My Thought For Today

Over the past few years I have seen more and more 40-50-60 plus riders choosing to participate in extreme trail and obstacle events I'm afraid it is to show themselves as well others they still have the nerve to ride their horses. My thought is it takes a great deal of courage just to put your foot in the stirrup and swing you leg over the saddle. There are millions of people out there who wouldn't have the nerve to be mount a horse let alone ride one.

We don't need to prove to anyone that we still have the nerve to ride, because we are still in the saddle. We should not try be the rider we were when we were younger that's not physically possible. What we do need to do is to embrace the rider we are today. It's important to adapt to who we are mentally and physically now  and there is no shame in that. I'm not saying we shouldn't try new things with our horses or even let that teenager inside of us out once and awhile, but we don't need to ride our horses threw flaming hoops or into black holes to prove we are still in the saddle and have the nerve to ride.

Mind Body & Spirit 40+ Riders Workshops can help you embrace the person you are today, keep in the saddle and create a unique bond with your horse. 

Tom Thumb Snaffle Is A Harsh Bit?

My Arabian mare Jodie being ridden with a Tom Thumb 

People will tell you that a Tom Thumb Snaffle is a very harsh bit because it is a leverage bit. They will tell you because of the broken mouth and the shanks it can be painful for the horse. They will tell you a horse will open their mouth to evade the pressure and pain. All of this is certainly
true, but if you have very soft quiet hands this is not a issue.

For many years people have told me that the Tom Thumb that I use is a harsh and serve bit, but I don't  find that to be true. My gelding Omar never had any issues with his Tom Thumb Snaffle. I switch him to that bit from a curb and rode him Western with that bit for 20 years.  That was the Western bit I chose for both of my Arabian mares that I trained neither one had any issues. I started both mares training with a plain snaffles of course, but transitioned them to the Tom Thumb. When my sister bought her Paso Fino gelding she found he didn't care for the bit he had been ridden with, so we tried the Tom Thumb and he has been happy with that bit for the last 16 years.

Al the Paso Fino being ridden with a Tom Thumb 

You might notice in the photos neither one of the horses are attempting to evade the bit by opening his or her mouth. They have a lovely head set and are collecting  their gaits. Both horses have a pleasant expression on their faces not painful or worried expression.

The truth of the matter is any bit can be harsh in the wrong hands , even the most mild snaffle . The moral of this story is you need to have soft quite hands when you ride and you need to learn how to ride with your seat, legs and hips along with your hands. Remember what counts is what is on the other end of those reins-you.

Mini-Clinics

I have never been one to have 10 or 20 riders in the arena at a training clinic. I prefer working with smaller groups of riders usually between 3 and 7 riders only at my clinics. I realize there are many people out there who will conduct a training clinic with 10 or more riders attending, but that's not how I like to conduct a clinic. For me it is about giving everyone participating in the clinic one on one attention. I  believe less riders in the arena makes it easier for me to elevate each rider and give them the tools to improve their riding skill, build their confidence or assist them in the training of their horse. I also believe that less riders in the arena make for a safer and calmer environment for both horse and rider to learn in. 

I will begin conducting mini-clinics starting in this month. The mini-clinics are limited to 1 to 3 riders and three hours in length. The propose of the mini clinics is to provide personal instruction/training in a clinic setting so riders can receive a more intense learning experience in a shorter time period. They are good for those not ready for an all day clinic, but want more than an hour of instruction or training. These clinics are perfect for some who may not want to committee to weekly lessons, because they can be schedule once or twice a month. 

As always all disciplines, all levels and all breeds are welcome. My goal is to tailor each clinic to the need of both horse and rider. I want my clients to leave with the tools, confidence and knowledge to make their horse the best he can be. 

I  offer these clinics- Western Dressage-Intro To Classical Dressage-Balanced Horsemanship For Trail Riders-Mind Body & Spirit Confidence Building - Crossing Training(Dressage methods of training for all riders). 

Check out my website at www.cherylchildstraining.com

Happy Trails,
Cheryl

The Six Words a Training or Instructor Never Wants To Hear

There are six little words that can strike terror in the heart of a trainer/instructor. You ask what those six little words are - well they are  "I was talking to a friend,". You see those six words are generally followed by "and he said I should......" and with those few words uttered in a matter of seconds months of hard work by the rider, the horse and  myself are undone. When those words come out of a client's mouth I brace myself for a deluge of advice from that friend who apparently believes they know more than a professional trainer/instructor. It also seems that this friend doesn't support their friend (my client) in her need to improve her horsemanship, build a better bond with her horse, become a more confident rider or improve her horse's overall training. This friend seems to be opposed to their friend (my client) expanding her horizons and trying something new with her horse as well.

This advice giving friend always seems to have the answer to any problem someone is having with their horse. Their answers are usually as follows "you just need to ride him longer and harder on the trail" or "you need to get spurs - he's just lazy" or "you're wasting  your time with that stuff like collection or balanced horsemanship because you're just a trail rider - just ride", but wait my favorite of all of them  is " just get back up there, he's fine, let's go". That last word of advice is probably the most dangerous piece of advice anyone can give you. All joking aside if you have a friend or friends who gives you advice like that you need to find new friends.

I have heard it time and time again, "My horse spooked and I got nervous, but my friends told me to just ride it out and that's when I came off,".  My advise as an equine professional is if your horse is spooky or acting strange do not be too proud to climb down - it's always about your safety and also your horse's safety. There is no shame in walking your horse home or back to the trailer and arriving in one piece. I have had clients who were seriously hurt when someone told them to "ride it out". I have also had clients who didn't get physically hurt, but had their confidence was shaken so badly they almost gave up riding.

