2. Allow Every Body Part to Be Touche...

Getting a horse into a trailer is one of life's great challenges, especially if the horse isn't sure that's where he wants to be. Aside from wasting time and getting people (and horses) upset, loading can be dangerous when people become impatient and try shoving, yanking or forcing a horse into a trailer; an annoyed or frightened horse can react by lashing out with hooves, biting or just mashing you against the side or front of the trailer.

There are ways to teach a horse to load properly, and...

Lungeing starts when a horse trainer is sure that the horse is fit and old enough to begin extensive training.

It is more than simply letting your horse trot around at the end of a 30 foot lead. Lungeing and long-lining are safe, efficient ways to teach a horse how to react to being ridden. When ground training your horse, you will be able to teach it to listen to you, stop and wait patiently, and practice transitioning between different gaits. It will also learn to respond to different voice ...

Every movement you make, everything you do in his presence, has meaning to the horse. The horse is a master at reading your body language and knowing just where you're at and what you're about when you first enter his space. So any time you are with a horse, you have to really pay attention. Pay attention to what you are thinking. Pay attention to what you are doing with your eyes, your head, your shoulders, your hips, your breathing, how fast you are moving, etc., etc., because you can be su...

LOOSE SCHOOLING OVER POLES AND SMALL JUMPS:

An excellent way to teach the horse to jump. The horse can either wear a head collar or bridle and a roller or a saddle and bridle. However do not tie the rein on the saddle or use side reins as it will restrict the horse. The horse should wear boots on all 4 legs and if shod, overreach boots is advisable. The pole must be at least 3m long, if the horse goes over rhythmically and calmly place another pole 2,7m away. Work in both directions until the...

When you school any horse there are a few basic rules.  First you have to assess how much the animal knows, then you have to plan a program that is systematic and progressive.  You must at all times be patient and when the horse has accomplished what you are trying to teach it, encourage it with praise, either by voice or patting it.  It's best to have a good short training session rather than a long drawn out one.  All youngsters (including humans) lose concentration very quickly.  It is poi...

I was recently approached and asked how I would deal with a mare that kicks out when you try to work with her back legs?

Let’s start from the beginning by understanding the nature of equus. A horse’s back legs represent the engine of the body - when fleeing from a predator or danger, the hind limbs give propulsion and therefore they are a very valuable commodity to the horse.


When you try to work with a young horse’s feet for the first time, they nearly always have a bit of a trust issu...

Here is the right way to lead a horse

A horse may get loose at any moment. It does not matter if you are at an event or simply at your own barn. Before jumping in to retrieve the animal, take a closer look at the situation.

Quite often a horse is not running scared, but instead simply has managed to get out and is enjoying its ill gotten bout with freedom. Such an animal is captured most easily by simply having a large number of people form a chain and then walk toward the animal until it is cornered. Be well equipped with a hal...

Bending is a term to describe the range of motion and resistance in the muscles of the horse. Bending your horse is an easy exercise with huge benefits that you begin to see almost instantly. Bending is one of those things that you could do every day for an hour with your horse and you would never overdo it. There are entire books written on this subject. To get a horse that is soft, supple, and carries itself with collection the horse needs to bend correctly. You need to be able to bend your...