Desensitizing your horse while standing still is only half the battle—the real challenge is keeping their focus and respect in motion. In 3rd Grade Horsemanship, desensitizing exercises test whether your...

Graduating from kindergarten to first grade in horse training is all about teaching your horse undivided attention. Instead of lunging for exercise, you’ll learn how to build focus, respect, and...

Did you know a breeching can help your gaited horse move with better collection and balance? In this post, Michael Gascon explains how this traditional mule tack, when fitted correctly,...

In this Day 1 training session with Nakaia, Michael Gascon demonstrates how to turn fear into focus by building respect through foundational groundwork and clear communication. By reinforcing softness in...

Preschool is the crucial first step in colt starting, where a horse’s respect, responsiveness, and mindset are evaluated before any saddle work begins. In this phase, Michael Gascon uses free...

Mastering 11th grade "push obstacles" is all about building confidence, control, and clear communication with your horse. In this stage, you'll learn how to guide your horse through fear of...

Struggling with a strong, reactive, or buck-prone horse? The 7th Grade Spiral is a game-changing groundwork exercise that builds softness, respect, and responsiveness. In this post, Michael Gascon breaks down...

Building a respectful bond with your horse starts from the ground up. By using a clear, step-by-step training system—from preschool groundwork to under-saddle readiness—you can develop trust, control, and clear...

Introducing a green horse to the cowboy curtain is a powerful way to build confidence and control through thoughtful redirection. In this lesson with Thunder, we transition from round pen...