AboutRick Gore (www.thinklikeahorse.org) Expertise Visit Rick Gore's Horse Site: www.thinklikeahorse.org --Rick is a student of the horse. I can answer questions about riding, saddling, using your legs, use of a bosal or hackamore. I believe in and practice "Natural Horsemanship". I ride mainly western and don't use or promote spurs, big bits, or whips. Reins are only one cue for the horse. Using the entire body helps the horse understand. I define riding as a human and horse working together for the enjoyment of both. Pain and fear should not be part of the equation. If you expect me to tell you feel good advice, you will be disappointed. 95% of all my answers will include the problem is you and not your horse. About 90% of most answers that I give out are on my web site, so if you read it you will probably answer your own question and may learn a few other things. I am like Gordon Ramsey (Hell's Kitchen) and Simon Cowell (Idol), you may not like what I say or how I say it, but it will be pretty true and accurate, in my opinion, judging from my experience.
Experience I am an experienced horseman with over 30 years of riding and handling horses. I grew up in Texas around horses and horse people. I have started colts, ridden many horses with behavior issues and worked with problem horses. I believe that most horse problems are normally people problems.
I believe in and practices natural horsemanship. I continue to read and study books by great horsemen. I routinely attends clinics, talks with and discuss rare horse issues with many other top clinicians and trainers. I have never met a horse that could not be fixed. I believe it is never the horse's fault and with proper handling, all problems can be fixed, if I the person handling the horse realizes that they are causing and contributing to the problem.
Education/Credentials I have life long experience in being around and working with horses. Over the years I have watched good horsemen do the right thing and seen the wrong things done with bad results. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.
Question I have had my 17 year-old horse, Charlie, for about a year. I was bucked off and he was put in training. He was being taught to stop hanging on his right rein and to have a "softer mouth" I am no longer working with the trainer he was with before but i want to continue teaching him and working with him so i can jump him a little. can you help with ways i can continue his training like different bits and new techniques?
Answer The horse is not the problem, you need to learn to have soft hands, the horse hangs on a rein because you hang on the rein. A soft mouth is made by soft hands, since you are saying the horse is not soft that tells me you are not soft. Bits and techniques do not make good horses, all horses are born good, people that do not know what they are doing make bad horses. If you get better your horse will get better. You cannot get better until you admit that you are the problem and not the horse.
Read my horsemanship page on my site to better understand horses and what I am saying.
