Author: Charles Wilhelm

We all have busy times when we can’t work with our horses as much as we would like. Family, illness, work and weather can prevent us from working our horses consistently.

Spending time on the road, I have been asked many times, “What is your favorite breed?” My favorite breed is any breed that has a good mind and good feet. A horse that is flighty with a high emotional level will usually never totally settle into a good safe riding horse. A horse with small feet will usually have lameness issues.

Last time I discussed six important “secrets” or training tips to help you build a great relationship with your horse. The last four tips round out the secrets to successful training and an enjoyable experience with your horse.

Working with horses is a mental game and requires that the trainer understand several principles and have a number of skills. The following “secrets” will help you communicate with your horse and build the great relationship you always wanted. Here are the ten secrets you need to know.

Follow through –

The act of moving the hips over for a one-rein emergency halt is the single greatest technique you can employ to stop a horse that is bolting or bucking. It can and has saved many riders from terrible accident and injury. Picking up on both reins when a horse is out of control, does not help. Pulling on both reins captures the horse’s energy and actually fuels the horse’s desire to flee. The horse will feel trapped and will rear, buck or bolt.