True Grit Academy Evolution Program

“True Grit” Academy students learn Russ Krachun’s philosophy and unconventional methodology in developing muscle memory, flexibility and suppleness in the horse neck and poll, shoulders, rib cage and the hindquarters. Students working with a horse will learn the application of step by step methods that connect to one another, using proper timing and repetitions, with forward motions at various speeds, and develop muscle memory.  Students will be educated how muscle memory supports physical and mental education and prepares a horse to perform to the best of their abilities.

Neck & Poll

1. Develop flexibility in the right side of the horse neck muscle with the inside left rein (walk, trot & lope)
2. Develop flexibility in the left side of the horse neck muscle with the inside right rein (walk, trot & lope)
3. Develop flexibility in the left side of the horse neck muscle with the outside right rein  (walk, trot & lope)
4. Develop flexibility in the right side of the horse neck muscle with the outside left rein (walk, trot & lope)
5. Develop flexibility in the horse neck muscle from the left and the right sides together by changing direction (walk, trot & lope)
6. Develop flexibility in the horse neck muscle from the left and the right sides together in perimeter by using inside and outside reins  alternately (walk, trot & lope)
7. Develop flexibility of the horse neck muscle from the left and the right sides together in  perimeter by using inside and outside reins together (walk, trot & lope)

Shoulders

1. Develop flexibility in the left front shoulder muscle by moving shoulder inside by using the outside left rein (walk, trot & lope)
2. Develop flexibility in the right front shoulder muscle by moving shoulder inside by using the outside right rein (walk, trot & lope)
3. Develop flexibility in the left and right front shoulder muscles together by moving the inside left and right shoulder and using the outside left and right rein and changing the direction in a forward motion (walk, trot)
4. Develop flexibility in the left front shoulder muscle by travelling in a right diagonal in forward motion with the outside left rein (walk, trot & lope)
5. Develop flexibility in the left front shoulder muscle by travelling in a left diagonal in forward motion with the outside right rein (walk, trot & lope)
6. Develop flexibility in the right front shoulder muscle by travelling in a left circle with the outside right rein (walk, trot & lope)
7. Develop flexibility in the left front shoulder muscle by travelling in a right circle with the outside left rein (walk, trot & lope)
8. Develop flexibility in the left and right shoulder muscle by using the inside and outside reins alternately and by changing directions from the left to the right and from the right to the left (walk, trot)

Rib Cage

1. Develop flexibility in the left side of the rib cage muscles by travelling in a right circle (walk, trot & lope)
2. Develop flexibility in the right side of the rib cage muscles by travelling in a left circle (walk, trot & lope)
3. Develop flexibility in the right and left sides of the rib cage muscles by changing the direction from a left circle to a right circle and from right circle to the left circle (walk, trot & lope)
4. Develop flexibility in the left side of the rib cage muscles by travelling in a perimeter and circle in each corner of the perimeter (walk, trot & lope)
5. Develop flexibility in the right side of the rib cage muscles by travelling in a perimeter and circle in each corner of the perimeter (walk, trot & lope)

Hindquarters

1. Develop flexibility in the left hindquarter muscles of the horse by using the inside left rein (standing still)
2. Develop flexibility in the right hindquarter muscles of the horse by using the inside right rein (standing still)
3. Develop flexibility in the left hindquarter muscles of the horse at the trot by using the inside left rein
4. Develop flexibility in the right hindquarter muscles of the horse at the trot by using the inside right rein
5. Develop flexibility in both the left & right hindquarter muscles of the horse by changing the direction with the hindquarters (standing still)
6. Develop flexibility in both the left & right hindquarter muscles of the horse  by changing the direction with the hindquarters (walk, trot)

“True Grit” Academy students learn Russ Krachun’s philosophy and his unconventional step by step methodology that develops a willing straight and balanced back up.  Students learn how each step aid in building coordination and also develop softness and flexibility in the left and the right sides of the horses’ body, shoulders and the hindquarters and how to navigate a willing and straight back up with the horse.

