Steps for a Smooth Backup
A smooth backup is something all riders strive for, no matter your discipline.
Reining/Cow Horse
Champion professional trainers share their tips and tricks for spins, stops, rundowns, and cow work.
The Finished Rollback
Bob Avila discusses the finer points of the finished rollback.
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.
Training the Rollback
Teach your young horse solid rollback fundamentals for a foundation to build a stellar show horse.
Crack the Rollback
Use this rollback exercise at home to ensure that you stay out of the penalty box when you go show.
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.
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.
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.
Horse Headsets: Why So Low?
When it comes to horse headsets, everyone has opinions. Before making up your mind, consider these factors.
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.
Control Your Horse's Body
Can you put each of your horse’s feet where you want them? Learn how with my tips.
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.
Hollywood Horsewoman
Pat Denton rode jumpers, reiners, and cow horses, plus modeled, acted, and did stunt and double work for television and the movies. An extraordinary life? You decide.
Make Your Reiner Into a Ranch Rider
Enhance your show experience and extend your performance horse’s skill set by adding ranch riding to your repertoire.
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.
Simplify the Turn
There’s a secret subtlety when it comes to turns for any type of riding. It involves you following your horse’s movement and staying out of his way. Really—it’s that simple. Your horse notices everything you do in the saddle, so you can inadvertently get in his way without even knowing it. Here I’ll explain how something as simple as turning your torso away from the turn hinders your horse’s turning ability.