As for that friend's advice about not needing to improve your riding skills because you are a trail rider, well I say that's a load of manure. Every rider, whether they are on the trail or in the show ring, needs to be the best rider they can be, so their horse is the best he can be. You need to be balanced in the saddle when you ride on the trail for your safety and your horse needs to know how to change leads and collect on the trail. There is nothing wrong with improving your horsemanship and your horse's training - even if you are a trail rider.

So to all those friends out there with all that good advice here is some advice for you - if your friend wants to take lessons to improve her riding skills, wants to work with a trainer or wants to try something new encourage her - don't undermine her. Don't give her advice that might get her hurt and shake her confidence so badly she stops riding. Be a real friend and encourage her to dismount and you do the same. Lastly please don't give her advice contrary to the instructing and training she is receiving from me.

Knowing When To Retire Your Beloved Horse

As your beloved horse reaches his late teens and early twenties there is a nagging question in the back of your mind that you try to ignore, but can’t - “ Should I retire my horse from riding?”.   There are signs your horse will give when it’s time to retire him- reduced vitality or chronic lameness that worsens with work. Lack of enthusiasm for work  and activities that formerly interested him. Swaying as you mount, indicating weakness and/or loss of balance. Stumbling on smooth footing, or other signs of reduced coordination.
    I strongly believe, from experience, that making the decision to retire your horse is almost as hard as the decision we  all face at the end of the horse’s life. So we tend to avoid the decision and we just keep telling ourselves our horse is still fit and ridable, but the truth of the matter is that if we are telling ourselves that it may already be past time to retire that horse.
  Facing the realization that the horse we have logged so many miles on the trail or in show ring with over the years may no longer be able to do that with us is not easy. Our faithful old friend, that we have logged all those miles on for all those years, has become  like Linus’s security blanket for  us. We don’t want to give up the security we have found in that relationship. We trust that horse with our life and we aren’t prepared to give that up, but for our old friend’s sake we have to. I know from experience how difficult it is to let that old trusted friend go into retirement
    It was a nice fall day back in 1995 when I saddled up my gelding Omar to go for a nice fall trail ride. We started down the gravel driveway in front of the barn and Omar stumbled. He went down on his knees, but because he had so much heart he scrambled back to his feet. My heart sank at that moment.  I dismounted Omar and I knew that was the last ride for us. I gave him a tearful pat on the neck and said to him “ I know, I know Omar it’s alright we won’t do this anymore, you’re a good horse”. Omar had never stumbled before in his life, even on  rough trails, so I knew  it was time and there would be no more rides. The truth of the matter was I knew before that day, but I just didn’t want to face it.
   One of the reasons I couldn’t face that reality was Omar was my first horse. I had been riding him since I was 12  years old and  he was my security blanket. He was the horse that I could do anything with -from riding with just a halter on the trail, to riding down a Parade route, to ponying young horses off to being able to unload him from the trailer on a road trip to stretch his legs at a Holiday Inn parking lot  - he did it, did it all, and I trusted him.  Even though at the time I had a young Arabian mare  I was training to step in for Omar, that I thought the world of, she still wasn’t Omar.
    We all need to keep a couple of  things in mind as we face that decision. First you need to consider your horse’s health and well being. You don’t want to cause your horse pain, discomfort or injury.  If you’re not sure consult a Veterinarian and have them examine your horse. A Vet can give you an idea of  your horse’s overall health and should discuss whether retirement is the best for your horse or not. Your retiree will need to be with horses that don’t harass him, have plenty of room to exercise himself without over doing it, a shelter and, of course, a good nutritional feed for his age. Retirement doesn’t exclude some quality time with your old friend - grooming, in hand exercise or even an occasional ten minute ride at a walk around the stable yard, just don’t over do.
     You need to remember that building a relationship and bonding with that younger horse will take time, so be patient and don’t  expect it to be the same as it was with  your retiree. It can be difficult bonding with a younger horse, but it will come and, while it may not be the same type of relationship as with your retired horse, it can still be a good. Try not to make comparisons  to your retiree. You just have to realize that, like humans, horses are all different with different personalities, weaknesses and strengths. Sometimes finding something new and different to do with your new horse will help you bond. Take your time and don’t forget it’s alright to miss riding your retiree, just make sure you don’t get  caught up in that to the point that you stop riding entirely or make a bad choice. I found myself in that place and I almost made a really  bad decision and sold a great Arabian mare who I trained myself. Sadly I lost that mare in 2013 at the age of 23, but like Omar she has a special place in my heart along with some other great horses that are still in my life today.
   “ No ride is ever the last one. No horse is ever the last one you will have. Somehow there will always be other horses, other places to ride them.” - Monica Dickens.

Women and Horses Mind, Spirit & Body - More Than A Formula For Confidence Building

In March of 2007 I developed Women and Horses Mind, Spirit & Body confidence building clinics to provide  women with a comfortable, friendly environment to discuss the problems and fears they were having with their horses. Since that first clinic the program has expanded to include assisting women with reaching their goals with their horses, whether in the show ring or on the trail.

Whether it's a confidence building clinic, private instruction or any other type of training clinic I use the same three phase training method - Mind, Spirit & Body - to help riders improve their riding skills. Improving your riding skills will assist you in connecting with horse, build  your confidence as a rider and help you and your horse be the best you can be together. 

Mind- In this first phase the participants are asked to discuss goals, problems, fears and concerns. Then the participants are asked to enter the arena with their horses in-hand. I then assess each participant’s relationship with her horse.

