horsemanship

A horse isn’t steering correctly if they’re crooked in their body. They need to be relaxed, willing, and straight. The term straight can be misleading when working on a circle. It’s when the horse is bent through their body in the direction they’re traveling. If they’re traveling on a 50-meter circle, then their body should...

Positive reinforcement is a type of training. It has been known to have many benefits when used with horses. In simple terms, when the horse gives the desired response they receive a reward. A reward is usually a treat, though scratches can be used in some cases. Many trainers that turn to positive reinforcement or...

Do you want a more responsive horse? You need to learn to ride with your seat and legs then. Often beginners are quick to grab the reins, but the bit should be used an as enforcer. Your seat and legs are your first cues! Once you master this, you’ll notice more fluid movements and better...

Those that own mares should familiarize themselves with their horse’s heat cycle. With spring in the air, your mare is likely to begin a 21-day estrus cycle. She becomes receptive to breeding. If you’re wondering why this matters to you, some mares become more difficult to handle during this time. They may need a day...

When saddling a cinchy horse, they will usually act out in some way or another to protest having the cinch tightened. There are a number of reasons why a horse may fuss. Sometimes, it’s related to pain and other times it’s behavioral. You’ll need to get to the root of the problem before it gets...

Dreams really do come true! With tears in his eyes, Tik Maynard accepted his 2024 World Championship buckle at the Road to the Horse competition. This event was held from March 21st to the 24th. The world’s most elite horse trainers competed in this colt-starting competition. This year proved to be an exciting event! The...

Ranch work is tough- on the person and the horse. There are long hours, harsh weather conditions, and lots of maneuvering. It an be difficult to find or make a horse that can stand up to the test. Bloodlines can be influential, but ultimately it’s the individual horse that needs to be judged. Some of...

It doesn’t matter what discipline you ride, circles are good for every horse and rider! In certain competitions like western dressage tests or reining patterns, the horse must complete a circle. Riding a perfectly round circle is much harder than one might imagine. The horse cannot drift in or out and must have the right...