Engaging Your Horse (From a Western Perspective) with John Lyons

Equitopia www.EquitopiaCenter.com interviews the legendary western trainer, John Lyons, on the fundamentals of engaging a horse's core. Proper engagement benefits a horse by correctly using core muscles to enable the horse to improve balance, better carry the weight of a rider, reduce fatigue and injury to the horse, and enhance longevity and vitality of a horse's body and mind into it's later years.

[@EquineFirstAidClinics]

In the early 90’s I attended three of John’s symposiums. Two I was just a spectator. The third, at Cal Poly, Pomona I was a participant. He completely changed the way I viewed horses. My only regret is not realizing, at the time, how lucky I was to learn from this man!

[@calanleyendecker8369]

I could listen to John Lyons all day. He is an amazing teacher to people as well as horses.

[@user-qr8ki8ue4i]

RIP John. Thank you for the years. Thank you for helping me and my horses.

[@teresawort9124]

Loved the shots of Amelia Newcomb. I love to see this from a western trainer. I ride both English & western. The fundamentals never change.

[@vivientakacs5599]

I think the best way to teach horses engagement is to do training early on. If you start a horse at 5 years, start training the muscles at 3 years so by the time you start sitting on the back, it will be strong enough to hold your weight and there will be less chance of hurting the horse

[@cstark2609]

I absolutely agree. I have a 3 yr old filly and would love to teach her some engagement excesses from the ground now. Got any suggestions for exercises?

[@vivientakacs5599]

@@cstark2609 I would say pole work. So that she stretches her neck out and gets her legs up. Try doing it on a very loose leadrope though, so she can have as much movement in her body as possible. Even better do not tie a rope on her. Walk hills up with her if you have got any. But like I said poles work the best, horses usually lift their hind legs more so she will flex her muscles. When you think she is strong enough try to get her to lift her back by massaging around her hips. There is a video I believe on this channel about that, if not then just search some videos on youtube that explain this more

[@vivientakacs5599]

Well duh this channel has videos with engagement, i am commenting on one of those rn smh

[@300tdavis]

C Stark definitely Tao Of Horsemanship FB or website

[@louisegogel7973]

1:37 That makes sense how you explain why it is important to get the horse to shift its weight to its hind quarters… then it will have more balance when a human is sitting on it and less strain on its forelegs’ tendons etc. 2:20 Engaging the horse shifts its posture! Hind legs more under his belly, belly muscles engaged, belly tucked up, back muscles strengthened. 3:35 Excellent chart of the muscles wanting to be engaged for a healthier horse who is ridden. Collection!! First time I really can understand what being in a collected manner means! 6:36 The key is to know there is always a better way to do things. As horse people we should always strive to find that better way, to be open, keep searching, keep learning.

[@Youreout]

Hi Louise. Is there a video lesson on how to shift your horse's posture (4:30). Thanks!

[@louisegogel7973]

@@Youreout yes, go to Steve Young horsemanship for one place. Gathering the horses feet more under them and putting the weight toward the back is a way to strengthen the belly muscles which are key to the health of the back… for people too, lol Steve explains a method of getting the horse to tighten its nelly muscles ans lift it’s back, and recommends one do this with a horse before and after each ride for just a minute. He starts with the back of a pencil or pen under the belly at slowly first and progressing to being able to do this with a finger rubbing a small circle to get the horse to work the belly muscles. It can apparently help horses lose or prevent sway back. He does this in several videos, but I apologize that I don’t recall which ones. If you don’t know of him and watch all his videos, you will find so very much practical wisdom explained really well.

[@Youreout]

@@louisegogel7973 Thank you!

[@sarahl6641]

This is a beautiful description. Thank you for educating riders like me:)

[@leoniestockinger]

I love your videos, thank you so much!

[@yaddaguitar3636]

What a fantastic horseman

[@daisyvann4124]

thank you

[@jackiebraun5479]

Great video

[@rainyjay4232]

he is a fantastic horseman :D

[@reneejaspers5322]

How old is Preacher here? We named our clydesdale after him and he is going onto 8 years old.

[@WildernesssOutfitters]

How do you get the horse to do engage trick on the ground

[@louisegogel7973]

Someone in another comment, Vivian Takaks and a responder, said have the horse go up hills, have them do pole work on a loose line.