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...

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...

Confidence in the saddle isn’t about fearlessness—it’s about preparation and control. From mastering your seat to gaining full control of your horse’s head and hindquarters, every small step builds trust...

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...

Gaining control of your horse’s head is the first step to gaining control of their body—and their mind. In this blog post, we explore how teaching your horse to drop...

The one rein stop is a vital emergency maneuver that helps riders safely halt a horse's forward movement by flexing its neck and redirecting its energy. Unlike other techniques,...

Mastering head control can transform your horse’s behavior and responsiveness, no matter their breed, age, or training level. In our “Control the Head, Control the Horse” series, we’ll dive...

To become a confident rider, start by ensuring your seat is secure and balanced, as confidence begins in your keister. Control the horse's head by flexing it left and right...

In today's blog post, we focus on slowing your horse down in an open field. The key is to redirect your horse rather than pulling back on the reins, ensuring...

Meet Dinero, a 10-year-old Walker cross who initially struggled with being spooky and difficult to control. Through foundational training that emphasized respect and pressure handling, his behavior improved significantly. Key...