Horse Sensible

Equine Guided Training Program Overview

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The steps and lessons in the three levels of our training program are merely a sequence of baby steps that are horsesensible. However, because all horses are different we view this program as more of a roadmap rather than a step by step process. Horses learn at a different pace. Some horses pick things up naturally while others may struggle. Horses will tell you whether you can proceed to something new, or if you need to back up to something they already know, and make the baby steps even smaller until the horse understands what you are asking.

To be successful, you must always have the horse in the right frame of mind, and have the ability to soften his mind, which softens his body, down to his legs, and to his feet. Much like a willing dance partner, the goal is to shape the horses body and move his feet where you ask, in a willing and rhythmic fashion.

All of our Horsemanship programs follow this training roadmap. For those willing to take the journey in becoming a better partner with horses, the rewards are many:

Click below for a look at our Training Program Framework, and the steps within our three Journey Levels

Our Training Program Framework

Framework of Our Program!
Safety a Priority
Learning to Read Your Horse
Learning and Practicing the Language of the Horse
Establishing and Maintaining Leadership
Developing Soft Feel and Timing with Rhythm and Relaxation
Building Good Riding Skills with Emphasis on an Independent Seat
Gaining Control of and Harmonizing the Five Body Parts Down to His Feet
Strive to Soften the Horses’ Mind, Body and Place His Feet where Desired
Gait and Frame Transitions
Cruise Control
Bit Transitions
Neck Reining

The Three Journey Levels

Journey Level 1

Steps:

  1. The Concept of Gaining Control of the Horses Mind, Body, Legs, and Feet
  2. Becoming an Effective Dance Partner on the Ground
  3. Beginning Groundwork to Establish Leadership and Obtain Basic Shapes
  4. Rein Pressure for Lateral Movement of the Hind Legs on the Ground (Disengage Hindquarters)
  5. Controlling the Movement of all Four Feet Moving Forward from the Ground (Impulsion)
  6. Becoming an Effective Dance Partner in the Saddle (Developing an Independent Seat)
  7. Mounting and Practicing the One Rein Stop from the Saddle
  8. Controlling the Movement of all Four Feet Moving Forward (Impulsion and Cruise Control)
  9. Rein Pressure for Lateral Movement of the Hind Legs (Move Hindquarters)
  10. Rein Pressure for Reverse Movement of all Four Feet (Back-Up)
  11. Circles
  12. Rein and Seat Pressure to Stop Movement of all Four Feet (Stop)
  13. Indirect Rein Pressure for Lateral Movement of the Front Feet (Move Shoulders)
  14. Driving the Hind Feet Forward and Under the Horse’s Body (Softening the Nose and Collection)
  15. Direct Rein Pressure for Lateral Movement of the Front Feet (Move Shoulders)
Journey Level 2

Steps:

  1. Seat and Leg Pressure for Lateral Movement of the Hind Feet
  2. Adding Seat and Leg Pressure for Lateral Movement of Front Feet
  3. Seat and Leg Pressure for Lateral Movement of Front and Hind Feet (Side Pass)
  4. Beginning Leads
  5. Perfecting Leads
  6. Flying Lead Changes
  7. Riding a Straight Line
  8. Gait Control, Frame and Transitions
  9. Bending Exercise-Shoulder In
  10. Bending Exercise-Counter Shoulder In
  11. Bending Exercise-Haunches-In
  12. Bending Exercise-Haunches-Out
  13. Bending Exercise-Half Pass
  14. Turn on the Forehand
  15. Turn on the Haunches
  16. Bending, Turning and Circles
Journey Level 3

Steps:

  1. Riding One Handed-Your at a Fork in the Road
  2. Neck Reining and Leverage Bits
  3. Vaquero Method Utilizing the Bosal and Two Rein- Ultimately to a Signal Bit
  4. Modified Vaquero Method Utilizing Bit Transitions-Ultimately to a Signal Bit

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