In response to letters and emails from people with training and behavior questions about their equines, Meredith has created a series of short training tip videos to help address some of these common issues. Be sure to check out the Detailed Descriptions if you’d like the printable guide that goes along with each video.
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If you have a training question or an idea for another Training Tip video, check out the Ask Meredith section for commonly asked questions, or click here to submit your question.
Select a category to display Training Tips:
Donkey Training | Feeding & Management | Tack, Equipment & Restraints | Grooming | Imprinting, Desensitization & Good Manners |Leading for Good Posture & Core Strength |
Lunging for Good Posture & Core Strength |Ground Driving |Riding Training |
Arena Training | General Performance Training |Jumping | Driving | Postural Rehabilitation
Follow the Leader
Always use Good Horsemanship
Hourglass Pattern Under Saddle at the Walk & Trot
Canter Under Saddle in the Open Arena
Simple and Flying Lead Changes
Transitions
Seat Leg Cues
Straight Forward Under Saddle Obstacles
Body Clipping for Show
Good Equitation
Practice Exercises For Good Equitation
Riding without Stirrups and Reins
Collection
Long Rein vs. Loose Rein
Bending and Lateral Work
Supportive Cues Bending Lateral Work
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Follow the Leader
Following a seasoned animal through the hourglass pattern for their first time in the open arena will give your equine more confidence and decrease the incidence of resistance. And check out the bonus Training Tip Detailed Descriptions! Each Detailed Description explains the subject of the video in a bit more detail and depth, including additional photos. These documents are each about 2 - 4 pages long, and they make it easy to print out the basics of the lesson to read and study offline. This Detailed Description covers information discussed in Training Tip #1 - Donkeys Require a Creative Approach. To watch the video full-screen, click the icon in the bottom right corner of the player that looks like: [ ]. -
Always use Good Horsemanship
Whenever you ride, always practice the elements of good Horsemanship. And check out the bonus Training Tip Detailed Descriptions! Each Detailed Description explains the subject of the video in a bit more detail and depth, including additional photos. These documents are each about 2 - 4 pages long, and they make it easy to print out the basics of the lesson to read and study offline. This Detailed Description covers information discussed in Training Tip #1 - Donkeys Require a Creative Approach. To watch the video full-screen, click the icon in the bottom right corner of the player that looks like: [ ]. -
Hourglass Pattern Under Saddle at the Walk & Trot
The Hourglass Pattern helps your equine to build good postural balance and core strength with symmetrical muscle development. And check out the bonus Training Tip Detailed Descriptions! Each Detailed Description explains the subject of the video in a bit more detail and depth, including additional photos. These documents are each about 2 - 4 pages long, and they make it easy to print out the basics of the lesson to read and study offline. This Detailed Description covers information discussed in Training Tip #1 - Donkeys Require a Creative Approach. To watch the video full-screen, click the icon in the bottom right corner of the player that looks like: [ ]. -
Canter Under Saddle in the Open Arena
Starting your equine at canter in an open arena requires a systematic and simple approach to sustain good balance and posture. And check out the bonus Training Tip Detailed Descriptions! Each Detailed Description explains the subject of the video in a bit more detail and depth, including additional photos. These documents are each about 2 - 4 pages long, and they make it easy to print out the basics of the lesson to read and study offline. This Detailed Description covers information discussed in Training Tip #1 - Donkeys Require a Creative Approach. To watch the video full-screen, click the icon in the bottom right corner of the player that looks like: [ ]. -
Simple and Flying Lead Changes
Correctly done Flying Lead Changes should take place simultaneously, so it is important to build strength and balance through Simple Lead Changes before even attempting Flying Lead Changes. And check out the bonus Training Tip Detailed Descriptions! Each Detailed Description explains the subject of the video in a bit more detail and depth, including additional photos. These documents are each about 2 - 4 pages long, and they make it easy to print out the basics of the lesson to read and study offline. This Detailed Description covers information discussed in Training Tip #1 - Donkeys Require a Creative Approach. To watch the video full-screen, click the icon in the bottom right corner of the player that looks like: [ ]. -
Transitions
Transitions in your equine’s gait, speed or direction should always be smooth and fluid and not bouncy. And check out the bonus Training Tip Detailed Descriptions! Each Detailed Description explains the subject of the video in a bit more detail and depth, including additional photos. These documents are each about 2 - 4 pages long, and they make it easy to print out the basics of the lesson to read and study offline. This Detailed Description covers information discussed in Training Tip #1 - Donkeys Require a Creative Approach. To watch the video full-screen, click the icon in the bottom right corner of the player that looks like: [ ]. -
Seat Leg Cues
In order for your seat and leg cues to be accurate and clear to your equine, you will need to improve stability in your own seat and balance. And check out the bonus Training Tip Detailed Descriptions! Each Detailed Description explains the subject of the video in a bit more detail and depth, including additional photos. These documents are each about 2 - 4 pages long, and they make it easy to print out the basics of the lesson to read and study offline. This Detailed Description covers information discussed in Training Tip #1 - Donkeys Require a Creative Approach. To watch the video full-screen, click the icon in the bottom right corner of the player that looks like: [ ]. -