Mind Phase 

Spirit-  In this second phase I examine each participant’s comfort level with her horse. We  talk
about ground training techniques to build their confidence and their horse’s confidence in
them. They perform a series of ground exercise with their horses that will assist them in            becoming a confident leader which will in turn build their horse’s confidence to follow them.
We also discuss physical pain the horse may be experiencing and how it is affecting both
horse and rider.

Spirit Phase 

Body- In this third and final phase participants will mount their horse and perform a series of exercises. Participant's confidence levels are assessed while riding. Participant's riding ability is assessed as well to help them improve their confidence level through proper and balanced horsemanship.

Body Phase 

While I came up with the Mind, Spirit & Body concept to help horsewomen who had lost their  confidence due to fear issues it has expanded into a training method that helps any rider achieve her goals.

The Lessons He Taught Me

My beloved Morab gelding Omar
a 22 year partnership 

Omar was my first horse. Omar was a very intelligent horse and when I first began riding him I was as green as grass, so in many ways he was my first riding instructor.

Omar taught me to sit up straight in the saddle, keep my heels down and to use my legs and seat to ride. He was stickler for that, if  I wasn't seated properly and riding properly he would let me know. It's funny how I had people around me giving me instructions, but it was Omar's instructions that I listened to most often.

Like any good instructor Omar always made certain I was sitting up straight balanced in the saddle and paying attention. Sometimes his lessons were a little tough, like when he taught me about never cantering your horse towards home. That day he also taught me to stop worrying about stopping the horse  and to just ride the horse. I kept pulling back on the reins and he didn't respond, but when I relaxed some and began to really ride he finally slowed down and stopped. That lesson I never forgot.

Omar taught me enjoying the ride or having fun was fine, but never lose your focus on the horse. I was fooling around one day riding Omar bareback and trotting him around poles ( pole bending) which was fine, but I was also talking to fellow boarder at the stable and lost my focus. Omar got my focus back by making a rather quick and unexpected turn which caused me to lose my balance and hit the dirt with thud on my rear end. I swear the expression on his face was " Okay kid are you done fooling around let's focus here,". If it hadn't been for Omar I wouldn't have learned about collection of gaits, lengthening your horse's strides,  how to soften your horse and making him flexible. Omar taught me to be balanced and correct in the saddle to help the horse be balanced and correct. He taught how how to communicate to my your horse what I wanted him to do through my hands, legs and seat together.

The experience you have with your first horse you will never have again. I guess it's like your first love. I realized this when I was training my young mare who was the horse that would fill Omar's shoes. You see that mare would look at me like " How'd I do-did I get right-what's next?" when I was training her. I realized that I never saw that expression on Omar's face. Omar's expression was always," Okay that' s better, but you need work a little hard. Not bad kid,". He was the trainer and I was the one who needed training. I think we both new that.

Maybe I'm crazy, but I swear one day when I rode past Omar's stall during a training sessions with my mare he nodded his just slightly and looked right at me as if to say, " I'm proud of you, there is nothing more I can teach you kid,".  Thank you Omar for helping me become the horsewoman I am today. Still miss you old friend everyday.

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Dressage Training For The Trail Horse

Many people will tell you that if you trail ride there would be absolute no reason for you to consider dressage training. They will tell you that you don't need to know anything about the concepts of dressage training like for  Rhythm, Relaxation, Connection, Impulsion, Straightness and Collection. They are wrong the  Pyramid Of Training that dressage riders use when training their horse most assuredly can be utilized by anyone wanting their horse to be relaxed, confidence and athletic on the trail.

Lets talk about a few of those training techniques on the Pyramid of Training and how they are effective training methods for trail horses.

Rhythm: Regularity of footfall that is maintained at all paces or gaits. Maintenance of a regular rhythm in all gaits gives the horse a solid foundation for training in any discipline.  Why would a trail horse need to have rhythm? If your horse has rhythm and balance in his gaits he will move down the trail more efficiently. A good steady rhythm in your horse's gait will allow regular and equal spacing between the steps your horse takes, which aids your horse when traveling over different terrain on the trail.

Relaxation: When we talk about relaxation we are referring to the horse being supple and having elasticity in his gait. A horse should be relaxed, supple, athletic and obedient when riding on trail. When your horse is supple he can move freely and gracefully down the trail which means a more pleasurable ride for you.

Impulsion: Impulsion is the movement of a horse when he is going forward with controlled power.  The power or  engine of a horse is in his hindquarters. If  you are on the trail and your horse is engaging his hindquarters he is moving far more efficiently down the trail for you.  Your horse is also more balanced and he can adjust to changing terrain on the trail much easier. If  he isn't putting on his all his weight on his front legs or as we put " he is not up on his forehand" he is less likely to become tired or injury himself.

Collection: Collection is increasing the impulsion of  horse. Collection is often referred to as "being on the bit", but it's asking the horse to round his frame and push of his hindquarters. If horse is rounding his back and is in frame he is moving better. The horse reaches in underneath himself engaging his hindquarters. Why should a trail horse collect you ask, well again your horse is moving more efficiently on the trail which is good for both horse and rider. Being able to collect your horse means he isn't just pounding up the trail beating his fore legs he is using his hindquarters. It also means you can slow his gaits down over some terrain or ask him to length his strides over other terrain. Some riders find it gives them more control if their horse becomes nervous on the trail and loses his  focus the rider can ask them to collect which will often result in regaining the horses focus.  The level of collections asked of your horse when trail riding is far easier to obtains and sustain than the collections ask for in a upper level dressage test.

