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Category: TRAINING TIPS

To Scold or Not to Scold— That is the Question

April 1, 2019
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When working with horses we often hear, “You just need to show him who’s boss,” or “I hope you didn’t let him get away with that.”  Do these phrases sound familiar?  As I continue on my own horsemanship journey, I find myself wondering what I was thinking in the past when I would sometimes scold a horse.  Did the punishment meet the crime? Was it really a crime?  Was it a behavior I or someone had taught the horse?  Was he just escaping a fear? All these are valid points in decisions we must make, split-second, to continue the positive

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Softness in the Face: It Just Isn’t Enough!

March 5, 2019
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For years, I worked and rode my horses feeling very proud of the fact that my horses had the softest feel in the pole and face.  Yet, I never understood that true softness travels through the face, pole, neck, withers, shoulders, fore legs, barrel, flank, hips and all the way down to the hind feet and tail.  Where did this idea of softness start?  Ask many folks and I’m sure we will get a multitude of answers, but I really think it starts in the brain. And with that, we strive for willingness from the horse. Alternatively, I think we

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Groundwork: Why and how much?

February 3, 2019
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As I spend my days working with horses, here and on the road,  I sometimes find myself wondering If everyone understands the purpose of groundwork the same way I do.  Notice, I did say “understand as I do” opposed to what is correct or incorrect.  I’ve been involved with horses over 50 years and had times that I never did ground work, even in starting colts, to the other extreme of doing groundwork until the horse shut down from boredom or intolerance. I imagine we all can relate either from our own actions or observations of others.   So, if

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Recognizing Try

January 8, 2019
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As I gather my thoughts for this article, I wonder in my life how often I’ve neglected to do so before communicating with another human or animal.  I mean, why did I need to? There was nothing wrong with me or what I had to say— I was perfect in an imperfect world!  So why did I need to change?  I felt I just needed to push others harder with more energy and less time to dwell.  In my shallow brain, I felt things were working out fairly well.  I was having success in my career as a Soldier, a

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Whoa! Stopping in Five, Four, Three, Two and One

October 9, 2015
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| Categories: TRAINING TIPS

Unless you have a lazy horse, you probably had to put a good deal of effort into developing a good stop on your equine. If he stops, that is…! What I often see in clinics and lessons are riders that allow their horses to take their time stopping…it might take them a quarter of the arena before they get their horses stopped. Dribbling is for basketball—not riding! With that being said lets take a look at what happens with the horse when we ask for the stop. From the horse's perspective, we too often pick up aggressively when we ask for

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So You Want to be a Horse Trainer

October 9, 2015
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| Categories: TRAINING TIPS

  Wanted! Trainer to Start My 3-Year-Old Warm Blood Words to a trainer’s ear. But really, is the hunt worth the catch? Depends if you want to work twelve-hour days in the blistering heat or cold, wet, dirty, and many times sore from hitting the ground from that poor horse that’s been passed from trainer to trainer until someone (i.e., you) took the time to help him sort things out. You spend your time wondering if the next horse is coming in as scheduled and hoping the last client’s check clears the bank so you can make your rent or

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That’s My Toe You’re Standing On!

October 9, 2015
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Many times we find ourselves talking with someone while holding our horse, and we are constantly pushing, pulling, moving, swatting, fretting, trying to move that overly pushy freight train we call a horse out of our space having limited results! Why? Is it because he loves us to the point where he wants to be in our pocket? Maybe because we are trying to win his love and devotion with those tasty little horse cookies made of molasses and oatmeal? How about we are the only heartbeat around, and the lions and tigers are lurking in the bushes, behind the

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Buying A Horse In 10 Steps

October 9, 2015
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  Thinking about adding to your herd? Congratulations! It’s surely an exciting time, but it’s a process that requires thought, consideration and patience. Too many prospective buyers get swept up in a rash, have-to-have-it-now mentality. No good comes from that! The worst thing in the world for a buyer to do is fall in love with a flashy horse recently posted on Craig’s List or Facebook, then decide—sight-unseen—that that’s the horse for her. Suppose the buyer finds out that someone else is also interested in her dream horse. Whatever is the love-struck buyer to do? Should she make a full-price

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Do I Need Spurs?

October 9, 2015
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The use of spurs has been a debated question for years and, with the turn to a more natural way of horsemanship, has raised several eyes these days. Spurs were used as far back as the 5th Century and have changed little in appearance or style. The first spur carried a single point on the end and later on, by the 15th Century, was replaced by a rowel. Initially, they carried a more knightly role rather than an aid for persuasion to the horse. Today’s spur is made up of three basic parts: the neck, heel band and the rowel.

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