Methods:

1. Travel forward in a straight line and disengage the left side of the horse hind quarters, stop & stand still (Walk, Trot)
2. Travel forward in a straight line and disengage the right side of the horse hindquarters, stop & stand still (walk, trot)
3. Travel forward in a straight line, disengage the left side of the horse hindquarters, apply leg cues for the back-up manoeuver (walk, trot)
4. Travel forward in a straight line, disengage the right side of the horse hindquarters, apply leg cues for the back-up manoeuver (walk, trot)
5. Develop muscle memory in the left front shoulder of the horse, travel in a straight line in the back up manoeuver (walk, trot)
6. Develop muscle memory in the right front shoulder of the horse, travel in a straight line in the back up manoeuver (walk, trot)
7. Develop muscle memory in the left front shoulder and the left hind quarter of the horse, travel in a right circle in the back up manoeuver
8. Develop muscle memory in the right front shoulder and the right hind quarter of the horse, travel in a left circle in the back up manoeuver
9. Develop muscle memory and coordination of the horse body by traveling and changing the direction in the back up manoeuver from the left to the right circle and from the right to the left circle
10. Develop muscle memory and coordination in the left and right side of the horse body, travel in a straight line in back up manoeuver
11. Educate the horse to travel in different speeds in the back up manoeuver and develop the horse mental and physical abilities

“True Grit” Academy students learn Russ Krachun’s philosophy and his unconventional signature guiding methodology to educate the horse to travel balanced and coordinated when travelling forward; and also when changing directions. Students learn each method in detail with a horse and understand how each method connects and supports each other in order to develop a willingly guided manoeuver at different gaits. Advanced guiding methodology is education that helps the horse to travel in a balanced and coordinated manor in both the left and right sides of the horse’s body, this methodology also develops muscle memory and improves the mental mindset of both horse and rider. These methods and exercises result in improved communication, and improved physical abilities for both the horse and the rider under saddle.

Methods:

1. Straight line on the parameter (walk, trot, lope)
2. Parameter and diagonals (walk, trot, lope)
3. Parameter and 4 Circles (walk, trot, lope)
4. Parameter, diagonals and 4 circles (walk, trot, lope)
5. Big # 8 (walk, trot, lope)
6. Small # 8 (walk, trot, lope)
7. Big and small # 8 (walk, trot, lope)
8. Big circle in open parameter (walk, trot, lope)
9. Propeller (walk, trot, lope)
10. Propeller and 4 circles (walk, trot, lope)
11. Propeller, 4 circles and diagonals (walk, trot, lope)
12. Straight line in open area (walk, trot, lope)

“True Grit” Academy students learn Russ Krachun’s philosophy and his unconventional step by step methodology in how to educate the horse to stop from any speed that we desire. Students learn methods that begin by preparing the horse mentally with step by step methodology to first explain to the horse what the stop means, and then will learn how to educate the horse how to physically perform the stop at any speed. These step by step methods will improve mental abilities and physical abilities by educating the horse body to develop balance and coordination when traveling in the left and the right leads at various speeds and gaits. A horse that is travelling balanced and coordinated in any lead will use his body equally and will stop straight and balanced at any speed.

Methods:

