Horseman's Academy

By Lundahl Performance

What's Horseman's Academy about?

Making advanced horsemanship accessible! Professional horsemen Jake and Amy Lundahl share exercises, tips and ideas for horsemen looking to improve their skills. Get real-world, no-BS training info that shaves 10+ years of struggle off your horsemanship journey.

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Horseman's Academy episodes:

11.26.2023
Demystifying the Mechanics of Elite Horses
What makes an elite horse feel the way they do under saddle is their mastery of these 5 "skills that scale" — Drive, Direction, Coil, Collection and Compression. These 5 abilities influence every single thing we ask our horse to...
08.22.2023
The Keys to the Rolls Royce
A quick audio summarizing the two most important milestones inside the High Level Pathway training system. These keys open the door to teaching advanced maneuvers, and ultimately promoting any horse to riding one-handed in the bridle with ease. Discover "Foundations Of...
07.26.2023
The Most Underrated Exercise in Colt Starting
Understand this, and you understand the whole game. In this voice memo Jake emphasizes the often-overlooked benefits of the yield-to-a-stop exercise, a crucial step in our colt starting process.
07.23.2023
Fundamentals of an Epic Stop
A quick mini-masterclass on connecting the word "whoa" with the sensation of a horse loading up, "getting into his legs", and stopping soft and balanced. How to make it muscle memory. And how it becomes the starting point for a...
07.23.2023
The Confidence Equation
In this voice memo Jake offers several examples that illustrate what he calls the 'confidence equation': Confidence = (Horse Skills) x (Rider Skills) That multiplication sign is important. Because if either the horse's foundation or the rider's abilities are at zero,...
02.27.2023
Taking a Performance Horse from "Foundation" to "Finesse".... FASTER
In this episode you'll learn the predictable, step-by-step formula we're using to help our Non Pro clients get wildly better results with their horses — going from "foundation" to "finesse" faster than they ever thought possible. We document our process...
01.02.2023
Dreams You Don't Know You Have Yet
Jake shares some personal experiences, and the story of a successful client, to illustrate how most beginner riders under-estimate their own capabilities, and their horse's potential. Only when you've taken the first major steps toward bettering yourself as a horseman,...
07.04.2022
My Biggest Advice for Training Mustangs
I've started a lot of wild mustangs over the past 13 years. Here's the biggest lessons I've learned. My program: https://www.coltstartingsecrets.com/ Training without a plan is just guessing. Don't guess. Learn the program. Follow the steps. Stay on track and stay safe. https://www.coltstartingsecrets.com/
06.29.2022
Never Get Bucked Off Again
In this podcast I share two stories which serve as important examples of what can happen when you miss this critical step in the process of starting a horse under saddle. For a free masterclass on colt starting check out the...
05.11.2022
Livestream With Fire & Ice Horses
Jennifer Osborne is a professional firefighter and owner/operator of Fire & Ice Horses, a thoroughbred rescue based in Las Vegas, Nevada. In this interview we discuss a wide range of topics including horsemanship education, and our reactions after the Along...
05.07.2022
Troubleshooting an Unbalanced Spin
Coaching call recap. Here's a voice memo I recorded after a 1-on-1 call with a client whose reined cowhorse was struggling with a sloppy, sucked-back, unbalanced spin. The primary exercise we used to get this horse confident and balanced again...
03.15.2021
An Essential Element for Teaching Humans and Horses
Confusion is both a barrier and an accelerator for learning. In this voice memo, Jake answers a question from an Academy member who's experienced a communication breakdown between herself and another horseman. ColtStartingSecrets.com
03.13.2021
One Thing That's Working Well
Just a quick voice memo to share something that's been working well on a couple horses I have in training: Using certain exercises as mental "anchors" to encourage better habits. ColtStartingSecrets.com
04.21.2020
Training on a Budget Webinar
This audio is from an exclusive live webinar we recently hosted for our Horseman's Academy group members. The topic? Training and managing horses on a budget. We share our top strategies on this subject, and invite you to check out...
04.18.2020
Introducing Live Cattle & Horses That Charge Humans
Timestamps: 0:00:00 - Training a Pushy Foal/Weanling 0:16:35 - Colt Starting Days 4 thru 6 0:56:26 - Introduction to Live Cattle 1:17:39 - Horses that Charge at Humans ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ Welcome to Season 2 Episode 4 of the Horseman's Academy Podcast! We lead off...
04.03.2020
