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More Exercises to Help Build a Smooth Side Pass by Marilyn Pineda As mentioned in last month’s training article, executing a nice side pass with your horse demonstrates several things: bending in the neck, yielding to subtle pressure, moving the front quarters, moving the hindquarters and moving one step …
by Marilyn Pineda We often hear the phrase “be the alpha mare” when given the description of how to relate to our horse if we desire its respect. But what does that mean, and why is it important? Are you the “alpha” with your horse and, if not, how can …
Tips for Backing a Smooth Circle by Marilyn Pineda A couple of gals recently brought their horses to the trail course at Fire Mountain. Bonnie had been here previously as a participant in the Obstacle Challenge Play Day we held in October, but was still interested in listening in …
Calm Persistence Avoids a Battle by Marilyn Pineda We recently held a play day on a beautiful weekend in October here on our Fire Mountain Trail Course. Twenty-one riders turned out, ranging in ages from 3 to 85, and represented many levels of experience. The play day was fashioned …
The Importance of Perfect Timing by Marilyn Pineda You’ve heard the phrase, “timing is everything!” One of my students, Cecelia Hagland, had a great illustration of timing recently with her gelding, Waylon. They had been having wonderful experiences developing a foundation of communication together when everything golden suddenly turned …
Steady Your Horse’s Emotions with Calm Energy by Marilyn Pineda, Fire Mountain Trail Course I recently went out on a trail ride with one of my visitors here at Fire Mountain Trail Course and we stopped for a rest in the shade by the creek on our …
Breaking Down the Elements by Marilyn Pineda, Fire Mountain Trail Course We have all sorts of fun visitors at Fire Mountain Trail Course and Darryl Weidkamp and his horse Clancy were no exception. Darryl is an avid backcountry rider and had previously been to our trail course as a …
Staying Connected on the Trail by Marilyn Pineda, Fire Mountain Obstacle Course I was recently reminded how great it is to have well versed ground communications with my horse while out on a trail ride with a friend. We had just completed the clearing of a beautiful trail loop on …
One Step at a Time by Marilyn Pineda, Fire Mountain Trail Course I was watching a Buck Brannaman DVD a while back and he made the comment that working with our horse is like a dance. He was talking about being one-on-one with the horse, with you as the leader …
Understanding a Horse’s “Mind’s Eye” by Marilyn Pineda, Fire Mountain Trail Course It’s just a puddle, dummy!” Most horses in the Pacific Northwest have heard this at one time or another. Meanwhile, the horse is thinking, “Is that watery hole going to swallow me up?” Understanding how horses see – …