1. Educate the horse to stop with inside rein from the left side of the horse body (walk, trot & lope)
2. Educate the horse to stop with inside rein from the right side of the horse body (walk, trot & lope)
3. Educate the horse to stop by using the left hindquarters of the horse (walk, trot)
4. Educate the horse to stop by using the right hindquarters of the horse (walk, trot)
5. Educate the horse to stop by using horseman’s body position and weight position under saddle (walk, trot)
6. Educate the horse to stop by using horseman’s leg cues under saddle (walk, trot)
7. Educate the horse to stop by using two reins together (walk, trot)
8. Travel in forward motion, educate the horse to stop by engaging left side of the horse hindquarters and apply the back-up manoeuver (walk, trot & lope)
9. Travel in forward motion, educate the horse to stop by engaging the right side of the horse hindquarters and apply the back-up manoeuver (walk, trot & lope)
10. Educate the horse to stop by using horseman’s voice command (walk, trot & lope)
11. Travel in forward motion, educate the horse to stop by engaging the left shoulder of the horse body and apply the back-up manoeuver (walk, trot)
12. Travel in forward motion, educate the horse to stop by engaging the right shoulder of the horse body and apply the back-up manoeuver (walk, trot)
13. Travel in forward motion, educate the horse to stop in a straight line by using horseman’s body and weight position, leg cues, voice command and by using two reins altogether, and apply the back-up manoeuver (walk, trot & lope)
14. Travel and stop in a straight line (walk, trot & lope)
15. Educate the horse to stop in the left lead (walk, trot & lope)
16. Educate the horse to stop in the right lead (walk, trot & lope)
17. Educate the horse to stop in a straight line when travelling in graduated speeds in the left and the right lead (walk, trot & lope)

“True Grit” Academy students learn Russ Krachun’s philosophy and unconventional methodology in developing balance and coordination for both the horse and the rider at various speeds. Developing coordination and balance at various speeds will aid in improving physical abilities and improve mental abilities. Students learn step by step methodology in how to travel at the speed they desire and at the same time how to control emotions, develop balance and improve coordination in both the horse and the rider.

Methods:

1. Educate the horse mentally and physically to respond to the horseman’s leg cues and understand how to travel in different gaits (walk, trot, lope)
2. Travel at consistent speed around perimeter to the left and to the right direction at the walk
3. Travel at consistent speed around the perimeter in the left and the right direction at the trot
4. Travel at consistent speed around the perimeter in left and right direction at the lope
5. Travel in a straight line and change directions from the left to the right and from the right to the left; developing mental and physical abilities of the horse in different gates (walk, trot & lope)
6. Horseman uses leg cues under saddle in order to educate the horse to change gaits from slow to fast or from fast to slow in order to prepare the horse mentally and physically
7. Horseman uses body seat and weight position under saddle in order to educate the horse to change gaits from slow to fast or from fast to slow in order to prepare the horse mentally and physically
8. Horseman uses his body position, body weight and leg cues all together under saddle to educate the horse to understand the difference between speeds at any gait (walk, trot & lope)
9. Travel in a slow speed in a big circle in forward motion to the left and to the right direction (trot & lope)
10. Travel in a fast speed in a big circle in forward motion to the left and to the right direction (trot & lope)
11. Travel in a fast and slow speed in a big circle in forward motion in the left and in the right direction (trot & lope)
12. Travel in a fast speed in a big circle and slow speed in a small circle in forward motion in the left and in the right direction (trot & lope)
13. Gradually increase the speed while traveling in a straight line, and then slowing the speed at end of the straight line (trot & lope)
14. Travel and change direction from a right big circle in a fast speed to a left small circle in a slow speed (trot & lope)
15. Travel and change direction from a left big circle in a fast speed to a right small circle in a slow speed (trot & lope)
16. Travel and change direction in a small circle from the right to the left and from the left to the right in slow speed
17. Travel and change direction from a left big circle to a right big circle and from a right big circle to a left big circle in a fast speed

“True Grit” Academy students learn Russ Krachun’s philosophy and unconventional methodology in how to develop balance and improve the coordination in the left and right leads of the horse body. Students will learn and understand the methods to develop a willing and understanding response when asking the horse to travel on the correct lead. These methods and exercises also assist the rider to become better coordinated, balanced, and become more consistent with their cues, resulting in improved physical abilities and improved riding abilities.

