Horse Training University

Proper way to hang up bridles Steve Kutie of Kutie Performance Horses shows the proper way to hang up your bridles and reins to ensure a long life for your equipment.

Headset verses Collection » Horse Training University The time worn agreement over headset and collection, some may never figure it out, but the answer is forward.

Horse World Hacks, Brooms with Steve Kutie Description

Hack Bell Boot Description

Hacks Hoof Pick Description

10 Tips for a Winning Run in the Reining Show Pen

1. Understand the pattern- In every reining, the pattern is posted hours, if not days prior to the start of the class, so you should not really have a valid excuse for going off pattern. I know sometimes show nerves effect your ability to think and focus, but you are given the road map of what to do and when to do it. If you feel like you need a moment to think, take a little longer during the hesitation to get your thoughts straight.

2. Show the horse you have, not the horse you want – The warm up pen is the worst place to get concerned about what other riders are doing. Most of the time the fast spins and the big stops never make it to the show pen, because during warm ups the riders are able to ride with their training gimmicks and really help their horses. I tell all of my clients,” ask for 110% at home and 90% at the show, that way everyone stays happy”.

3. Know where the middle is - Every reining pattern requires you to run your circles through the middle of the arena as well as perform your spins in the center (most of the time). You can run the best set of right circles in your life but if you miss the middle, your score will receive a deduction, and your left set of circles start off on the minus side because they start off looking like an egg.

4. Stay off of the wall - You are being judged on your horse”s ability to be willfully guided. If you run your circles on the wall you are showing me nothing, a trained monkey can sit up there and follow the wall. Even if the pen is small move a few feet off of the wall and show me that you have control of your horse. Remember, that circles are round. Also you must stay 20 feet from the wall on your rundown and roll backs, I want to see that your horse rolls back because he is broke, and not because you had help from the arena wall.

5. The markers are there for a reason - In every pattern it is specified if you need to run and stop PAST the center or end marker. If you stop early, you will receive a zero score. Nothing is worse than having the run of your life, only to find out that you received a zero for missing the marker.

6. Speed kills – Just because you are in the pen showing, does not mean that you have to runs the wheels off of your horse. A slow, smooth, correct pattern will usually always beat a pattern that is fast and full of mistakes.

7. Learn to count – Know the number of circles that need to be run and the order they need to be run. Always be sure to count the first spin, a lot of the time in the show pen we are focusing on getting our horses set up to start the spin correctly, that we forget to count the first spin.

8. Size Matters - Make sure there is a size difference in your circles. As a judge I don’t want to have to guess if you are still on pattern, or if your horse is just not broke, and not listening. Either way, your score will effected in a negative way,

9. Hats off – It is super distracting to watch as a judge, and will adversely effect your ability to concentrate on you run if you are worried about it falling off. TIP- Spray some cheap hairspray to your forehead as well as on the sweatband of your hat it will help “glue” it in place, folding your sweatband over will help snug it down, or apply some doubled over duct tape to help stick it in place.

10. Have Fun – The biggest mistake you can make is to not enjoy the ride, after all that is the main reason we got into horses, for the fun and friendship. The more you can enjoy riding and showing, the more your scores will improve, because you will have less nerves and stress. Even if you make a bobble while showing, don’t get mad, just think of it as a learning lesson, there will always be another horse show.

The biggest challenge in getting your horse shown is to just not beat yourself. When you have the pattern and truly understand what is being asked of you and your horse, as per the rules, your confidence will grow, your score will improve and you will achieve more that your fair share of success.

Remember that all showing is, is crisis management.

As Always: Ride Hard, Be Safe, and Have Fun. – Steve Kutie

Tips for Safely Mounting and Dismounting with Steve Kutie Steve Kutie of Kutie Performance Horses discusses how to safely mount and dismount a young horse. The proper way to manage your reins in order to dis-engage ...

10 TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR SCORES IN RANCH HORSE TRAIL

1. Know the pattern – Knowing the pattern is key to success in Ranch Horse Trail. If you are timid and unsure about what obstacle you have to ride next, it is nearly impossible to win. A few years ago you could be semi-successful if your horse would do the required obstacle, but today you not only have to get through, over, or around the obstacle, you have to be 100% correct. Judges Tip: Everyone now has some type of a phone that will take a picture. Take a picture of the pattern when it is posted so you will always have something to refer back to later. This not only keeps lost patterns from littering the show grounds, but you are a lot more likely to not lose your phone.

