Dr. Mike's Horsemanship Ground Steps to Success

By Michael Guerini

This electronic book focuses on helping you work safely and effectively with your horse by building a strong training foundation. Information includes: 1) Preparation for Ground work and Riding 2) Understanding your Horse's body language 3) Pre-signal and preparatory commands, and 4) Ground Steps to Success (walk, whoa, disengage hips, back, go forward cue and other movements.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael Guerini
• Release date: Jul 20, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465876232

Michael Guerini

Michael Guerini is a horseman, author and scientist from Gilroy, California. From an early age he gained valuable experience working with his family to train horses. To this day he continues to work with his family to develop a whole horse relationship training and education program. Michael studies Dressage, performance horses and teaches routinely on the merits of good horsemanship and improving the relationship of the horse and rider (www.dunmovinranch.com). As a scientist, Michael is involved in the areas of genetics, microbiology and most things relating to the world of biotechnology. In 2011, Michael introduced his first work of fiction about a scientist who becomes a veterinarian and puts all his skills to work in solving medical problems in animals (Old Towne: Beginnings). A rich work with both human and animal characters and a fun wholesome read, great for youth interested in how the worlds of veterinary medicine and biotechnology work. Michael is a Lifetime member of the American Quarter Horse Association and a Lifetime (Founding Pioneers) Member of the Western Dressage Association of America. Michael has authored two non-fiction books on Ground Work and Advanced Responsive Riding for the horsemen and horsewomen. With his unique blend of ground work, dressage and general colt starting philosophy, he can help you build a stronger relationship with your horse. My first work of fiction, Old Towne: Beginnings was released in December 2011. My first work of Poetry/Free verse, Of Horses & Life, was released as a free publication in April of 2012.

Book preview

Introduction

From an early age Dr. Mike gained valuable experience in horsemanship by working with his family to train young horses as well as working with Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred breeders and trainers in California. During his college days he worked for a variety of veterinary practices and gained valuable knowledge about horses.

I believe that a horse has a built-in desire to perform for his/her owner

These experiences have taught me that in many instances the desire to work together with the human partner is confused by unclear signals. In other instances frustrating behaviors have been allowed to persist.

Our philosophy at Dun Movin Ranch is that we work together with the horse and rider to develop a solid relationship based on trust and the 6 C’s of Horsemanship. All of our training and clinics begin with groundwork focused on developing this trust.

The 6 C's of Horsemanship

Experiences, observations and great conversations with horsemen and women around the country have allowed me to develop the 6 C's of Horsemanship: Compassion, Confidence

Control, Calmness, Collection and Consistency.

Checking out your horse before riding

One of the most important things we need to do before we work our horses is to make sure they are healthy and physically ready to work. How can we do this? First we need to make sure our horses are current on their vaccinations and that their feet are in good shape. To make sure our horses are healthy we should have them checked by a veterinarian every year or at the very least every two