This is of course is just a short and simplified discussion of the training methods. There would be far more to be discuss and far more to be learned about this method of training. If you are interested in learning more about how Dressage training may help make your horse  more confidence, pleasurable, safer and athletic please consider attending one of my clinics.

http://cchorsemanship.wix.com/cchorsemanship

Happy Trails

A Bump On The Trail Of Life

It's funny how life can throw you a curve ball that you don't even see coming. That happened to me in December 2015 when I found out I had blood clots in my lungs.

It was a beautiful warm Saturday morning in early December and I went out to feed the herd as usual. My sister and I were talking about putting some Christmas lights up or perhaps skipping that to ride since it was such a nice warm day , but none of that happened. I went about throwing the horses their hay and found myself feeling really dizzy. I thought it was just stress or maybe the effects of a long busy summer and fall of instructing/training catching up to me ,  but when I passed out right their in front of the stalls I had feeling it was more than that. To make a long story short I ended up taking a ambulance ride to the hospital (in typically horsewoman form I was worried about the Paramedics not letting the horses out and if they would be sure to shut the gate ) and ended up being there for five days.

I 'm told I was very lucky that  I didn't just drop over dead that morning from those clots. I was also lucky  the medication they gave me  dissolved the clots, thank goodness and  in few days I was released and got to go home. They sent me home with a prescription for Xarelto a blood thinning medication,  but I was going home and that was all I could focus on at that moment.

They had given me all the warning about the medication at the hospital (all of which I had heard on the commercial), but all I could think about was I was going home. It was not until several days after I was out of the hospital that it sank in what they had said to me about riding my horses or even being around them while on that medication. " I wouldn't advise it. You will have to weigh the risk," they had said to me about riding horses. One Doctor said " they are big unpredictable animals and if you sustained a head injury while on the blood thinners that could be catastrophic " I started to really panic. I couldn't give up horses they were my passion, my happiness and on some level my life. I'm a riding instructor, trainer and free-lance equine writer , no giving up horses couldn't happen what would I do with the rest of my life.

Between the warnings from the doctor and memory of what happened that morning at the barn I found myself for the first time ever in my life not wanting to go out to the barn. I couldn't believe it the barn had always been my sanctuary the place I was most happy, but now I was dreading it and that was devastating to me. It took ever fiber of my being to go out to the barn a few days after I was out of the hospital and I found myself shaking like a leaf. It would be several more days before I felt physically like going out to help my sister feed the horses. I found myself being nervous and uncomfortable in place that I had always loved to be. I would have flash backs of that morning waking up on the ground to the sound of my sister and mom both screaming along with the sound of a siren. I 'd start shaking as I approached the gate to go into the barn area and I could see that ambulance sitting there outside the gate in my mind's eye. It wasn't easy for my sister or mom either of course, but gradually it has become a little easier for us all. If I feel a little panicked I just start talking to one of the horses and the panic subsides. It's still hard for me at times, but damn it I'm going to get over it because I want the barn to be "my happy place" again.

Another obstacle I had to get over was my fear of handling the horses. One morning I just decide to grab a halter and catch my mare Mel to groom her. I couldn't believe how nervous I was. My hand  shook as I buckled her the halter. " Good grief you help woman who have issues with their horses get back their confidence to ride again and you are afraid to halter your own horse," I said to myself as started grooming Mel. I have just kept handling my horses from the ground and trusting they wouldn't  hurt me, because they never had. Finally a few days after Christmas when my sister's Paso Fino gelding Al was not cooperating I found my inner horsewoman again and told him firmly " You are going to stand still while I brush the mud off you like you always have,  do you understand me," and Al dropped his head and stood still. That was my break through moment and now even though I maybe a little more careful around my horses I am back to feeling more like my old self again.

Stay tuned for the next huge obstacle I have to get over .That would be getting back in the saddle. I will of course wear my riding helmet and as I have always done I will be careful. I have never been one to stay on horse if there was a problem.  I have always told my students " climb down and live to fight another day there is no shame in that," and I have always lived by that rule. All I know is I can't give up riding it's my therapy and I can't give horses up because they are my heart and soul.

Crossing Training

The word dressage comes from the French word dresser which means training. The training methods used in dressage develops, obedience, flexibility and balance horses which would apply to any disciplines and that is where Cross Training comes in.

Cross Training is using dressage training methods to train or improve your horse as well as your riding skills. No matter what type of riding you do, there is always a place for dressage training. Using dressage training techniques can help your horse become more relaxed, obedient, athletic and fun to ride. It can also help him have a longer more useful life. It will help you develop a happy well trained horse no matter what discipline you chose to ride or whether you trail ride or show your horse.

Crossing Training increases your communication with your horse and establishes a foundations which a horse can excel in any discipline. People from all different discipline have incorporate dressage into the training of their horse. Cross Training helps horses become more willing. Your horse will respond more enthusiastically to the your cues. It will help the rider to develop non-verbal language with their horse as well as invisible signals. You will find your horse will be a pleasure to ride,

Who is Crossing Training good for, well everyone. If you are a trail rider you will find your horse is more agile and more confidence and a pleasure to ride. You will find he has more stamina as well on the trail. Crossing Training is great for those showing their horse Western, Hunt Seat, Equitation just about any discipline, because it is a foundation for all those disciplines.  It will improve your horse's performance. Even riders who Barrel Race or do Endurance riding have found this method of training improves their horse's performance and attitude.Crossing Training should be a part of every horse's training program.

