Here's how to train (or "re-train") a horse, your map to building the foundation every horse needs regardless of age, breed or background, regardless of riding discipline (English or Western), regardless of what you've planned for your mare, stallion, colt or filly's future. It's your guide to learning and practicing proven, natural horsemanship tips & techniques, methods vital to ensuring future success - because your horse won't change until you do.
Unillustrated (no pictures), 219 pages When you finish this horse training book of mine, you'll have a horse that's better trained and more dependable than 99% of the others at your barn, a horse that goes where you want it to go at a speed you pick, a partner to hit the trail with or to enjoy in a thousand other ways. But you'll also have a horse that's had the schooling necessary to move to the next level (showing & competing) if and when you're ready. You'll be set to train for barrels, roping, or reining, eventing, jumping or dressage.
Section I is pure step-by-step "horse training." It's what to do and precisely how to do it. It's what every horse needs to know, young or old.
Section II is the theory (the horsemanship) every rider needs to know. Practice the first few chapters in order as written. Beyond that, feel free to mix & match depending on your needs or riding abilities. Some chapters are dependent upon others, but in those cases I've spelled out necessary prerequisites covered elsewhere in this book.
Contents
SECTION IBASIC TRAINING- Legs Mean Move
- Hip Control Part I
- Hip Control Part II
- Classic Serpentine
- Train Your Horse to Travel Straight
- Clockwork: Teach Anything to Your Horse
- Shoulder Control
- Reverse Arc Circle
- How to Fix Leaning Shoulders
- Serpentine: Indirect to Direct
- Basics of Speed Control
- Slow Down Part I: Move the Hip
- Slow Down Part II: Train the Brain
- Balky Horses: Comatose One Minute, Hot to Trot the Next
- Crossing Creeks & Scary Stuff
- Teach Your Horse to Lower Its Head While Standing
- Better Back Ups
- Simple Steps to Power Steering
- Diagonal Movement (Leg Yields Without the Legs)
- Softening
- Getting Leads
- A Fix for Cross-Firing (Cross-Cantering)
- Hips, Get Behind the Shoulders (And Stay Put)
- Hips-in (Haunches-in or Travers)
- Neck Reining How-To
SECTION IIHORSEMANSHIPThe First Thing I Do
Here's the 1st thing you should do with your horse today and any horse that's "new to you." Each Time You Mount Up, Do This
Here's a small thing you can do to keep your horse's attitude in check and prevent mount-up problems from taking root.
How to Pick Up Your Reins Like a Pro
It's critical that you become practiced with your hands, your primary source of communication. This is--in detail--how to handle your reins. Horse Training Magic: Release on the Thought
Two days from now your friends at the barn will point at you excitedly, step from your path reverently and coo "oooh" as they watch you ride. What You're Feeling For
Just as another person might reach out a hand to shake yours as you approach, a trained horse will read your body language and act, not waiting for a tug on the reins. Reins Tell Direction Legs Tell Speed
Is your horse getting dull to your cues? Maybe you're burning out your cues, using them as both a "heads-up" & motivator. Plus: Talking Horse
See Yourself Leading When Riding
Perfect the First Time
6 Easy Ways to Improve Your Training
Rider Checklists
Diagnosing Problems
