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Training Tips
Your hub for Weekly Training Tips
10.06.2026
Acceptance vs. Tolerance:
Introducing Touch with Tools
Last week, we talked about getting a horse comfortable with physical touch using our hands in a methodical, predictable way. This week, we're building on that idea by introducing touch with a tool.
Gilbert is a five-year-old Irish Sport Horse who has been in training with me for several months, and one of the things we've been working on is helping him understand the difference between energy and movement that applies to him and energy that doesn't.
Before I ever begin touching him with a stick and string, though, I want him to acknowledge that the object exists. There's an important difference between a horse simply standing still and tolerating something and a horse actually being aware of it and accepting it.
From there, I use the same predictable pattern I would with my hand, while watching Gilbert's entire body for feedback and making sure I don't assume that what feels okay on one side will automatically feel the same on the other.
Watch the full video to see how I introduce the stick and string and begin helping Gilbert distinguish between an object simply moving around him and movement that actually has intention behind it.
9.29.2026
Before You Touch: Listening for the Horse’s Yes
Touch is such a normal part of being around horses that it's easy to assume they're comfortable with it. But whether I'm working with a young horse or an older, experienced horse like Dakota, I still want to check in before I begin.
For me, that starts with consent—giving the horse an opportunity to acknowledge my presence and paying attention to whether I have enough of a "yes" to move forward. From there, I want my touch to be predictable and thoughtful while I continue watching for the horse's response.
In this training tip, Dakota helps me demonstrate the rhythm I use when touching different areas of a horse's body, how I approach areas that may be more sensitive, and the subtle ways a horse can tell us both "no, thank you" and "yes, that feels good."
It's a simple practice, but one that can tell us a lot about the horse in front of us—and put a little money in the relationship bank at the same time.
Watch the full video to see what I'm looking and listening for as I move through the process with Dakota.
9.22.2026
Teaching Your Horse to Take Treats Politely
Meet Dakota! He's an older gentleman who boards here at the farm, and while he may have some physical limitations, he still has plenty to teach us.
Dakota likes to know the answer—and sometimes assumes he knows what we're asking before we've even asked it. That tendency shows up especially clearly when food is involved.
Whether or not I'm clicker training, I want a horse to understand how to appropriately receive food from a person's hand. That means not assuming where the treat is coming from, waiting for me to bring the food to them, and then using their lips and tongue rather than grabbing with their teeth.
In this training tip, I introduce the "treat receiving signal" I use to make those expectations clear and work through the process with Dakota, who gives us some very realistic examples of what can happen with a horse who really loves his treats!
Watch the full video to see how I work on both pieces of receiving a treat—waiting for the food to come to him and then taking it carefully once it arrives.
9.10.2026
From Uncertainty to Curiosity:
Introducing New & Scary Objects
New or unfamiliar objects can feel very different to a horse when they're unpredictable, erratic, or suddenly change in appearance or sound.
In this training tip, I work with Rumor and a tarp to explore how we can introduce something potentially scary in a way that helps the horse understand what's happening rather than simply asking them to tolerate it.
We start small and predictable, then gradually change the picture as Rumor becomes more comfortable. Along the way, I'm paying attention to his responses and giving him opportunities to investigate the tarp himself rather than relying on me to convince him that it's safe.
What I'm ultimately looking for is a progression from fear or anxiety, to tolerance, and then to genuine curiosity—where the horse begins investigating something new with their own confidence.
Watch the full video to see how I introduce each new piece of the exercise and use Rumor's responses to decide when he's ready for a little more.
8.25.2026
Lowering the Head Through Rhythmic pressure
Last week, we looked at using direct pressure to ask a horse to lower their head. To recap the importance of being able to ask a horse to lower their head, especially with a horse as tall as Rennie—when a horse can simply lift their head out of reach, everyday handling around their face, mouth, and ears can become a very different conversation.
This week, we're taking that same idea from last week and asking the question in a different way—through rhythmic pressure.
Because this is a new type of pressure for Rennie in this context, I use what he already understands to help bridge the gap to something he hasn't learned yet. What I love about this process is watching for the moment when he starts to connect the pieces and recognize what the new question means.
