Welcome to our blog

Russ Krachun reading book

True Grit Conversations is where I share my personal stories, experiences, and the lessons I've learned throughout my lifelong journey with horses. Along the way, I've experienced both challenges and triumphs that have shaped my philosophy of horsemanship. My hope is that these conversations will encourage, educate, and inspire you as you build a stronger partnership with your horse.

Here you'll find an ever-growing library of videos, audio conversations, educational articles, practical demonstrations, downloadable resources, and answers to common horsemanship questions. Each conversation is designed to provide practical knowledge, thoughtful insights, and proven guidance that you can apply in your everyday work with horses.

Whether you're just beginning your horsemanship journey or looking to refine your skills, my goal is to help you develop a willing, confident horse through communication, understanding, and education.

I encourage you to begin with Horsemanship Philosophy, then continue through Round Pen Methodology, In-Hand Communication, Confidence, Trust & a Solid Mind, Foundation Riding, and finally Performance Riding. Each conversation builds upon the last, creating a structured learning journey that strengthens your knowledge, develops your horsemanship, and deepens the connection between you and your horse.

CHOOSE A CATAGORY

Step Five - Discover Horsemanship Philosophy & Methodology in the Round Pen
Round Pen Methodology Russ Krachun Round Pen Methodology Russ Krachun

Step Five - Discover Horsemanship Philosophy & Methodology in the Round Pen

The next step in your training process is to teach your horse to turn away from you to both the left and right sides. This means you are essentially asking the horse to turn in such a way that its hindquarters are facing you while simultaneously moving in a new, specified direction. It is natural to wonder if it is unsafe to have the horse's hips and heels directed towards you during this exercise. Additionally, you might have heard from other experienced trainers that it is always advisable to work with the horse while it is facing you, rather than from behind, which can raise concerns about safety and control.

Read More