Your First Performance Horse
In this bonus segment, we answer a question from a listener in search of the right horse to pursue her cowhorse ambitions with.
03.11.2020
Stress-Free Trailering & Leading By the Feet
Timestamps: 0:00:00 - Building Good Trailering Habits 0:22:57 - Colt Starting Day 3 & Leading by the Feet 1:11:07 - Flag Work Problems & Solutions 1:47:08 - The True Meaning of Leadership ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ Welcome to Season 2 Episode 3 of the Horseman's Academy Podcast!...
02.15.2020
Fix the Body, Fix the Mind
In this bonus segment, we tackle two problem scenarios recently submitted to our Facebook inbox: A horse that's constantly leaning, and a horse that's constantly over-reacting and getting easily distracted.
02.14.2020
Lazy Horse Motivation & Flag Work Intro
Timestamps: 0:00:00 - Getting a Lazy Horse to Respect Leg Pressure 0:27:51 - Colt Starting Day 2 0:46:42 - Introducing the Flag to Young Cowhorses 1:05:38 - Horses That Are Hard to Catch ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ Welcome to Season 2 Episode 2 of the Horseman's Academy...
01.27.2020
Getting Owned By A Stallion
If you're going to work with young stallions, you need a good program, and you must have good feel and timing as a horseman. In this bonus segment, we break down the consequences of poor planning, poor breeding, and poor...
01.24.2020
Lead Change Troubleshooting & Dry Work Basics
Timestamps: 0:00:00 - Lead Change Troubleshooting 0:25:42 - Colt Starting Day 1 Round Penning & Desensitizing 0:52:25 - Dry Work Preparation for Young Cow Horses 1:04:20 - "Smell the Leather" Challenge ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ Welcome to Season 2 Episode 1 of the Horseman's Academy Podcast! In...
01.19.2020
Season 2 Announcement
Season 2 of our podcast begins, hosted by Jake Lundahl and Amy Keegel of Lundahl Performance. Here's a brief rundown of the important bits to remember: NAME CHANGE - Going forward, this will be the Horseman's Academy podcast (formerly "Project...
07.23.2019
LIVE Facebook Q&A
Audio from our 'Ask Me Anything' broadcast on Facebook. We fielded multiple listener questions and gave away free LPH merchandise!
07.08.2019
Episode 37 - Teaching a Horse to be Trained On
Escape and avoidance of pressure is something all horses will do naturally; using the reactive side of their brain instead of thinking their way through a training scenario. If not addressed, horses will develop chronic habits of resistance when exposed...
04.28.2019
Episode 36 - Introducing Amy Keegel
Jake sits down with trainer & clinician Amy Keegel, the newest member of the Lundahl Performance team, to discuss some key moments and lessons learned during her journey to become a professional horsewoman. Our sponsor for this episode is Drinking...
04.28.2019
Schooling Pen: Ranch Horse Tune-Up
Jake answers a question from Stephanie, who wants to compete more successfully in ranch riding, obstacle course and trail competitions with her 10yo ranch-bred quarter horse gelding. Topics covered: Bending Transitions exercise Bend & Draw Transitions exercise Jogging circles with...
04.13.2019
Episode 34 - Thoughts on Curb Bit Progression
So you're ready to graduate out of the snaffle... now what? In this episode we present a general overview of the tried-and-true shank bits we turn to when advancing our horses. Our sponsor for this episode is Drinking Post Waterers! Learn...
03.30.2019
Episode 33 - Spooky Horse Groundwork & Hobbling Outline
Groundwork exercises and tips for spooky horses, and a basic gestalt of our hobbling regimen. 1:51 - Spooky Horse Groundwork Segment 39:47 - Hobbling Outline Segment 1:00:33 - Sponsor Segment & Closing Thoughts Our sponsor for this episode is Drinking Post...
03.16.2019
Episode 32 - Spectrum of Pressure & Foal Training Outline
We contrast two different horses; one encountered at a recent clinic, and another that's been in training with Lundahl Performance for several weeks. We discuss when tiptoeing around issues and taking baby steps is appropriate, and when it's time to...
03.09.2019
Episode 31 - Mental Reset Button, Lunging Fix & Mecate vs. Leather Reins
Making strategic use of suppling exercises at the jog will greatly improve the way your horse operates at the lope. Luke discusses this and fields listener questions about establishing direction vs. impulsion on the lunge line, and when it's time...
02.23.2019
Episode 31 - Introducing Juliana Hillman
Jake sits down with team member Juliana Hillman to discuss insights and lessons learned during her first 6 weeks of study with Lundahl Performance. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/lundahl-performance/support
02.09.2019
Episode 30 - Two Year Old Reviews Part 3
We detail our training of 4 select two-year-old reining horses during 2018; the unique challenges each one presented, and the progress they made. In Part 3 we recap our experiences with "Cobra," a 2016 gelding; and "Kia," a 2016 filly.