And because Rennie is still fairly new to the farm, we also get a real-life opportunity to see how this exercise can be useful when something in the environment brings his attention—and his head—up.
Watch the full video to see how I introduce rhythmic pressure, build on Rennie's existing understanding, and let his responses tell me when we've done enough for the day.
8.14.2026
Lowering the Head Through Direct pressure
Asking a horse to lower their head can be a useful skill for any horse—but with a horse as tall as Rennie, it becomes especially practical. When a horse can simply lift their head out of reach, everyday handling around their face, mouth, and ears can become a very different conversation.
In this training tip, I look at using direct pressure to ask for the head to lower, with particular attention to the timing of the release. Even the smallest change matters, and recognizing that moment—and softening the pressure immediately—is an important part of helping the horse understand what we're asking.
Rennie has some experience with this already, but we also introduce a slightly different way of asking that isn't as familiar to him. It gives us a chance to see what happens when the answer isn't immediately obvious and how we can help the horse work through a new question without losing the clarity of the cue.
This is the first of two ways we'll explore asking a horse to lower their head. Watch the full video to see how I use direct pressure with Rennie, and why what happens at the moment of release matters so much.
8.04.2026
Helping Young Horses Understand the Bit
Last week, we looked at the tacking process with Poppy and how much information we can gather about a horse before we ever get on. This time, we continue that process with the bridle and bit.
For a young horse, having something new placed in their mouth can create a lot of sensation—and sometimes a lot of confusion. Rather than making bridling something that simply happens to the horse, I want to give them time to explore the experience, understand what's happening, and become comfortable with the bit in their mouth.
In this training tip, I share one of the ways I introduce and work with a bit, including how I use treats to give the horse a reason to chew purposefully while they adjust to the new sensation. You'll also see Poppy experience a metal bit for the first time and how I respond as she works through what feels different.
It's another small part of preparing a young horse to be ridden, but one where taking our time and paying attention to their experience can make a meaningful difference.
7.16.2026
Confidence Vs. Compliance: Why Tacking Up Is An Important Part of Your Horses Education
Being rideable starts with being handleable on the ground. That's true for every horse, but especially for young ones just beginning their education under saddle.
Before I ever think about getting on, I want the horse to understand the tacking process in a way that doesn't create unnecessary stress or anxiety. That means giving them the opportunity to observe what's happening, process each step, and communicate how they're feeling along the way.
In this training tip, I share how I use the tacking process as part of a horse's education—not just to put equipment on, but to build confidence, relaxation, and understanding before the ride ever begins.
Rather than simply working through the process, I want to know how the horse is experiencing it. Those small moments of curiosity, hesitation, or relaxation give us valuable information about how to move forward in a way that helps the horse feel more confident, not just more compliant.
7.7.2026
Expanding on the Leading Conversation
In the last training tip, we challenged the way we normally lead our horses by adding distance to the side. This week, we build on that idea by changing the relationship again—asking the horse to maintain that same thoughtful distance while working in front of us and then behind us.
It may sound like a simple variation, but it asks both horse and handler to become more aware of one another.
Can the horse match our rhythm? Adjust their speed? Maintain their space without constant reminders?
What I love about this exercise is that it turns an everyday task into a conversation. Instead of simply following along, the horse begins to look for the pattern, solve the puzzle, and become an active participant in the exercise.
It's a fun way to develop focus, improve communication, and bring your horse into the present moment before you ever step into the saddle.
Watch the full video to see how this simple challenge can transform an everyday leading exercise into an engaging game for both you and your horse.
6.10.2026
Leading with more awareness
Leading a horse from one place to another is something most of us do every day without thinking much about it.
In this training tip, I explore what happens when we take that familiar exercise and add a little more distance between horse and handler.
As the distance increases, so does the challenge. The horse has to become more aware of where they are in relation to us, and we have to become more intentional about the information we're giving them. Can they still maintain their position? Can they slow down, stop, or back up with the same understanding they have when they're right beside us?