So many people think dressage is about riding a  dressage test on a very expensive horse while wearing a top hat and jodhpurs, but it is really just about a training method. Your horse doesn't have to be expensive, you don't have to wear jodhpurs and you don't have ride a test for your horse and you to benefit from the training methods of dressage.

Happy Trails,
Cheryl

Is Your Horse Paying The Price For Your Bad Choices

Here are some phrases that always make me cringe: "I had 30 days put on him by a friend of mine" or " I had a young guy who's kind of cowboy start him" or " My farrier is a trainer too and he put 30 days of him for me" or " This guy rides them every day for hours, you know really gets them broke". When I hear those statements I feel badly for the horse, because that person has made a bad choice and the horse is paying the price for that bad choice. They don't realize it, however, and often times will blame the horse or become angry with the horse.

Every choice you make affects your horse in a positive or a negative way.

When you choose a person to train your horse whose only objective is to "saddle break" the horse and achieves this objective by riding your horse for hours on the trail or until he has saddle sores or is physically exhausted your horse ends up paying the price for that decision. Don't be surprised if your horse doesn't want you riding him. If your horse has not been taught to change leads, collect his gait, flex or rein properly don't get flustered with him because he can't do those things when you ask.  You made that choice - your horse didn't.

You make choices all the time that affect your horse. Choosing a saddle, tack and bit for your horse affects him. If the saddle doesn't fit him properly it may cause him pain. If it doesn't fit you properly you won't be seated correctly on your horse - which will affect him and could cause him pain as well. Choosing the right bit for your horse is important, too. The bit needs to fit him correctly and be suited to him. This , of course, applies to young horses, but to horses that have already been trained as well. In some cases you might purchase a horse and find out the previous owners were rough or heavy handed which hurt the horse's mouth. That's when you need to change the bit or perhaps try a Bosal. Choosing the wrong bit will harm you horse.


Training clinics are very popular today, but you need to be careful about the clinics you choose. I have had clients come to me with nervous, fretful, stubborn and sometimes fearful horses that they have created by attending a clinic. Remember just because they bill themselves as " the world's best or most trusted" doesn't mean that is the case. Going to a clinic where someone encourages you to poke your horse with a stick or chase him with it might not be your best choice. Going to a clinic where the person giving it insists you keep making your horse gallop around the round pen until he is exhausted is not the right choice. On the human side of it going to a clinic where the person giving the clinic ridicules and humiliates you is not a good choice for you or your horse. Please don't go to a clinic where they tell you to "move those feet" or they want you to push your horse away from you - that's ridiculous. You want your horse to enjoy being around you.  Don't make a bad choice in what clinic you attend with your horse - it may harm your horse and you as well.

I guess what I'm saying here is think about what are you doing where your horse is concerned.  I believe that 95% of the problems horses have today are caused by their humans making thoughtless
choices that harm them.

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Helping Horses With Humans Is A Challenge

In the 26 years I have been training horses and riders I have found as a rule most horses are much easier to train than their riders. Let me apologize to all you humans out there, but it's true, if horses are handled with kindness combined with firmness when training them they are far more willing to follow you and accept what you are teaching than humans are.

Here is an example if I have a horse who I'm working with who is nervous, not connected, a little bull headed or pushy I will often times us the Monty Robert's Join-Up method.  It's fairly simple - you put the horse in a round pen and you simply ignore him for a few minutes - turning your back on him. After a few moments you send him away by stomping your feet or throwing the lead line out towards him. The horse will usually trot or even lope around you. What you are trying to do is convince the horse you don't want him in your herd - that you are the one in control. After awhile the horse begins to want to be in your herd and will starting asking to come back into the herd - usually by licking their lips and approaching you with a demeanor that says "I want to be with you". After you have chased him away a couple more times to reinforce that you are the herd leader you let him in. Once you have done this you rub his head and make him feel good about being with you and you are friends for life. Okay, I have explained that training method to humans and expected them to learn as quickly as the horse, but oh no they don't. I have to explain it to them two or three times. Then I get them and the horse in the round pen to do the Join Up and the human goes to pieces. At some point I wondered if I should stomp my feet at them and send them away as I did the horse - perhaps that would help.

I use Linda Tellington-Jones methods, too, when training. I often use her obstacle course to lead horses through in-hand as well as mounted. Going through the labyrinth, cones, over tarps, around the wagon wheel and over ground poles helps the horse readjust his thought process. As a rule doing this a couple of times with a horse will make a difference in his attitude.   I'm always hopeful it will help readjust the human thought process as well and change their attitude. Sometimes it works, but other times not so much. When you do this Linda suggests you carry what she refers to as wand (riding crop-dressage whip) so if the horse gets out of control you can use the butt end of the wand to give him a quick rap between eyes just once. You don't do it repeatedly or severely - just once and then move on. Sometimes humans listen and do it correctly, but other times they don't and will do it two or three times. That's when I take the wand away from the human, apologize to the horse and ask the horse if they would like to use the wand on their human to readjust their thoughts.



I always say "if the rider is right the horse is right" a quote I stole from Dressage training a long time ago. When I'm training a horse I have no trouble helping the horse be right.. now wait for it, because I'm right in the saddle. I keep my heels down, my stirrups are the correct length, I sit on my seat bones, I use my legs to ride, I sit up straight in the saddle and my hands are quiet so the horse is bending at the pole, flexing, collecting his gait and is a happy horse.  The horse improves with every training session, so happy trainer and happy horse, Now when I trying to train a human that's where I became a little flustered and unhappy.  See humans want to blame the horse and take no responsibility for what they may be doing wrong. Maybe the problem is the horse is listening to me in the saddle and the rider isn't listening to me while I'm instructing them. Maybe it's easier for them to blame the horse than face their own shortcoming as riders.

