| As you're acquiring your equestrian horse back riding | | | | and leadership is so important. When your horse is |
| training knowledge and getting enthusiastic about | | | | comfortable, you are confident and comfortable with |
| practising your horse training - you need to organise | | | | your training and know that you have leadership, riding |
| your tools and training areas so they're on hand and | | | | on the trail is relaxing for YOUR HORSE and you can |
| available when you need them. Just as cricket players | | | | practise a training move every now and then, get it |
| wouldn't train or play amongst briars or on scrubby | | | | right and go on enjoying the trail. |
| pitches and practise in specifically designed nets to | | | | Many horses that have trouble with the bridle and bit |
| improve their focus, you also need to have access to | | | | prefer and respond kindly to the "Natural Hackamore", |
| a variety of practise areas, so as your comfort and | | | | as they soften in the body and all of their stiff |
| confidence increases with your horse back riding and | | | | unwanted muscle memories due to 'opposition reflex' |
| horse handling skills training - you can then graduate to | | | | to the bit disappear and they look forward to their |
| larger areas - WHY?- because until you've calmly and | | | | work. NOTE: You need to learn about the |
| gently proven to your horse that you are in fact the | | | | "Hackamore" and demonstrate effective use and skill |
| leader, if they know they have the advantage and you | | | | at directing, stopping and slowing your horse using the |
| let them show disrespect to you by the horse not | | | | "Hackamore or halter" in the round yard and arena |
| stopping, or slowing when asked or they take off with | | | | before attempting to use it on the trail. |
| you on their back unasked, they have gained | | | | Tools that you need for effective training are: |
| leadership and won't feel the need to demonstrate | | | | A natural halter with knots - like one by Nungar Knots; |
| respect to you. | | | | A natural Hackamore with reins; |
| Areas you need access to are: | | | | A loose ring jointed bit snaffle bit - a sweet iron bit is |
| A yard; | | | | nicer for your horse; |
| A 22 ft round yard; | | | | A plain bridle with No Cavesson or dropped nose band |
| A 40 x 60 ft arena or fenced area of a size similar to | | | | - this is replaced by effective training; |
| that; | | | | Sports mans reins; |
| One acre; | | | | A 12 and 22 ft lead rope. |
| Larger acres, a track or trail. | | | | The 12 and 22 foot lines allow your horse to respond |
| Remember - your horse doesn't have the same view | | | | to you from a distance and show you respect, or if |
| of YOU that you do - when you walk into a paddock | | | | frightened to move away impulsively but still have a |
| of 9 horses, there is a pecking order - number 1 is the | | | | connection with you. These tools allow you to |
| boss and number 9 is lowest ranking - when YOU | | | | communicate to your horse in a way that builds the |
| walk in the paddock they ALL SAY here comes | | | | horses comfort and allows you to also build your |
| number 10! That's right they think they can boss you! - | | | | comfort levels when you train your horse and |
| That's why learning the art of gentle communication | | | | advance your equestrian horse back riding skills. |