7 Simple Things To Do This Week With Your Horse
A week of tiny moments that add up to a big bond. Horses thrive on positive experiences—mostly predictability with a little variety. You don’t need a complicated plan (or hours each day) to deepen your connection—just a few intentional minutes. Here are seven simple, horse‑friendly ideas you can try this week. Mix and match, swap […]
Positive Reinforcement Horse Training: Our Reward-Based, Playful Approach
Training your horse doesn’t have to feel serious or stressful. At Horse Tricks 101, we use reward-based training — a friendly, practical approach built mostly on positive reinforcement (+R also written R+). That means giving your horse something they love when they get it right — whether that’s a treat, a scratch, or a short […]
Boost Your Horse’s Confidence with Playful Learning
Fun and play aren’t just enjoyable—they greatly improve learning and make the experience more engaging! Research shows that both humans and animals learn faster, retain information longer, and become more confident when they’re engaged in playful activities. For horses, play not only sparks curiosity but also makes them braver in unfamiliar situations. When horses approach […]
One Simple Trick for a Braver Calmer Horse
When horses get scared, they can’t think clearly. Their main instinct is to flee! For a horse to learn well, they need to be calm. Old-school horse training often tells us to push horses towards scary things with flags and whips. But this isn’t a good idea. It can make horses more scared and be […]
Activities for Smart Horses: Fun Brain Games to Try
Engage your horse’s brain with short, joyful “puzzle” games Smart horses don’t just want exercise—they crave thinking jobs. When you give your horse simple puzzles to solve, you’ll see that lovely “I’m figuring this out!” sparkle: softer eyes, focused ears, and a calmer, more confident partner. These brain games are perfect if you don’t ride […]
7 Ways To Gain Your Horse’s Trust
Trust is key in your relationship with your horse. When a horse trusts you, they look to you for guidance, especially in unfamiliar situations. A horse that trusts its human companion is calmer, more confident, and better equipped to handle new challenges. Follow these 7 simple steps to build a strong, trust-filled relationship with your […]
5 Signs to Skip the Saddle and Focus on Groundwork
NEVER go out for a ride if you are worried your horse might not do what you ask. You need to be sure you and your horse have an excellent connection before heading to places where you will likely meet new things and situations. Otherwise it is very unsafe for you and your horse! Here […]
15 Fun and Interesting Groundwork Ideas for You and Your Horse
Before you go riding, spend time on your groundwork. Your rides will be safer and much more fun (for you and your horse). NEVER go out for a ride if you are worried your horse might not do what you ask. You need to be sure you and your horse have an excellent connection before […]
Does your horse come running when called?
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of your horse running to you—not because they have to, but because they want to. But it wasn’t always that way for Bella. When Bella first arrived, she was nearly impossible to catch. I’d walk into the paddock, and she’d walk away. I’d take a step closer, and she’d […]
How To Teach Your Horse Perfect Treat Manners
Some people worry that using treats during training will cause their horse to become pushy, nippy, and turn them into a horrible food monster! Unfortunately, this is likely if your horse doesn’t learn how to behave around treats. For most horses, food is their favorite thing and they just want some… NOW! Thankfully it is […]
31 Things To Do With Your Horse (other than riding)
Here are 31 fun and useful things to do with your horse – other than riding (includes bonding activities)
10 Simple Horse Tricks That Build Better Skills, Connection & Trust
Most impressive horse tricks don’t begin with something impressive. They start with one small, simple skill. A leg forward combined with head down can become a Simple Bow. Targeting (touch) can grow into liberty work, fetch, and confidence around unfamiliar objects. Standing and waiting can become useful mounting block manners or a fun park-and-recall game. […]
Teach Your Horse a Useful Trick
Useful tricks can make life a whole lot easier (and safer) around your horse.