Johnsons Performance Horses

01/25/2026

JPH Weekly Trainer Tip #4-
Lateral moves are essential basics for everything from steering & leads to working an obstacle. There are many types of lateral moves: Leg Yield, Side-Pass, Two-Tract, Turn on Forehand, Turn on the Hunches. To start a horse learning lateral moves a rider needs to begin with the one that's easiest for the horse to comprehend, which is the Leg Yield. This is because it uses same side elementary aids that even the most novice horse will have a notion of, an inside direct rein with an inside leg.
I start the exercise with the horse bent while walking a small circle with forward motion. Once consistently established, I make contact with both sides of the bit to slightly restrict his forward motion while adding a steady inside leg pressure in the middle of the horse's rib cage. The goal is to transfer the horse's forward motion out to a larger circle by slowing down and pushing out. My inside direct rein is helping my inside leg by drawing the horse's nose towards his withers if the horse doesn't yield away from leg pressure. The more my hand moves behind the withers, the more it effects the hindend. My outside direct rein is slightly wide and controls the speed while keeping the horse from turning in. Once I receive 3-5 steps out, I release leg pressure and guide back to the original circle to start again.
So, the exercise is:
1. establish a small circle
2. slow down and leg yield out to a larger circle
3, release and return to original circle to start again

Next week I expand on the difference of the Side-Pass
Have a great ride, Robert

01/10/2026

JPH Weekly Training Tip #3 - The use of ground poles gives a horse a reason to listen to their rider. Therefore, knowing the correct distance to set the poles apart for each gait is important. The distances below are for an average horse with an average stride so adjustments should be made both the tall, big stridden horse or a small, short stridden one. However, both finished ones should be able to Shorten or Lengthen their strides to adjust for any distance.
Walk Poles: 2'- 2'6" between poles
Trot Poles: 3' - 3'6" between poles
Lope/ Canter Poles: 6' - 7' Between poles

The goal is for your horse to:
1. Guide on a Precise Path over poles
2. Stay at a constant speed over them
3. Hold a steady Frame over poles

Rider's goals are:
The rider's eye is a critical component for achieving the precise path by looking far enough ahead so their hand(s) guide smoothly.
The young, inexperienced horse will need contact to control and maintain the correct speed (stride length) over poles.
Knowledge to develop and keep a horse in a collected frame will be needed for step 3.
Give your horse more responsibility as they progress in learning and become familiar and comfortable with the poles

Send a message to learn more

01/06/2026

JPH's Weekly Training Tip #2
To teach a horse (young or old) to give or soften to a bit we work on teaching them to bend and give to one side of their mouth at a time. Using the same side hand and leg to hold their ribcage out while drawing their jaw around with an indirect rein (hand slightly over the withers). The outside rein used lightly & wide if needed to help control over bending or spinning into the circle, but the goal is for the inside leg to be able to push or drive ribcage out and balance the pressure of the inside rein so horse doesn't fall into circle. Goal is for horse's chin to come around past point of shoulder and their poll to lower. Thus, having the horse submit their mind and body (mouth) to the idea of giving to pressure in their mouth while also becoming more supple in their body. Foward momentum on the path of a small circle should be maintained throughout this exercise.

01/04/2026

Have a brave 3-4 yr old 14.1 hand Palomino grade QH gelding. Been in training the last 2 months and been exceptionally quiet from day one. We haven't found anything he's scared of. Will make an excellent kid's or small woman's horse. Currently riding with very cadenced, balanced gaits in a snaffle with two hands. He also comes with a great loving, curious attitude on the ground. Contact Robert Johnson at 417-366-35forty for more info on this good one. Reasonably priced.

01/01/2026

Sold, Congratulations to Dan Ross from Kansas City. Check out this adorable 7 yr. old, 14 hand Gypsy. He is seasoned out on trails and well trained in the arena & over trail obstacles. Contact Robert Johnson at 417-366-35forty at Johnsons Performance Horses in Miller, MO

01/01/2026

JPH'S WEEKLY TRAINING TIP #1:
The most important asset a rider must have is SPEED CONTROL over their horse. This includes:
1. That the rider has the knowledge & physical body control to properly ask a horse to go forward and how to apply the "Brakes" to slow a horse.
2. The horse recognizes & accepts this control over their body & mind
This is a basic skill that both horse and rider should have a concept of through training & lessons. It is not an inherent skill that comes with birth, it must be learned.

01/01/2026

Being raised in a family of teachers where horseback riding lessons was an everyday event, it became evident at an early age that my purpose in life was to help educate the public to understand how to best communicate with the horse. So, for my 2026 New Years Resolution I will begin "JPH'S WEEKLY TRAINING TIPS". My hope is to enlighten you with the knowledge I have accumulated over my past 50 years of training thousands of some great & problem horses and coaching hundreds of students.
Feel free to ask questions, comment and discuss each tip. Only with your help of discussion will more people digest each tip.
Robert Johnson

12/29/2025

Bob's numerous articles and newsletter always gave me info and made me consider if I was training effectively. He did was great Horseman do, passing on his knowledge to others

The third most-read Horse & Rider article of 2025 isn’t about a single win or a headline-making ride—it’s about a legacy that shaped generations of horsemen and horsewomen.
🔗 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: bit.ly/3ZX81d2

Bob Avila’s influence lives on in the way we care for our horses, present ourselves, run our businesses, and pass knowledge forward. This tribute resonated deeply with readers, reminding us that true greatness in this industry is measured by impact, not hardware.

We’re counting down the stories that defined 2025 for Horse & Rider readers. Catch up on No. 3️⃣ now, and keep following along as we reveal the next most-read story of the year.

12/28/2025

So warm yesterday we took horses for a dip to cool off before the weather changes

12/25/2025