Training Horses

How to properly lunge your horse. **i am not responsible for any injuries that might occur after the reading of this article**

Gentling a wild mustang is a life enriching experience. The first time that long whiskered beauty reaches his warm soft muzzle towards your extended hand is a magical moment you are not likely to...

The Spanish walk is a movement where the horse walks forward lifting his front legs in large, high, proud steps. Baroque breeds like Andalusians and Lippizaners are noted for the movement, but any...

The piaffe is a trot-like movement that a horse performs on the spot, and looks like a dance. A competition-quality piaffe takes years of training and strengthening for the horse to lower his...

The Tennessee Walking Horse is a gaited breed known for its smooth running walk and typically placid disposition. However, as with any breed, a young or untrained Tennessee Walking Horse may be an...

In horsemanship at halter classes (also called showmanship or showmanship halter classes), the handler is judged and not the horse. However, the horse plays an indirect, yet vastly important role...

Just like any other baby animal, foals can be mouthy and nippy. They may just be trying to test their boundaries, or they confused a hand with a carrot. Whatever the reason, if this behavior is...

Miniature horses can be house-trained with positive reinforcement and dedication. Potty training a miniature horse is a project best suited to experienced trainers who don't mind cleaning up a few...

A sliding stop is a beautiful movement to watch and is the crowning glory of the equestrian sport of reining. The horse runs down the length of the arena, then, at a simple cue from the rider,...

Reining is an equestrian sport that requires the horse to perform sliding stops, circles at different speeds and sizes, spins, flying changes and rollbacks in one of the 10 patterns developed by...

A horse that won't stand still while you are trying to mount or dismount (get on and off) is very dangerous. Your saddle could slip. You could fall and get caught in the stirrup, then dragged. You...

Fitting a horse with a full cheek snaffle is an easy task, provided the horse is accustomed to the bitting process. As this process is applicable to nearly every bit, except for some complex gag,...

Riding bareback gives horse owners a real sense of freedom, and there is nothing like the feeling of galloping through the field without a saddle. It is important, however, to prepare your horse...

A horse that braces or lugs on the bit can be frustrating to ride, and if your horse has learned this bad habit, it is important to deal with it as soon as possible. Once a horse has learned to...

Morgan horses are typically intelligent and eager to please, making them ideal for riders willing to spend time exercising a horse at least three times each week. A bored or discouraged Morgan may...

"Over the river and through the woods...the horse knows the way to carry the sleigh" except in this case, we'll be asking our horse to pull a simple sled. Once your horse gets...

Dull horses, those that move slothfully when being ridden or are slow to respond to driving aids such as your legs, spurs or crop, are referred to as "behind the leg" by dressage riders. The key...

If you are planning to train your own horse you may think you need all sorts of expensive equipment, but in fact some of the most effective training methods are also the least expensive. Investing...

If you are a fan of dressage, jumping, Western riding or reining, you know the signature of a well-trained horse by a smoothly executed lead change. A rider with subtle cues can direct her horse...

If you have always wished you could have been a knight in medieval days, joining a jousting club can be the next best.thing. But there are some things both you and your horse need to know before...

If you are looking for a new challenge for you and your horse, roping can be an excellent choice. Roping was an integral part of the Old West, and it is still a major part of both the rodeo world...

Having a round pen or arena available can make starting a young horse or retraining an older one easier, but the good news is that everything that can be done in a round pen can also be done...

If it has been some time since your horse was ridden on a regular basis you may face some training challenges as you get back into the swing of things. Horses are creatures of habit, and they get...

If you have a horse and a lawn you probably have wished you could have your equine companion double as a heavy-duty lawn mower. But that is not as easy as it sounds. Simply turning your horse...

All effective horse training starts with a solid foundation, and it is very important to lay that foundation when working with a beginner horse. Ideally, your training should begin right after the...

Whether your goal is to become the next Roy Rogers or just chase some cows around the pasture, teaching your horse to rope can be a rewarding experience. Roping is a great sport, and knowing you...

The flat spin is the basis of many advanced maneuvers, from lateral work to classic reining patterns. At first blush teaching the flat spin can seem like a big challenge, but breaking the move...

A horse that spooks or bolts can be dangerous to ride and dangerous to work around. If your horse tends to let fear get the best of him, it is important to deal with that behavior. Exercising...

Training a horse to load on a trailer can be a big challenge, but helping a horse overcome a fear of horse trailers can be even harder. If your horse has been through a trailer wreck or similar...

Whether you are starting a horse under saddle or teaching a younger colt or filly to accept a bit, a quality snaffle is the best bit to work with. A snaffle is a gentle way to introduce your horse...

Many people mistakenly believe that a round pen is a good place to tire a horse out, thus making them easier to train. Horses are permanently injured every day because of this archaic thinking;...

Horses that are wild can be trained to do just about anything other horses can do, though it may take a longer amount of time. While wild horses can't run in races at official racetracks since...

Most top notch hunter jumper horses are high energy animals that need that energy to get over big fences. When an ordinary horse has extraordinary energy, however, this can create big problems for...

Breaking and training your own horse can give you a real sense of accomplishment and help your equine companion get off to a great start. The right early training can create a safe mount who will...

Becoming a successful horse trainer requires a significant amount of time and a commitment to education. Obtaining a college degree, whether it be from a two- or four-year institution, lends...

Training a horse using traditional methods can take several months or more. That is just too much time for some situations. It is possible to train a horse in two weeks or less using a combination...

Teaching your horse to pull a sled can be a very rewarding training exercise and a very useful one as well. Whether your ultimate goal is to open your own sleigh ride business or just go for fun...

Since man first domesticated the horse around 6,000 years ago, he has sought ways to control an animal that is several times larger, heavier and stronger than himself. The earliest means included...

Horse jaw bones and teeth damaged by bridles and bits were found at a 5,500-year-old Botai site in Kazakhstan in 2009. Since the Bronze Age, man has controlled horses with bridles to carry or pull...

It's a common scenario: You want to take your horse to the park for a trail ride, but he refuses to get in the trailer. If you can't get him to cooperate, your plans will be ruined, and if you are...

John Lyons is famous for his conditioning methods when training horses. The basis of Lyons' technique hinges on creating a bond with the horse and developing solid ground manners. Standing still...

Are your horse's brakes not so good, or not there at all, but the gas pedal's great? Don't pull the reins harder, read this article!

Tips for choosing great music for riding your horse. Riding to music you will learn to ride with more rhythm and relaxation! You and you horse will be amazed at how the right music will enhance...

The goal for any horse trainer is to produce a horse that does not need special tack to make it behave. However, some excitable horses and insecure riders need an extra measure of control....

A pokey slow "kick along" horse that won't move is not exactly a barrel of laughs. The harder you kick, the less he wants to go. This eHow presents one method of training a pokey slow...

A squared up horse indicates a balanced horse, and a horse that has been cared for and trained by it's owner. You see the importance of a horse that stops squarely in showmanship, halter, and...

This article explains in detail how to train a crooked or thug horse how to canter on the correct lead.

If the horse with the head shyness is a new horse to you, or to it's surroundings I HIGHLY recommend taking the time to read my article “how to halter a wild mustang or head shy horse.” Because it...

Before the invention of the automobile, driving meant steering a horse-drawn wagon or buggy. Today, horse driving is a sport for both miniature and draft horses. If you are interested in...

Using a horse to drive a carriage is a popular and varied sport that is performed by horses from miniature size all the way up to draft horses. While some carriage driving is undertaken for...