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The Key to Building Confidence in a Horse

I had a conversation with a student of mine this last week. We were discussing the topic of confidence in a young horse. A horse needs to have confidence not only in themselves, but also in the rider. As we humans saddle up and mount a horse we change their center of gravity. Our added weight, coupled with it's position over the horse, shifts their center of balance upwards a little. In essence, the horse becomes top heavy while carrying the load of a rider.

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Does it get any better than this?

I am filled with a sense of gratitude and well being as I reflect on my life and how it relates to horses. The ability to ride often and be around horses daily is a part of my life that fills me with great joy. I feel that when it comes to my riding and commitment to horses, I am driven by a fullness inside myself that stems from living a lifestyle around horses. My passion for advancement is fueled from this. Being in the saddle and having such a willing partnership with my horse is a feeling that, to me, is unequalled.

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How I get and keep a horse light

Most of us strive to achieve lightness with our horses. Wanting to offer kind, gentle cues and have a smooth flowing response. I honor that similarity among us and commend you for it. Lightness in a horse is a wonderful feeling. Both horse and human operate together in this scenario and almost become one being. The word Centaur comes to mind.

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Groundwork: what it is ... and what it isn't

I want to discuss today the topic of Groundwork. I am not really sure how or why it has become associated with games, tricks or running a horse in circles. To me, Groundwork is a very useful and beneficial practice. I use it any time that I am around my horses. It is impossible to interact with horses and not be using some facet of Groundwork. Everything that is done with or around a horse while not being mounted is considered Groundwork. If we are not constantly aware of this we may be teaching bad habits and poor manners to our horses. It goes back to even the most basic things that we do around them.

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What I've Learned from Tackling Technology

As I fully enter into the world of blogs, websites and emails, I realize that there is a certain technical aspect to all phases of the computer world. I have had to learn new lingo and increase my knowledge of navigating through the internet. At times it can seem almost daunting.

I learn a little more about website design. Then I go on to gather more information on email and connecting account to account. Just when I think I am getting the hang of all of this, something comes along that stubs my toe. I go back and research only to find that I had goofed up something along the way. This process reminded me of how I have come along in my horsemanship. Interested in the journey? Read on…

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There are no shortcuts to quality horse handling

Horses are amazing creatures. They are big, powerful animals that inspire awe in the hearts of many. A herd of horses running wild and free is a sight like no other. I find myself stopping to stare no matter how many times that I have seen it. A horse can exude a sense of majesty or magnificence simply in the way they carry themselves. All of this coupled with the fact that they allow us to ride them makes them a true wonder.

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Who's Leading the Dance, You or Your Horse?

With horses there is a working relationship that the horse and human develop. The relationship becomes, over time, a partnership. The main question then becomes "Who's the boss?" Or, at least, who holds more stock in the company. Often times it is the horse who is the major shareholder. The one who has the final say in which direction the company is headed.

This may be a funny analogy but there is definite truth in it. Anytime there are two parties involved in anything, one of them assumes the lead role. Now you may be thinking, "I pay all the bills and assure that no one goes hungry. This alone dictates who the boss is, right?"

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The Profound Difference Between a Horseman and a Trainer

I have heard it said that horses don't like horse trainers. Buck Brannaman has mentioned this at a couple of his clinics that I have attended. At first I laughed at the thought of this. Part of it made sense to me. The other half, of putting this to practice, eluded me for years. I struggled with the idea of not training horses while I continued to do just that, train!

It seemed to me a matter of styles. Maybe one could train nicely and stay in right relation? Surely there was a grey area here. You couldn't just get a horse to the level Buck rides at without training them. Could you?

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How Subtle Do You Speak Horse?

So much of the way that I work with and around horses is tied to how I carry myself around them. I carry myself a certain way around them because I know how closely they are watching. Not to say that every little thing I do is going to induce a response. What I am saying is that knowing what I want before I start toward my horse determines how I approach them.

Let’s say I want my horse to stay calm and quiet while I approach, I would then carry myself with a calm and quiet disposition. This says to the horse that there is no need to make arrangements to move. I can then come in close, to rub on or pet him.

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Why I changed the way I keep horses

I recently had a students' Mom ask me about the dynamics of the herd here at our place. She was wondering how it is when a new horse is introduced. Often times when bringing a new horse in, to join in with an existing herd, there can be a lot of chaos. The Pecking order is quickly established. Through a fair amount of dirty looks, biting, kicking and running around, the herd boss is established. The order becomes set from lead horse down to the last horse allowed to drink. At our place it is a matter of minutes until the hierarchy is established.

