Zen Horse

Zen Horse

Training Tip of the Week

Make the Most of Your Time

By Clinton Anderson

What you may not realize is that all the steps you just went through can also be used in the training process. If you’re like me, most of you don’t have all day to spend with your horse.

Between your job, family and other commitments, you may feel that you don’t have the time to train as much as you would like. You rush out to the barn, quickly catch your horse and hurry out to the arena or trail before you feel like the training can begin.

What you may not realize is that all the steps you just went through can also be used in the training process. You can still use every minute with your horse as a training opportunity.

For example, once you’ve caught your horse, side pass him to the barn rather than just leading him, or do some sending exercises. Rather than dragging your horse out to the arena, back him up there instead.

This is not only teaching him respect and how to respond to pressure, it’s also better preparing him for when you do get on. Even though we may not get to spend as much time with our horses as we may like, you can still use every minute with your horse as a training opportunity.