Number one goal: "To use as little as it takes to get as much as possible." Use as much as it takes, but as little as necessary.

	Read Nancy's Bio on ebarrelracing.com

1. You must know the results you want from your horse and how to get it before you begin. What is your goal?

2. Know how to get what you want, with understanding. By teaching the lesson, not forcing the lesson.

3. Ask it clearly, teach it clearly, and be specific.

4. Ask slowly and consistently.

5. Teach one lesson at a time. Remember you are always learning, also. Each horse is different. Keep your mind and eyes open. Listen to your horse.

6. Use your voice to enhance your hand, body, and leg cues.

7. Your horse should always be "in training", not intense, but you should be aware of your responsibility to "lead your horse in the way he should go." Use every opportunity to teach him to do things right. This will make it much easier when he is in a situation and you need to control him. If you're riding, you're training.

8. Making an error in judgment is not the time to reprimand; it is the time (the opportunity) to teach.

9. The "magic" of teaching for you and your horse is: "Consistently Correct. Hours in the saddle."

10. I must say this again: "Know what you want and know how to ask for it before you begin. Don't just hope it happens. Make it happen with correct planning. This is up to you, not your horse."

A horse is a herd animal. He belongs to a herd of other horses. In that herd there is one leader and all the horses will look to that leader for their boundaries, safety, love and respect. That lead horse has a tremendous responsibility to the herd. Now having said that, when you are with your horse, there is a herd of two; your horse will either lead you or follow you. In the herd of two you must lead and teach the ways he should go. A leader is one who guides, one who leads with knowledge and shows the way. It is not one who punishes. It's one who controls with care, using a gentle but firm guiding hand. This will instill trust and respect between you and your horse.

Communicate as a leader. Communicate means: to make known, to give to another; transmit, to give or interchange thoughts, information etc., to be connected.

Be his leader. (Not a bully). Take the responsibility for your horse's boundaries and safety while giving love and respect, which will be given back. But you must earn and expect it. In this way there should never be a question in your horse's mind who leads the herd. This will make him feel safe and he will willingly follow. It's his nature and he will respond. Never give your horse mixed signals of who is the leader. You are responsible for him and he is responsible to you.

The horse's learning attention span lasts about 10 - 15 minutes. So, anytime you're teaching a lesson, remember to stop, relax and take a break. Do something that he does well, get off and adjust the gear, loosen the cinch for a while, or just stop for the day. Let him know that was all you wanted him to do; it was as simple as that. He will think, "Oh, that is all you wanted." No pressure and more fun for him and you. If you want to spend more time with him that day, go trail riding. A lot can be learned on the trail!

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