01.31.2019
Groundwork is important, but there are some problems under saddle that can fly under the radar until they're fully provoked. In this Xtra, Luke answers a listener question regarding Part 2 of the Two Year Old Reviews (Episode 29). He elaborates...
01.29.2019
Success leaves clues. We look up to many successful people and draw inspiration from their accomplishments. But on an organizational level, none compare to the team-building and innovation of Hendrick Motorsports. Being racing fans ourselves, we've long wanted to emulate...
01.29.2019
Episode 29 - Two Year Old Reviews Part 2
We detail our training of 4 select two-year-old reining horses during 2018; the unique challenges each one presented, and the progress they made. In part 2 we detail our experience with "Denali," a 2016 mare sired by Shiner's Voodoo Dr.
01.11.2019
Episode 28 - Two Year Old Reviews Part 1
We detail our training of 4 select two-year-old reining horses during 2018; the unique challenges each one presented, and the progress they made. In part 1 we detail our experience with "Shooter," a 2016 stallion owned by Lundahl Performance.
01.01.2019
2018 Highlights & Horsemen's Academy Launch
We recap standout moments from 2018, preview our upcoming episodes, and reveal our Hosemen's Academy project.
12.14.2018
Exercise Snapshot: Turning Around on the Foot
This episode features audio from our Horsemen's Academy Course video on the exercise: Turning Around on the Foot. The Horsemen’s Academy is our collaborative learning project where we supplement real-world lessons and mentorship with digital media, including video lessons. We...
12.14.2018
Roundtable Discussion on Respect
Jake & Luke sit down with special guest Anna to discuss several key learning curves that green horsemen encounter, on the subjects of horse psychology and gaining their horses' respect.
10.28.2018
Episode 27 - Falling Apart at the Show
"He doesn't act like this at home, I swear!" Fair enough, but if we haven't instilled a 'showing' mindset in ourselves and our horses through effective schooling, we can't really be surprised when everything falls apart under pressure. If we...
10.15.2018
Episode 26 - Facebook Q&A
We field multiple training and behavioral questions from Facebook.
09.15.2018
Episode 25 - Problems During the Rundown & Stop
We offer a different take on buddy sour behavior between two horses and how, with some help and a little creativity, you can firmly put the issue to rest. Then we delve into some common mistakes during the rundown and...
09.04.2018
We've had multiple questions from cutting and cow horse owners facing similar problems with colts being fractious and mentally 'lost' during herd work sessions. Having addressed each problem specifically, we wanted to step back and expand on the overall mindset...
08.21.2018
Episode 24 - Fencing Two Year Olds
Maintaining our approach of methodically building a young horse’s confidence, we detail how and when we start fencing our two year old performance horses. We kick off the episode with a question on hard-to-catch horses, and a creative way of establishing...
08.12.2018
Episode 23 - Groundwork Priorities, Buddy Sour Fix & Rundown Exercises
If a horse is running over top of you while you're trying to desensitize him, take a step back and examine whether the issue at hand is really fear, or a lack of respect. In this episode we deal with...
08.05.2018
Episode 22 - Troubleshooting Hip Control & Advanced Stops Part 4
When a horse isn't truly soft or broke through the body, effective troubleshooting becomes nearly impossible. Cherry-picking exercises like yielding the hindquarters, to suit an immediate need in a maneuver that's falling apart, will only lead to more trouble and...
08.05.2018
On a young or inexperienced horse, we introduce rundowns in a methodical way that builds the horse's confidence. Expanding on the preparatory work we've done with stopping off the word "whoa" and a light draw on the reins, we'll begin...
07.17.2018
Watching how the world’s best horses and riders operate can dramatically shift your perspective. In this episode we break down a rare opportunity we had to observe a world-class stallion’s transition between two vastly different programs, and the areas of...
07.05.2018
Episode 21 - Correct Headset & Advanced Stops Part 3
You’ve got the horse committed to stopping on “whoa” and dragging his ass both on and off the fence. Now it’s time to boost his confidence further by adding some speed. In this episode we discuss the transitional phase between...
06.22.2018
Episode 20 - Saddling Colts & Advanced Stops Part 2
It’s important that a horse’s first experience with the saddle goes well. Recently we brought a 3-year-old with a serious bucking habit into our program. Using this horse’s example to provide context, we discuss our views on saddling colts; how...

