Building respect through groundwork is the foundation of every great horse-human partnership. In this Kindergarten Q\&A, Michael Gascon explains why backing up, handling pressure, and working just outside the horse’s...

Want your horse to canter with ease and confidence? This blog explores how mastering hip control and riding on a loose rein can dramatically improve your horse’s balance, responsiveness, and...

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...

Training a young foal starts with building trust and communication through simple, respectful steps. In this session, we introduce Dashi to leading using a halter and a butt rope, reinforcing...

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...

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...

Long lining is one of the safest and most effective ways to build communication, softness, and control before ever riding a horse. In this foundational training method, horses learn to...

In this deep dive into Part 2 of Michael Gascon’s bit series, we explore how bit design affects communication, responsiveness, and training efficiency. Michael explains why pressure isn’t about punishment—it’s...

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...

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,...

Teaching a gaited horse to collect and gait smoothly takes more than just natural ability—it requires clear, consistent communication and proper conditioning. In this clinic session, Michael Gascon works with...