Yes, training humans is a much bigger challenge than training most horses, but I will keep doing it because somebody has to help all those horses out there with problem humans. I will also keep doing it because I have had success training humans. When it all comes together and that light bulb goes on it's a very satisfying feeling. I will keep doing it for those moments when the rider climbs off their horse, hugs him with tears in their eyes and then hugs me.

If The Rider Is Right The Horse Is Right

Rider Number 1

  Here are several riders who are all riding      different disciplines. All these rider have one  thing in common they are right in the saddle so
 there horses are right.

Rider number 1  is riding on a Flat Seat English.  She has her irons at the proper length so she is able to post the trot properly. She is balanced in the saddle. Her hands are in the correct  position even as she rises posting the trot. She is balanced and correct which helps her horse be balanced and correct.  She is perfect example of a Flat Seat English rider.

Rider Number 2

Rider number 2 is riding Hunt Seat. Her Irons are the correct length and she is seating balanced in the saddle. Her hands are in the correct position not to low or too high. This rider is balanced and correct as is her horse.  She is a perfect example of a Hunt Seat Rider.


Rider number 3 is riding Western Pleasure. Again her stirrups are the proper length so she is well seated in the saddle. Her hand is in the correct position on the reins and she is riding one handed as she should be. She is balanced and correct in the saddle.  She is a perfect example of a Western Pleasure rider.

Rider Number 3

Rider Number 4 

Rider number 4 is riding Dressage. His stirrups are the correct length, so he is seated properly in the saddle. His hands are in the correct position too. He balanced and correct in the saddle. He is perfect example of a Dressage rider.

Rider Number 5

Rider number 5 is a pleasure riding on a western saddle. She like the other riders have her stirrups at the correct length and she is seated properly in the saddle. Her hand is in the correct position. Just like those other rider she riding balanced and correct. She is the perfect example of a Pleasure rider.

My point here is whether you are in the show ring, dressage ring or trail riding it's important that you are right in the saddle so your horse will be right. Being right means having your stirrups at the correct length not too short or too long. You should be centered and balanced in the saddle sitting on your seat bones. You should have your hands in the correct position for reining for your horse. Being balanced in
the saddle is also important for your safety when you are riding on the trail, because if you are properly balanced than when you encounter obstacle on the trail like a limb of a tree or your horse is startled by something you won't be so likely to become unseated. If you are riding correctly your horse will find the ride less tiring and less stressful , which will make a more enjoyable ride for  you both.

Sometimes They Can't Understand What Horses Mean To Some Of Us

Horses have been part of my life for 42 out of my 55 years, so one would think that after all those years people wouldn't say things like " well if you didn't have those horses" to me. How in the world do they not realize that horses are who I am for heaven sake? That's right I'm a 54 year old  woman who couldn't imagine my life without horses in it. 

 No, I don't take many vacations to the Caribbean (if I could afford it) because I have horses, but I don't care. Yes, I have to live in the country instead in town, but that's fine with me if it means I can walk out my back door and hear those horses whinny at me every morning -that's what keeps me going. Sure there are times when I  have to leave a social event earlier than others do because I have to go home to feed the herd, not a problem for me - I enjoy taking care of those horses and some days it's all that gets me through my day. I know if you're not a horse person you don't understand this, but please just smile and accept it because it makes me happy. 

 I realize to some people horses are just a beast, but to me they are for more than just a beast. Horses have given me so much in life like confidence, courage, grace, patience, compassion and spirit. When I was in the 7th grade I was terrified to get up in front of the class and give an oral book report, but today I stand in the middle of an arena, with far more people watching than those in that 7th grade class, and conduct clinics at Horse Expos. My job today is standing up in front of people instructing, giving clinics, judging horse shows and speaking to groups of people with no fear whatsoever. I think horses helped me face difficult things in my life both now and when I was younger, but I didn't realize it then the way I do today. If it hadn't been for horses I probably wouldn't have become a writer. I think horses make me a better person and actually help me see things more clarity.

To me horses are very spiritual beings. I read a book  called Horses and the Mystical Path The Celtic Way of Expanding The Human Soul and in that book they talk about how horses have affected human lives throughout time. There were so many things in the book that made me say " yes that's how I feel," and made me feel connected to the Celtic people. For me horses connect me to my ancestors. 

When I'm training a horse I feel a connection to my Grandfather. Being around my horses often time makes me feel closer to family members that are no longer here with us. 

In conclusion I'm proud to be a unabashed horses enthuses who is looking forward to 40 more years of taking care of horses, riding horses, training horses and just having them in my life. Monica Dickens said it best. " If you have it, it's for life. It is disease which there is no cure. You go on riding even after they have to haul onto a comfortable wise old cob, with feet like inverted buckets and back like a fireside chair," If don't understand it I can never explain to you, but please never say to me  " if you didn't have horses".

Horses heat up 10 times faster than people – study reports

A hot humid day. One rider. One horse. Both are exercising at a moderate level. Who is more likely to overheat? 

It might surprise you to know that your horse gets hotter much faster than you and is more susceptible to the negative effects of heat stress.

Professor Michael Lindinger, an animal and exercise physiologist at the University of Guelph, explains: “It only takes 17 minutes of moderate intensity exercise in hot, humid weather to raise a horse’s temperature to dangerous levels. That’s three to 10 times faster than in humans. Horses feel the heat much worse than we do.”

