Q: I’m having trouble getting my horse to sidepass. He wants to go forward, backward, or sideways with his body crooked. How can I get him to do it correctly?A: The fix for your horse’s sidepass is improved body...
Hand-feeding your horse treats will make him mouthy, disrespectful, and dangerous!This conventional rule of horsemanship has been taught for years. In truth, many horses accept food without a hint of adverse behavior. Some do become overly excited when tempted...
Is your horse a whiz at speed events, but tough to slow down when you want a calmer ride in the arena? If you ride a horse that was once a barrel or gymkhana star, he may want to...
We’ve all been there. You’re looking forward to a great riding lesson, but from the minute you mount your pony, you’re begging him to go faster. He moves at a snail’s pace no matter how many times you cluck...
Spurs can seem like a ubiquitous piece of any horseman’s gear, but they’re not always necessary—or even desirable. Certified Horsemanship Association Chief Executive Officer Christy Landwehr shares her litmus tests for incorporating spurs, with advice on proper usage.Are You...
When it comes to horsemanship, much of the focus is on the proper use of our leg aids. But what about our hands? Horses are great at letting us know when our hand aids are either too rough or...
Barrel racing is all about seconds, and you’ll do anything to scrape off a tenth of a second here and there to get closer to the buckle. The single biggest time waster is a wide barrel turn. But you...
Have you dreamed of riding Pegasus as he soars through the air? Flying over jumps aboard your favorite horse gives you nearly the same feeling. Yet jumping is a specialized equestrian sport. In order to jump successfully—and safely—you and...
Sometimes we don't have enough time to ride our horses, but enough time to work on something from the gorund. Here are some tips from Young Rider on how to establish great ground work in your horse.Q: I have...
Horses are sensitive, but also easy to desensitize. With anything new, a horse will likely react at first. That’s his prey-animal reaction to anything new that could be a threat. Within a split second, horses must decide whether they...
