Archives: Learning Modules

Goal: Develop a forward, relaxed horse that can trot on a loose rein with no steering. This helps the horse learn responsibility for maintaining gait…

Goal: Teach the horse to stop softly and safely from forward motion—especially at the canter—by putting a bend in their body, allowing excess energy to…

Goal: Take the soft, multi-step disengage you’ve built and let it melt into forward motion. You’ll gradually release some bend while the feet keep moving,…

In this step, you will begin to move your horse’s feet by asking them to untrack the hind feet. Start with just one step of…

Before you put your foot in the stirrup or swing fully into the saddle, it’s critical to confirm that your horse can respond softly to…

Once your horse has accepted the saddle and girth at a standstill and in motion, the next step is to revisit every piece of groundwork…

By this stage, your horse should already be comfortable with the surcingle or girth preparation exercise. That step taught them how to relax and reset…

Before your horse is ready to be ridden, they must be fully comfortable with pressure around their midsection and the feel of a saddle on…

This is an optional step if you have this piece of equipment.  I did not do this with Chance and Dulce and they were fine…

Before introducing a saddle, it’s important to help your horse become comfortable with both the sensation and pressure around their girth area. This step not…

Before you ever think about saddling, your horse needs to be relaxed and confident with the saddle pad. This step is about much more than…

Working on the canter on-line prepares them both mentally and physically.  It develops the muscle and aerobic strength required for riding, while also reinforcing their…

Lateral flexion teaches your horse to softly follow the feel of the lead rope, which later becomes your rein aid under saddle. It is one…

Just like with desensitizing while standing still, the key here is maintaining a solid connection with your horse. The goal is for your horse to…

Once your horse is confident standing beside you at the fence from both sides, the next step is to practice easing into the feeling of…