Doug Phipps – Horse Trainer (Short Bio)
Doug Phipps is an experienced horse trainer known for his calm, methodical, and communication-driven approach to horsemanship. With a deep understanding of body mechanics—both horse and rider—Doug emphasizes softness, clarity, and correct timing in cues. His methods prioritize building trust, responsiveness, and balance in the horse through consistent repetition and subtle corrections. Doug often works with both green horses and riders seeking refinement, making his teaching both accessible and effective.
Condensed Riding & Training Notes from Doug Phipps' Session
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Posture & Presence:
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Chin up, stretch tall, hands low, and stay soft.
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“Show your horse” by riding with intention and quiet confidence.
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Softness and Release:
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Pick up, soften, and drop the horse—repeatedly.
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Don’t hold; give the horse a chance to respond.
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Use soft hands and avoid fussing or micromanaging.
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Leg & Rein Communication:
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Shoulder out, hip in, steer softly.
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Use outside rein for hip, then transition to inside rein for bend and softness.
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Move horse away from pressure, then release.
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Transitions & Movement:
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Emphasis on slow jog to lope transitions—smooth and soft.
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Use posting trot for rhythm, then sit to influence speed and balance.
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Mix speed-up and slow-down exercises to develop control.
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Hip & Shoulder Control:
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Use outside leg and rein to move hip.
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Use inside rein for bend and softening.
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Leaning slightly away or toward the horse can help signal direction and body alignment.
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Correcting Resistance:
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If the horse resists or moves incorrectly more than three steps, reset the movement.
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Stop, regroup, and try again with clearer cues.
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Loping Exercises:
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Practice lope departs from softness—not from tension.
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Hands forward, inside leg up, outside leg back—then let go and trust.
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Repetition of hip-in, inside-bend before asking for lope helps prepare the transition.
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Steering & Straightness:
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Use both reins to guide straight; alternate outside-inside to maintain softness.
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“Lean away for hip; lean toward for steer.”
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Hands Last on Stop:
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Don’t stop with hands—stop with body. Let go and say “whoa.”
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Reinforce stop with reins after the horse has started stopping off body cue.
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Homework Tips:
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Practice carrying full glasses of water to improve hand quietness.
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Focus on keeping hands low and still, independent from body movement.
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Rider Mindset:
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Ride like a kid—relaxed, responsive, not overthinking.
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Be consistent, but don’t chase perfection. Softness is the goal.
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Body Timing with Feet:
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Act with the timing of the horse’s footfalls:
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Inside rein when front foot is up, outside rein for back foot.
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This helps coordinate lateral movement and transitions more effectively.
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Hashtags
For use on social media, blogs, or organizing digital notes:
#DougPhippsHorsemanship
#SoftHandsStrongSeat
#HorseTrainingTips
#NaturalHorsemanship
#RideSoft
#HorsebackRiding
#WesternRiding
#HorsemanshipGoals
#RiderMindset
#BalancedRider
#HorseTrainerNotes
#LopingSoftly
#StopWithYourSeat
#HandsLast
#EquestrianEducation
#HorsemanshipMatters