Groundwork is the foundation of every successful partnership with a horse, and 1st Grade training sets the tone for respect and communication. In this Q & A, Michael Gascon explains...

At the Equine Affaire Clinic – Overcoming Obstacles, Michael Gascon demonstrated how respect and clear communication are the keys to helping horses face challenges with confidence. Instead of tiring a...

Horses, like children, can throw temper tantrums when they’re frustrated, confused, or testing boundaries. Bucking, rearing, or refusing cues often point to gaps in training and a lack of respect...

Struggling with a stiff or distracted horse under saddle? In this 9th Grade Q\&A session, horse trainer Michael Gascon shares practical tips for improving flexing in motion, softening resistance, and...

Struggling to get your hot or sensitive horse to walk calmly? In this post, Michael Gascon shares a powerful yet gentle technique called the spiral, designed to redirect your horse’s...

Flexing is more than a simple groundwork exercise—it helps create the steering wheel you need for safer, clearer communication with your horse. In this fifth-grade Q&A, you’ll learn how far...

Garrocha pole horseback riding is a traditional horsemanship exercise that helps develop softness, responsiveness, and one-handed control. By working around and alongside the pole, horses learn to stay relaxed while...

Breaking up pace in a gaited horse starts with more than asking for a smoother gait. During Smokey’s first day in the Respect Series, the focus was on helping him...

In this session from Michael Gascon’s Respect Series with Monty, we dive into the step-by-step process of teaching horses to back and side pass with softness and precision. Through consistent...

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...

Want to make your horse calm, confident, and obstacle-ready? The key is patience training through daily tying routines and environmental exposure. In this blog post, Michael Gascon shares simple yet...

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...