Meredith gets a lot of letters and emails from people with training questions about their equines. Here, she talks about the dangers of leaving the halter on your equine, and some alternatives for catching them.
Collection is not just flexing the equine’s neck at the poll. Collection adds more suspension in the gait through the engagement of correct postural core muscle strength in good balance.
Body clipping in a natural order with respect for your equine’s patience will help the process go much more easily.
Starting your equine at canter in an open arena requires a systematic and simple approach to sustain good balance and posture.
Whenever you ride, always practice the elements of good Horsemanship.
Following a seasoned animal through the hourglass pattern for their first time in the open arena will give your equine more confidence and decrease the incidence of resistance.
After a brief session with an assistant at his head, your equine will have more confidence and will be more willing to go forward without the assistant.
Horses and mules will require a different kind of correction when bucking in order to get the best results from each of them. Meredith explains the difference and what to do.
Once your equine is quiet and comfortable with mounting, you’re ready to ride with an assistant at his head for safety. Just be a passenger at this stage. Stay relaxed while maintaining light pressure through your reins and legs, and let your assistant do the leading. This approach will prevent unwanted accidents.
This is your equine’s turn to take a leadership role in your partnership as you execute lateral obstacles on the drive lines. Navigating obstacles in this manner will instill mutual confidence and trust.
Lateral ground driving should be done slowly and taken in a natural sequence. Learn how to progress from lateral driving along the rail to laterally ground driving in the Hourglass Pattern.
Ground driving the hourglass keeps you and your equine organized and in good posture. Watch Meredith show you how to get into sync with your equines using this pattern.
Once you’ve chosen the appropriate tack for your equine, make sure it is adjusted properly so your equine is comfortable and responsive.