Learning to rope may seem intimidating, but with the right fundamentals, anyone can master it—no matter your age or experience. In this beginner-friendly guide, you'll discover how to handle a...

In this training session with Belle, a tense Standardbred pacer, Michael Gascon demonstrates how to transform stiffness and anxiety into softness and gait. By focusing on poll flexion, timing, and...

Flexing in motion is a vital skill for developing softness, balance, and responsiveness in gaited horses. In this blog post, Michael Gascon breaks down the do’s and don’ts of lateral...

Driving a gaited horse up into the bridle means creating balance, collection, and control by engaging the hind end while maintaining softness in the front. Instead of just moving forward,...

Proper pad fitting is essential for the comfort and performance of gaited horses. Using a cutback saddle pad helps prevent pressure on the withers, especially when the horse is asked...

Struggling with a hot or sensitive horse that just won’t walk? The spiral exercise, taught by horse trainer Michael Gascon, offers a calm, effective way to redirect excess energy without...

In this advanced horsemanship Q\&A, Michael Gascon breaks down the essential techniques for teaching horses to disengage their shoulders—a key 10th-grade skill. Using a combination of groundwork and saddle work,...

Preparing a Paso Fino for the Pleasure Division at the Grand National Championships takes precision, patience, and a well-trained off switch. Michael Gascon, the Horse Guru, showcases how his gelding...

In Neck Reining Part 3, Michael Gascon continues the journey of teaching Rocky, a Rocky Percheron cross, how to respond confidently to one-handed cues. This session focuses on blending rein,...

Want to improve your horse’s stop? In this blog post, we break down the key steps to developing a responsive, respectful stop—whether you're working on a basic halt or building...

Yes, your gaited horse can learn to spin — and do it beautifully! In this blog post, Michael Gascon breaks down the step-by-step method for teaching a gaited horse to...

Teaching your horse to side pass isn’t just about movement—it’s about timing, feel, and trust. In this session, Michael Gascon demonstrates how to break down the side pass into clear,...