The near-side of a horse is his left hand side when you’re sitting on his back. His off-side is his right hand side. It’s ingrained into most horse people that horses should always be handled from the near-side. We’re told to always approach and catch… Read More »Humans Are One Sided Not Horses
My mother has a small companion dog named Lilly. When mum takes her for a walk, Lilly decides where they go and how fast they go. Mum allows Lilly to stop and sniff under shrubs, walk across the driveway to talk to a neighbour and… Read More »You Must Concentrate on Your Horse
Below is a call for help that came via my Facebook page. For privacy reasons I’ve changed the person’s name. However, nothing ever changes when it comes to catching horses. … “Hi Neil. I’m sure you get a million messages a day, but I’m praying… Read More »A Catching Story
The problem everyone has with their horse is being able to walk, trot and canter when they want, where they want, at the exact speed they want and to have their horse relaxed and confident at all times. That’s it – pure, simple and uncomplicated.… Read More »How to Teach Your Horse to Step Over Obstacles
Way back in 1989, I did an exhibition at the California State Fair in Sacramento. I was the four o’clock show every day, for eighteen days. At the Fair I met Tad Griffith, one of the greatest trick riders the world has ever seen. Every… Read More »How to Handle a Horse’s Legs
Your horse learns from every interaction he has with you. Every time you go near your horse, he learns something new. He may learn to lay his ears back and push over you or bite you. He may learn to turn his tail and kick… Read More »How to Stop Your Horse Biting or Pushing Over You
When a horse lays his ears back and bites, the handler invariably moves out of the way and yells “No” or “Don’t bite” or something similar. After all, people don’t want to be bitten. Then, a few seconds later, the handler hits at the horse.… Read More »My Horse Bites. What Can I Do?
My recent visit to the US made me realise how ingrained bad training ideas have become. Unfortunately, so many of these beliefs are accepted far and wide. Ideas like you must become your horse’s leader and you must gain his respect have been marketed for… Read More »Which Halter Should I Use?
There’s a big difference between a horse doing as you ask and half doing as you ask. This includes catching an unhandled horse for the first time. It should never take weeks or months to catch an unhandled horse. Sneaking around a frightened horse for… Read More »Catching an Unhandled Horse