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Lyons demonstrating ‘guide’ and the end goal of the horse staying between the rider’s hands. [Photo: submitted]
Horse training is somewhat simple according to legendary horse trainer, Josh Lyons, of Lyons Legacy based in Scottsdale, Arizona. “Conveying your thought and making it the horse’s idea,” stated Lyons.
As many horse trainers, competitors, and horse enthusiasts know, the concept of training may be simple, but it takes years of skill and knowledge to develop a program that works for each individual rider and trainer. With guidance from professionals in the industry, the track to becoming a better horseman can be strengthened.
At a recent five-day horsemanship clinic held at Christian Equine Stables in Bismarck, Josh Lyons broke down his five methods and ‘mark training’ philosophy to several knowledge thirsty riders and horses from across the region.
“Teachers are meant to motivate,” assured Lyons. Whether it be teaching and motivating riders or training a horse — a wealth of horsemanship knowledge and skill was highlighted through the direction of Lyons.
Lyons motivating both horse and rider (Elsabe Hausauer) at his arena. [Photo: Sheila King Photography]
The trainer’s horsemanship methods can be broken down into five different parts.
Part 1 is Guide.
“When I start horses, there are five steps to my foundation. The most important thing is to guide. It’s not about the frame, it’s not about the softness. It has nothing to do with the ‘look’. It’s that when I say, go right, it means go right,” stated Lyons.
“When I drop my hand, the horse needs to stay in the direction we are going. So, if the horse is going to the right and leaves to the left, I’ll pick up both shoulders and direct him back into the right and correct direction,” Lyons added.
Lyons demonstrating ‘go right’ by directing horse’s shoulders and rider’s body position. [Photo: Peek]
The trainer mentioned, “It’s not a circle; it’s a direction.” Lyons kept focusing on the direction and job at hand until the horse ‘locks on’ and stays traveling to the right.
Riders are sometimes misinformed and think the resistance is a mouth issue. According to Lyons, it’s never the mouth — it’s the body saying I want to out the gate, or I want to go stand by my buddies, or what have you.
“If I take the resistance from the body, I’m controlling direction and I’m controlling speed. I pick up the reins and stay right and stay in speed. The release of my reins is telling the horse that he is doing it correctly,” explained Lyons, “Once he stays right and holds speed, it is easy to pick up the rein and start messing with his head.”
Horse’s body and face soft while Lyon’s focuses on direction. [Photo: Tisa Peek]
Once Lyons has the horse understanding, that is when he drops his hand and says that he is not going to cheat or help or micromanage the horse.
“If I feel him go left, I’ll pick up reins and make him go right. I keep doing this until he guides and stays in between a loose rein on his own,” added Lyons.
Horse is between rider’s hands, staying in direction and on a loose rein without being micromanaged. [Photo: Tisa Peek]
“The first step in foundation is guide, and guide is the most important thing I can put on a horse,” ensured Lyons.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of this series. Also, for more information follow Josh Lyons at www.joshlyons.com or on his Facebook page: Josh Lyons/Lyons Legacy.
Tisa Peek is a long-time horse trainer, competitor in barrel racing and team roping, and writer about the equine. Rodeo and horses run deep in her roots. JT Family Equine is where she calls home, south of Bismarck, ND. Tisa, along with her husband, Jon, and boys, Blu and River, train horses and host clinics. Tisa is the host for Dakota Cowboy on BEK TV.