I had awesome trainers when I first learned to ride....they may have mostly been in their teens, but they taught me great, solid fundamentals.  Even Ned being an alcoholic taught me about my "Natural" and "Artificial Aids."  They taught me the terminology of tracking up, direct rein vs. indirect rein, the forehand...not to mention Post 2/Stand 2.  I learned SO much from the Farmstead Gang. 

After  that I rode for and with several trainers...each teaching me something valuable along the way.  Since I have started riding again, I have noticed how stubborn I am in those simple and basic rules...they have become more apparent and pronounced to me...their reasoning as well as their effectiveness.  They aren't simple little things that I was taught, so I just do anymore.  They have a purpose.  And more importantly...they work.

I decided that I will highlight some of them here today and over the next few blogs I will go into dept on each one.  Why they are important.  What they teach you.  What they teach the horse, and ultimately why, if done correctly, you should both be happier in the end.

The goal is always to teach a horse the best behaviors as possible right from the start....that's what I exercise every day...consistent, desirable behavior.

So here it goes.

1.  Always brush your horse properly before you exercise them.
2.  Let them stretch out at the trot before you ask them to frame up and begin their real work.
3.  Back your horse up two steps every time you stop.
4.  Stop and stand on the rail (patience)
5.  Never let him walk until you ask.
6.  Don't hang out in the center of the arena.
7.  Never dismount in the center of the arena either.
8.  Once in a while let them be their natural horse during your ride.
9.  Never get yourself comfortable after your ride until your horse has been cared for properly.
10.  A horse must never be found in his stall with a saddle mark on his body.

These are the simple things that are embedded in the hard drive of my mind.  Rules to live by.  Simple rules at that.  Riding should never be more then that anyway...simple concepts, simple physics, simply enjoyable...

         except for that one bastard that refuses to work with you...

                            that one might require a more involved approach.