What I like about this exercise is that it gives both horse and human immediate feedback. It highlights where communication is clear, where it might be a little fuzzy, and encourages both partners to become more aware of one another in space.
It's a simple challenge, but one that can improve boundaries, focus, and communication in a surprisingly meaningful way.
Watch the full video to see how adding a little distance can create a whole new conversation.
6.03.2026
Teaching the Horse to Bring the Hip Toward You
In the last video, we took lateral work off the rail, asking the horse to stay organized and aware without the support of a boundary.
In this training tip, we build on that idea by introducing a different piece of lateral movement: teaching the horse to bring their hip toward us.
While this can be incredibly useful in everyday situations—like lining up at a mounting block—I'm interested in it for more than just the practical application. It's another opportunity for the horse to become aware of where the different parts of their body are, and to learn how to move them thoughtfully in response to our intention.
For many horses, this movement feels a little less intuitive at first. It asks them to organize themselves in a way they may not have thought about before, which makes patience and clarity especially important.
As with so much of this work, the goal isn't simply getting the movement. It's helping the horse understand it.
5.14.2026
Taking Lateral Work Off The Rail
Last week, we used the rail as a place to begin organizing lateral movement—giving the horse a boundary to help them stay aware of their body and present in the exercise.
In this training tip, I take that same movement off the wall.
Without the rail there to help contain and organize the front end, both horse and handler have to become more aware of the line, the rhythm, and the space between them. It asks the horse to stay present in the movement without drifting forward, falling through the shoulder, or losing the shape of the exercise.
What I’m paying attention to here is not just whether the horse can do the movement, but whether they can stay organized and connected while doing it.
You’ll also start to see how all the earlier pieces begin to matter together—backup, shoulders, hips, rhythm, focus, and intention all supporting the horse’s awareness within the movement.
Watch the full video to see how the exercise changes once the rail is removed.
5.8.2026
Introducing Lateral Work: Using the Rail as a Quiet Boundary
In the recent Training Tips, we’ve been building the ability to move the different parts of the horse’s body—shoulders, hips—and beginning to influence them through our intention and energy. Once those pieces start to come together, we can begin to organize them in new ways.
In this training tip, I introduce a place to begin with lateral work by bringing it down the rail.
The rail gives us a quiet boundary—something that helps the horse organize their body without needing as much input from us. Instead of trying to manage every part all at once, it allows the horse to start finding the movement for themselves.
What I’m paying attention to here is how aware the horse is within that space. How they respond to the rhythm in my feet. How quickly they notice when I soften. And whether they can stay present in the movement without drifting forward or losing that connection.
It’s less about doing the movement perfectly, and more about whether the horse is with me—aware, organized, and able to stay in the moment.
4.21.2026
Building Further on Reconnecting a Distracted Horse
In this training tip, I continue exploring ways to help a horse come back into the present moment—this time by focusing on where their feet are and how they’re using their body.
Sometimes when a horse feels distracted or overwhelmed, the movement itself starts to reflect that: rushing, stopping, or losing any kind of steady rhythm. Rather than trying to override that, this exercise gives the horse something specific to organize around—something that asks for their attention in a quiet, physical way.
What I’m looking for here isn’t perfection. It’s awareness. A moment where the horse starts to notice their feet again. Where the steps become more thoughtful. Where the body begins to soften. And often, you’ll see it show up in those small signs we’ve talked about before—a blink, a breath, or a lick and chew.
This also becomes a way to reestablish space and boundaries without tension, as the horse learns to stay organized without drifting into you.
When paired with the previous exercises, this becomes less about “fixing” distraction and more about offering the horse a way to come back—to their body, to their feet, and to the moment you’re in together.
4.15.2026
Helping a Distracted Horse Reconnect
In this training tip, I share an exercise I return to when a horse feels mentally somewhere else—distracted, fixated, or simply not quite with me in the present moment.
Rather than trying to override that state or push through it, this approach asks something different. It invites the horse back into awareness through movement—movement that requires them to organize their body, pay attention to their feet, and begin to reconnect with what’s happening right now.
