Simple Changes of Lead

One way to teach these is through the long diagonal of the arena, changing before the corner. That way the horse has some bend in that direction to make it easy for first time riders doing simple changes to be set up for success. As they get better, have the change occur in the middle of the arena through the long diagonal instead of in the corner for a greater degree of difficulty.

Clean those Bits!

Most horse people hate cleaning tack as much as they hate cleaning stalls. Bits can be hard to keep clean, especially if grass or hay is dried on the bit. After each ride, try to wipe off any debris and slobber from the bit. It is easier to clean the bit when wet, rather than trying to scrub caked on grass and saliva. If you are pressed for time simply dip the bit part of your bridle in a nearby water bucket to remove most of the grime. When you want to really clean up and polish your bits, Listerine mouth wash is a miracle. The Listerine disinfects, polishes, easily removes caked on debris and makes the bit tastier for your horse.
Tabatha Gullikson

Get Them Caught!

There's nothing worse than being on a tight lesson schedule and not able to catch one of the lesson horses. Try walking up to the horse, advancing and then retreating. Avoid eye contact or confrontational body language. Acting like a predator will make the horse more likely to run away. If the horse is still hard to catch, try bringing a can of grain out to shake. The last thing I've tried that always works is to make the horse want to be caught. As the horse turns away from you use a lounge whip or your voice and aggressive body language to keep the horse moving away from you. Really make them move. They should be at least trotting. Try catching them again and if it does not work get their feet moving again. Keep repeating this until the horse figures out it is less work to be caught then to run around the field all day.
Tabatha Gullikson

Yielding

A term that is frequently used but seldom defined. This term refers to the horse giving to pressure, whether it is physical pressure or mental. We train horses to move away from pressure rather than move into it. For instance, when we put pressure from both legs on the horse, he moves forward and away from the pressure. When we put one leg on the horse, he turns and/or moves sideways, away from the pressure. But yielding can also be in response to your authority. A subordinate, respectful horse will move out of your space if you move into him, yielding to your authority and status in the herd. This is one of the major indications of subordinance. Yielding is important, whether the horse is yielding to your leg, giving to pressure on the bit, or to yielding your authority. If he is not yielding, chances are you have a problem!
Julie Goodnight

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