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Manolo’s Approach

Manolo Mendez’s approach to horse training: a philosophy of respect and soundness, put into practice through bodywork, in-hand work and riding.

We are currently updating our sponsorships, clinics and events for 2024. Please check back. In the meantime, here are some links to visit: About Manolo Gallery Clinics Manolo Mendez…

Texas Clinic Video Collection

Clinic recordings with Manolo Mendez and functional anatomy specialist Jillian R. Kreinbring.

Event Se Raeda Ranch May 2023

Information about Manolo Mendez and Jillian Kreinbring’s May 2023 clinic at Se Raeda Ranch in Boerne, Texas.

This article first appeared on EquiNaturally.com.au The article by Manolo Mendez delves into the importance of observing and understanding a horse's body to improve its training and…

Clinic Report by Dr. Fiona Mead – Jan. 2014 Veterinarian, Acupuncturist North Island, NZ Good posture, healthy horse. In his observations of the horse and rider, Manolo Mendez ‘hits the…

Manolo Mendez is deeply passionate about the well-being of horses, meticulously ensuring that every piece of tack, from nosebands to browbands, fits comfortably and does not cause any…

In the Right Place at the Right Time Thoughts on a chance encounter with Manolo Mendez My introduction to Manolo was impromptu, and quite unexpected, to say the least. It was a Friday…

From his early life working with horses, mules and donkeys on his family’s farm in Andalucía, Spain, to being appointed as the first Head Rider at the Royal Andalusian School of…

Some Observations on Manolo’s work in hand, riding and bodywork – 2005 Clinic Report by Lynne G. Echols This report was written by Lynne Sprinsky now Lynne G. Echols, back in December…

This article written by Chantelle Matthews, Manolo’s Assistant Trainer and the La Mancha barn manager – October 24, 2014 A few months ago, I had the opportunity to spend time with Phil…

Clinic Reports

Participant accounts and reflections from Manolo’s clinics around the world.

For an illustrated version of this report, please download: Las Vegas Manolo Mendez Clinic Report by M. Whitmer 2009. Rather than a horse-by-horse review, I am going to instead cover…

From a clinic in the USA in 2010 at Wildfire Farm: “ I have worked with many international trainers and coaches and Manolo has the best understanding of the horse from the horse’s point…

Clinics

Don't miss your chance to elevate your skills, understanding, and bond with your horse under the guidance of a true Master Horseman. Available for Clinics in All states of Australia, New…

A Holistic Approach To Horse Training, Development, And Rehabilitation

Manolo is best known for his dedication to a soft, sympathetic training method that prepares horses physically and psychologically for each stage of work from its initial training…

Manolo’s Story

Manolo grew up on a farm in Andalucía, Spain. From six years old, he had a simple introduction to the reality of working with farm animals. His family had donkeys for the transportation…

Article Excerpt: On 26th and 27th of May we had the pleasure to have Manolo Mendez for the first time teaching in Lower Austria, close to Vienna at the beautiful and spacious Equestrian…

Looking for Manolo Mendez DVDs and online Dressage and training videos? Attention all horse enthusiasts and dedicated learners! We are thrilled to announce that the video archive…

Why Does Manolo Use a Bamboo Cane?

Manolo Mendez uses bamboo as an extension of his arm, to assist in his in-hand and ridden work. Bamboo is never used to hit the horse, but rather to guide it by gentle touch. Manolo uses…

Lungeing and In-hand Work to Build Confidence and Relaxation

Training in its purest form is not so much a strict method of training as a time-honoured philosophy of building a partnership based on mutual trust and respect between human and horse.

Schooling the Horse: The Importance of Lengthening the Neck

How short is too short and how long is too long? How much contact is the right amount to allow the horse to work with his neck in the optimal position? It depends on each individual…

The Importance of Riding the Whole Horse: Supple and Tension Free

When I train my horse, I ride the whole horse, knowing that as I create postures that are biomechanically correct using correct gymnastic exercises, overtime, my horse's back will…

Developing the Basics: Step-by-Step

Just as we would never pressure a kindergarten child to jump straight into high school and expect them to be able to think critically and produce A+ essays overnight, we should never…

Feel, Technique & Compromise - The Foundation for any and all Training

Training a horse well is a marriage of feel and technique, and feel and technique must be blended together. If you make a good marriage, the training will be easy.

Developing the Basics and Understanding Straightness Better

The more our horse understands his work and is confident in his ability to deliver what is asked the more expressive and elegant he becomes. The horse needs to be able to understand each…

The Importance of Training Transitions in Dressage

Transitions are a big part of the horse’s learning curve, one of the most important steps on the road to the Grand Prix. We must develop soft transitions so that when changing from one…

Some Thoughts on Working In-Hand

In-hand work is an integral part of my training, one that I use it with every horse, from green to Grand Prix, as it prepares and eases them into the demands of ridden work.

Lateral Work (Part 1): Beginning Lateral Work

The key to success in executing the higher school dressage movements with graceful precision is preparation.

Beyond Lateral Work: What comes after Lateral work?

Once we have taught the horse all the different lateral movements, we should not think we are finished and our lateral training is over.

Balance Is Confidence: Lessons Learned From Working Equitation

The first lesson I learned was about rider balance.

What the Topline says about Horse and Rider

While I do not believe in training with a focus on developing any one part of the horse's body, the body does have a lot to say about how it is ridden and treated if we take the time to…

Introduction to Pirouettes

A correctly executed pirouette is a thing of beauty, a perfect storm of collection, impulsion, suppleness, strength and balance.

The Canter Pirouette: An Important Milestone in a Rider's Education

The canter pirouette is a high level movement, a very difficult exercise that requires of our horse: balance, suspension, suppleness, listening and collection. To have a good canter…

Lateral Work (Part 2): The Marriage of Lateral Work and Natural Collection

Lateral work consists of the shoulder-in, travers, renvers and half pass. We begin by introducing the simple shoulder-in and, when the horse understands it and can do it easily, we…

How the Horse’s Posture Impacts Its Ability to Move Well

A horse moving correctly will be balanced, straight, supple and have regular rhythm in its gaits. Once this is achieved, its entire body will work freely without constraint and it will…