2. Go with the flow – Having a pretty run is about keeping the flow, which comes from knowing the pattern and having your horse broke. Flow also comes from being able to properly set your horse up on the entrance and exit of EVERY obstacle. Judges Tip: Always be sure to walk the course before the class if the judges allow it. It is much easier to pick your lines when you can actually walk and gauge the distance from the ground.

3. Finish- Proper setup for the next obstacle comes from completely finishing the last obstacle. If you are required to cross the bridge and pick up the left lead at the lope, be sure you keep your horse straight all the way across the bridge. Once you are completely off the bridge, pick up the left lead. I see too many people trying to set their horse up for the lead departure while still on the bridge, and their horse will step off the bridge with a hind foot, causing you to receive a negative score and effecting the score of the lope. Judges Tip: Keeping your horse straight between your reins and legs will require much less set up for the next obstacle.

4. It’s not a Race – The pattern should be performed at a nice steady speed (pace) that you would see while working around the ranch. You are not being timed, so slow down and think. Judges Tip: Take the time to count to two when you have the opportunity, before moving onto the next obstacle. Such as once you have finished the gate, or before starting the back up. This will give you the time you need to think, and a bit of time to reward your horse.

5. Patience – If your horse is getting antsy about getting into an obstacle, just STOP and wait! If you continue to push your horse when he is confused or being a bit resistant, it is like adding gas to the fire. I would much rather see you settle your horse and continue on than to show me you have no idea what you’re doing and wreck the rest of the pattern. Judges Tip: Taking a ding on 1 obstacle is not as big of a deal if you plus on everything else.

6. Transitions – Make sure that you start and stop all of the required gaits in between the obstacles as called for by the judge. If you are required to trot out of the turn box on your way to the back through be certain you do it. You are being scored from the trot out of the box until the exit of the back though. Judges Tip: Be sure you are able to immediately trot off from a standstill with pole in front of you. Remember practice makes perfect.

7. Don’t Pick – Leave your horse alone, if you are in the pen showing, it is too late to train. The more your pick at your horse, the more he will ignore you. As well as, in the judges eyes, it makes it look like your horse in not broke, or you’re scared. Judges Tip: Train your horse so that whenever you drop and release, he understands it as a reward.

8. Speed – Your horse needs to be shown moving forward, as if on the ranch. Ranch Horse Trail is not Western Pleasure or Horsemanship class. Judges Tip: In the Youth and Novice you may be required to trot around some barrels or cones instead of dragging. We are looking for a consistent tempo and rhythm, as well as evenly spaced, round circles, with the horse being correctly bent in the direction of travel.

9. Contact – You are required to show your horse with light contact, and not with long draping reins. The light contact on your reins allow you to easily influence and position your horse. If you were riding with excessively long reins on the ranch, you are asking for trouble from the point of safety. Examples of such include cows being able to stick their heads through the reins, or the reins can get hung up on branches and gates. All of which are no good. Judges Tip: Practice riding at home with contact so that your horse understands. Judges can tell the difference if your horse is soft and light in your hands, or if you are constantly pulling him into a frame, even if his nose is in front of the vertical.

10. Rope and Go – While getting set up to rope the dummy, get into position, build your loop, throw, and leave. You are allowed 3 loops (tries) to rope the dummy, but remember that we are judging the positioning, the horse’s reaction to the rope and dummy, and how well your horse stands. If your horse stays in position and allows you to throw the rope, move on. The longer you stand there trying to prove to me you can catch, the more you increase the chances that your horse will do something that will out you on the minus side. Judges Tip: Carry your rope with you so that you will have a rope that has the feel and stiffness that you like.

The Ranch Horse Trail class is a great new up and coming class that does not require you to have a sparkly outfit, silver covered saddle, or high dollar horse. The class is designed to allow you to show the abilities of your everyday horse from the ranch.

