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Martin Black presents a series of foundation exercises that can benefit horses and riders at any level of experience. In part one, Martin demonstrates one way you can help your horse to lope round even circles. Encourage a horse to seek relief rather than escape from pressure. Build your horse's problem-solving abilities and responsibilities. With some consistency, pretty soon your ideas will become his ideas. Thus lesson is 12 minutes 22 seconds -
Martin Black presents a series of foundation exercises that can benefit horses and riders at any level of experience. In part two, Martin builds on the previous loping circles exercise and discusses how to encourage a horse to take the correct lead. The principles remain the same -- teach your horse to seek relief rather than escape from pressure. When a horse is mentally balanced, he will become more physically balanced. Choosing a lead which help improve your focus. As you become more accurate in your riding, your horse will begin to follow your feel and get in time with you. -
Teaching a horse to stop is just as important as teaching him how to go. In the third part of his foundation series, Martin Black shares one way he uses to prepare a horse for the stop. This exercise is about getting your horse to read your energy level and body cues. Anticipation isn’t always a bad thing. You want your horse to be thinking about the stop so that he can prepare in his body to make a smooth transition. By staying consistent in this exercise, your horse will become more confident and begin to ask for the change. -
In his ongoing series of foundation exercises in this segment Martin Black demonstrates how he would begin to develop a horse's turnaround. In this segment he guides us through both the development of the maneuver as well as strategies for helping your horse stay in a positive and learning frame of mind. The length of this lesson is 4 minutes 41 seconds -
Straight lines are important foundational tools for more refined or difficult maneuvers later on. Whether you’re on your own seasoned horse, a colt or a borrowed horse, checking out how straight they travel is a good indicator of what’s working and what’s not. However, in order to do so you have to be aware of when you’re straight in the first place. Martin Black shares some tips to help riders develop better focus and ride with more straightness and accuracy. Pretty soon your horse will feel your focus and put more effort into getting in rhythm with you. The length of this lesson is 3 minutes 33 seconds -
Martin Black demonstrates on a green horse some exercises for riding in a hackamore. Martin outlines why he likes riding in this traditional piece of equipment and points out some of the challenges as well as the benefits. The horse he is riding has had some time off, so we get to watch as Martin works through some issues to get his horse soft and with him.The length of this lesson is 24 minutes 33 seconds -
Being able to feel of our horses and make decisions about what and when to ask for movements can be challenging for us all. Martin Black has watched a lot of riders struggle with knowing where their horses weight is and what direction the horse is moving. In this simple exercise Martin demonstrates how you can develop your own feel of how your horse is moving so you can learn to time your aids and perform maneuvers efficiently without relying on outside help. The length of this lesson is 16 minutes 21 seconds -
Martin Black Tips and Tricks aired on June 28,2022Efficiency and safety. Those are the driving factors that separate a lot of the little things I want to share with people from what I see other people blunder through. When I see a practice that takes longer to get to the same place, or with more risk, I try to analyze if there could be a more efficient safer way of doing things. There’s a lot of things, to me that are elementary horsemanship that I was taught as a child and yet I see people that have been around livestock a lot that still don’t operate in the way I’m talking about. It’s not about being fast necessarily, efficiency is about not wasting time or effort while doing something. Being around livestock is risky, but it can be calculated risk. And I like to minimize the risk to me, the livestock, and the people around me, and these are the things I would like to share.Enjoy this 2 hour unedited virtual sessionWatch a preview of this session: -
By popular demand, I’ve had this particular bit replicated for my customers. Each one is hand made with this particular oblong shape and precisely curved mouth. The rings and the mouth measure exactly the same. I've found this bit to give the horse the best feel of any of snaffle I have tried. Polished Steel 5" in width. -
A complete snaffle bit set-up! Your choice of a handcrafted browband leather headstall in tan or dark brown, a Jeremiah Watt Snaffle (stainless steel or Black) a Black O-ring snaffle or a Y6 Custom polished steel O-ring snaffle along with a mecate of your choice; 3/4", 5/8" or 1/2" 22 foot - (that is currently in stock). The leather is double stitched with brass buckles. The set up will come ready to hang on your horse, complete with chin strap, slobber straps and the mecate already tied on. This is sure to be a favorite piece of gear in your tack room. -
