Note to Private Horse Owners

Each horse has its own unique character and personality. Given no two horses are identical, I approach each one a little differently but consistently start each horse with groundwork in the round pen. Riding a horse Horses properly round penned learn to respect humans and recognize them as the alpha or herd leader. Great ground manners with a positive attitude is another result. You and your equine partner will experience a more satisfying relationship on and off their back. Ground work lays the foundation for everything that is done on their back. This includes things like moving away from pressure, yielding the hindquarters, desensitizing and flexing. Once I'm on their back, I begin to teach them to move forward at all three gaits. They learn to stop and turn on their haunches, backup, and eventually give at the poll, neck rein, side pass and yes – even flying lead changes.