Methods:

1. Engage left hindquarters while traveling in forward motion to the left perimeter (walk, trot)
2. Engage right hindquarters while traveling in forward motion to the right perimeter (walk, trot)
3. Engage left front shoulder while travelling in forward motion to the left perimeter (walk, trot)
4. Engage right front shoulder while travelling in forward motion to the right perimeter (walk, trot)
5. Alternately engage left hindquarters and left shoulder of the horse body while in forward motion in the left perimeter (walk, trot)
6. Alternately engage right hindquarters and right shoulder of the horse body while in forward motion in the right perimeter (walk, trot)
7. Educate the horse to travel in the left lead by engaging the left hindquarters of the horse body (trot, lope)
8. Educate the horse to travel in the left lead by engaging the left shoulder of the horse body (trot, lope)
9. Educate the horse to travel in the right lead by engaging the right hindquarter of the horse body (trot, lope)
10. Educate the horse to travel in the right lead by engaging the right shoulder of the horse body (trot, lope)
11. Travel in forward motion to the left in diagonal, at the end of the diagonal engage right hindquarters of the horse body, then travel on the right lead on the perimeter
12. Travel in forward motion to the left in diagonal, at the end of the diagonal engage right shoulder of the horse body, then travel on the right lead on the perimeter
13. Travel in forward motion to the right in diagonal, at the end of the diagonal engage the left hindquarters of the horse body, then travel on the left lead on the perimeter
14. Travel in forward motion to the right in diagonal, at the end of the diagonal engage left shoulder of the horse body, then travel in the right lead on the perimeter
15. Develop balance and coordination in the horse body, by travelling consistently in the left lead on the left perimeter (trot, lope)
16. Develop balance and coordination in the horse body, by travelling consistently in the left lead on the right perimeter (trot, lope)
17. Develop balance and coordination in the horse body, by travelling consistently in the right lead on the left perimeter (trot, lope)
18. Develop balance and coordination in the horse body, by travelling consistently in the right lead on the right perimeter (trot, lope)

“True Grit” Academy students learn Russ Krachun’s philosophy and his unconventional step by step methodology in the two tracking manoeuver.  Students learn the steps in how to develop the physical abilities in the horse body, neck, poll, shoulders, rib cage and hindquarters in order to prepare the horse for this manoeuver. His explanations include the meaning of two tracking and how the horse uses his front and back legs when the horse travels sideways. Students will learn step by step methods of how to educate the horse shoulders to become balanced and coordinated and also learn step by step methods of how to develop balance and coordination in the horse’ hind quarters and  how to bring all of this methodology together in order to develop and master the side pass manoeuver.

Methods:

1. Travel in forward motion in a right diagonal, engage left front shoulder of the horse body (walk, trot)
2. Travel in forward motion in a left diagonal; engage right front shoulder of the horse body (walk, trot)
3. In forward motion, disengage horse hindquarters to the left (walk, trot)
4. In forward motion, disengage horse hindquarters to the right (walk, trot)
5. In forward motion in the left diagonal, develop muscle memory of the horse neck with inside and outside reins together (walk, trot & lope)
6. In forward motion in the right diagonal, develop muscle memory of the horse neck with inside and outside reins together (walk, trot & lope)
7. In forward motion, change directions from left to right and from right to left by applying the horseman’s leg cues only (walk, trot)
8. In forward motion, engage left shoulder and alternately disengage left hindquarters (walk, trot)
9. In forward motion, engage right shoulder and alternately disengage right hindquarters (walk, trot)
10. In forward motion engage left hindquarters of the horse in a left circle
11. In forward motion engage right hindquarters of the horse in right circle
12. Educate the two-tracking manoeuver to the left direction by using front shoulders and hindquarters of the horse body in forward motion (walk, trot)
13. Educate the two-tracking manoeuver to the right direction by using front shoulders and hindquarters of the horse body in forward motion (walk, trot)
14. Change direction from left to right and right to left using the two-tracking manoeuver
15. Diagonals in the two-tracking manoeuver to the left (walk, trot & lope)
16. Diagonals in the two-tracking manoeuver to the right (walk, trot & lope)

“True Grit” Academy students learn Russ Krachun’s philosophy and step by step unconventional methodology in how to educate the horse to change leads at various speeds. Students learn step by step methodology that will educate the horse in how to change leads by using the front legs and also to change leads by using the hind quarters of the horse body and how to educate the horse using step by step methods to improve coordination, balance, become supple in both sides of the horse body, and prepare the horse mentally and physically effectively to change leads at different gaits.   Each student will also learn methods to improve their own balance and coordination at various speeds and understand that it is the rider who is most important in communicating and executing a lead change to the horse.

