We want the horse to respond to cues and not rely on reinforcements

Notions without intention mean nothing

Training All Breeds

During the first two months of training I want to build a foundation through teaching my 24-Step Basic Ground Training Program. Basic Ground Training will take approximately 4-5 weeks on an average 2 year old. The time it takes to teach this initial training varies from horse to horse, depending on the age, breed, bloodlines, disposition, and the style of handling the horse has been exposed to prior to arrival. It may take 6-8 weeks to change the patterns and attitude of an older horse or stallion as more time is needed to maintain their focus and accept training. Basic ground training sets the stage for how willingly your horse accepts the lessons in my Basic Riding Program. Riding starts 4-6 weeks into the Basic Ground Training Program.

The foundation I want to build during the first months of training is a series of simple maneuvers that are the basis of all good riding. I want a young horse to walk, trot, lope and back up on a loose rein and guide well by giving his head softly in both directions. He should lope a nice circle with his body between the bridle reins, not pulling in or out of the circle. I want him to lope a straight line without veering left or right and lope across the pasture on a loose rein with no signs of running off. At this time I do not teach any hard fast stops or turnarounds.

1st Month Training

Basic Ground Training Exercises include:

  • Check your horse out with hands and lead shank
  • Toss lead shank over the horse's wither, back, hip and around legs
  • Teach your horse to give to pressure
  • Leading
  • Backing up and shadowing
  • Disengage the hindquarters
  • Pivot on the forehand
  • Pivot on the hindquarters
  • Introduce the flag
  • Sack out with a lead shank, flag and saddle pad
  • Cross-tying
  • Picking up the feet
  • Teaching your horse to stand on 3 feet
  • Trimming hooves with ease
  • Bridling the horse
  • Eye transitions
  • Pony from another horse
  • Lateral flexing
  • Direct and Drive
  • Lounging
  • Ground Driving
  • Saddling
  • Swing stirrups and nip latigo
  • Step up in the saddle from each side
  • Ground Tie
  • Ride when ready

Goals to achieve during the 1st Month of training

  • Basic Ground Training Lessons [ as shown above]
  • Change bad habits and patterns
  • Teach horse to accept training
  • Allow time for the horse to settle into the daily routine
  • Become familiar with being tied up in the barn and wash rack
  • Ride when horse is ready

All Basic Ground Training is first taught with a rope halter. The young horse must understand and be cooperative before I progress to a snaffle bit. I believe it is important to initially teach everything on the ground before riding, so when I get on their back the horse understands what I am asking.

2nd Month of Training

  • Finish "Basic Ground Training Exercises" if needed
  • Teach "Basic Riding Exercises"
    • Lateral and Vertical flex
    • Walk, trot, and lope on a loose rein
    • One rein stops
    • Weight transfer stops
    • 2 rein stops
    • Backup
    • Teach your horse to be patient and relaxed standing still
    • Introduce neck reining
    • Introduce pivot on the forehead
    • Introduce side pass

3rd Month of Training

  • Lateral and Vertical flex
  • Leg Yielding
  • Pivot on forehead
  • Pivot on hindquarters
  • Side Pass
  • Walk, trot and lope circles (straight lines) on a loose rein
  • Stops
  • Rollbacks
  • Backup
  • Basics in neck reining
  • Teach your horse to be patient and relaxed standing still
  • Pasture and Trail Riding

4th Month Training

  • Repetition of all the Basic Riding Exercises to this point
  • Haunches in
  • Walk to lope lead departures
  • Introduce half pass
  • Teach your horse to be patient and relaxed
  • Pasture and trail riding

5th Month of Training

  • Walk, trot, and lope on a loose rein
  • Stops and rollbacks
  • Backup
  • Advanced Lateral and Vertical Flexing
  • Neck Reining
  • Pivot on forehand
  • Pivot on hindquarters
  • Side pass
  • Leg Yield
  • Haunches in
  • Lead Departures
  • Introduce counter canter
  • Teach your horse to be patient and relaxed standing still
  • Pasture and Trail Riding

6th Month of Training

  • Continue to perfect all exercises shown in 5th Month
  • Basics in lead changes