The Horseman's Handbook

The Horseman's Handbook

Monique Potts offers a comprehensive guide to enhancing horsemanship skills and building a strong connection with your horse through effective groundwork and riding techniques. From addressing common behavioral issues such as grazing drag, lack of attention in new environments, and gate work apprehension to instilling confidence in both horse and rider, Potts emphasizes the importance of clear communication and mutual trust. Through a series of practical exercises and drills, she demonstrates how to establish leadership on the ground, navigate obstacles, and develop spatial awareness to ensure safety and success in various situations. Moreover, Potts provides valuable insights into selecting horses, improving bridling, trailer loading, and creating a positive social environment for horses. With a focus on empathy, patience, and consistency, Potts empowers riders to cultivate a harmonious partnership with their equine companions, fostering mutual respect and understanding.

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The Horseman's Handbook
  • The Horseman's Handbook

    2.13 MB

    Welcome to “The Horseman’s Handbook” led by Natural Horsemanship trainer, Monique Potts. This workbook is designed to accompany your masterclass series, while Monique Potts offers a comprehensive guide to enhancing horsemanship skills. Inside, you’ll find a structured program, interactive element...

  • Hand Grazing Your Horse

    Does your horse like to drag you around while you let him graze? Monique Potts explains how you can fix that problem and keep slack in your lead rope at all times.

  • Managing Your Horse in a New Place

    When you go to a new place, whether it's a trailhead or a horse show, your horse needs to keep his attention on you and not what's going on around him. Monique Potts shows you how she handles a horse that is in a new environment.

  • Moving a Horse Forward on the Ground

    Is your horse a lazy leader? Monique Potts shows you a few groundwork drills you can do to increase forward motion on the ground and getting your horse to read your body language.

  • Introducing Your Horse to Obstacles on the Ground

    Before you attempt obstacles in the saddle, make sure you have control of your horse's feet on the ground. Monique Potts shows you how she likes to have her clients approach a new obstacle for the first time on the ground.

  • Finding the Right Horse for You

    Monique Potts shares what she looks for in a horse when she's shopping for a horse for one of her customers.

  • Introducing Your Horse to a Scary Object

    Monique Potts breaks down what she likes to do when a client is working with a horse that is scared of an object. And shows you how to stay in control of the situation from basic groundwork drills.

  • Warming Up in a New Enviornment

    When you take your horse to a foreign facility, it's extremely important to warm up and make sure that your horse's attention is on you and not everything going on around him. Monique Potts shows you what she likes to do when she rides a horse in a new place for the first time.

  • Introducing a Horse to Obstacles in the Saddle

    Once you've done your groundwork, you can start introducing your horse to new obstacles in the saddle. Monique Potts shows you how she likes to first introduce a horse to a new obstacle in the saddle.

  • Working a Gate on a Nervous Horse

    If your horse is nervous when you go to work a gate with him, use this drill from natural horsemanship instructor Monique Potts.

  • Riding a Looky Horse

    Do you find your horse disconnected to you when you get in the saddle? Monique Potts shows you how you can warm up a looky horse to get his attention off his surroundings and back on the rider.

  • Warm-Up Drill

    Monique Potts goes over the warm up drill she has all her non-pro riders do before they start a training session.

  • Your Body Awareness

    You pay attention to what your horse's body is doing when you ride, but are you paying attention to your own body? Monique Potts goes over personal body awareness to ensure that you're not getting in your horse's way when you ride.

  • Be Confident in Your Decisions

    When you're in the saddle, you need to be your horse's teacher. Monique Potts goes over her tips for being confident in the saddle and in your decisions.

  • Cueing Your Horse

    Are you using your leg, hand, and seat cues properly? Monique Potts breaks down the different ways she cues a horse when she rides.

  • Bridling Your Horse With Monique Potts

    Does your horse hate being bridled? Monique Potts shows you how you can help your horse get better at bridling.

  • Petting Your Horse

    Monique Potts explains how she likes to go about petting a horse and teaching her horse boundaries at the same time.

  • Holding and Handling Your Horse for the Farrier

    Does your horse dance around when you're holding him for the vet or farrier? Monique Potts shows you how you can practice handling your horse for the vet or farrier.

  • Understanding Movement and Foot Placement

    Knowing where your horse is placing his feet is key to understanding his movement. Monique Potts shows you a few drills you can do to help you better understand foot placement.

  • Trailer Loading Problems

    Monique Potts works with a client who struggles with loading their horse into a trailer and breaks down how they can fix it.

  • Feely vs. Dull Horse

    Is your horse dull on the ground at or super feely? Monique Potts works with a super feely horse and talks about the difference between one that is dull on the ground and one that is feely.

  • Spatial Awareness

    As Monique was doing groundwork drills, she noticed her horse reacting to the flies that were landing on her. So she goes over the importance of having spatial awareness when you're standing next to your horse so you don't get kicked or hit when they react to the bugs.

  • Groundwork Checklist

    Monique Potts goes over her checklist she likes to do on the ground to test a new horse's skills before she gets in the saddle.

  • Socializing Your Horse

    If your horse doesn't get to live in a herd environment, it's important to socialize your horse so he can be near other horses without any problems. Monique Potts talks about how she safely socializes a horse that doesn't live in a herd environment.