Methods:

1. Engage left hindquarters and left front shoulder when travelling in forward motion in the left perimeter (walk, trot & lope)
2. Engage right hindquarters and right front shoulder when travelling in forward motion in the right perimeter (walk, trot & lope)
3. Engage left hindquarter and left front shoulder when travelling in forward motion in the right perimeter (walk, trot & lope)
4. Engage right hindquarter and right front shoulder when travelling in forward motion in the left perimeter (walk, trot and lope)
5. Trot in the left diagonal in forward motion, at end of the diagonal engage left hindquarter and left front shoulder then continue to travel at a lope in the left lead in the left perimeter
6. Trot in the left diagonal in forward motion, at end of the diagonal engage right hindquarters and right front shoulder then continue to travel at a lope in the right lead in the right perimeter
7. Trot in the right diagonal in forward motion, at end of diagonal engage right hindquarters and right front shoulder and continue to travel at a lope in the right lead in the right perimeter
8. Trot in the right diagonal in forward motion, engage left hindquarters and left front shoulder and travel at a lope in the left lead to the right perimeter
9. Change the direction while in forward motion, by engaging the front left or right shoulder at the trot and when the horse changes the direction pick up the left or the right lead and continue to travel at a lope
10. Change the direction while in forward motion, by engaging the left or the right hindquarters at the trot and when the horse changes the direction pick up the left or the right lead and continue to travel at a lope
11. Travel in diagonals to the left and to the right, between the left and the right diagonal, circle at a trot then at circle pick up left or right lead at the lope
12. Left circle right lead at the lope
13. Right circle left lead at the lope
14. Change leads between left and right circle by engaging only the horse front shoulders (trot & lope)
15. Change leads between the left and the right circle by engaging only the horse hindquarters (trot & lope)
16. Change leads between left and right circle by engaging front shoulders and hindquarters together (trot & lop)
17. Change leads in a straight line from the left lead to the right lead, by engaging only the front shoulders (trot & lope)
18. Change leads in a straight line from the left lead to the right lead by engaging only the horse hindquarters (trot & lope)
19. Change leads in a straight line from the left lead to the right lead by engaging the front shoulders and the hindquarters of the horse together (walk, trot)
20. Change leads in various speeds and in different direction of travel to develop horse mental and physical abilities

“True Grit” Academy students learn Russ Krachun’s philosophy and his step by step unconventional methodology in how to perform a 360 degree turn known as a pirouette maneuver. Students will learn how to develop lightness in the horse’s front shoulders and how to educate the horse to distribute his weight to the hind quarters in order to navigate the turn. Students also learn how step by step methodology is used to educate the horse to use his left and right shoulders separately in order to effectively cross the front legs for the turn around. These step by step methods will educate the horse to become soft and supple in the neck and rib cage in order to improve and develop balance and coordination in both the left and the right sides of the horse body. Students learn how to prepare the horse both mentally and physically to perform the pirouette at different speeds and gaits.

