Willfully Guided

The Pacific Northwesterner’s Triumphant Win of the 2014 Snaffle Bit Futurity by Allison Trimble Each year the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity draws hundreds of excited competitors, owners and spectators. The nation’s top 3-year-olds compete in a trifecta of herd work, rein work and fence work competition hoping to be crowned …

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The Many Ways to Love and Cherish the Older Equine by Allison Trimble   I am no stranger to loving senior horses. I kissed my childhood horse, Bayleen (37), for the last time in June of 2013. She was followed soon after by her running partner, Gus (33). Many of …

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Part 3: The Round Pen by Allison Trimble   I use the round pen for a multitude of situations, from foundation training, to confidence building in riders, to re-training horses. It is an extremely valuable tool that I often see misused. For instance, it is a critical mistake to use …

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Part 2: Application by Allison Trimble   Last month I talked about the philosophy behind horsemanship on the ground. Most problems occur either because the handler does not understand the philosophy, or because the application is not effective. Here are the things that I do with my horses to keep …

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Part 1: Philosophy by Allison Trimble   I have been known to cringe at the term “ground work.” The literal meaning is not the issue, but it’s evolution over time which approaches ground work as a drill or a maneuver rather than what it is: horsemanship. Ground work is possibly …

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Growing from On the Plus Side to Willfully Guided by Allison Trimble   For 6 years I’ve been writing for The Horse Source as On the Plus Side, a name true to my own path with horses. At the time, this was largely in the show pen. Being “on the …

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Strategies to Help Make Every Ride Count by Allison Trimble   When training a horse, there are so many things to take into consideration that it can become a bit overwhelming. One article says this, a video says that and another clinician said something different. How does a person know …

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Practical Use—and Misuse—of an Essential Piece of Equipment   I ride with spurs every day and believe them to be one of the most misunderstood and misused pieces of western equipment. I also believe spurs are incredibly useful. They live on my boots and outside of the inaugural rides on …

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Seven Activities Your Reining or Cutting Horse will Love by Allison Trimble   Some disciplines such as working cow horse, reining and cutting quickly become cost prohibitive even if they are tremendously fun recreational activities. Besides the significant financial investment (including a suitable, athletic animal) they all require high skill and …

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by Allison Trimble   A square sliding stop is one of the most exciting maneuvers performed by reining and reined cow horses. There are a number of components that go into teaching a horse this maneuver that are combined with a horse’s natural ability. There are also many rules; points …

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