"To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often." ~Winston Churchill This quote can feel like the exact opposite of horse training. There are lots of teachings that thrive on consistency, routine, and repetition. Repeating cues, drilling patterns, and practicing maneuvers over and over. But there is a dangerous trap in mindless repetition. If the exact same approach is repeated with a frustrated horse, he's not learning - it could be just drilling more resistance i

Horses simply need the right experiences. I know exactly what I want these maneuvers to look like. I want them to be consistent for every rider who ever sits on my horses. My goal is to teach each horse to perform the maneuver correctly without needing much help from the rider - even if that rider doesn't have a deep understanding of the maneuver or of reining itself. If an absolute novice can get the maneuver done correctly, that's a great thing. The challenge, however, is h

We are days away from our first Team WPH circuit show of the season. There is excitement in the air and our Team has been practicing hard...

The sun has been out a few days this week and it’s appearing the beginning of spring is near, which is ushering in feelings of excitement...

Rollbacks that are performed in the finals of big reining classes can excite us! Everyone wants that spectacular, deep, super physical,...

Resistance in horses can be a habit of poor behavior. Your horse may not be intentionally resistant or ignoring your commands. It...

It takes a while to develop the stop. Here, I will detail some elements I use when training horses and focusing on developing the stop....

What happens when you head out for a training session or a ride and your horse says NO? It’s a common thing among many riders, even...

I mention building your tool box, often. What does this mean? It's not just physical equipment. I have options when I'm training...

Here is an approach to schooling spins. This is for the horse that has some experience, not the younger horse still figuring out foot...

I wish we had taken some longer video as the end of this one couldn't be edited, however there is some useful information in it to share....

#keeppushing #keephammering #keeppracticing #keepfighting #fillintheblank The hashtags can #keepgoing and going to help keep us going. ...

There is something to be said on the metaphor of “passing the torch”. Not just the act (in itself), but to whom the torch is passed can...

Horses, like people, have strengths and weaknesses. To utilize your horse's strengths in the show pen, a lot has to happen. To put it...

Balance is a common word with horse trainers. Most of the time it’s used when referring to how a horse can use their body most...

Being a horse trainer, I get questions often. I had an inquiry, recently, on my opinion about horses that rear. Normal responses to...

Many times bobbles happen when working on spins. They happen with broker horses, but are very common in young horses learning the...

I made this post on social media during the summer, but wanted to share it on the blog to reiterate daily training aspects that can get...

I've had this information on paper for a while now, but feel it's good insight to share into fencing and what the horse has to consider. ...

Blocked on all sides of the brain! I've been writing posts on breaking down the reining maneuvers, and how to practice them at home for...