As always; Ride Hard, Be Safe, and Have Fun. – Steve Kutie

A RECAP ON AACHEN 1995. THE BEGINING OF THE SLIPPERY SLOPE TO WHERE WE ARE AT NOW.
Susan’s Interview with Dr. Reiner Klimke At the Aachen CHIO
July 1995
Susan: I was watching you as you schooled Biotop in the indoor arena this morning, and it was wonderful. I noticed you were working him in a fat snaffle, and I wondered if you could talk about the importance of working in the snaffle for upper level horses.
Klimke: I ride at home only once a week on the double bridle.
Susan: Do you mean for most of your Grand Prix horses, or for this one especially?
Klimke: All. I want to have them very light in my hand. It is easier when they are really "through", and they take the bit and take your hands. Then they are not afraid to come out to the double bridle.
Susan: Biotop seems to be very "out" to the bridle--there is not a lot of overflexing. Klimke: And when he goes in extensions, the neck and frame extend too. And yet there are
horses who make their extensions with overflexed necks and they score just as well... Susan: Can you explain that?
Klimke: Well, when I tell you this, I don't want to sound jealous, but I live for classical riding. Classical riding means that the horse must go: that is, the energy must come through and the horse reaches forward. But the judges don't always mark accordingly. I don't mind; I know what is right. I have been in this sport for nearly 40 years.
Susan: I also saw today that you were doing a lot of work on the basic paces, and simple transitions.
Klimke: Yes. The horse must go forward and he must be happy. If the horse is happy and he trusts you, then you can teach him. If you punish him, that is wrong.
Susan: They never forget. Is there any place for punishment in riding?
Klimke: I hate to punish a horse. It must not be. It can happen to anybody. Sometimes you lose your patience, you try to make the horse a slave. But it is not right. Sometimes you see riders blowing up, even here, with top riders. I say to myself, "Poor horse, I wouldn't like to be in your stable."
Susan: Why does it happen? A lot of these riders will teach and talk about riding classically, and mean to do it, but then it is different here. Is it the pressure?
Klimke: I think everybody wants to win. Perhaps they think if they make a horse tired it will be submissive. Sometimes it may work, but if you really look you can see what is wrong. Some judges don't have a really good eye, and they judge by punishing mistakes, like too many or too few strides in a pirouette, for example.
Susan: Too much counting and not enough...
Klimke: Yes. The principle is: how is the walk, how is the trot, how is the canter, how is the acceptance of the bridle, how does the back work--all of these things. And in addition, the figures. But they deduct too much if a figure is not 100% okay. You see? If you make a pirouette and the horse really uses his hindquarters, and maybe the pirouette is a little big, you should not be given a 5.
Susan: That's a little extreme.
Klimke: Yes. It can be at least a 6, can also be a 7, when the horse really canters classically. Even if the circle was too large, remember that you must deduct from 10. The judge must be able to see the main achievement of a horse and rider, in a movement.
Susan: This brings up another question, and that is--there are some amazing equine athletes here, and some of them get a lot of points because of that. Where are the places in the Grand Prix test where the talent can't cover up the problems with the training?
Klimke: I look only at the way that the horse moves, in all three gaits. He must come from behind, with a swinging back. The head and neck must seek the bit. I hate it if the horse comes behind the vertical and stays there. When the horse is really "through", you must be able to open and close the frame, and keep him reaching into the bit. And right now, in the judging, in my opinion, this doesn't count for enough. But sooner or later, good riding will be rewarded. You must not lose your patience, you see. And don't give up.
Susan: I know that an international horse must have talent for piaffe and passage. At what point in a horse's life can you tell if that talent is there? Can you tell at the very beginning of training?
Klimke: No. But when you can easily do transitions with the horse--when he shows the ability to sit back--and the half halts go through, I like to see that. And there must be the desire to do the piaffe.
Susan: Whose riding do you admire? Klimke: Right now?
Susan: Past or present--anybody.
Klimke: Okay. Nicole in her best time was very good. Of course, now
her horse (Rembrant) is 18. But look back to Stockholm (World
Equestrian Games, 1990) or Barcelona (Olympics, 1992). It was just the
right, wonderful picture. Nice hands. Coming to nearly invisible aids.
There are some other riders who are very good in a test--it is fantastic.
And when you see the same person training...well if somebody else
would do this, then the vet would probably say, "Come on, not here."
But they laugh and say, "So what. We're winning." Riders who ride for medals must try to be an example for classical riding. It is their duty. You cannot talk one way and ride another. Either you talk as you ride, or you explain why you don't.
Susan: Do you allow people to watch you school your horses at home? Klimke: Absolutely. I have nothing to hide. I have seen riders make a fuss about spectators being allowed to watch the schooling at the World Cup Finals. This is wrong. The best thing for the horse is the open door.
Susan: What's wonderful is that you have demonstrated that classical riding can win. Klimke: And I will not stay away from it

Advertise your Stallion, Sale horses and ranch for FREE!