What I’ve found over time is that when a horse is given the space to find that awareness, rather than being forced into it, the change tends to be more genuine and more lasting. You’ll start to notice it in small ways: a softening through the eye, a deeper breath, or that familiar lick and chew that tells you the horse is beginning to process and settle.
This isn’t about correcting distraction. It’s about acknowledging it—and offering the horse a way back.
If you’ve ever felt like your horse’s body is present but their mind is somewhere else, this exercise can become a quiet, reliable way to bring those two things back together.
4.7.2026
Introducing the Canter with Intention
In this training tip, we continue building on the groundwork sequence by introducing the next layer of forward energy: the canter.
Rather than focusing on simply “getting” the gait, this session looks at how to thoughtfully prepare the horse for the transition, ask with clarity, and then return to a neutral place so the horse can begin to carry themselves without being held.
You’ll also start to see how the pieces we’ve been building—backup, shoulders, circle, and forward energy—come together in a more fluid way. Small details, like how we prepare the transition and how consistent we are with our cues, can make a meaningful difference in how the horse understands and responds.
This is where the work begins to feel more dynamic, while still staying grounded in clarity and communication.
3.31.2026
Adding Forward Energy While Maintaining Clarity and Connection
In this training tip, I begin to bring the groundwork sequence onto a circle with forward movement while introducing two important pieces of communication: sound cues and focus.
Rather than relying on increasing pressure, this session explores how consistent sounds and intentional body focus can help a horse understand what’s coming next—allowing them to respond with more confidence and less tension.
You’ll also start to see the next step in the progression: how to thoughtfully move a horse forward—not just at the walk, but into the trot—without losing clarity or connection. The goal isn’t more energy for the sake of it, but learning how to add it in a way the horse can understand.
This is where the pieces begin to expand into a more dynamic, forward conversation.
3.10.2026
Understanding Steady Pressure
In this training tip, I introduce a different kind of pressure than the rhythmic cues we’ve been using so far—something called steady pressure. Instead of building energy in a predictable rhythm, steady pressure asks the horse to soften and organize themselves in relation to a quiet, consistent feel.
Working with a young horse, I demonstrate how this type of pressure can encourage small but meaningful changes—like lowering the head or beginning to step backward—while keeping the focus on softness, timing, and thoughtful release.
Along the way, you’ll also see how moments of distraction or curiosity can simply become part of the learning process rather than something that needs correction.
If you’ve been following the groundwork series and are curious about how different types of pressure influence a horse’s response, this video offers an important next piece of the conversation.
3.3.2026
Using the Backup to Navigate Gates Calmly
In this training tip, I share one of the most practical—and often overlooked—uses of the backup: helping horses move calmly and thoughtfully through narrow spaces like gates.
Many horses feel pressure when approaching small openings, which can lead them to rush through. In this video, I demonstrate a different approach—one that encourages the horse to slow down, think, and stay attentive as they navigate the space.
Working step by step, you’ll see how small moments of hesitation, curiosity, and adjustment become part of the learning process, and why patience in these moments can make everyday handling much safer and more relaxed.
If you’ve ever noticed your horse speeding up around gates or tight spaces, this exercise offers a simple way to help them stay calm and thoughtful.
2.17.2026
Groundwork in Motion: Building a Smooth Change of Direction
In this training tip, I build on the groundwork sequence we’ve been practicing and begin to show how those individual pieces can be smoothly connected to create a calm, thoughtful change of direction on the circle.
Rather than rushing the turn or pulling the horse in, the focus is on balance, space, and intention—teaching the horse to reorganize their body, stay attentive, and move into the new direction without crowding or losing clarity. You’ll also see how different approaches to a change of direction create a different “feel” in the horse’s balance and understanding.
Just as importantly, this session includes real moments where things aren’t perfectly crisp, offering a look at how to quietly adjust, refine the response, and stay focused on what actually matters in the exercise.
If you’ve been following the series on circles, shoulders, and hip control, this video shows how those pieces begin to blend into a more fluid conversation.