Jeremiah Watt - Black steel eggbutt snaffle. This is a 5" width on the mouth. -
Jeremiah Watt -Stainless steel eggbutt snaffle. This is a 5" width on the mouth. -
In my experience, younger horses are going to be more sensitive in the early stages and get along better with a lighter bit, around 1.5 pounds more or less, and after a few years they get along better and are more sensitive to a bit around 2 pounds. The difference between a lower port and a spade mouthpiece could make close to .25 pound difference. When a bit is used as a signal device its important to have the right signal. If it’s too light and doesn’t give enough signal, we don’t have good communication. If the bit is too heavy, it can be too loud and intimidating and not have a good signal either. The movement of the bit before the curb strap comes tight is a feel, referred to as signal. After the curb strap is tight the horse feels leverage that can be measured in pounds. These bits are intended to be signal devices. If the bit is strictly used as a leverage device the weight of the bit has little to do with feel, it might as well be heavy and durable. We have a maker working with us now that is producing the kind of bits that we really like. A cheek that has more surface area is made thinner to be lighter weight, and a cheek that has less surface area is thicker, so it is not to flimsy. This helps to keep the total weight of the bit within the proper weight range. Again, the equipment we offer is patterned after the equipment that I have experienced success with and has been used for generations. Martin Black Sterling silver inlaid bit. 5" width with a 4"spade mouthpiece. Weight: 1 lb 4.7 oz -
In my experience, younger horses are going to be more sensitive in the early stages and get along better with a lighter bit, around 1.5 pounds more or less, and after a few years they get along better and are more sensitive to a bit around 2 pounds. The difference between a lower port and a spade mouthpiece could make close to .25 pound difference. When a bit is used as a signal device its important to have the right signal. If it’s too light and doesn’t give enough signal, we don’t have good communication. If the bit is too heavy, it can be too loud and intimidating and not have a good signal either. The movement of the bit before the curb strap comes tight is a feel, referred to as signal. After the curb strap is tight the horse feels leverage that can be measured in pounds. These bits are intended to be signal devices. If the bit is strictly used as a leverage device the weight of the bit has little to do with feel, it might as well be heavy and durable. We have a maker working with us now that is producing the kind of bits that we really like. A cheek that has more surface area is made thinner to be lighter weight, and a cheek that has less surface area is thicker, so it is not to flimsy. This helps to keep the total weight of the bit within the proper weight range. Again, the equipment we offer is patterned after the equipment that I have experienced success with and has been used for generations. Martin Black Sterling silver inlaid bit. 5" width with a 3 and 5/8" mouthpiece. Weight: 1 lb 8.4 oz -
In my experience, younger horses are going to be more sensitive in the early stages and get along better with a lighter bit, around 1.5 pounds more or less, and after a few years they get along better and are more sensitive to a bit around 2 pounds. The difference between a lower port and a spade mouthpiece could make close to .25 pound difference. When a bit is used as a signal device its important to have the right signal. If it’s too light and doesn’t give enough signal, we don’t have good communication. If the bit is too heavy, it can be too loud and intimidating and not have a good signal either. The movement of the bit before the curb strap comes tight is a feel, referred to as signal. After the curb strap is tight the horse feels leverage that can be measured in pounds. These bits are intended to be signal devices. If the bit is strictly used as a leverage device the weight of the bit has little to do with feel, it might as well be heavy and durable. We have a maker working with us now that is producing the kind of bits that we really like. A cheek that has more surface area is made thinner to be lighter weight, and a cheek that has less surface area is thicker, so it is not to flimsy. This helps to keep the total weight of the bit within the proper weight range. Again, the equipment we offer is patterned after the equipment that I have experienced success with and has been used for generations. Martin Black Sterling silver inlaid bit. 5" width with a 5 and1/8"spade mouthpiece. Weight: 1 lb 7.7 oz -
