Training Archives ⋆ Page 17 of 17 ⋆ The Whoa Podcast

Moving From Snaffle Bit To Bridle

June 27, 2014 by John Leave a Comment

Moving From Snaffle Bit To Bridle

Are you riding your horse in a snaffle bit? Have you ever wondered how to transition into a bridle? Experienced trainers can make this transition easily. It takes a lot of timing and feel. In moving my horse Jessie from the snaffle bit, I’ve struggled with learning the right cues. The Whoa Podcast head out to find some professional help. We are hopeful this video will give you some ideas on making the transition.

Sure, if you are an experienced horseman, you may have your own ideas. In this video we talk to cutting/reined cowhorse trainer, Tommy Thompson about getting out of the snaffle. You can listen to the full audio podcast at WhoaPodcast.com. Look for Tommy Thompson, Episode #032

Podcast link: https://whoapodcast.com/tommy-thompson-cowhorses/

Finding a Good Roping Horse

June 24, 2014 by John Leave a Comment

Finding a Good Roping Horse

Episode #031

How do you find a good roping horse? While working on an assignment for a future podcast having to do with horse wellness and rehabilitation, I had the opportunity to once again visit with Champion Team Roper Denny Watkins. Denny has been to the National Finals Rodeo 19 consecutive times and has won just about every roping there is. And, he is not done yet. If you want to learn more about Denny, check out our December 2013 podcast, Team Roping with Denny Watkins.

I’m kinda a pain in the ass when it comes to talking about horses, especially a roping horse, with someone more experienced than me (that means almost everyone…yeah, scratch the almost). We finished the conversation on wellness – look for it in an upcoming podcast – and I really wanted to learn about how Denny evaluates a horse. Think about how many horses he’s seen. Think about all the hours and hours sitting in the saddle talking about horses, especially roping horses, between runs. Think about all the great horsemen he has crossed paths with over the last 25 years. Think about this vast wealth of knowledge. Yeah, I wanted to get a piece of it.

I pulled up to Denny’s ranch in northwest Bakersfield around one in the afternoon. He had just finished a morning session with several students. We got comfortable on his back porch with a view of three of his roping horses. One he was bringing along, one he was winning on, and one that was probably on the far side of his career. I talked to Denny about what made this horses special. I wanted to know how he evaluated a roping horse from the first moment he sees it. Denny was gracious enough to give a lesson.

So You Think You Want to Rope

You can’t talk to Denny too long without falling in love with the idea of roping. On a recent weekend my horse and I were exposed to roping. We got a chance to throw at a dummy. Thinking back to Denny’s evaluation of roping horses, I’m not sure if my horse has the best stride for a roper, she’s got a bit of a mind of her own at times, but the one thin she does own is “pretty” – that’s for sure. Yes, I have thought of roping. It is a very exciting sport. It’s fast. It has cows. And, team roping has a handicap system. I like that. A beginner can compete on a somewhat level playing field. Anything I do, I want to try and do well. I wondered how much of a commitment I would need to make. Yes, both financial and time and effort. Geesh!

Denny talks us through the whole process. You know, it’s not that tough. I’ve got me a bit of a used rope. I’m working on a set of cones from the ground. You may just live long enough to hear the tale of me and Jessie catching our first steer.

Links for Denny Watkins Short Instructional Videos:

Denny has a series of short, yet informative, videos that can help you and your roping horse become a better team.

Check out a couple of these links to learn more about Denny Watkins Team Roping: http://vimeo.com/dennywatkins

And his Team Roping Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmgqsDpsQeBt17WKfU0F9cA

Contact Us

We have well over 60 episodes up now and you can find them all for free on iTunes, with our Android App in the Amazon store, and now Stitcher, or wherever podcasts are distributed. Get the Stitcher app and let us know how it works. It’s Free. You can also find every episode and more about the show at whoapodcast.com. Please join our email list. Get in on the conversation with Facebook and Twitter – just look for WhoaPodcast.

Please let us know your thought, ideas, and suggestions for the show. You can email us at: John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening.

John & Ranae

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Doug Payne – Riding Horse Repair Manual

June 17, 2014 by John Leave a Comment

Doug Payne – Riding Horse Repair Manual

Episode number #030

Doug Payne is one of the lucky people who started riding at a very young age. Doug has been profiled in and contributed to magazines such as Practical Horseman, US Eventing Magazine, The Chronicle of the Horse, Eventing Nation as well as a number of other regional and national publications and media. Along with Jim Wofford, Doug produced the acclaimed ‘the Rider’s Eye‘ instructional DVD. Doug’s latest effort is the book, The Riding Horse Repair Manual, an instructional guide to developing confident and competitive horses. The book not only gives you tips on better riding and horsemanship, but also teaches you how to deal with bad behavior in your horse.

Doug Payne might be best known in the discipline of Eventing. Doug has won countless national and international competitions from Beginner Novice through Advanced. In Dressage he has had international success through FEI Intermediate I. Aside from Dressage and Eventing, Doug has extensive experience in jumping. He has ridden multiple horses from the lowest levels through Grand Prix with many top placings at national competitions.

Crown Talisman

If you stopped by the Doug Payne Equestrian Sports webpage you will quickly discover just how busy Doug stays. He rides sometimes ten or twelve horses a day. When he is not training he is competing. We managed to catch up with Doug at his new place in North Carolina. We learn a little bit about his early history with horses and his plans for the future. Doug and his wife Jess had just returned from the Saumur CCI 3 star in France. As part of a grant from Land Rover Doug Payne competed on Crown Talisman, his 17.1 dark bay Thoroughbred-Holsteiner cross gelding.

There is also a pretty cool “helmet cam” video of Doug on Talisman making their run in France. You can find it here and check out Doug Payne’s Youtube Channel. And if all that is not enough, you can find training videos online from Doug Payne.

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