Methods:

1. Travel in a consistent small circle at a trot to the left direction, developing horse muscle memory in the left shoulder and flexibility in the rib cage (walk, trot)
2. Travel in a consistent small circle at a trot to the right direction, developing horse muscle memory in the right shoulder and flexibility in the rib cage (walk, trot)
3. Travel in a consistent circle at a trot to the left and engage the left hindquarter of the horse body (walk, trot)
4. Travel in a consistent circle at a trot to the right and engage the right hindquarters of the horse body (walk, trot)
5. Travel in a consistent circle to the left and engage the left front shoulder with the outside rein (walk, trot)
6. Travel in a consistent circle to the right and engage the right front shoulder with outside rein (walk, trot)
7. Change direction from the left to the right direction by applying only the horseman’s leg cues (walk, trot)
8. Travel in a left circle in forward motion at a trot, engage the left hindquarters of the horse and apply left inside rein and right outside rein to develop cross over front shoulders manoeuver to the left
9. Travel in a right circle in forward motion at a trot, engage the right hindquarters of the horse and apply right inside rein and left outside rein to develop cross over front shoulders manoeuver to the right
10. Back-up to the left in a left circle, engage the right hindquarters and cross over front shoulder to the right
11. Back-up to the right in a right circle, engage the left hindquarters and cross over front shoulders to the left
12. Engage the left hindquarters of the horse at the stand still and cross over front shoulders to the left
13. Engage the right hindquarters of the horse at the stand still and cross over front shoulders to the right
14. Develop speed control and mental and physical abilities of the horse by using the pirouette methodology to the left and to the right, using only the horseman’s leg cues
15. Engage horse hindquarters to the right and apply the inside right rein and outside left rein along with leg cues for the pirouette manoeuver to the right
16. Engage horse hindquarters to the left and apply the inside right rein and outside right rein and apply leg cues for the pirouette manoeuver to the left

“True Grit” Academy students learn Russ Krachun’s philosophy and his step by step unconventional methodology in how to perform a roll back manoeuver.  Students will learn how to develop lightness in the horse front shoulders and how to educate the horse to distribute his weight to the hindquarters in order to navigate the turn for the roll back manoeuver.  Students will learn how to prepare the horse both mentally and physically in order to perform the roll back manoeuver at different speeds and gaits.

Methods:

1. Consistently travel in a straight line in a forward motion in the left and the right lead (walk, trot & lope)
2. Consistently travel in a straight line in a forward motion and stop in the left and right lead (walk, trot & lope)
3. Travel constantly at a trot in a small circle to the left, then travel in a straight line to develop the horse muscle memory in the left shoulder and develop flexibility in the rib cage and then travel back on a straight line (trot & lope)
4. Travel consistently at a trot in a small circle to the right, then travel in a straight line to develop the horse muscle memory in the right shoulder and develop flexibility in the rib cage; then travel back in a straight line (trot & lope)
5. Travel consistently forward in a straight line in the left lead, stop at the end of the straight line, back-up and complete a pirouette movement to the left and then release the horse (trot & lope)
6. Travel consistently forward in a straight line in the right lead, stop at the end of the straight line, back-up and complete a pirouette movement to the right and then release the horse (trot & lope)
7. Travel consistently forward in a straight line in the left lead, stop at the end of the straight line, complete a pirouette movement to the left and then release the horse (trot & lope)
8. Travel consistently forward in a straight line in the right lead, stop at the end of the straight line, complete a pirouette movement to the right and then release the horse (trot & lope)
9. Travel consistently in a straight line in forward motion in the left lead, stop at end of line,  complete a 180 degree turn to the left and travel back on a straight line (trot, lope)
10. Travel consistently in a straight line in forward motion in the right lead, stop at end of line, complete a 180 degree turn to the right and travel back on a straight line (trot, lope)
11. Travel in forward motion and change direction using a pirouette movement to the left and to the right (trot & lope)
12. Travel in forward motion and change direction using a pirouette movement to the left or to the right and when you change direction, ask the horse to travel at different speeds, developing the horse mental and physical abilities (trot & lope)
13. Diagonals to the left and then pirouette movement to the left (trot & lope)
14. Diagonals to the right and then pirouette movement to the right (trot & lope)
15. Roll- Back to the left and to the right at different gaits (walk, trot & lope)