In my experience, younger horses are going to be more sensitive in the early stages and get along better with a lighter bit, around 1.5 pounds more or less, and after a few years they get along better and are more sensitive to a bit around 2 pounds. The difference between a lower port and a spade mouthpiece could make close to .25 pound difference. When a bit is used as a signal device its important to have the right signal. If it’s too light and doesn’t give enough signal, we don’t have good communication. If the bit is too heavy, it can be too loud and intimidating and not have a good signal either. The movement of the bit before the curb strap comes tight is a feel, referred to as signal. After the curb strap is tight the horse feels leverage that can be measured in pounds. These bits are intended to be signal devices. If the bit is strictly used as a leverage device the weight of the bit has little to do with feel, it might as well be heavy and durable. We have a maker working with us now that is producing the kind of bits that we really like. A cheek that has more surface area is made thinner to be lighter weight, and a cheek that has less surface area is thicker, so it is not to flimsy. This helps to keep the total weight of the bit within the proper weight range. Again, the equipment we offer is patterned after the equipment that I have experienced success with and has been used for generations. Martin Black Sterling silver inlaid bit. 5" width with a 3" mouthpiece. Weight: 1 lb 7.2 oz -
In my experience, younger horses are going to be more sensitive in the early stages and get along better with a lighter bit, around 1.5 pounds more or less, and after a few years they get along better and are more sensitive to a bit around 2 pounds. The difference between a lower port and a spade mouthpiece could make close to .25 pound difference. When a bit is used as a signal device its important to have the right signal. If it’s too light and doesn’t give enough signal, we don’t have good communication. If the bit is too heavy, it can be too loud and intimidating and not have a good signal either. The movement of the bit before the curb strap comes tight is a feel, referred to as signal. After the curb strap is tight the horse feels leverage that can be measured in pounds. These bits are intended to be signal devices. If the bit is strictly used as a leverage device the weight of the bit has little to do with feel, it might as well be heavy and durable. We have a maker working with us now that is producing the kind of bits that we really like. A cheek that has more surface area is made thinner to be lighter weight, and a cheek that has less surface area is thicker, so it is not to flimsy. This helps to keep the total weight of the bit within the proper weight range. Again, the equipment we offer is patterned after the equipment that I have experienced success with and has been used for generations. Martin Black Sterling silver inlaid bit. 5" width with a 4" mouthpiece. Weight: 1 lb 7.4oz -
Sterling silver inlaid bit. Spade mouthpiece, 5" width. Weight: 1lb 4oz. Port Height 2.25" Tall -
In my experience, younger horses are going to be more sensitive in the early stages and get along better with a lighter bit, around 1.5 pounds more or less, and after a few years they get along better and are more sensitive to a bit around 2 pounds. The difference between a lower port and a spade mouthpiece could make close to .25 pound difference. When a bit is used as a signal device its important to have the right signal. If it’s too light and doesn’t give enough signal, we don’t have good communication. If the bit is too heavy, it can be too loud and intimidating and not have a good signal either. The movement of the bit before the curb strap comes tight is a feel, referred to as signal. After the curb strap is tight the horse feels leverage that can be measured in pounds. These bits are intended to be signal devices. If the bit is strictly used as a leverage device the weight of the bit has little to do with feel, it might as well be heavy and durable. We have a maker working with us now that is producing the kind of bits that we really like. A cheek that has more surface area is made thinner to be lighter weight, and a cheek that has less surface area is thicker, so it is not to flimsy. This helps to keep the total weight of the bit within the proper weight range. Again, the equipment we offer is patterned after the equipment that I have experienced success with and has been used for generations. Martin Black Sterling silver inlaid bit. 5" width with a 2 and 1/8" mouthpiece. Weight: 1 lb 4.3 oz -
In my experience, younger horses are going to be more sensitive in the early stages and get along better with a lighter bit, around 1.5 pounds more or less, and after a few years they get along better and are more sensitive to a bit around 2 pounds. The difference between a lower port and a spade mouthpiece could make close to .25 pound difference. When a bit is used as a signal device its important to have the right signal. If it’s too light and doesn’t give enough signal, we don’t have good communication. If the bit is too heavy, it can be too loud and intimidating and not have a good signal either. The movement of the bit before the curb strap comes tight is a feel, referred to as signal. After the curb strap is tight the horse feels leverage that can be measured in pounds. These bits are intended to be signal devices. If the bit is strictly used as a leverage device the weight of the bit has little to do with feel, it might as well be heavy and durable. We have a maker working with us now that is producing the kind of bits that we really like. A cheek that has more surface area is made thinner to be lighter weight, and a cheek that has less surface area is thicker, so it is not to flimsy. This helps to keep the total weight of the bit within the proper weight range. Again, the equipment we offer is patterned after the equipment that I have experienced success with and has been used for generations. Martin Black Sterling silver inlaid bit. 5" width with a 2 and 1/8" mouthpiece. Weight: 1 lb 3.5 oz -
