TRT Method Young Horse Modules

I’ve blogged before about using the TRT Method to help with Jet’s spooking and fear issues and also to expand my understanding of Natural Horsemanship techniques.  I really think the only reason I have been able to successfully show such a reactive and nervous pony is due to the knowledge I gained from the program.  Cruiser is a very different horse, naturally curious and extroverted, much more likely to walk towards anything scary and try to explore it.  As part of getting him under saddle I put him through the groundwork and tools TRT module and it was easy peasy.  If anything he is so non reactive that it’s kind of hard to get him fearful enough to teach him to self sooth.  

Because he seemed so easy, I logged into the TRT website for the first time in a long time to brush up and realized a ton of content has been added including a starting a young horse section.  It is quite comprehensive, starting with the groundwork, then adding the tools, then going on to specific exercises I have never seen before to make your horse more balanced, coordinated, and confident before you ever sit in the saddle.  It has been a revelation, especially in the use of horse “yoga” from the ground to help with all of the above.  There is no unbalanced running on a lunge, instead it is all about changing the horse’s posture online and directing the feet and shaping the body.  With a heavy dose of Tristan Tucker’s genius about how to read horses, how to structure lessons, and how to set up for each step for success.

Even though I have already ridden the Cruiser 10-12 times this fall, we are working our way through the young horse modules, improving our groundwork(with and without tools), improving his posture, and setting ourselves up for ease when I start riding him again in the spring.  The work has really improved his focus and coordination and has been perfect for daily 10-15 minute online sessions during the colder winter months.  We’re about halfway through the starting a young horse section, so the timing should work out well to get him back under saddle with the warmer weather in spring.

I’m so glad I spent the money way back when for the TRT lifetime membership and I love the value of so much new added content on specific areas of interest.  What online programs have you successfully used?  Do you prefer the monthly access fee model or the one time payment model that costs more in one lump sum but gives you lifetime access?