Straight Forward Under Saddle Obstacles
Straight forward obstacles will help your equine to maintain and even improve his balance and coordination with a rider on board. And check out the bonus Training Tip Detailed Descriptions! Each Detailed Description explains the subject of the video in a bit more detail and depth, including additional photos. These documents are each about 2 - 4 pages long, and they make it easy to print out the basics of the lesson to read and study offline. This Detailed Description covers information discussed in Training Tip #1 - Donkeys Require a Creative Approach. To watch the video full-screen, click the icon in the bottom right corner of the player that looks like: [ ]. -
Body Clipping for Show
Body clipping in a natural order with respect for your equine’s patience will help the process go much more easily. And check out the bonus Training Tip Detailed Descriptions! Each Detailed Description explains the subject of the video in a bit more detail and depth, including additional photos. These documents are each about 2 - 4 pages long, and they make it easy to print out the basics of the lesson to read and study offline. This Detailed Description covers information discussed in Training Tip #1 - Donkeys Require a Creative Approach. To watch the video full-screen, click the icon in the bottom right corner of the player that looks like: [ ]. -
Good Equitation
Good equitation is something that must be practiced independently from your training prospect in order for you to improve and for training to go well. And check out the bonus Training Tip Detailed Descriptions! Each Detailed Description explains the subject of the video in a bit more detail and depth, including additional photos. These documents are each about 2 - 4 pages long, and they make it easy to print out the basics of the lesson to read and study offline. This Detailed Description covers information discussed in Training Tip #1 - Donkeys Require a Creative Approach. To watch the video full-screen, click the icon in the bottom right corner of the player that looks like: [ ]. -
Practice Exercises For Good Equitation
There are exercises that you can do that will greatly enhance your equitation and your ability to give clear signals to your equine. And check out the bonus Training Tip Detailed Descriptions! Each Detailed Description explains the subject of the video in a bit more detail and depth, including additional photos. These documents are each about 2 - 4 pages long, and they make it easy to print out the basics of the lesson to read and study offline. This Detailed Description covers information discussed in Training Tip #1 - Donkeys Require a Creative Approach. To watch the video full-screen, click the icon in the bottom right corner of the player that looks like: [ ]. -
Riding without Stirrups and Reins
Riding without the reins and stirrups help to harmonize the balance and communication between equine and rider. And check out the bonus Training Tip Detailed Descriptions! Each Detailed Description explains the subject of the video in a bit more detail and depth, including additional photos. These documents are each about 2 - 4 pages long, and they make it easy to print out the basics of the lesson to read and study offline. This Detailed Description covers information discussed in Training Tip #1 - Donkeys Require a Creative Approach. To watch the video full-screen, click the icon in the bottom right corner of the player that looks like: [ ]. -
Collection
Collection is not just flexing the equine’s neck at the poll. Collection adds more suspension in the gait through the engagement of correct postural core muscle strength in good balance. And check out the bonus Training Tip Detailed Descriptions! Each Detailed Description explains the subject of the video in a bit more detail and depth, including additional photos. These documents are each about 2 - 4 pages long, and they make it easy to print out the basics of the lesson to read and study offline. This Detailed Description covers information discussed in Training Tip #1 - Donkeys Require a Creative Approach. To watch the video full-screen, click the icon in the bottom right corner of the player that looks like: [ ]. -
Long Rein vs. Loose Rein
It is important to know the difference in communication through the pressure you apply to the reins. And check out the bonus Training Tip Detailed Descriptions! Each Detailed Description explains the subject of the video in a bit more detail and depth, including additional photos. These documents are each about 2 - 4 pages long, and they make it easy to print out the basics of the lesson to read and study offline. This Detailed Description covers information discussed in Training Tip #1 - Donkeys Require a Creative Approach. To watch the video full-screen, click the icon in the bottom right corner of the player that looks like: [ ]. -
Bending and Lateral Work
It is important for your equine to sustain the ability to stay erect and bend through his rib cage through arcs and circles. And check out the bonus Training Tip Detailed Descriptions! Each Detailed Description explains the subject of the video in a bit more detail and depth, including additional photos. These documents are each about 2 - 4 pages long, and they make it easy to print out the basics of the lesson to read and study offline. This Detailed Description covers information discussed in Training Tip #1 - Donkeys Require a Creative Approach. To watch the video full-screen, click the icon in the bottom right corner of the player that looks like: [ ]. -
Supportive Cues Bending Lateral Work
Learn what you need to do to help your equine to sustain his balance, to stay erect and bend through his rib cage through arcs and circles as he learned to do during leading training. And check out the bonus Training Tip Detailed Descriptions! Each Detailed Description explains the subject of the video in a bit more detail and depth, including additional photos. These documents are each about 2 - 4 pages long, and they make it easy to print out the basics of the lesson to read and study offline. This Detailed Description covers information discussed in Training Tip #1 - Donkeys Require a Creative Approach. To watch the video full-screen, click the icon in the bottom right corner of the player that looks like: [ ].