In my experience, younger horses are going to be more sensitive in the early stages and get along better with a lighter bit, around 1.5 pounds more or less, and after a few years they get along better and are more sensitive to a bit around 2 pounds. The difference between a lower port and a spade mouthpiece could make close to .25 pound difference. When a bit is used as a signal device its important to have the right signal. If it’s too light and doesn’t give enough signal, we don’t have good communication. If the bit is too heavy, it can be too loud and intimidating and not have a good signal either. The movement of the bit before the curb strap comes tight is a feel, referred to as signal. After the curb strap is tight the horse feels leverage that can be measured in pounds. These bits are intended to be signal devices. If the bit is strictly used as a leverage device the weight of the bit has little to do with feel, it might as well be heavy and durable. We have a maker working with us now that is producing the kind of bits that we really like. A cheek that has more surface area is made thinner to be lighter weight, and a cheek that has less surface area is thicker, so it is not to flimsy. This helps to keep the total weight of the bit within the proper weight range. Again, the equipment we offer is patterned after the equipment that I have experienced success with and has been used for generations. Martin Black Sterling silver inlaid bit. 5" width with a 2 and 1/2" mouthpiece. Weight: 1 lb 2.7oz -
In my experience, younger horses are going to be more sensitive in the early stages and get along better with a lighter bit, around 1.5 pounds more or less, and after a few years they get along better and are more sensitive to a bit around 2 pounds. The difference between a lower port and a spade mouthpiece could make close to .25 pound difference. When a bit is used as a signal device its important to have the right signal. If it’s too light and doesn’t give enough signal, we don’t have good communication. If the bit is too heavy, it can be too loud and intimidating and not have a good signal either. The movement of the bit before the curb strap comes tight is a feel, referred to as signal. After the curb strap is tight the horse feels leverage that can be measured in pounds. These bits are intended to be signal devices. If the bit is strictly used as a leverage device the weight of the bit has little to do with feel, it might as well be heavy and durable. We have a maker working with us now that is producing the kind of bits that we really like. A cheek that has more surface area is made thinner to be lighter weight, and a cheek that has less surface area is thicker, so it is not to flimsy. This helps to keep the total weight of the bit within the proper weight range. Again, the equipment we offer is patterned after the equipment that I have experienced success with and has been used for generations. Martin Black Sterling silver inlaid bit. 5" width with a 2.28" mouthpiece. Weight: 2 lb 7.6oz -
In my experience, younger horses are going to be more sensitive in the early stages and get along better with a lighter bit, around 1.5 pounds more or less, and after a few years they get along better and are more sensitive to a bit around 2 pounds. The difference between a lower port and a spade mouthpiece could make close to .25 pound difference. When a bit is used as a signal device its important to have the right signal. If it’s too light and doesn’t give enough signal, we don’t have good communication. If the bit is too heavy, it can be too loud and intimidating and not have a good signal either. The movement of the bit before the curb strap comes tight is a feel, referred to as signal. After the curb strap is tight the horse feels leverage that can be measured in pounds. These bits are intended to be signal devices. If the bit is strictly used as a leverage device the weight of the bit has little to do with feel, it might as well be heavy and durable. We have a maker working with us now that is producing the kind of bits that we really like. A cheek that has more surface area is made thinner to be lighter weight, and a cheek that has less surface area is thicker, so it is not to flimsy. This helps to keep the total weight of the bit within the proper weight range. Again, the equipment we offer is patterned after the equipment that I have experienced success with and has been used for generations. Martin Black Sterling silver inlaid bit. 5" width with a 3" mouthpiece. Weight: 1 lb 7.2 oz
