A well trained horse is not a fixed asset. Your investment in training will only be secured if you can maintain or improve that level of training with a firm understanding of what your horse knows, how to ask for it, and how to effectively thwart off unwanted behaviors. At Next Level HorsemanshipTM we encourage people to become involved in their horse’s training by inviting them to watch, participate at a level that is comfortable for them, and providing them…
How Do You Handle Hanky Panky?
Horses are unpredictable at times and sometimes when you’re riding things don’t always go as planned. Good training and mileage will minimize the likelihood of mishaps and that should be your first line of defense against cantankerous behavior or spooking episodes on the trail. The more you ride and the better you train, the more likely you are to have a horse that is predictable and closer to the ideal of “bombproof”. If something does go wrong you need a…
Push-Don’t Pull
Have you ever seen a pull-toy? I think we all have and likely remember them from our childhood. They are usually very simple, make some noise or are somewhat flashy by design and can be quite captivating to watch.  When I was a child I remember playing with these and my overstuffed animals for hours but I also remember just sort of dragging them along mindlessly while focused on other tasks. It was easy to cling to them and…
Cross Training Improves Your Horse
Do you feel like you have the versatility and flexibility that you’re looking for with the horse you have now? You can by making a few changes in your training program. At Next Level HorsemanshipTM we build the Foundation, from the Ground Up. It’s important that horses have a strong Foundation in training before being asked to perform beyond their capabilities. Then they will be prepared to succeed in any discipline. Think of training horses as an inverted pyramid. For…
Trainer Spotlight:Dory
Dory Dory is a 6 year old warm blood mare that came to NLHTM in November of 2010 for training after her frustrated owner spent more than a year with other trainers, and with lessons trying to improve her training to no avail. “My horse wasn’t moving off my leg, she wasn’t engaged with the bit, she was stiff and temperamental. Although I was jumping her, it felt more like luck than ability. There was something missing and I needed…
NLH-Cue Tip: Teach Your Horse to Hobble
Teach Your Horse To Hobble: At Next Level HorsemanshipTM we teach our horses to hobble because it is an extremely valuable technique for teaching patience, to give to pressure around their feet which could save them from injury, and to stand and ground tie quietly. But more importantly, hobbling horses can increase the efficiency of your training program, and effectively save your horse’s life and you from the potential for serious injury. Aside from the obvious fact that hobbling will…