Practical Equine Training, Inc.

Public Starting Clinic

Host: Moonraker Stables
Catlett, VA

Golden Charm being taught to yield physical control--she's learning give to the bit, a go forward cue, and to disengage rear end on ground before 1st backing.

Putting weight in Charm's stirrup for 1st time. She has already been taught to stand still when requested, and to spook in place.

Charm taking her first steps with a human on her back. She's already learned to give to the bit, a go forward cue, go back cue, disengagement, head down w/reins cue, and spook in place.

Charm's 1st trail ride, this is the second time a human has been on her back. She is both relaxed and attentive to her rider (notice her ears). We will walk, trot, and canter, train transitions between the gaits and whoa, and cross water obstacles.

Trotting through an open field on return from 1st trail ride, Charm is on the other side of a fence which has 20 horses running around excited, cavorting. She wants to join in the action. As she begins to buck, David is beginning to apply the disengagement request, which will shut down Charm's buck. Once her feet stop moving, David will request for her nose to drop to the ground as a calm down cue. First he asks Charm to control herself physically, then emotionally. When her nose comes to the ground, he counts to five, lifts her head, and calmly trots her off, in full control. He has taught her to attend only to her rider, bucking is unacceptable, and she should remain calm at all times, whether or not horses around her are excited.

Golden Charm being taught to control her emotions with the rein head down cue, and clinic attendees learning how to apply the cue. Each had a chance to ask Charm to drop her head to the ground with the rein.

Desensitizing Charm to weight on her back. She's already been desensitized to the tack. Notice David is waving a dressage whip in his left hand.

Charm being lead to the trail head for her 1st trail ride. This is after working with Charm for about 5 hours total time, in two sessions in two days.

Using the rein head down cue on her 1st trail ride. This requests her to calm and relax. If she gets excited, 1st comes disengagement to request physical control, then the head down, to request emotional control.

(Photos courtesy Jordan Koepke and Alaria Moss Gpysy Horses)