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Tips For New Riders

This week I would like to discuss the topic of the green horse and the newer rider combination. It seems far too often that newer riders romanticize the idea of pairing up with a green horse. The idea being that the horse and themselves will both learn together. This, in my mind, is a bad idea. The combo of a green rider and green horse is one that will not benefit either party involved. The horse will learn far too many habits of ill behavior. The person will most likely end up getting hurt and/or giving up on horses out of frustration.

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An Educated Horse is a Pleasure to Ride

I have heard it said that when dealing with horses, get them gentle. Strong advice that comes to me by way of Buck Brannaman taught to him by Ray Hunt. Get 'em gentle. I have really taken this advice to heart as well as spent time reflecting upon the idea of a gentle horse. Following this advice leads to advancement in many areas of horsemanship.

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Sage advice and wisdom for buying a horse

No matter the reason for wanting to purchase a horse, I offer some helpful advice. First of all, be sure and make a list of parameters for any potential horses. This may be age or the level of education that a horse has. Size, shape, and build are all important details as well. Get specific. The more you are aware of what you do want, the easier it will be to seek out the horse that is right for you

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Keep your horse in the learning zone, not the danger zone

Almost any horse that I come across is either herd bound or barn sour. Horses by nature are herd animals. Safety for them, comes from traveling together. They really don't have a sense of I. Horses feel that they each are an integral part of the collective group. For us as humans to try and get them over seeking the herd for comfort is next to impossible. That would go against nature. What we can do is help a horse to feel comfortable with being away from the herd. Allowing the horse to gain confidence in following our lead.

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Keep your mind open to new ways of educating your horses

Learning to drive your horses is not only fun, it helps a horse to be more willing and responsive to your cues. Teaching a horse to seek out the correct response on their own is an invaluable tool. One that I learned from the late Peter Campbell.

A few years ago Joanna and I pulled our horses down to Wyoming to attend a ranch immersion clinic of Peter’s. We and a small group of others stayed right there at Peter and Trina's place. We spent the week riding by day and telling stories by night.

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Enjoying the best of the best

Summer around here is in full swing, complete with the happenings of the 2020 Olympic Summer Games in Tokyo, Japan. I myself have always been a big fan of the Olympics in general. Whether it be summer or winter games I can't help but be drawn in by the excitement of such a high level of competition. I have always been a very athletic person and have looked up to Olympic competitors. The drive and level of commitment required to compete at such an intense level is astounding.

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The Art of Discernment (with horses and life)

There is a story that I have heard told about Mahatma Gandhi. It has been said that during a time in his life while amidst protest, Gandhi had sworn himself to an oath of silence. A reporter caught up with him to ask a question. He wanted to know just what kind of message was Gandhi trying to convey? The train that Gandhi was preparing to board was now readying to depart the station. The reporter continued with his question as Gandhi climbed silently aboard. As the train began to pull away Gandhi held to the window a sign with a hand written answer for the reporter. It read "My life is my message."

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What You Really Need to Know About Head Gear

In my last two article’s I focused on saddle fit, saddle pads that I prefer and the overall importance of high-quality gear. This post will give you a brief overview of the type of head gear we use and why.

That seems kind of a funny description, “head gear.” It does make sense, I suppose. Sure, it is gear that's worn on the horse's head. But the big question is why? Why do we put a bit in a horse's mouth or a halter on their head? Are we trying to control their heads? Do we put stuff in their mouths to pacify them like babies?.... NO! That's not it at all.

We are using this equipment on their heads to communicate with the feet.

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Make Darn Sure You Have High Quality Gear

Though I personally never had the opportunity to work with master horseman, Ray Hunt, I have received through my mentors, some of his wisdom. One thing that was very important to him was the comfort of the horse. Apparently, when he set out to help another with their horse, he would first check the fit on their gear. It was important to him for the horse to be comfortable. This is a teaching that resonates highly with me. I know that personally, when I myself am uncomfortable, it is hard to focus on the task at hand. Surely it is similar with a horse.

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Tools of the horseman's trade

Have you ever forgotten to bring your toothbrush on an overnight stay? There you are, after an evening out with friends where you ate lots of flavorful, pungent foods. You are loving life and even jumped at the offer of a decadent dessert when the waitress asked if anyone had saved room. Now your laughing to yourself remembering all of the fun you had, washing up and getting ready for bed when you open up your travel kit and "Oh no," you have forgotten your toothbrush. You are suddenly faced with the dilemma of going to bed with "fuzzy" teeth or trying somehow to use your right hand index finger as a makeshift brush. The result, no matter which option you choose, is less than optimal.

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