What's Horseman's Academy about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Horseman's Academy episodes:

Demystifying the Mechanics of Elite Horses

The Keys to the Rolls Royce

The Most Underrated Exercise in Colt Starting

Fundamentals of an Epic Stop

The Confidence Equation

Taking a Performance Horse from "Foundation" to "Finesse".... FASTER

Dreams You Don't Know You Have Yet

My Biggest Advice for Training Mustangs

Never Get Bucked Off Again

Livestream With Fire & Ice Horses

Troubleshooting an Unbalanced Spin

An Essential Element for Teaching Humans and Horses

One Thing That's Working Well

Training on a Budget Webinar

Introducing Live Cattle & Horses That Charge Humans

Your First Performance Horse

Stress-Free Trailering & Leading By the Feet

Fix the Body, Fix the Mind

Lazy Horse Motivation & Flag Work Intro

Getting Owned By A Stallion

Lead Change Troubleshooting & Dry Work Basics

Season 2 Announcement

LIVE Facebook Q&A

Episode 37 - Teaching a Horse to be Trained On

Episode 36 - Introducing Amy Keegel

Schooling Pen: Ranch Horse Tune-Up

Episode 34 - Thoughts on Curb Bit Progression

Episode 33 - Spooky Horse Groundwork & Hobbling Outline

Episode 32 - Spectrum of Pressure & Foal Training Outline

Episode 31 - Mental Reset Button, Lunging Fix & Mecate vs. Leather Reins

Episode 31 - Introducing Juliana Hillman

Episode 30 - Two Year Old Reviews Part 3

Episode 29 - Two Year Old Reviews Part 2

Episode 28 - Two Year Old Reviews Part 1

2018 Highlights & Horsemen's Academy Launch

Exercise Snapshot: Turning Around on the Foot

Roundtable Discussion on Respect

Episode 27 - Falling Apart at the Show

Episode 26 - Facebook Q&A

Episode 25 - Problems During the Rundown & Stop

Episode 24 - Fencing Two Year Olds

Episode 23 - Groundwork Priorities, Buddy Sour Fix & Rundown Exercises

Episode 22 - Troubleshooting Hip Control & Advanced Stops Part 4

Episode 21 - Correct Headset & Advanced Stops Part 3

Episode 20 - Saddling Colts & Advanced Stops Part 2