Do you play around with your horse? I do :-) Finding new things for you and your horse to do is all part of enjoying a long term relationship with your horse. Here is King doing a few of his favorite tricks. We start with a back and move to a bow. King gives Kisses on the check. As you might notice he has a tendency to to do this trick for extra treats. We finish the tricks with a hug. Couldn't resist adding the picture of King enjoying a nap in his hay.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Playing Around
Do you play around with your horse? I do :-) Finding new things for you and your horse to do is all part of enjoying a long term relationship with your horse. Here is King doing a few of his favorite tricks. We start with a back and move to a bow. King gives Kisses on the check. As you might notice he has a tendency to to do this trick for extra treats. We finish the tricks with a hug. Couldn't resist adding the picture of King enjoying a nap in his hay.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Working Young Horses
Use common sense :-)
If your youngster is out on lots of acreage running around getting exercise, what does your youngster need? Well the basics, leading, feet, brushing, etc. You can do very light training sessions concentrating on the basics.
How about a stall with a paddock or stall with small turn out with another horse. Exercise and the basics. Its all about looking at your options. There are some NO's that are available. No don't lunge for 2 hours. No don't lead them from another horse for 2 hours. No don't do much of the same thing for 2 hours. Young horses are mentally not ready for a 2 hour exercise or training session. But young horses in stalls and paddocks do need exercise.
You go well what are they ready for? Well some non forced turn out time in a large arena? sure. How about a 10-30 minute light lunging session? sure. Leading around the block, sure? all in the same day, probably not.
Its about mixing and matching. Mix and match your training and exercise program to create an opportunity for learning and exercise for development of bone and muscle. First few times leading around the block a youngster may only have the stamina for a half mile or mile. As the youngster grows and gets used to more exercise you may be taking them for 3 or more mile walks. When working on training your youngsters attention span may only be a few minutes, thats okay, as they grow and as you introduce them to training, there attention span will increase.
You may lunge your youngster one day and their attitude might suck, do you stop because (well), you always do 5 times around each way and stop? nope, you are going to keep going (stomping your feet, making faces, show you are not happy with the attitude) and the minute the attitude changes you take the opportunity to stop on a good note.
Okay so things are going BAD, you are at 30 of trying to teach your youngster something and its going no where. Options? First, take a long deep breath and let it out. Second try something the youngster is good at, if they respond nice take the created opportunity and stop for the day. After a good nights rest you can reapproach what you where trying to teach with baby steps.
Michelle
If your youngster is out on lots of acreage running around getting exercise, what does your youngster need? Well the basics, leading, feet, brushing, etc. You can do very light training sessions concentrating on the basics.
How about a stall with a paddock or stall with small turn out with another horse. Exercise and the basics. Its all about looking at your options. There are some NO's that are available. No don't lunge for 2 hours. No don't lead them from another horse for 2 hours. No don't do much of the same thing for 2 hours. Young horses are mentally not ready for a 2 hour exercise or training session. But young horses in stalls and paddocks do need exercise.
You go well what are they ready for? Well some non forced turn out time in a large arena? sure. How about a 10-30 minute light lunging session? sure. Leading around the block, sure? all in the same day, probably not.
Its about mixing and matching. Mix and match your training and exercise program to create an opportunity for learning and exercise for development of bone and muscle. First few times leading around the block a youngster may only have the stamina for a half mile or mile. As the youngster grows and gets used to more exercise you may be taking them for 3 or more mile walks. When working on training your youngsters attention span may only be a few minutes, thats okay, as they grow and as you introduce them to training, there attention span will increase.
You may lunge your youngster one day and their attitude might suck, do you stop because (well), you always do 5 times around each way and stop? nope, you are going to keep going (stomping your feet, making faces, show you are not happy with the attitude) and the minute the attitude changes you take the opportunity to stop on a good note.
Okay so things are going BAD, you are at 30 of trying to teach your youngster something and its going no where. Options? First, take a long deep breath and let it out. Second try something the youngster is good at, if they respond nice take the created opportunity and stop for the day. After a good nights rest you can reapproach what you where trying to teach with baby steps.
Michelle
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Improving, well everything
Read/Watch all kinds of books/magazines/videos/tv shows on horses from all kinds of Horse People and spend time with Your Horse.
Sounds too simple, but it really is that easy to start improving, if you've only read one author try some others. Only watched one video from one trainer? there is a whole world of information waiting for you. Open your horizons and enjoy learning from any all who are willing to share their experiences and love of horses with you.
Sounds too simple, but it really is that easy to start improving, if you've only read one author try some others. Only watched one video from one trainer? there is a whole world of information waiting for you. Open your horizons and enjoy learning from any all who are willing to share their experiences and love of horses with you.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Young Horses
Decided to share a video of BabyDoll under saddle. She is about 2 1/2 and coming along very nicely. With her you can see how little time it takes to teach a basic skill like lounging. Since August she has been lunged maybe 5/6 times, usually around 4 to 6 circles each direction. This video shows her lounging with the saddle for the third time.
