Backing a young horse for the first time is often seen as something dangerous and dramatic. Horses who aren’t prepared can panic, bucking bolting and rearing. But, it doesn’t have to be that way! I believe that horses should have a positive experience when someone sits on their back for the first time and this […]
Mounting a Young Horse for the First Time with Clicker Training Read More »
Some clicker trained horses can get into the habit of stopping dead when they hear the click or their marker. From a trot or canter, this can cause the horse to slam on the brakes, bracing and hollowing as they stop. This can cause problems for the horse physically and is uncomfortable to ride. In
Prevent Your Horse Stopping Abruptly When You Click Read More »
Horse agility is great for despooking, body awareness, variety, exercise and fun with your horse. This video shows how I work with horses at different stages in their agility training through a variety of obstacles. I’m training using positive reinforcement, which means that I use rewards for my horses, and I’m working at liberty. Weaving
How to Train Horse Agility with Clicker Training Read More »
This video continues the exercises from P1, where we were increasing relaxation in groundwork. Now, we’ve working on reducing tension and rushing when riding lateral exercises. (Watch P1 first) Tension when riding is common and is shown through behaviours such as rushing, resisting, tail swishing, ear-pinning, napping, spooking and getting anxious or, in the case
P2 Get More Relaxation When Riding: Stop Your Horse Rushing Read More »
The key to good training is getting motivation and relaxation in balance. With reward-based training (clicker training), it’s usually easy to get high levels of motivation, but that can get TOO high, meaning you lose relaxation. When your horse tries too hard, they often throw all their behaviours at you, rush through exercises, can’t stand
P1 Get More Relaxation and Softness in Groundwork Read More »
Training on or around grass can be really hard, especially when we want to train softly, with cooperation, and give our horses as much choice as possible. But, with a positive and systematic approach, it can be done! This video covers the Bucket Exercise, which is the first step to train your horse not to
How to Stop Your Horse Pulling for Grass Read More »
Splashing in the waves and cantering along the sands is one of the best experiences you can have with your horse. Join us (Hannah and Rachel) on our beach trip and find out more about how we travel our horses, deal with spooks using clicker training and have a lot of fun cantering along the
Join Us on Our Beach Trip! 🐎🏖 Clicker Trained Horses Read More »
If you’re looking for a clear, gentle and fun way to help your horse become sounder, straighter, more supple and balanced, this is for you. Gymnastic Groundwork helps your horse in these ways: #1 Stretch, Strengthen and Straighten #2 Improve Body Awareness and Proprioception #3 To solve problems like rushing, resistance, stiffness, one-sidedness, heaviness and
What is Gymnastic Groundwork for Horses? 🐎 Read More »
In-hand work includes teaching collection and lateral exercises from a leading position, both at liberty and with a lead rope. So, step one is ensuring that your horse leads well (this is often missed and causes lots of in-hand work problems!). Leading with connection means that you and your horse are walking together, staying in
Leading Horses with Connection Read More »
What does it look like when your horse says, “no”? Do you then stop that activity completely? What does it mean to ‘have a conversation’ with your horse? This video shows a simple exercise with a lot going on! Sophie is working with her horse, Lily, clicker training her on a new water obstacle that
Having a Conversation with Your Horse Read More »
Obstacles provide great challenges to improve your horse’s confidence and body awareness and the archway, hoop or curtain is a common obstacle in horse agility, trail classes and TREC. This video shows you how to introduce it to your horse in a way which is gentle, fun and builds your relationship. Spooky horses are scared
Horse Agility for De Spooking Read More »
Healthy movement is key to a sound and happy horse. Engagement is part of healthy movement, necessary for keeping your horse sound and comfortable. Our domestic horses get such limited movement, even with ample turnout, compared to their wild counterparts, that we need to help maintain their physical fitness through training. In order to train
Understanding Engagement as a Horse Trainer Read More »
