FAQs

How will these videos help me?
	The videos I am offering are for all types of riders from the first time rider all the way across the spectrum to an advanced rider. My videos give the fundamentals on basic tools a rider needs as well as tools for communication with your horse. Moreover, I have provided drills to help in controling your horse that every rider can try. I think you will be very satisfied.
Why did you make videos?
	I have been involved in the horse business for 37 years. Although I have trained world champions, my greatest satisfaction has been watching those I have taught reach their goals with their horses, whether it be just improving their horsemanship or moving into the national spotlight. I realize that I can't teach everyone in person, but by offering these videos, more people can have access to my teaching methods.
Will do come and do a clinic in my area?
	I would be happy to come to your area to hold a clinic. Your job is to organize the people, facility, and times. Then we can discuss the dates and topics. Just email me at nancy@nancycahill.com. I charge a flat day fee plus expenses. I have found that a maximum of 12 riders seems to be the best size for a clinic. People attending just to listen and watch are always welcome. Typically organizers charge one fee for riders and another for auditors. Just email me about it and we can talk.
What are some good exercises I could do at home to improve my horsemanship skills?
	A good horsemanship exercise to perform at home actually involves an English saddle. Even if you never plan to ride English, borrow or buy a used one. If you have a round pen or arena, put the horse on the rail at a walk. Stand up with all of the weight in your heels. Don't bend over at the pelvis. Stay straight and try to stay up without holding on. your feet get too far ahead of you, you will fall back down into the saddle.If your feet get too far ahead of you, you will fall back down into the saddle. If your feet get too far behind you, you will fall onto the horse's neck. The only balance point is right over your leg. Don't cheat. Either assume the correct position or sit back down over your leg. This exercise will strengthen your whole body and your legs.
Is it hard to teach the lead changes? How long does it take?
	Teaching a horse to change leads tends to be challenging on most horses. In my mind, I think the horse is saying "Why don't you just pick one lead and stay with it instead of changing your mind all of the time!". If the horse doesn't have the necessary preparation and basics, it can turn ugly very quickly. They tend to get scared even with the best of horsemen. So time wise, it usually takes 6 months to a year to get steady changes and add more time to that to make them solid at the maneuver.
1. My horse won't pick his feet up over the logs - what should I do to improve this?
	Before a horse can go "clean" over the poles, he first has to be proficient with the proper step between them whether he is walking, trotting, or loping. If you feel that he knows the striding, then it is time to raise the poles to different heights. I have risers that the poles can lay in securely, but if the horse hits them hard, the poles can roll off without doing the horse any damage. Some horses can see the pole at elevation and some actually have to bump it to notice. Either way, he has to be made uncomfortable when he hits it. He needs to learn that it is a case of self preservation. When he hits it, it hurts. When he clears it, it doesn't hurt.
What is the correct way to back up a horse?
	When backing your horse, the best way to stay straight is to pick something straight ahead of you and focus on it. Then if the horse starts to back crooked, you will see it if you don't feel it first. I think the single most mistake in backing is that the rider has his reins too long in the first place and if the horse isn't super light in the mouth, the rider loses control by having his hand out of place and usually too high.
I have trouble understanding the trail pattern. What are some tricks to help me remember and understand?
	When trying to remember a trail pattern, you need to have the pattern in your hands. Either obtain a copy from the show office or copy it exactly as drawn off on the posted pattern. Take a different color highlighter for each gait and color the path. That way the pattern won't look like a bunch of black and white lines to confuse you. If you are doing more than one pattern, learn the first one and then wait till you are through with that one to learn the next. Know it by heart before you ever see it laid out in the arena. If you have a chance to warm up on a practice pattern, that really helps. I find it helpful when I am showing in a pattern to actually talk my way through the course. It's slows your mind down and makes you think ahead.
How should I practice Western Riding at home?
	When practicing western riding at home, I keep a line of four changes up at all times. So that means I have five cones about 36' apart. Sometimes it goes in line with the arena and other times I may run it at a diagonal. It shouldn't matter though as it is still the same line that they would set up at a show. I may lope back and forth through the line to make sure my horse is guiding and rating his speed and I may never change leads. I might skip the first two and change the last two. So any way you want to approach it or alter it is fine. You actually need to keep them guessing which way you want to go and if you want to change or not. They need to learn to wait on your cues. I also change all over the arena with no particular pattern in mind. Unless I am working on a really green one, I may not change leads everyday.
What can I do to relax my horse in the pattern?
	When you have a horse that wants to get nervous in pattern work, you might try a few of these tips. Make sure first that the horse isn't too fresh to start with. Standing still and waiting his turn isn't in his vocabulary when he wants to play. As you approach the start of your pattern, don't step up to the cone any faster than you need to. If the competitor ahead of you is nearly at the end of the pattern, begin to move forward to the position you need to start in. Then when the judge acknowledges you, the horse won't have had to spend too much time waiting. Also, as the rider, you don't need to stiffen up. The horse can feel that and he'll wonder what he is supposed to be afaid of at the cone.