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...

Struggling with a spooky or overly athletic horse? The Power of a Circle exercise, taught by Michael Gascon and demonstrated with Chance, helps refocus your horse’s energy and improve their...

Mastering 11th grade "push obstacles" is all about building confidence, control, and clear communication with your horse. In this stage, you'll learn how to guide your horse through fear of...

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...

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...

In this final session of the Horse Hop Challenge, Michael Gascon answers rider questions about speed transitions, collection, and solving common riding issues. He explains how to cue downward transitions...

In Part 4 of the “Intro to Driving” series, Michael Gascon works with Amy, a young warmblood filly overcoming hesitation and shutdown behavior under harness. This session focuses on building...

Struggling with a strong, reactive, or buck-prone horse? The 7th Grade Spiral is a game-changing groundwork exercise that builds softness, respect, and responsiveness. In this post, Michael Gascon breaks down...

Negative horse behaviors on the trail, such as biting, kicking, or being buddy sour, are not the real problem—they're symptoms of a deeper issue: lack of respect and attention. Instead...

Approaching obstacles with confidence starts with understanding your horse’s natural reactions and using clear, consistent cues. Instead of pulling back on the reins, sit deep in the saddle, release pressure,...

Setting high expectations for your horse’s behavior ensures consistency and reliability, no matter where you ride. By reinforcing respectful groundwork, you create a foundation that eliminates excuses and keeps your...

The bowline knot is an essential skill for horse owners, offering a secure yet easily untied solution for tying horses safely. Unlike other knots, it won’t tighten under pressure, preventing...