 |
Training: Western
from the pages of Trail Rider
Pony A Horse
Pony boy, pony
boy. Won't you be my pony boy? Don't say no, here we go, ride across the
plains. Marry me, carry me, far away with you. Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up, let's
go. Whoa, my pony boy! It's been almost 50 years since I was a toddler, when
my dad bounced me up and down on his leg --... | read »
|
 |
Training: Western
Ponying a Horse
Ponying--the art of
leading one horse while riding another--is a great option. It provides a way to
exercise two horses in the time you'd normally spend riding just one. It
promotes confidence in a young horse that lacks training and worldly experience.
It teaches the ponied horse to... | read »
|
 |
Training: Western
Step Into My Trailer, Please
When we think about
"perfect ground manners," stepping into a trailer on cue rates right up there
with the horse opening his mouth to accept a bit. The last place that we want to
have a fight is at the trailer, especially if there's a pressing need for him to
step inside.
When we taught... | read »
|
 |
Training: Western
from the pages of Trail Rider
Introduce a Crupper
A
crupper (a strap that runs from the back of your saddle and
loops under your horse's tail) helps to hold your saddle in place on steep
downhill grades. Your horse will quickly learn to clamp his tail onto the
crupper when he heads down steep slopes; his tail contains a large bone with... | read »
|
 |
Training: Western
Understand Your Horse's Language
In the last several years, a young horsewoman named Stacy Westfall of Mount
Gilead, Ohio, has captivated the horse world's attention. Stacy has won numerous
"freestyle" classes at National Reining Horse Association events by guiding her
horse bridleless through an intricate series of... | read »
|
 |
Training: Western
Handling Reins
We communicate with our horses primarily through the reins, and yet our
instructions to our horses are often too abrupt and hurried to get the results
we want. The best way to develop a softer, more responsive horse, according to
John Lyons , is to slow down our hands.
Rather than snatching... | read »
|
 |
Training: Western
Leading Like a Pro
Ever had a horse go too fast while you're leading him? You hang on for dear
life, hoping that he won't pull away from you or mow you down before you get him
under control. The opposite problem--trying to drag your old slowpoke--can be just
as frustrating, though less life-threatening. If... | read »
|
 |
Training: Western
Equine Education Options
Judy Dawley, a children's therapist, began riding at age 50 and later
realized her childhood dream of owning a horse.
She felt she owed it to her mare to learn more about horse care, and so she
signed up for classes at Rochester Community and Technical College in
Minnesota .
Chris... | read »
|
 |
Training: Western
Ponying
It's easy to see the potential benefits of riding one horse and leading
another. Also called "ponying," it may be the only way you can give your second
horse the exercise he needs. Or perhaps he's young or untrained, and ponying him
helps you build his confidence and teach him to cooperate... | read »
|
 |
Training: Western
Is Stallion Ownership for You?
Stallions are animated, vital creatures that awe and intrigue us. And whether
we're new to horses or have years of experience, most of us understand that
stallion ownership is a step above and beyond mare or gelding ownership because
of the additional responsibilities caring for a stallion... | read »
|
« previous page | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | next page »
|
 |
|
| Bonding Exercises |
| Question: I have a 7-year-old grade-horse gelding that’s very receptive to training. I'm aware of the importance of bonding — that is, building mutual respect and trust to create a positive relationship. I was wondering whether you could suggest some specific exercises... | read |
| More Stories: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