Anyone catch what I did wrong? Yep her bucking was so cute! And I laughed. Which encourages more,,, bad, bad, bad. Remember its cute the first time it is not cute the next time, or the time after, or the time after.
So I need more practice showing good when she behaves and bad when she misbehaves.
Michelle
Anyone catch what I did wrong? Yep her bucking was so cute! And I laughed. Which encourages more,,, bad, bad, bad. Remember its cute the first time it is not cute the next time, or the time after, or the time after.
So I need more practice showing good when she behaves and bad when she misbehaves.
Michelle
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Amazing Horses
BabyDoll (2 year old I have) was ready to lead around the block. The big decision was do I lead her? Do I pony her from another horse? and If ponying, which horse do I use?
After some thought, decided to see if ponying was something King would be willing to do. Your first thought is what do you mean is the horse willing to do it? Are you willing to work with a bratty teen? Its a gift, some people and some horses just have a gift with bratty teens. King has shown himself to be great with bratty teens, but I don't take it for granted.
So saddled up, got BabyDoll haltered and ready, and in the saddle I went. First stop was King quietly with little fuss established he was in charge. Just stood there, the minute BD stopped (fidgeting, pawing, etc) and paid attention to him, he twitched an ear. Slowly BD stood quietly. BD the horse that never stood quietly was standing quietly, Wahoo!
Then King starts walking and BD comes along, she wasn't in the right spot, so King stops. A little head movement, some nibbles and BD is in the right spot. Off we go.
We had a lovely ride around the block with a few stops here and there. The amazing thing, was how non aggressive and quietly King was able to establish and keep his roll as leader.
Michelle
After some thought, decided to see if ponying was something King would be willing to do. Your first thought is what do you mean is the horse willing to do it? Are you willing to work with a bratty teen? Its a gift, some people and some horses just have a gift with bratty teens. King has shown himself to be great with bratty teens, but I don't take it for granted.
So saddled up, got BabyDoll haltered and ready, and in the saddle I went. First stop was King quietly with little fuss established he was in charge. Just stood there, the minute BD stopped (fidgeting, pawing, etc) and paid attention to him, he twitched an ear. Slowly BD stood quietly. BD the horse that never stood quietly was standing quietly, Wahoo!
Then King starts walking and BD comes along, she wasn't in the right spot, so King stops. A little head movement, some nibbles and BD is in the right spot. Off we go.
We had a lovely ride around the block with a few stops here and there. The amazing thing, was how non aggressive and quietly King was able to establish and keep his roll as leader.
Michelle
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Made a hard decision
Well made a very hard decision and turned Val II back over to BLM. He was a very well built horse that sometimes made great decisions, but when he would sometimes make a wrong decision. He did NOT like to change his mind. So once he made a decision it would mean long days of trying to get him to change his mind. So after almost 3 months it was time to admit he would not be ready in 100 days.
Which reminds me of something I occasionally tell others. Horses have personalities, and sometimes you find the right horse with the right personality and everything is wonderful. If you find a nice horse with the wrong personality, everything is not so wonderful. When personalities don't match, you have a choice. Change you or change the horse. The good news is that in many cases a bit of change on both sides will bring horse and rider together as a team. To help with this change, it usually includes paying a trainer to help you and the horse. The bad news is that sometimes, it is best to take a deep breath and admit it is time to find the horse a new home. Finding the horse a new home is a very hard decision. Sometimes it is the right decision.
Okay you hear stories of me and my horse made it. In most of these stories they didn't make it on their own. The PAID trainers to help them. In many cases more than one trainer. I really like it when people commit to getting the horse and themselves the help they need to bring their personalities closer together.
My frustration as a trainer is when someone sees there is a problem but wants a FREE AND QUICK fix. My answer is start a program, pay a trainer, and stick with a program. Make the commitment to change yourself and your horse.
Which reminds me of something I occasionally tell others. Horses have personalities, and sometimes you find the right horse with the right personality and everything is wonderful. If you find a nice horse with the wrong personality, everything is not so wonderful. When personalities don't match, you have a choice. Change you or change the horse. The good news is that in many cases a bit of change on both sides will bring horse and rider together as a team. To help with this change, it usually includes paying a trainer to help you and the horse. The bad news is that sometimes, it is best to take a deep breath and admit it is time to find the horse a new home. Finding the horse a new home is a very hard decision. Sometimes it is the right decision.
Okay you hear stories of me and my horse made it. In most of these stories they didn't make it on their own. The PAID trainers to help them. In many cases more than one trainer. I really like it when people commit to getting the horse and themselves the help they need to bring their personalities closer together.
My frustration as a trainer is when someone sees there is a problem but wants a FREE AND QUICK fix. My answer is start a program, pay a trainer, and stick with a program. Make the commitment to change yourself and your horse.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Animal Guardianship
If you have any animals, please take a moment and read the following article on TheHorse.com.
Commentary: Animal Guardianship and Horses
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=15021&src=VW
Agree or Disagree it is very very important to be an informed owner.
Commentary: Animal Guardianship and Horses
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=15021&src=VW
Agree or Disagree it is very very important to be an informed owner.