Everyone who rides or handles horses will have problems at some point. Everyone has trouble at some stage. You may have a problem cantering on the correct lead; you may have a problem making your horse go; you may have a problem making your horse stop…. The list is endless. Sometimes, problems develop into something … Read more
A horse that’s confident and relaxed thinks on a very simple level. When you tap your horse on the rump or touch him with your leg or spur, he moves forward and the tapping, leg or spur stops. Your horse soon learns how to make you stop tapping or spurring – just move forward and … Read more
At every stage of every horse’s education, you should always aim to improve. Even if you’re walking a circle, aim for a ‘perfect’ circle – where the horse walks the exact track you ask, at the exact speed you ask, with the exact bend you ask. This may sound easy but it’s actually very difficult. … Read more
The most misunderstood part of horse training is the idea that you have to get horses ‘used to’ new things. Many trainers advocate to keep exposing horses to things that frighten them and they’ll eventually ‘get used to it’. Others say, when a horse is frightened of something, just keep frightening him with it and … Read more
If you walk into the paddock and your horse runs away, guess what? Your horse isn’t bad, naughty or disrespectful. It’s absolutely nothing to do with being his leader or showing him that you’re the alpha horse. The plain fact is, your horse is worried and nervous and doesn’t want to come near you. Never … Read more
Last week, I read an article in an old issue of a prominent horse magazine on tying a horse for the first time. There were graphic photos of a terrified horse pulling back and fighting against a post. The article recommended the use of hobbles and ‘special’ headstalls while the horse pulled back. Here’s my … Read more
The same theory applies to your horse. Instead of cow; think horse. If you want to move a horse or cow forward, you must apply pressure on his rear end in the ‘flight zone’. Pressure in front of the ‘point of balance’ will move a horse or cow backwards. This is a very simple concept. … Read more
This was filmed in Australia in 1989. I’ve been dong this for a long time. Learn more here
Our feedback is both heartwarming and encouraging. I’d like to share this letter that arrived in the mail today. Dear Neil, Thank you and your wife, without whom I doubt you could have written us another book. I can only imagine your frustrations between books. I am stunned when people comment on our horses / … Read more
