HORSE HANDLING INSTRUCTION

  Michael is training this filly under Paul's guidance.  This is the beginner horse "collection" training of a 3yo Pinto filly. "Shirahkai", and she has only been working in the bit for two weeks. She has only been under saddle for a few weeks also. As can be seen, she is nice and soft in the mouth. Look how gentle Michaels hands are on the reins.  

   This is the first day at Pony Club for "Shirahkai", and Michael is introducing her quietly to the Jump pattern. She did very well and passed with flying colours on her first day.  She is going over the pole at the trot and is very straight, balanced and collected.  In the first stages of jump education the poles are on the ground. As the horse progresses, the poles are lifted a notch, but only when the horse successfully completes each stage of training in a relaxed and controlled manner.

    Here is "Dakota" again, the Purebred Quarterhorse trained by Paul.

Since they began working with Paul, Michael and ''Hugo Boss'' have improved their Show Jumping.

This 4yo, strong willed little Mare, "Karly", was quite a handfull for it's previous owner  , so Paul had three training sessions with her for the present owner and now she is very relaxed, compliant and listening to Leadership signals. Previously she would not Halter-Lead correctly by racing ahead, wandering around, bumping into and stepping onto her handler's feet  etc., nor would she respect the handlers personal space. She also would not lunge properly or stand still. Now.......................OK

  Notice how she is now focusing on the handler (Paul), complying with his Leadership, even though there are other activities going on behind her, as you can tell by the position of her ears.

Stephanie is receiving advice on the correct use of spurs whilst continuing Karly's training .

Contrary to what a lot of people believe, that spurs are to make the horse go faster and harder, Paul uses spurs, with some horses, not all, to have them become soft in the sides for a light leg. The correct application of spurs is without any discomfort, pain, suffering or unkindness to the horse. Paul has found the correct use of spurs to be much more affective and practical than the use of a whip. This form of training, done properly, can eventually result in the spurs no longer being required.

The properly finished horse should be ultra-light on the mouth in the riders hands, and on the riders'  leg

This is Karly's first lesson in jumping, so the jumps are very low. Stephanie walked her over at first, and here she is trotting her over on a loose rein, making sure to keep off her mouth as much as possible to ensure it's continued softness.

 This jump departure shows more clearly the loose rein after completing the jump at a trot. You will also notice the wide distance between Stephanies' hands to help keeping "Karly'" going straight. As "Karly" improves, Stephanie will close her hands.

Once "Karly" is more proficient at using her hind legs as the power drive, as well as the slow-down and stop on a loose rein at the trot and canter, Paul will then supervise the collection training and "coming-on" to the bit

One Two Year old to another   Paul's 2yo Grand Daughter on the 2yo Quarterhorse Colt ''Chako'', (yes Colt), that Paul was training for a customer. 

  Talking about Partnerships - how's this one  This is Paul's horse "Spin" spending quality time with his Golden Retriever Puppy - "Sandy".