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Facing Fears with Horses: A Groundwork Approach

Facing Fears with Horses: A Groundwork Approach

Training Tips

Introduction

Welcome to today's session! I'm thrilled to be here with you all as we dive into an essential topic: facing our fears.

The Goal: Facing Our Fears

Today's focus is on overcoming fears, which is a crucial part of both horse training and personal growth. We might encounter some obstacles that could spook the horses, but we'll start with groundwork to build confidence.

Groundwork: The Starting Point

Before we get into any obstacles, we'll begin on the ground. Groundwork is essential as it lays the foundation for everything we do with our horses. It's not just about leading a horse; it's about communicating and establishing trust.

Leading the Horse: Adjusting Your Approach

The key here is to lead your horses while keeping them outside of your personal space, or your "bubble." This means you shouldn’t be able to touch them unless you invite them in.

To do this, give your horse a little more slack on the lead rope than you're used to. Imagine you're walking with purpose, and then, out of nowhere, you stop, turn, and ask your horse to back up.

Practicing Backing Up

Let's focus on this exercise. When you stop, your horse should back up out of your space without any physical prompting. This is a simple yet powerful task. It’s like kindergarten for horses; they only need to stay out of your space and back up on command.

Conclusion: Building Confidence Together

By working through these exercises, both you and your horse will gain confidence. Facing fears isn't just about overcoming challenges; it's about building a trusting relationship with your horse. Today is just the beginning, and I'm excited to see how far you all will go!

Check out more free training resources HERE!

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Promotional image featuring Michael Gascon with his horse, used to promote the Horse Safety Free PDF Checklist. Encouraging horse enthusiasts to download the checklist for essential safety tips and guidelines.

HOW SAFE IS YOUR HORSE?

Can you control every part of his body, even if he’s scared or unsure?

There are some specific things that I believe every horse should be able to do before they are considered completely safe to ride. So that you can see how safe your horse is to ride, I’ve created this FREE Horse Safety Checklist.

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Meet The Author: Michael Gascon!

I'm a 5th-generation, world-renowned horse trainer. My training methods have given tens-of-thousands of people a direct, no B.S. guide to training their horse to create more confidence, more fulfillment, and more enjoyable times with their four-legged friends.

As riders, we all want our horses to achieve their potential, but many people struggle with the process to get there.

I'm here to help you achieve maximum performance, relaxation, and focus by teaching you The Language Of The Horse.

The only requirement? The desire to learn more and have FUN with your horse.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU HAVE FUN WITH YOUR HORSE?