Riding Goals Anyone?

What's everyone got planned for this year? Any new horses you're starting or skills you plan to add to the old ones?

Hello - I am not a horse trainer by profession but I do believe I’m training to some degree all the time (for good or bad lol). I just got my first yearling - well I guess he turned 2 today - but I was curious to know what you think is helpful for a client to have done with their horse before having them started under saddle? And what things would you rather the client not mess with at all? I’m excited to learn with my colt but also don’t want to make a mess of things. Thanks and Happy New Year!

Hey Richard!

I just wanted to share some wins. I’m a friend of JT Timmons and also one of his clients—he’s the one who told me about your program. I think he was about to fire me because my horses were not great at standing still for him. 😅

So much of horsemanship isn’t explained well. Even after riding for 30 years, I realized I just needed someone to clearly explain what to look for and how to get a horse there with me mentally. It’s not rocket science, but there are lessons that need to be scaffolded for the horse/trainer, and I don’t think many horsemen explain those concepts clearly. Your program has filled in a lot of holes I was never taught.

I’m thrilled to say my horses now stand quietly (and JT hasn’t fired me). But the biggest win was yesterday: a Thoroughbred gelding (who has done upper level eventing) who used to spin badly on the trail when riding alone—very buddy sour, lots of tension—after putting him through 15 days of round pen and long lining work- went out for a quiet three-mile ride. No tension, stayed between two reins, completely content. If that’s not a win, I don’t know what is.  

I ride mostly Thoroughbreds, and the stress, tension, and “dullness to the aids” they come off the track with is real. I truly think your program is a must for anyone with an OTTB—it teaches softness and makes them genuinely rideable. And let’s be honest… it’s no fun not being able to turn a horse going 30 miles an hour.

I’ve also got three youngsters that I finally feel confident starting, and my 12 year old daughter is having an absolute blast teaching her Quarter Horse your program. 

Just a lot of wins over here, and I wanted to send my gratitude. Hopefully I’ll get to meet you someday.

happy new year!

Conoly Sullivan 

Eremos Farm

merry chrismass happy new year from brittany in france 

Gday Richard, Ben from New Zealand here hope all is well. There use to be a video on how to get your horse turning naturally on the hind quarters, it may still be there but I can’t find it. I was wondering if you might be able to direct me to it please or if you had time post another video on it . I found it really helpful and would love to watch it again . Cheers Ben 

Hey guys,  I hope y'all are well and having a nice holiday season.  Richard

@richardboatwright I've been working with my three year old rescue filly, using the twenty day program with Luna. We are up to day seven now.. she will take absolutely anything I give her to do, but my goodness she will not move her feet unless it's first thing in the morning or a bit chilly outside.The flag worked for the first 2 days, but I can shake that flag with everything that's in me and she'll just look at it.It doesn't bother her whatsoever. Another day, twirling a rope made her move.But only that one day. Slapping my leg, clucking, smooching, nothing she'll just walk over to me. Yesterday I had put the long drive reins on her, and she responded quite well to that as far as turning her head with the slightest bit of pressure applied.But she did it from pretty much standing still.  My farrier says she's extremely lazy I might as well just get on her now hahaha any other suggestions for how I can actually get her moving on a consistent basis?It does get tempting to just get on her ...

Hey Richard Boatwright I’m bringing my 3rd colt through your program and he seems to be a lot different. He wants to stall up and freeze under pressure (rather than move feet). This became a problem the second time I got on him… he didn’t want to move his feet with a cluck and smooch so I tapped with feet and he took off and started bucking. 

Does he just need more forward motion in ground work before I get on him again?

And how to regain confidence. Thank you. 

I would like some videos or input on how to fix a super good well rounded horse with one issue when you cinch up saddle he bucks for few minutes everytime  once he stops he is the best horse and you dont have to worry about him bucking or doing anything until the next time you cinch his saddle down again doesn't matter if your out on him for 10 hours once saddle comes off when it goes back on again and you cinch it he will buck for a few minutes then good to go for the day. 

Looking for some advice on bridling and older horse that just isn't having it. I took in this mid-teens horse to ride for 30 days...just some wet saddle pads kind of thing. The mare rides around good and actually has a decent handle but she turns into a complete freak when trying to bridle. I'm on day 4 with her now and have been doing my rides in the round pen with a loping hackamore to try and get something done. I've spent some time everyday working on getting her bridled, really just trying to start over with it because she obviously has some bad issues with it that has been created over time.

I'm going to suggest the owner have her teeth checked, I'm sure they haven't done that but short of that being the issue, I don't seem to be making much progress. I spend time each day just getting her head in the right spot, pulling the headstall over her face and just rubbing my fingers on the side of her mouth and she throws her head a lot. If you try for the bit, she gets pretty violent with the head tossing. I have gotten her to where I can pull the headstall over and rub on the side of her face some without it being as much of a fight, but that's about it.

Was wondering if there is anything I'm missing or that I could try to help her.