In this video I am training a horse to lunge. The previous session to this video the horse had no respect for body position, would constantly pull away, and basically drag me all over the arena. This video shows how using the round pen and teaching some basic foundational principles there will help teach a horse to lunge properly and successfully.

To Your Lunging Success,

Mark Moffitt

A Psalm Under Night Skies

O Lord, my Lord, your name is Awesome!
In created things I see your touch.
I hear your praise on the wind in the sage,
From bawlin’ calves, and babies and such.

When I consider your night skies, God,
The moon and stars, all works of your fingers,
I wonder, what’s a cowboy to you, Lord?
But you care ’bout me – and this thought lingers.

Somehow a broken down, busted cowpoke
Rates up with angels in your heavenly host.
You bless my days in the saddle, and make me
boss of your spread, from mountain to coast.

All cattle grazing the canyons are yours;
Every prairie hawk, rattler, or bobcat I see;
Every cuthroat leapin’ the stream is yours, too -
Like me, alive by your blessing, wild ‘n free.

O Lord, my Lord, your name is Awesome!
And it’s comfortin’ to know…you think about me!

~Based on Psalm 8, by David Kopp

Wanted to post this just for fun! I was riding and noticed my little girl doing the same things that I was doing.  I wasn’t telling her she was just doing them. So I told my wife to watch so we decided to record it. Thought you all would like to see too!

To Your Training Success,

Mark Moffitt

In this video you will see the steps to haltering a horse for the first time. This horse is actually a 3 year old mustang getting haltered for the very first time in his life after only 4 days of real human handling.

You will see I am using a rope. The purpose of the rope is to create a stronger connection between me and the horse which allows the process to speed up a little. The horse finds that he is connected to me no matter what movement he chooses to make. He cannot get away from me even if he were to “try”.  Not only is it to create a stronger connection, but also allows me to create more movement as far as round penning goes. For lazier horses it gives an added encouragement to move when asked.  It is also a great way to get the horse comfortable with ropes on it’s entire body.  I do not use the rope in any kind of harmful way to the horse it is solely a tool to help in the process of getting this horse to learn that no matter what I bring into it’s life it will not be hurt and therefore causes the horse to trust me even more.  The horse is never afraid of the rope, and I can touch the horse on it’s entire body with it and the horse is very relaxed. Just as you would use a bit in its mouth to apply pressure for a specific action the rope is also used to apply a specific amount of pressure for a specific action. The more I bring into the horse’s life the more it will trust me no matter what may be going on around him.

Haltering A Horse – The First Experience

***Remember before this can be accomplished the basic round penning procedures must be followed to create respect and trust to be able to safely and successfully approach your horse.

To Your Training Success,

Mark Moffitt

This is one of the mustangs I currently have to gentle and actually this one has found a home! I have another sorrel that I will be posting video on very soon that is available for adoption and will be getting more mustangs to gentle and find good homes. So, if you are interested in adopting one of these American Legends then please Contact Me.

In this video I will be showing the basic beginnings to starting a horse in the round pen.

To Your Training Success,

Mark Moffitt