Patrick King Horsemanship & Dressage

02/15/2025

What's something that you and your horse are currently working on improving?

02/14/2025

Admit it!! Your HORSE is your favorite Valentine! 🐎 ❤️

Share a Pic of your 4-legged Valentine's Sweetheart in the comments!

(And enjoy this silly photo from a few years ago during an educational adventure in Portugal)

02/13/2025

🐎 Everyone thinks they have the best horse... and everyone is right.

But share with us in the comments WHY is your horse the best?

02/11/2025

What would YOUR HORSE say that YOU need to work on to be a better partner? How are you working on that?

02/10/2025

"𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦." - Buddhist Quote

This is such a great thought to keep in mind when it comes to applying our aids! Is there a moment when your horse helped you to learn this? Share with us in the comments.

02/09/2025

I highly recommended attending this event, if you can make it. It was an honor to be a presenter in 2022 and to be able to participate in such a collaborative and "attendee focused" event.

Make sure you get your tickets before they sell out!

02/08/2025

What are you and your horses up to this weekend?

02/08/2025

In this podcast episode, I am joined by Daniel Dauphin!

Feel free to ask questions throughout the broadcast!

02/07/2025

🎙 Getting ready to go LIVE for TALKING ABOUT HORSES, Episode #59, with Daniel Dauphin!

Just keep refreshing the page until you see us!

02/07/2025

🎙️ 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗦𝗘𝗦 - with special guest Daniel Dauphin of Dauphin Horsemanship - TONIGHT 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟳 𝗮𝘁 𝟳𝗽𝗺 (𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘜𝘚 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦).

In this live podcast episode, I'm going to be talking with Daniel about understanding how and why bits function (and surely plenty of other things, too!).

His presentation on bits is one of the best I’ve seen. He debunks a lot of the myths and misperceptions about their function. His information is grounded by science, common sense, and critical thinking. His material has been used at dozens of colleges and universities with equine programs.

He also has the long-form podcast, on which you may have heard me as a guest in 2024, “𝘼𝙙𝙪𝙡𝙩 𝙊𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙩 𝙃𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥.”

Have questions for Daniel? Tune in LIVE and you can ask those in the chat during our conversation (or you can enter them in the comments below and I’ll try to include them in the call for you).

I'm excited to share this with you LIVE, on my page! (Patrick King Horsemanship & Dressage) Be sure to LIKE and FOLLOW the page to get notified for all the times when we broadcast live!

⭐ 𝙋𝙇𝙀𝘼𝙎𝙀 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙞𝙣𝙫𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙟𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙪𝙨!

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💥 If you miss the live broadcast, you can always catch the replay on Facebook or YouTube, and you can catch up with ALL the past episodes at TalkingAboutHorsesPodcast.com

02/07/2025

Learning and growth is an obligation to your horse, whether you are a professional or an amatuer. These are wise words to think about...

“I have never in my entire life ridden as many horses as I have in this moment. I have never in my life, had as much experience as I do right now. I have never in my life, been more ready to learn than I am right now.”

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CvScSCJ77/

I stepped off a feely thoroughbred gelding I’m working with as I chatted with a good friend of mine. We were lost in a discussion on education as horsemen and women. The ins and outs of academic learning, the difficulties of maintaining a business while simultaneously craving more structured learning.

I have watched others, when they reach the stage in business that I find myself in now, get swept up by the demands and the schedule, the risk and pressure of wanting, needing, to succeed. I have seen them retreat somewhat from the core of what got them started in the first place. The horse. So as I look at myself and my future self of the following years, I think it is more important now, than ever before, to prioritize my education.

As my foot left the stirrup and found solid ground, I said to my friend, “I have never in my entire life ridden as many horses as I have in this moment. I have never in my life, had as much experience as I do right now. I have never in my life, been more ready to learn than I am right now.”

It’s my obligation, along with everyone else alive today who works with horses, to fight for the survival of our sport and to preserve the knowledge. That being said, to preserve knowledge, one must first obtain it. It’s now my obligation to myself that, as our business grows and there is more demand on my time, I will not back away from learning about the horse. No matter what snapshot I take in the life of a future self, I must remember that I will never be more ready to learn than in that moment.
~ Justin

📷 - Erin Gilmore Photography

02/06/2025

You've mastered the basics of groundwork. Your horse is responsive, understanding, and emotionally engaged. Now, it's time to explore the next level: In-Hand Work.

In-hand work is more than just leading your horse with a bit. It's a sophisticated form of communication, a blend of mindfulness and movement that unlocks your horse's physical potential and creates a deeper connection.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗜𝗻-𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸?

In-hand work bridges the gap between groundwork and riding. It's a form of "calisthenics" for your horse, preparing them for the demands of carrying a rider and performing more complex movements. It encompasses everything from introducing the bit on the ground to advanced movements like piaffe and canter pirouettes.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗜𝗻-𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗦𝗼 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲?

In-hand work offers a wealth of benefits:

• 𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: It helps your horse develop strength, flexibility, and coordination.

• 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀: It refines communication and enhances your horse's understanding of your aids.

• 𝗗𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: It fosters trust, understanding, and a true partnership.

• 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴: It lays the groundwork for a smooth and successful transition to riding.

𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘅𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

A key element of in-hand work is "unlocking the poll," a crucial joint at the top of the horse's neck. Releasing tension in this area promotes relaxation throughout the horse's body and 'allows access' to the parasympathetic nervous system, the "rest and digest" state where learning and absorption occur.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸: 𝗔 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹

Another essential in-hand technique is the "reinback," a refined form of backing up. A proper reinback engages the horse's core muscles, improves balance, and serves as the foundation for more advanced conversations like the half-halt.

💥 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝗻-𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸? Join me for a 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 webinar where we'll explore these techniques in detail and discuss how they can transform your horsemanship.

➡️ 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿!

Learn the used for, and differences between, groundwork and in-hand work.

02/05/2025

This Detector Tool is such an important thing to keep in mind when reading and watching things on social media. This post from Dr Shelley Appleton Calm Willing Confident Horses does a great job at showing how to "separate the wheat from the chaff," as the old expression goes.

02/04/2025

If your horse was a cartoon character, who would they be?

Tell us/show us in the comments!

02/03/2025

Groundwork. It's more than just leading your horse around. It's the bedrock of a strong, understanding, and enjoyable relationship. Think of it as your horse's primary school education – essential for everything that comes next. Without a solid groundwork foundation, even advanced training techniques can fall flat.

In this post, we'll explore what groundwork encompasses, why it's so crucial, and how it lays the groundwork (pun intended!) for successful in-hand work and riding.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸, 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆?

Groundwork encompasses any interaction with your horse from the ground, as opposed to riding or driving. It's about building a shared language, fostering trust, and developing your horse's emotional self-carriage. This includes essential skills like:

• 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗟𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴: Establishing clear communication and control.

• 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹: Developing patience, understanding, and emotional acceptance in your horse. This is more than just "standing" – it's about stillness, both physically and mentally.

• 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴: Building confidence and reducing anxiety around a potentially stressful experience.

• 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗩𝗲𝘁: Creating a positive and cooperative environment for essential care.

• 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘀: Developing trust and problem-solving skills.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗦𝗼 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁?

Groundwork is where you teach your horse essential life skills, build a foundation of understanding, and cultivate a willing partnership. It's where you develop:

• 𝗘𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗲: Your horse learns to be mindful, self-aware, and responsible, even when faced with challenges.

• 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘅𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲: Groundwork fosters a calm and receptive mindset, crucial for learning and progress.

• 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀: Both you and your horse become more attuned to each other's signals and responses.

Groundwork lays the foundation for everything else. It's like learning the alphabet before trying to write a novel. It's where you establish clear communication, build trust, and develop the essential building blocks for more advanced training.

Ready to learn more? Join me for a 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 where we'll delve deeper into the world of groundwork and in-hand work. We'll explore the differences, the benefits, and how to use both to create a truly exceptional partnership with your horse.

Click here to register for the webinar!

Learn the used for, and differences between, groundwork and in-hand work.

02/02/2025

There's such a feeling of responsibility to ride accurate geometry with a freshly groomed arena... but here I'm putting the first tracks down on this arena since fall. Talk about pressure! Haha.

What are you and your horses up to this weekend?

02/01/2025

🐴 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲'𝘀 𝗔𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗙𝗶𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗧𝗶𝗽𝘀!

Ever wondered how to create a fitness plan that truly works for YOUR horse? 🤔 Join Patrick King on 𝙏𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘼𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙃𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙨 as he chats with equine fitness guru Jec Aristotle Ballou!

In this episode, Jec shares invaluable insights on:

𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲'𝘀 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: Learn what to look for and how to assess your horse's strengths and weaknesses.

𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀: Discover how to tailor a plan to your horse's specific needs and your riding goals.

𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀: Frequency, duration, and intensity - Jec breaks it down!

And much more!

Whether you're a dressage diva, a trail-riding enthusiast, or somewhere in between, this episode is a MUST-LISTEN!

Click the link below to tune in and take the first step towards a fitter, happier horse! 👇

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LreWtLWnEs4

💥 And tune in to all the past podcast episodes at TalkingAboutHorsesPodcast.com

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In this podcast episode, I am joined by equine fitness expert Jec Ballou to discuss designing a fitness program for your horse. Feel free to ask questions t...

01/31/2025

🎙️ 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗦𝗘𝗦 - with special guest Daniel Dauphin of Dauphin Horsemanship - 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟳 𝗮𝘁 𝟳𝗽𝗺 (𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘜𝘚 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦).

In this live podcast episode, I'm going to be talking with Daniel about understanding how and why bits function (and surely plenty of other things, too!).

His presentation on bits is one of the best I’ve seen. He debunks a lot of the myths and misperceptions about their function. His information is grounded by science, common sense, and critical thinking. His material has been used at dozens of colleges and universities with equine programs.

He also has the long-form podcast, on which you may have heard me as a guest in 2024, “𝘼𝙙𝙪𝙡𝙩 𝙊𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙩 𝙃𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥.”

Have questions for Daniel? Tune in LIVE and you can ask those in the chat during our conversation (or you can enter them in the comments below and I’ll try to include them in the call for you).

I'm excited to share this with you LIVE, right here on this page! (Patrick King Horsemanship & Dressage) Be sure to LIKE and FOLLOW the page to get notified for all the times when we broadcast live!

⭐ 𝙋𝙇𝙀𝘼𝙎𝙀 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙞𝙣𝙫𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙟𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙪𝙨!

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💥 If you miss the live broadcast, you can always catch the replay on Facebook or YouTube, and you can catch up with ALL the past episodes at TalkingAboutHorsesPodcast.com