Starting a green gaited horse is all about balance—teaching them when to use their energy and when to relax. In this session, Michael Gascon works with Bambi, a young Paso...

Teaching your horse to stand still for mounting or master the “come get me” trick doesn’t have to be a struggle. In this 4th Grade Q&A, Michael Gascon explains how...

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...

Respect is the foundation of every successful partnership between horse and rider, and it starts in the kindergarten stage of training. By teaching your horse to stay out of your...

Starting horse training doesn’t begin in the saddle—it begins on the ground with clear communication and respect. In this Pre-School Q & A, Michael Gascon explains how groundwork helps identify...

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...

The Thunderdome is a controlled horse training environment designed to prepare horses and riders for unexpected movement, distractions, and pressure. Through obstacle work, group riding, games, and changes of direction,...

Disengaging your horse’s shoulders is an important groundwork exercise that builds better control, communication, and responsiveness. The key is to maintain forward motion, keep a soft bend, and apply clear...

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...

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...

Using a solid bridle on your horse can dramatically improve consistency, confidence, and control—especially for gaited horses. Unlike a snaffle, a solid mouthpiece helps align the horse’s head, neck, and...

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...