John Lyons Rides Fearful Horse Over Tarp

Horse trainer John Lyons demonstrates patiently training the fearful horse to walk across a tarp. He explains his training philosophy of being positive and directing the horse’s movement without trying to force him forward, thus teaching the horse how to work past his own fears. For the horse it is a life and death decision. This is a lesson which will last the lifetime of the horse and help him be more confident in future threatening situations. Demo at Equine Affaire Mass., Nov. 13. Driving coach gives pointers for increasing the horse’s impulsion, getting him to bend around circles, performing a halt and salute, and walking off. In the trot, the driver is learning how to drive the horse forward into the bit and to take more rein contact, which encourages the horse to use his hind end more strongly to push himself forward. As that happens, the horse’s back and neck round and the horse begins to stretch his head forward and down, thus working in a better “frame.“ This way of working increases the hor