On the Ground
Equitation
Training Under Saddle

3-D Clinic 1:  On the Ground

• leading exercises
• control of the horse’s body parts
• roundpenning
• outdoor obstacle course/trailer loading
• advance and retreat technique - obstacles and desensitizing
• building a connection with our horses

We also demonstrated our What Color is Your Horse Really? program relating to our new Color Tool™ booklet. We talked about the horse and rider personalities being broken into four traits: Red sorrel, Blue roan, Dapple gray, or Yellow palomino. We learned through ground training and round pen demonstrations that each color has its own set of strengths and limitations, which can be applied to every person and every horse. From this portion of the clinic, the key take home message is that as we work in our strengths and on our limitations, our personal growth gives us the ability to grow in our relationships.

3-D Clinic 2:  Equitation

• equitation
• stopping exercises
• control of the horse’s body parts
• turns on forehand and haunch
• teaching the horse to follow its nose by one-rein riding
• roll backs
• counter flex
• diagonal reverse
• counter canter
• canter departures
• consistency in all gaits
• building a connection with our horses

Part of what we talked about at the Equitation clinic is recognizing when you need to get tough and put your knowledge into “4-wheel drive” and when to ask for a “rope” or get help on what to do next. Both situations can be frustrating, but remember that frustration is part of advancing to better horsemanship.

3-D Clinic 3:  Training Under Saddle

• lunging in small circles
• riding small circles using only one rein - teaching the horse to follow its nose
• stopping exercises
• control of the horse’s body parts
• turns on forehand and haunch
• half passes
• roll backs
• counter flex
• counter canter
• canter departures
• consistency in all gaits
• pattern work
• diagonal reverse
• circles
• timing for up and down transitions