Author Archives: Jillian

First it all starts on the ground. Building softness in the halter is a lot like building softness in the bridle for a young horses first time with a bit. Flexing left and right while standing is step one. Step two is long lining with the halter (I prefer rope halters at first since theyContinue reading “How to transfer your horse from bridle to bitless”

Lexus has extensive groundwork. That how all of my horses are. If you do your groundwork thoroughly, the time in the saddle comes naturally! Here you see her relaxed, traveling on a loose rein confidently. I worked her off the rail so she’s not relying on the rail and putting my cues secondary. I polishedContinue reading “Only a handful of rides, you wouldn’t believe it if I told you so here proof!”

Only a handful of rides and my mare Lexus already does the no rein stop! Groundwork is key folks! Spend the time on the ground teaching so you don’t have to battle in the saddle!

My clients filly, a very reactive 9 month old filly that was hard to catch and extremely reactive and she KICKED! Two months later she’s a good citizen, bathes, loads, leads, lunges, women the bareback pad, wears a blanket now and she can be touched all over! She’s never had her feet trimmed so IContinue reading “Be wise desensitize!”

Mister Bear is always the first one on my youngsters he’s about 10 pounds and I sit him up like a person so the horses get used to something above them. Then I hang him off both sides so they get used to weight pulling on both sides of the saddle. Mister Bear is aContinue reading “Calvin had his first rider today!”

My final stage of groundwork for the youngsters before their first ride is having them carry the flag. The flag symbolizes something moving in the saddle and also getting them used to something touching their rump. This method helps me find the horses trigger spots, meaning, where they’re most sensitive. with her it was somethingContinue reading “Flag training with Lexus!”

Loading practice is never a bad idea! I don’t just like my horses to load I like them to walk in on their own and be comfortable standing in the trailer without wanting to come out right away or being insecure.

Pippi had her first experience with the cinch and the bareback pad. She didn’t mind at all and hardly noticed it! I put a very soft fleece bareback pad on the babies it gives them a pleasant experience with the cinch and always is a positive training session.

In just four days she’s been on daily dewormer, super gain and loose Redmond salt to catch her up on her minerals and any other deficiency or possible parasite infestation. All of my horses that come in get daily dewormer, super gain and loose salt to ensure their optimum health while here in school 🙂

Mister Bear rode Lexus today and they both did very well! Mister bear flops all over and occasionally falls off but still attached to the saddle so it gets the youngsters used to him hanging off of them also. As much as I can introduce these young horses to helps them become better prepared toContinue reading “Lexus had her first ride!”