2.3.2026
Groundwork in Motion: Connecting the Pieces
In this training tip, I bring together several groundwork pieces we’ve been building toward—backing up, positioning the shoulders, creating a circle, and using the hip cue to come back to a halt—all with an emphasis on safety, clarity, and attentiveness.
Working with a young horse in challenging conditions, this session shows how these tools start to matter most when things don’t go perfectly. The focus isn’t on making it look polished, but on staying clear in your intention, adjusting when the horse gets distracted or curious, and calmly re-establishing the distance and focus you want.
You’ll see how stringing these skills together creates a conversation where the horse stays aware of you, maintains a safe working space, and learns that clarity—not perfection—is the goal.
If you’ve been following along with the recent groundwork tips and are ready to see how they start to connect into a bigger picture, this video is a good one to watch.
1.27.2026
Intentional Horsemanship: Halter Transitions
In this short tutorial, I walk through a simple but often overlooked skill: how to smoothly switch between a regular halter and a rope halter (and positioning the rope halter correctly)—and just as importantly, how to put a rope halter away so it’s ready for the next use.
This isn’t about doing things fast; it’s about doing them thoughtfully. You’ll see how small habits around preparation, positioning, and organization can make haltering calmer for the horse and more seamless for the human. I also share a few practical tips that help keep your equipment tidy, accessible, and ready to use.
If you appreciate small refinements that make everyday horse handling more intentional and efficient, this video is a good one to add to your toolkit.
1.15.2026
Groundwork Clarity: Disengaging the Hips
In this video, I build on our last session by shifting the focus from the shoulders to the hips—an often overlooked but incredibly important piece of groundwork. Disengaging the hips isn’t just about movement; it plays a major role in both safety and suppleness, especially with green, energetic, or opinionated horses.
Rather than jumping straight into big exercises, I stay rooted in clarity: starting from neutral, setting intention, asking thoughtfully, observing, and releasing at the right moment. You’ll begin to see how subtle changes in energy—not force—can influence how your horse organizes their body.
I also touch on why this movement becomes the foundation for safely stopping a horse that’s moving with energy on a circle, and how anticipation can quietly creep in if we’re not paying attention.
If you’ve ever felt like your horse gets ahead of you, pushes into your space, or struggles with balance and flexibility, this lesson offers a new way to think about those moments.
Drawing on last weeks tip, shifting the horse's shoulders first can help set up the horse for the hip disengagement. Be sure to practice positioning your horses shoulders before moving on to hip disengagement. Practice these movements, and let me know how you're progressing.
12.30.2025
Groundwork Clarity: positioning the Shoulders
In last weeks training tip, we focused on clarifying the backup cue with your horse.
In this session, I check in on that foundation before moving on to an early but essential piece of groundwork: beginning to shift the shoulders into a position that will allow you to safely move your horse onto a circle.
This isn’t about rushing to bigger movement or higher energy. It’s about intention, timing, and noticing the thought before the step. You’ll see how subtle changes in body position and pressure can help your horse understand exactly what you’re asking—without assumptions, confusion, or loss of space.
I also touch on why breaking this skill down early matters so much for safety. Setting the shoulders correctly before adding energy can make all the difference when you begin sending your horse out on a circle, especially with horses that tend to drift in or get ahead of the question.
Watch the video and then give it a shot. Let me know how it goes—I’d love to hear what you notice.
12.11.2025
Four Basic Steps to Groundwork Clarity
This week, I want to give you four specific steps to improve your clarity on the ground, specifically in the backup.
In this video, I am breaking down how to practice clear, effective pressure, before applying it to your horse.
The focus here is understanding your own body, intention, and timing—so your horse can understand you more easily.
Rather than rushing to results, these four steps that highlight how to build pressure thoughtfully, notice the smallest change in response, and return to neutral at the right moment. It’s a reminder that clarity isn’t about being stronger—it’s about being more precise.
If you’ve ever questioned how much pressure to use, or felt inconsistent in your groundwork cues, this video offers a simple framework that can change how you communicate on the ground.
After you watch this video, practice as instructed, starting without a horse and progressing to working with your horse when you feel confident in the steps.