Crossfire Conundrum: Working Cow Horse Safety
Crossfiring—when your horse is on the wrong lead behind—will get you a penalty in many events. But when working a cow, it can jeopardize your working cow horse safety.
Horsemanship
Become a better rider both inside and outside the arena with riding instruction from respected experts.
Ride With Soft Hands
Soft, feeling hands are a key component of good horsemanship. Learn exercises that will improve your hands and help you become a better rider.
Training the Rollback
Teach your young horse solid rollback fundamentals for a foundation to build a stellar show horse.
Train Your Brain, Boost Your Riding
The brain training of mindfulness meditation can help improve your horsemanship in the saddle and your overall confidence with your horse.
Upper-Body Pointers
The difference between first and second place in horsemanship classes lies in the details of your horsemanship position. One of those small items that’s easily overlooked when you’re showing is your upper-body position—especially your free arm and hand and both of your shoulders. Keeping these small details top of mind every time you ride means they’ll become second nature in the saddle.
Busted: 6 Western Horse Training Myths
A top trainer debunks common western horse training principles you may have been taking as gospel.
Trot-Free Takeoff
Trainer Crystal McNutt helps a reader who struggles with setting up her horse for walk-to-lope transitions.
No More Cheating
Is your horse starting to cut corners on his maneuvers? Nip this behavior in the bud before it becomes a bigger problem.
Exercise: Straightness for Lead Changes
Use this exercise to improve your straightness for lead changes.
Invisible Riding Cues
Learn how to control your horse’s speed and direction with subtle riding cues.
Finesse Your Lead Changes
Use this exercise to prepare your horse to stay straight through all of your lead changes.
Teaching Your Horse to Turn
Teaching your horse to turn will allow you to have more steering ability and control anytime you’re in the saddle.
Ride With Impulsion and Confidence
Learn to ride with impulsion and confidence as you encourage your horse to drive from behind at the lope.
Introduction to Working Equitation
Working equitation is a hot new sport in the U.S. Find out how working equitation can improve your horse and make you a better rider.
Speed Transitions, With Trevor Dare
Don’t let an increase or decrease in speed at the lope put you in the penalty box. Learn how to prepare your horse for speed transitions at home so you can show mastery of them when it counts.
Secrets to Stop a Spin
A precise end to a set of spins keeps you out of the penalty box and prevents your horse from developing bad habits.
*Use* Your Horse’s Smarts With Reward-Based Training
Reward-based training—or positive reinforcement--can activate your horse’s intelligence in a way that makes him want to learn.
Control Your Horse's Body
Can you put each of your horse’s feet where you want them? Learn how with my tips.
Take a Stab at Working Equitation!
Working equitation is a fascinating equestrian sport imported from Europe. Try this fun exercise to give you and your horse a taste of what it’s all about.
Riding With a Hackamore or Bosal
The hackamore plays a pivotal role in traditional training for reined cow horses, following the snaffle bit. It allows you to use direct-rein cues, just like a snaffle, but begins to introduce the concept of neck reining. That concept is further honed with the two-rein setup and then eventually the bridle. But the hackamore isn’t exclusive to reined cow horses. You can incorporate it into your training program, no matter your area of interest.
Get Your Horse Moving
This exercise challenges and promotes your in-saddle balance so you can begin to develop a truly independent seat.
Change It Up for Confidence
This creative exercise is easy, fun, and guaranteed to get you focused on your riding—instead of your nerves.
Ace Your Pivot
Perfect your horse’s turnaround with these helpful tips and troubleshooting pointers.
Effective Gait Transitions
Whether you’re a beginner or advanced, ride trails or rails, effective speed transitions are an essential part of your horsemanship. Controlled, smooth changes of gait make for a more enjoyable ride for you and your horse—less bouncing around, fumbled cues, and confusion for your horse. And they net you a better score if you compete. Here I’ll explain how one of my young riders works on her transitions to eventually make them effortless and almost invisible.