Unleash the Spirit of Western Horsemanship

It is critical to ensure that a student and coach’s philosophies are aligned when it comes to the training of horse and rider.

Can you keep a secret? It is the only way to guarantee crisp, correct manoeuvres, writes Linda Durocher. Okay, here’s how it goes down in my book. Nine times out of 10 a horse’s anticipation begins with a subtle signal from its rider.

Yep, I know it sucks that the one mistake that your horse does over and over again could be starting with you; but the good news is that it is much easier to fix you than it is your horse.

In my last article, I talked about the thought processes behind training, riding, showing and further education. Now, I’d like to talk about my approach, theory and methodology.

This is simply my way, you can take what you want and leave what you don’t like! First and foremost, I work off of a ‘reward-based system,’ versus a programme based upon fear. This is important because, as we discussed previously, you have to know where you are going before you can lead the way in an effective manner, and establish a relationship based upon trust. Now for the breakdown of how this works in the programme.

Unleash the full potential of your horse's refinement and responsiveness with Patrick Hopgood's expert insights on mastering the curb bit. In this comprehensive guide by Western Horse UK, learn the art of transitioning from a snaffle to a curb bit with ease. Discover the perfect type of curb bit, the essential steps to ensure a smooth shift, and expert tips for one-handed riding. Get ready to embark on an exciting journey that will elevate your horsemanship skills to new heights. Saddle up and experience the true connection and finesse that the curb bit can bring to your rides.

Patrick Hopgood concludes his series on training a young reining horse with the final steps in his programme.

At the end of this 12-month training programme, a horse should be able to perform every manoeuvre correctly and should be ready for a few schooling shows where they have a strong chance of running a solid 70. Just remember every horse is different so work with your horse and go at their pace.

We are excited to introduce this new series for trail competitors. US National Champion Lou Roper will be taking us through the fundamental elements required in a trail pattern starting with the lope over.

Lope overs are found in elementary classes usually with two to four poles. In the advanced classes they may have four plus poles; in a fan shape, spokes of a wheel or even an X.