Barn Sour and how changing a reward system can make a difference

Barn Sour, what is with that, and why do my horses not seem to pick up the habit?

Was standing around chatting and wouldn't you know the subject of barn sour horses came up and I opened my mouth and said 'non of mine have been barn sour'. So later was thinking about WHY non of my horses have gotten the barn sour attitude and decided to use the subject for this blog.

When starting my horses, I like to get them leading, giving, saddling, and going for walks. When taking the horses on their first walks I really work on having a happy upbeat attitude that says isn't this fun! I project a strong feeling of confidence that says everything is normal and nothing is a big deal. When I am talking of walks, image yourself taking a big dog for a walk, yep leading the horse on a walk.

Going to take a second and point out that I start with learning sessions (how to lead, how to give, how to behave, etc). When the horse is ready I change our learning sessions tin include first going for a walk (think of it as a warm up time) and when we get back from our walk we continue our learning session in the arena.

Take a moment and thing about it. When you exercise you need to warm up, and a nice walk makes for a pleasant warm up. After your warm up, you move to the more intensive workout. Then cool down. Use a little psychology here. If you warm-up at the barn, do your work out at the barn and do a walk as a cool down, then come back to the barn and put the horse away, you are creating a reward system that says as soon as we get back to the barn you get to relax with your buddies.

Move it around a little. Maybe do a brief warm up (not everyone likes to walk a fresh horse), take the horse for a walk, come back to the barn and do your arena session. Do a nice cool down and put the horse away. Now you have changed the reward system to when you come back to the barn the work begins.

Are you ready to take you horse for a walk? If you are asking that question it is probably best to do a few more learning sessions. How long before I walk/ride on the trail, really depends on the horse and on how much session work the horse has had.

Women LUV Horses

We all know that women love horses but horse woman, Lynn Palm has found a way to bring us all together in one place to share that love. Lynn sponsored a Women LUV Horses event in California, December 5-7.

As a teenage horse person I had the opportunity to have a well rounded instructor, *who set a wonderful example” by going to every clinic, reading books, and talking with a variety of other instructors. She instilled a life long passion for learning in me that came not just from one person but from anyone willing to share their knowledge.

Among the ladies at the event, with just a small sampling of their accomplishments were,: Lynn Palm (4 AQHA Superhorse wins, 2007 AQHA Horsewoman of the Year), Cynthia Cantleberry (14 AQHA World Champion Trail Horse wins, 2001 AQHA Horse Woman of the Year), Sandy Collier (1993 NRCHA World Championship Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Championship), Barbara Schulte (NCHA Derby, NCHA Superstakes Classic, and Augusta Futurity winner), Sharon Camarillo (National Cowgirl Hall of Fame inductee), and Jane Savoie (1996 and 2004 Olympic dressage coach for the Canadian 3-Day Event Team).

These ladies where some of the nicest instructors I have had the opportunity by which to be taught. Not only did these instructors willingly share their knowledge with spectators, but they actually demonstrated their techniques. You would sit in on a demonstration and hear "Jane said" or "Lynn said" *. and it was all about how these training techniques cross disciplines and levels to create a positive relationship between rider and horse. These ladies shared information freely with the spectators and each other to create an outstanding demonstration of riding instruction.

I am also going to take the time to thank the sponsors of the event: Oster, EquiMedic, Kerrits, Smith Brothers, Dover Saddlery, Adequan, Professionals Choice, Hobby Horse, Horseware Ireland, Alliance by Lynn Palm, Horse & Rider, Wrangler, Succeed, My Horse.com, SmartPak, Purina Mills, Farnam, MD Barns, Mercedes Boots, Eous, Kathy's Show Equipment,, Succeed, The Whip Clip.

Also, lets not leave out the charities that benefited from the event;: Americas Horse Cares, Wrangler Tough Enough to Wear Pink, and AQHA Professional Horsemen fund.

I looked at the schedule of events ahead of time, and good thing, as I could have wandered around aimlessly and enjoyed myself every minute. What I did instead was pick out a few demonstrations and lectures that I wanted to attend, while still giving me some time to watch the Supreme Horse Woman Contest, and wander around.

The Supreme Horse Woman Contest, and the gals that participated are some of the up and coming trainers of tomorrow, or maybe I should say that are arriving now? These competitors and their horses showed what "horsewomenship" is all about. Participants in this event, are also participants in The Extreme Mustang Makeover events which are sponsored by The Mustang Heritage Foundation and is dedicated to facilitating successful adoptions for America's excess mustangs and burros.

As a horse trainer I would encourage everyone to attend a Women LUV horses event. The joy of sharing and learning at this event made for a most unforgettable experience.

Why I started this blog

This is all about horses and horse training, started for an Extreme Mustang Makeover competition and expanded to share a love of learning and horses.