Sample Our Newsletter
"Horse Riding Tips," from my FREE monthly newsletter

From the How to Train a Horse Series:

"Horses require motivation during training – it's what keeps them trying to find the right answer. Maybe you're trying to teach the horse to move his shoulder. You pick up a rein, the pressure on the horse's mouth causes him to search for the release. He soon learns to move his shoulder over to get a release.) Something important to keep in mind is this: While some horses require a lot of motivation (read: pressure in your hand or legs), others may require very, very little. Assuming that all horses require a lot of motivation is asking for trouble. You've got to experiment to find out which horse you've got at the moment you're riding. "Over-motivating" an uppity horse will put too much energy into your horse; you'll have less control and he'll actually be less responsive. So, bottom line: How much motivation you apply depends upon the horse and it may take more – or less – than you first imagine. Experiment to find out what gets the best results."

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From John Lyons Trainer Keith Hosman

Trailer Training Horses
A Downloadable Book

A sample from Day 3:

"As we continue to move the horse on and off the trailer, a strange thing typically happens: Reverse psychology. Most horses, following enough repetition, will just go ahead and try to load, as if to say "Enough already." It's actually kinda funny, to push a horse back off the trailer, a horse that wouldn't get near it three days earlier. But that's what you need to do: Pause briefly, then ask him to back off (by applying light pressure to the lead rope). Why pull him off when loading was our goal? Well, our goal is not to get the horse on the trailer – it's to teach him "to trailer." That means he loads up when and where we ask, under all circumstances and then travels politely. Simply jamming our horses onto a trailer doesn’t teach them a darn thing. Sooner or later, skipping the steps is going to cause a problem. Asking him to back that foot off isn't "pulling the foot out of the trailer," it's "unloading practice.""

- Print out from home
- 5 Days, 5 chapters
- Learn at your own pace

Just $4.99

For more info:
this course | all courses

Available Downloads:
"Stop Bucking"
"Rein/Speed" (for Nervous Horse Owners)
"Round Pen First Steps"
"Trailer Training"

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"Beginner Horseback Riding Lessons - Read This Before Taking Lessons"
By Sara Diamond

Read on for things that's essential to know before you take Beginner Horseback Riding Lessons.

So you want to learn how to ride a horse? Well, there is something special about the human - horse relationship. No doubt about that. Here are some things you should know before you take Beginner Horseback Riding Lessons.

It's a big plus if you can get to know horses - their breeds, colors, height and recommended uses. You'll need to understand the differences between English & Western styles of riding. Also, before you start riding a horse, it's best if you get to know the horse - they have personalities too! Likewise, the horse should get to know and trust you.

Learning to ride a horse can be a fun & rewarding experience for people of all ages. However, if the proper skills and safety techniques aren't learned beforehand, you can end up taking many hard falls. That's a big reason many beginner horseback riders end up quitting. Falls and injuries can be avoided if the beginning horseback rider takes the time to study the proper horseback riding techniques prior to riding a horse. Just like with learning to ride a bicycle; you first had to fully understand your restrictions, and what the bicycle is capable of. Same goes with learning to ride a horse. Did you know that 90% of falls and horse related injuries result from an inexperienced rider?

If possible, it is beneficial if you can read some horse-related books before taking beginner horseback riding lessons. That way, you know basic horse - related information. You wouldn't want to begin taking lessons knowing nothing about these beautiful animals. Some of the basic things you need to know are before taking beginner horseback riding lessons are: What you should wear when riding and what not to wear, how to mount & dismount, the various gaits of the horse, understanding the mind of the horse, how to stay in control, etc.

Also, it's good to know that it's natural to be scared the first time you ride. But don't let the horse know that. Horses are like children; they sense when their rider is insecure. So even if you're afraid, act relaxed. Fake it till you make it!

Riding a horse can be one of the most thrilling experiences of your life. Stick with it. Learning to ride a horse can be slow & hard work. Don't give up. Knowing that lots of experienced horse riders did not grow up around horses and also took beginner horseback riding lessons can be reassuring.

Sara Diamond likes to write about her interests. Horses are one of her loves. There is an excellent book that is a must-read before taking Beginner Horseback Riding Lessons. It is written especially for beginners in clear, easy to understand language. Read Horseback Riding - The Complete Beginners Guide to learn all the basics before taking Beginner Horseback Riding Lessons. The book is written by two horse lovers with a combined 45 years of riding experience.

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Next, I'd Read:

Recommended articles featuring the methods of John Lyons:

• Riding Mechanics and Bad Habits
• Horse Riding Tips
• Rider Checklists

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