LTR Training Tip #16: Great Looking Manes and Tails
Meredith shares her secrets to getting beautiful manes and tails on your equines—including mules!
Training Tips
LTR Training Tip #79: 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.
LTR Training Tip #78: Transitions
Transitions in your equine’s gait, speed or direction should always be smooth and fluid and not bouncy.
LTR Training Tip #77: 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.
LTR Training Tip #75: 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.
LTR Training Tip #70: Teaching Your Mule to Stand Still When Mounting
Having your equine stand still during mounting is the result of a calm and sensible approach to ALL phases of the preliminary groundwork. Going forward with a logical and sequential approach will help the equine to stay calm and prevent any resistance.
LTR Training Tip #68: Mounting Exercises
Trouble usually begins when you get in a hurry. Be sure to take your time and progress at the speed of your equine. As you do these mounting exercises, be sure your equine is comfortable and calm before moving on, and don’t forget the oat rewards!
LTR Training Tip #67: Healthy Hooves for Healthy Riding
Soundness begins with the hooves. There is a wide variety of reasons, so learning to assess if and when your equine needs shoes, and how often hoof care is needed is critical to your equine’s overall physical postural balance and general health!
LTR Training Tip #66: Checking Your Under-Saddle Tack And Equipment
At the Lucky Three Ranch, it’s always safety first! You’re going to need the proper equipment, such as a regulation riding helmet and appropriate, fitted riding boots. Once properly prepared, it’s time for a safe and enjoyable ride.
LTR Training Tip #64: When Ground Driving Lateral Obstacles Aren’t Working
Ground driving helps your equine to understand the rein cues coming from the drive lines. When working through lateral obstacles, your equine may be unsure or fearful. Be sure to work patiently on your verbal commands and take obstacles slowly, while being willing to gently help him through. And don’t forget the reward for good behavior.
LTR Training Tip #62: Ground Driving Straight Forward Obstacles
Ground driving your equine through the straight forward obstacles is a process of turning fear into curiosity, then finesse, coordination, competence and, finally, confidence.
LTR Training Tip #61: Laterally Ground Driving the Hourglass
Lateral ground driving should be done slowly and taken in a natural sequence. Learn how to progress from lateral driving along the rail to laterally ground driving in the Hourglass Pattern.
LTR Training Tip #59: Ground Driving Maneuvers
Getting a “feel” for the drive lines requires patience. Begin by using the “halt” command to change direction before making any turns to prevent confusion and resistance from your equine. Progress to making “S” turns through the middle of the round pen when your animal is ready. Once he is able to remain calm and obedient through the “S” turns, you can introduce the rein cues for the “Reverse”. All these maneuvers will help your equine to understand the rein cues coming from the drivelines before he is mounted and ridden.
LTR Training Tip #58: Getting in Sync on the Drive Lines
Good posture, consistent rhythm and regularity of footfall patterns are key to achieving calmness in your equine. After getting into sync with your equine on the lead rope by matching steps with his front legs, getting into sync with his back legs will help him to stay calm while ground driving him from behind at the walk.
LTR Training Tip #57: Transition To Drivelines
Once your equine has become proficient in his posture and balance, leading over obstacles, and various stages of lunging, you are ready to put your equine on the drive lines in the round pen. Find out how to make this transition successfully.
LTR Training Tip #55: Lunging Multiple Equines
It’s easy to lunge multiple animals when they are all trained the same way with sequential, logical and purposeful training practices. Learn what you and your equines need to know to lunge together safely and successfully!
LTR Training Tip #54: Setting Up for Successful Lunging
Know when your equine is ready to start working on lunging, and how to best set them up for success.
LTR Training Tip #53: Use of the Whip During Lunging
The whip is used in lunging to create movement and encourage impulsion in the equine and should never be used in an abusive manner. Learn how to use it the RIGHT way in Meredith’s latest training tip!
LTR Training Tip #52: Verbal Commands and Body Language
It is important to learn the elements of good communication through verbal commands and body language. You’ll find an equine who is willing to comply when he understands what you are asking!