And the effects can be serious. If a horse’s body temperature shoots up from the normal 37 to 38 C to 41 C, temperatures within working muscles may be as high as 43 C, a temperature at which proteins in muscle begin to denature (cook). Horses suffering excessive heat stress may experience hypotension, colic and renal failure.

Lindinger, a faculty member in the Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, became interested in the effects of heat on horses when he was a lead researcher on the Canadian research team that contributed information on the response of the horse to heat and humidity for the Atlanta Summer Olympics. He recently presented a workshop on the topic at Equine Guelph’s outdoor Equine Expo on June 4 at U of G’s Arkell Research Station.

Horses are more susceptible to heat for several reasons, explains Lindinger. First, they are larger and have a higher percentage of active muscle than people do during exercise. When muscles are being used, they produce a lot of heat.

Horses also rely to a significant extent on sweating to cool them off. They can sweat 15 to 20 litres per hour in cool, dry conditions and up to 30 litres per hour in hot, humid conditions, but only 25 to 30 per cent of the sweat produced is effective in cooling the horse by evaporation.

“Because so much more sweat is produced than can be evaporated, the rest just drips off the horse’s body,” says Lindinger. “By comparison, up to 50 per cent of the sweat people produce is evaporated from our bodies during exercise and helps to cool us.”

The salts in horse sweat are also four times as concentrated as in human sweat. Lindinger refers to a photograph of an area where endurance horses had been standing while their sweaty bodies were repeatedly scraped and cooled with water. As the liquids evaporated from the ground, the soil surface was left white because of the salt in the horses’ sweat.

“Those salts have to be replaced,” he says. “Just giving the horse water will not rehydrate a dehydrated horse. When horses drink plain water, it dilutes their body fluids, and their bodies respond by trying to get rid of more water and more electrolytes.”

Horses also pant to dissipate heat, but Lindinger says this is effective only if the air is at least five degrees cooler than the horse’s body temperature.

His tips for protecting horses from the harmful effects of summer heat begin with teaching your horse to drink an electrolyte solution (water with the right proportion of salts dissolved in it) to replace sweat losses. “Start with a small amount in the water, allowing the horse to get used to the taste, and gradually increase it over days and weeks until you have reached the manufacturer’s recommendation.”

Keeping your horse properly hydrated is the most important step in protecting it against the harmful effects of heat, he says.

Keeping your horse properly hydrated is the most important step in protecting it against the harmful effects of heat.

If you’re preparing for a competition, Lindinger recommends trying to acclimatize your horse to the heat by spending four hours daily, at least five days a week for three weeks, in hot conditions. For best results, exercise the horse for an hour during the second hour of each of those days.

“Many riders will train their horses in the mornings or evenings, when it’s cool, then go to a competition held during the hottest part of the day. You need to get horses used to being ridden in the heat and allow them to develop the full spectrum of beneficial adaptations that come with heat acclimation.”

Lindinger says that horses who have been through a process of heat acclimation will lose more heat through sweating and respiration and will be better able to stay hydrated because they are more likely to drink.

When your horse is hot, look for shade and breezes to help cool it down, but never use a blanket or “cooler” on a horse that is sweating, he adds, suggesting the best way to cool a horse quickly is to rinse the horse’s body repeatedly with cold water and scrape off the excess water.

“You can cool the horse two degrees in 10 minutes this way: pour on the water, scrape it off, pour on more, and just keep repeating it,” says Lindinger. “The scraping part is important because otherwise the water will be trapped in the horse’s hair and will quickly warm up. By scraping and pouring on fresh, cold water you keep the cooling process going.”

Just as equestrians pack a canteen of water, some sunscreen and a hat with a brim for summer riding adventures, Lindinger says they should also equip themselves with the tools needed to protect their horses from the heat and humidity. If you prepare your horse in advance and have a plan to cool him down if he becomes overheated, he says, even the hot, muggy days of summer can be great riding fun.

Reinvent The Wheel????

Recently I read a training tip (so to speak) that was posted on Social Media from a well known clinician and, once again, I was flabbergasted by what I read. Apparently, according to this clinician, every time you walk around your horse to change sides you are signaling to him that you are submissive to him.

Apparently you need " move those feet" every time you handle your horse to gain his respect.

So let me get this straight you don't want to walk around your horse while grooming him, flying spraying him, having his hoofs trimmed, bathing him, tacking him up or whatever you are doing with him? What you want to do is move his feet so he will respect you. I guess for generations we have been doing it wrong. We shouldn't have been walking around our horses to change sides we should have made the horse move. Oh please... that's ridiculous. 

These people are trying to reinvent the wheel and, unfortunately, doing harm to both horses and humans in the process. My opinion of this notion that you move a horse away from you constantly when  you are handling him is that  you are actually harassing the horse and making him fearful of you. A horse should want to be with you and be comfortable being with you. He should not move away from or around you because you have pushed him away all the time, good grief. A happy confident horse will stand quietly while you walk around him when you are working with him, because he is feels comfortable with you as a herd leader and you walking around him is not being submissive to him it's just the opposite. I want my horse to be with me not sidestep, back away or move around me every time I handle him, because I have harassed him by shaking the lead rope, poking him with a stick or waved my arms at him so he will move away from me. I want my horse to stand quietly while I groom, tack up, bath him, fly spray him, have his hooves done, vet him  or whether I'm just standing there rubbing his forehead in the paddock. Bottom line I want my horses to want to be with me and trust me. 

Think about it - would rather have your horse "move his feet" away from you every time you handle him or would you rather have him feeling comfortable and confident enough around you to just stand their quietly and peacefully with you.  My thought on this training tip is don't try it. Your horse will greatly appreciate it. 

