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 […]
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
What is Engagement? Try These Simple Exercises to Understand It. Read More »
Help your horse to overcome loading fear using these simulation exercises. They are perfect for breaking loading down into smaller steps for your horse so that you can keep the training calm and positive. You don’t even need a trailer or horsebox to do them. At Connection Training, our focus is always on keeping the
Loading Preparation and Simulation Exercises (Before you even get to the trailer!) Read More »
There are some simple techniques you can use to help teach your horse that hosepipes, water, sponges etc are nothing to fear. In this video, you’ll see Poppy change from saying a strong, “NO!” to being bathed to actually enjoying it. That is the key to great training – changing the horse’s emotions to joy,
Hosing and Bathing: Teach Your Horse to Stand Quietly Read More »
This targeting video explores FOLLOWING a target – one of the 3 types of nose-targeting exercises I teach and use for, well, pretty much everything! In this video, you’ll learn: – how to teach your horse to follow a target and then use it to train: – leading – bending – lunging – freejumping –
Targeting is a really versatile training technique that you can use for so many things. In the last video (part 1) I explained what targeting is and the different types of targeting. This video looks at some of the practical uses of touching a target. Touching a hand-held target is the first type of targeting
P2 Why Teach Your Horse to Touch a Target? De-Spooking, Rein-Back, Loading and More… Read More »
P1 Targeting! I use targeting ALL. THE. TIME. It’s one of the most useful behaviours you can train your horse for leading, loading, de-spooking, lunging, groundwork and riding. But what is it? Well, basically, it’s teaching your horse to touch an object with her nose when you ask. But, there are 3 different types of
P1 What is Targeting? And why is it so USEFUL? Read More »
Connecting well with your horse when riding requires two things: 1. Clear external cues, such as leg, voice and rein aids that your horse understands 2. Supporting internal cues, such as breath, weight aids and focus that your horse responds to innately Both of these need to be in alignment for your horse to be
Common Rider Faults and How to Fix Them for Better Connection and Relaxation Read More »
This Pattern is from our Gymnastic Groundwork Home Study Course and gives you a taster of some of the exercises included in that Course. Patterns are progressive and non-competitive. They are designed to give you focus, guidance and the chance to put all of the exercises you’re learning together. They should be fun, too! As
Gymnastic Groundwork Pattern – Pedestal, Poles, Circles, Collection, Flexions Read More »
This doesn’t have to be complicated! Leg yield is the first lateral movement I teach in-hand or ridden and it’s a great way of introducing the concept of going forwards and sideways to your horse. I aim to make this (and all of my lessons) as simple and straightforward as possible for you and your
Leg Yield: How to Teach In-hand Lateral Work Using Clicker Training and a Target Read More »
I really enjoyed chatting to Glenys from Horse Chats recently and she had some great questions for me (like, “Can you give our listeners one thing they can do today with their horse that sums up your training philosophy?”). If you want to hear a little more about my equine history, teachers and philosophy, this
Hannah on Horse Chats Podcast Read More »
All of these exercises are designed to improve your horse’s co-ordination as he learns how to navigate different objects and terrain. The sensory feedback improves proprioception and you’ll find your horse becomes more aware of his feet and body through these exercises. Of course, it’s not just about the physical benefits; all of our training
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