Flexing is one of the most important foundations in horse training because it gives you a steering wheel before you ever ride off. By teaching your horse to soften and...

Get a behind-the-scenes look at how world-class Paso Fino performance horses prepare for the National Championships. Michael Gascon and his father, Jaime Gascon, showcase McDreamy and Lulu as they fine-tune...

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...

Graduating from kindergarten to first grade in horse training is all about teaching your horse undivided attention. Instead of lunging for exercise, you’ll learn how to build focus, respect, and...

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...

Breaking up pace in gaited horses starts with one simple foundation: control of the head. In this session from Michael Gascon’s Respect Series with Smokey – Day 2, we see...

Horses, like children, can throw temper tantrums when they’re frustrated, confused, or testing boundaries. Bucking, rearing, or refusing cues often point to gaps in training and a lack of respect...

Struggling with a stiff or distracted horse under saddle? In this 9th Grade Q\&A session, horse trainer Michael Gascon shares practical tips for improving flexing in motion, softening resistance, and...

Struggling to get your hot or sensitive horse to walk calmly? In this post, Michael Gascon shares a powerful yet gentle technique called the spiral, designed to redirect your horse’s...

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...

A solid bridle can help a properly prepared gaited horse develop more unified one-handed control and a steadier feel in the contact. Unlike a jointed snaffle, a solid mouthpiece provides...