In this Q&A session with eighth-grade riders, horse trainer Michael Gascon breaks down the critical skill of disengaging the hindquarters—a key step in gaining total control of your horse, especially...

The jog trot is a crucial gait for developing a calm, responsive horse with a quiet mind. It allows riders to refine cues, improve collection, and teach softness without triggering...

In this final session of the Horse Hop Challenge, Michael Gascon answers rider questions about speed transitions, collection, and solving common riding issues. He explains how to cue downward transitions...

In Michael Gascon's Crystal Clear Communication clinic at the 2019 World Horse Expo, he shared essential horsemanship lessons on controlling a horse’s mind before its body. With a mix of...

Teaching your gaited horse smooth transitions between walk, trot, and canter can dramatically improve their relaxation, responsiveness, and versatility. In this post, we work with Flip, a formerly high-strung Paso...

In Part 2 of Michael Gascon's neck reining series, he continues working with Rocket, a Rocky Mountain Horse, to build softness, responsiveness, and one-handed control. This session emphasizes the importance...

Wondering when to transition your horse to a solid bit? The key indicators are trust, control, and refinement—when you no longer need to pull or flex your horse and can...

In this clinic session, Michael Gascon works with a 10-year-old Paso Fino struggling with trotting, stumbling, and a lack of energy. Through a mix of groundwork, saddle work, and strategic...

In this post, Michael Gascon breaks down when and why to introduce a shank bit in your horse’s training. Using a five-year-old mare named Diva as an example, he explains...

A strong backup is essential for improving your horse’s balance, collection, and responsiveness. In this guide, we break down how to teach your horse to guide while backing up using...

Mastering the heel loop is all about precision, technique, and the right hand positioning. Unlike a head loop, your hand should finish vertically with your pinky down and thumb up,...

Looking to get your gaited horse moving faster while maintaining smooth, controlled gaits? In this blog, we break down effective techniques for increasing your horse's speed, from engaging their hindquarters...