Thinking about buying a new horse? Before you commit, it's essential to test ride the horse safely and thoroughly to understand their true temperament and training. In this guide, Michael...

Bitting a gaited horse correctly is key to unlocking a smooth, consistent ride. In this clinic, Michael Gascon demonstrates how to introduce a finished bit to an Icelandic horse and...

Training a green horse to navigate finesse obstacles like the railroad step over builds confidence, precision, and trail-readiness. Unlike push obstacles, these require a horse to slow down and think...

The Easy Out Knot is a safe, reliable quick-release knot every horse handler should know. Designed to untie easily even under pressure, it’s perfect for tying horses at trailers, barns,...

Tying your horse safely is a crucial part of effective horsemanship, and the H-style hitching post offers one of the safest, most practical solutions. In this blog, we break down...

Riding a spooky, young, athletic horse can feel intimidating, but success comes from redirecting energy—not resisting it. By using soft, one-rein redirection and keeping your horse moving forward, you can...

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...

The jog trot is a crucial gait for developing a calm, responsive horse with a quiet mind. It allows riders to refine cues, improve collection, and teach softness without triggering...

Using a breeching on your gaited horse offers major benefits for balance, collection, and saddle stability—especially on challenging terrain. It gently encourages the horse to keep their hind end underneath...

Introducing stairs and bridges to a green horse can be a challenge, but with the right techniques, it’s a rewarding experience for both rider and horse. Michael Gascon emphasizes the...

Picking up a young horse’s feet for the first time can be tricky, especially with a hot or sensitive colt. In this blog post, Michael Gascon walks through a safe,...

Struggling with a hot, sensitive horse that just won’t walk calmly? In this clinic, Michael Gascon shares proven strategies to de-escalate runaway energy without a fight—using spirals, crooked backups, and...