groundwork

Every six to eight weeks your farrier should be stopping by. They will put on shoes or trim your horse’s hooves. A good, reliable farrier is worth their weight in gold! You have the responsibility of holding your horse for them. A well-behaved horse that stands quietly is ideal. Make sure you know how to...

Most horse owners understand the importance of groundwork. It can make your time in the saddle so much easier. It also helps to foster a good relationship with your horse. It teaches them to respect you. It’s essential you learn to communicate with your horse and read their body language. This will make you a...

You have decided to send your young, unstarted horse off to a trainer. You may be wondering how long they’ll need to be there. Will 30 days be enough or is more necessary? This can be a tough question to answer. For most, it will greatly depend on your expectations, experience level, and the individual...

The simple exercise of backing up your horse offers many benefits! It encourages your horse to use their hindquarters. Additionally, this maneuver establishes boundaries and respect. You can mix it up by backing up and down hills, over ground poles, and at different tempos. Backing Up Benefits Warwick Schiller talks about the back up and...

Natural horsemanship isn’t a new style of training. It has been around for a very long time! In the last few decades, famous clinicians like Buck Brannaman, Clinton Anderson, Pat Parelli, and Monty Roberts have come forward. There are many others, as well! Natural horsemanship requires using the horse’s natural instincts and communication to train...

Most riders recognize that horses can be dangerous. Their size and strength is much greater than our own. Boundaries are important for your safety! You need to establish respect from the very beginning. You should become your horse’s leader when interacting with them. Creating Boundaries Your horse should respect you. It can be helpful to...

Finding a good farrier is so important. Once you do establish a connection with one, you’ll want to hold onto them! In order to do so, you’ll need to follow some farrier etiquette. These tips and tricks will keep them happy and coming back each time. No one wants to deal with a difficult client...