How to Progress Through the Downunder Horsemanship Method

If you’ve just joined the No Worries Club and are eager to dive into your horsemanship journey, but aren’t quite sure where to start, you’re not alone. With so much training information available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The good news? We’ve got you covered.

Clinton has put together a helpful video that walks you through exactly where you and your horse should begin the Method—and how to confidently progress through each stage until you’ve mastered it.

Method Progression:

1) Fundamentals Series
Build a solid foundation for success with groundwork and riding exercises that teach you how to become an effective leader while training your horse to be a safe, willing partner.

If you’re working with an unstarted horse or one with fewer than 10 rides, begin with the Colt Starting Series. This step-by-step program is designed to safely start a horse under saddle. It’s intended to complement the Fundamentals Series, so you’ll need both to fully understand and complete the exercises.

2) Fundamentals in Action on the Trail
Once you’ve developed your skills in the Fundamentals, it’s time to leave the arena. This series helps you transition from a controlled environment to confidently handling real-world trail situations.

3) Intermediate Series
When you’re confident in the Fundamentals, take your horsemanship to the next level. The Intermediate Series challenges you with 33 groundwork and riding exercises designed to elevate your performance.

4) Advanced Series
Refine and finesse your skills both on the ground and under saddle. By the end of the 32 exercises in this series, you’ll be able to precisely cue and guide your horse with confidence and control. After mastering the core building blocks of the Method, you’re ready to challenge yourself even further with the Professional Series. This includes the Foal Training Series, Colt Starting Series and Trick Training Series. While these skills aren’t required to be a good horseman, they’ll expand your knowledge and add a whole lot of fun to your training.