By Lyle Jackson
The horse will learn to guide if you start by giving him the signal with one hand and then use what ever else it takes to get him to move a little in the correct direction and then release the pressure. That means start with one hand and then use your other hand, your legs, your weight or whatever you want to achieve the correct direction. But do not forget to relieve the pressure after a very little success so the horse can associate the pressure release with the first signal. He needs to associate release with the signal that you want him to learn, the neck rein. If your horse has 100% confidence that the pressure in his mouth will be relieved when he turns, then he will always turn and you will be able to guide him around any pattern at any speed. Simple. The hard part is giving him the 100% confidence. You have to ride 100% consistently, at every speed. That is a people problem, not a horse problem. The horse does not have to be forced to learn to be willingly guided. They learn it if the pressure is always released when he first starts to move with the neck rein.
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Western horse show disciplines for senior horses are to be ridden one handed. The rule book allows the use of only one hand to guide your horse. A big problem for some people…….. and some horses. (more…)

RIDGEFIELD, WA – One of the most anticipated attractions of The Mane Event got underway Friday with three very accomplished horse trainers taking to the round pen with the unbroke Quarter Horses they met for the first time that afternoon. (more…)

Trick Training with Jackie Johnson and Brenda Sapergia Last month I showed how training your horse to stand on a pedestal with its front feet is both handy and fun. This month, we take some time to construct a pedestal. (more…)

Trick or exhibition training is an excellent way to build trust and communication in the relationship that you share with your horse. You don’t need to be a professional trainer, you don’t have to have a special kind of horse and you don’t need to spend a lot of money doing it. What you do need is a horse, mule or donkey with exceptional ground manners. Before you can train a trick/exhibition horse you have to be able to handle his ears (inside and out), handle his muzzle and pick up each foot, only letting it down when YOU decide you are done with it. You must ensure that you hold the dominant role in the relationship that you have with your horse BEFORE you can start trick training. This means that you can catch, halter and lead your horse without incident. This means that you can safely and consistently pick up his feet, and this means that you can handle his ears and muzzle ALL without incident.  (more…)