Product Description
Welcome to the 44th issue of The Horseman’s Gazette, a quarterly video-series that enables you to watch and learn from some of the most talented horsewomen and -men working with horses today.
The trainers and teachers featured in our video lessons are focused on horsemanship as a process not just as performance. In this video series they are opening up their arenas to you to watch and learn from their training process so you can learn from the changes that you witness while they work. You will find solid educational segments that give you ideas of tangible exercises to try with your horse as well as give you a vision visually for where you might like to take your horsemanship.
We hope that you use these lessons to help you become the best horsewoman or -man that you can be. Come along for the ride — you and your horse will be glad that you did!
Check List at the Walk with Buck Brannaman 14:43
Having a plan when you ride is important whether you are riding a colt or an older horse. In this segment Buck goes through each of the movements he would want his horse to be able to do at the walk before moving into the trot on any given ride. In looking for areas where your horse might need help or practice you can not only feel safer about your rider but know that you are working towards refinement in the saddle.
Pivoting Exercise with Martin Black 10:05
Clarity when you move your horse is important to keep you both on track. In this segment Martin demonstrates the various ways you can ask your horse to pivot. He stresses that you are not teaching the horse how to do these maneuvers, he already knows how to do them. These exercises help the rider learn how to ask and position properly so that their horse can separate out one maneuver from another.
Getting Good About the Mounting Block with Jim Hicks 31:20
Having your horse pick you up for a mounting block is s useful skill. In this segment Jim Hicks works on helping a young horse get comfortable with coming up to the block and having Jim step on and off. Having the horse prepared adds another level of safety at a moment when you are vulnerable.
The “V” Exercise for Flying Lead Changes with Kristin Jacob 29:30
Teaching your horse to change leads might seem like a daunting task. In this segment trainer Kristin Jacob guides a rider through the system that she uses to teach lead changes. Kristin discusses the expectations she has before starting this process as well as common challenges a rider might face.
Leg Yield with Shane Brown 10:37
The leg yield is a basic foundation movement common to several riding disciplines. In this segment trainer Shane Brown demonstrates how he would introduce the leg yield as well as offer helpful suggestions on how to ride the movement and avoid common mistakes.
okaybluejay –
There’s plenty to see and learn just in the first 15 minutes with Buck. I’ve already watched it 4 times. When watching the videos the direction may seem slow but after trying it with your horse you’ll be grateful for the thoroughness.
gail.sunshine –
My horse and I needed this! Buck Brannaman’s checklist at the walk is the best path I’ve seen to prepare my horse for the ride. What I especially like, is the horse Buck Brannaman is riding, is not perfect. The best learning comes from his handling of the “mis-steps”. This is a segment of the Horseman’s Gazette I will be watching over and over.
Next is Martin Black on training the rider to cue the horse for the pivot. A very green horse is used for this instruction, and for this I am very grateful! Martin Black trained 8 pivots, one off of each hoof, front and backwards. He talks us through the process, stating “precision is important”, and teaches us to cue the horse to “move like a wheelbarrow”. The rider must think as if the horse is a wheelbarrow. An upside down large bucket is used for a visual for the rider to navigate around.
The next segment was Jim Hicks teaching a green horse to be okay with being placed in a position, to be mounted, next to a mounting step, and waiting quietly to be mounted. From start to finish, this segment had me mentally engaged. Jim Hicks talks us through the process with this nervous horse wanting to leave. Eventually, this horse accepts the positioning of his body, into place. I was captivated, seeing how this horse started to figure out what was being asked of him, and that it was not going to hurt him. Jim Hicks gives the perfect balance of pressure , timing, and patience.
Next, the “V” exercise for flying lead changes with Kristin Jacob is a step by step, how-to teach horse and rider the flying lead changes. Kristin Jacob shows the possible difficulties and the maneuvers to correct some problems. The rider, horse and poles are each adjusted to fit the individual difficulty encountered. Amazingly, all are done with one horse and rider team.
The last segment is Shane Brown teaching the rider to position themselves correctly for the leg yield. The mare he is riding moves with the soft appearance of floating on air. As Shane Brown describes where he wants to go, what he wants to do , and how he is placing his body to accomplish it, his horse is floating in synchrony with him. Wow. I will be working on this exercise for a while.
This issue, #44, of the horseman’s Gazette, is one of my favorite. I have many new exercises to work on with my horse.