Listening To Horse Is So Important If You Want to Dance With Him

The other night, while I was watching the television show “ Dancing With The Stars”, I thought about people asking me if I could teach them to train their horse, when I was training  and giving lessons. Why, you  ask, did  I think of that question? Well, I guess because riding a horse is a little bit like dancing . When people begin to learn to dance they are taught the steps of the dance without the music. It all starts with choreography and the music is added later.  I always felt that  there was more to horse training than teaching the steps to someone. I could have done just that, but I didn’t, because eventually  you have to hear and feel the music or  you’re not going to be very good at the dance. 

  It seems, of late years, the horse world is full people teaching other people the 

“choreography” of training horses without the “music”.  Training a horse is not just  a formula that works on all horses, because, just like people being instructed 

in dance, horses have different personalities as well as strong and weak points. 

Someone can give you the formula for training your horse, but  you can’t be successful if you don’t know your horse well enough to know his strong points and weak points. 

 When people would ask me if I could teach or train them to be able to train their horse my answer, as  a rule, was no,  particularly when  they were fairly new horse owners. In my opinion,  it takes  years of experience with horses to be able to train them and, even then, not everybody is capable of actually training a horse. I would explain to them that the first, and most important, thing they needed to do was to really get  to know their horse. Listen to his “music”.

  I would tell them that they  needed to build a relationship of trust and friendship with their horse. I also suggested that they should start spending time with their horse so they could get to know the horse. I would tell them to just spend  the afternoon with their horse, not necessarily riding or schooling the horse. I would tell them  to just give the horse a good grooming then take the horse for walk on the lead line and let them graze, and just talk to the horse.  I suggested they watch their horse in the pasture with other horses, so they could learn about the horse’s personality , learn where he was in pecking order of the herd. I would tell them that just hanging around talking to, and watching, their horse sometimes was better than riding them. The more you know about your horse the better partnership you will build with him.

  If you know how the horse is feeling it makes it much easier to solve problems the two of you may have in your partnership. You need to listen to your horse and have a feel for what he’s thinking before you try to teach him anything. 

 If you want to enjoy your horse and dance with  him then you need to listen to the “music” as well as know the steps. I believe that anyone can teach the “choreography” , but not many can teach you to feel the “music”. So, perhaps, before you make the decision to try to teach your horse some new steps you should be sure you know how to feel the horse’s “music” before you start the lesson.

Western Dressage

Western Dressage is all about classical horsemanship as a foundation for any discipline and is designed to help western riders learn to us the training scale to provide a step-by-step progression for training and relationship building. 

Whether you are a trail rider, a pleasure rider, a barrel racer or a endurance rider Western Dressage will help you become a better rider and will help your horse be better. Western Dressage promotes long-term soundness as well has enhances the relationship between  horse and rider. 

Western is style or type of riding just as English Hunt Seat is style or type of riding. Dressage is derived from a French word dresser that simple means to train.  The Dressage tests were developed to measure a horse's athletic development at a specific point in their training. The Dressage test is not a means to an end, but it is a process to provide feedback on the training of your horse. Western Dressage integrates the principles of Dressage with the best of Western Working Horse tradition. 

The elements of the two disciplines are of course very similar. Both disciplines create a better horse and rider through structured focused and progressive physical as well as mental development. 
Both look for balance, cadence and carriage. Both disciplines use tests as an opportunity to evaluate the progress of horse and rider through feedback. 

Where they due differ is in the execution of the fundamental elements. As the horse and rider progress through the levels of Western Dressage, the test elements reflect the movements, maneuvers and duties asked of a Western horse. The Western Dressage horse needs to handy, willing, safe and calm while demonstrating pure gaits and lightness. The Western Dressage horse is evaluated with the conformation and movement of today's Western horse in mind. In keeping with tradition, Western Dressage is shown in Western tack and clothing.

Western Dressage goal is not to create a Western horses that competes in traditional Dressage, but to develop a Western horse and offer additional education through the principles of Dressage and good Horsemanship. 

Any breed can participate in Western Dressage including gaited breeds. There is no special tack or embellishments required just good, clean, functional working western tack. They recommend rider's attire be conservative in the style keeping the focus on the horse. Rider can wear their jeans and jeans. Helmets or western hats are required, but the preference  for on or another is up to the rider.

There several Western Dressage organization out there today who's goal are to educate and promote this fast growing equine sport. 

Longeing Without Stirrups is Good for Beginning Riders

by Faith Meredith
I agree with this article that Faith Meredith wrote about longeing without stirrups being a good tool for beginning riders. I have had my students do that exercise. 

 Longeing without stirrups can be a wonderfully useful tool to help riders learn to relax, ride in balance, and follow the motion of the horse as they work toward developing an independent
seat.
  Longeing allows the rider to concentrate on her seat without worrying about controlling the horse's pace, direction or speed. With someone else handling the horse, longeing removes the fear factor. When the rider feels safe, it is easier to relax her muscles so that she can feel and follow the horse's motion in
balance.
  The horse handler also provides the rider with an observer whose feedback can be enormously useful. The rider may feel she is balanced but the handler may note that she is leaning backward or forward rather than being positioned correctly over the horse's center of gravity. The handler can remind the rider to breathe or provide other verbal cues to help the rider match the horse's rhythm. The handler can help describe the movements of the horse's feet so that the rider can begin to feel them for herself through her seat
bones.
  Longeing is a skill that must be mastered by both horse and handler before they can work safely as a team to help riders develop good seats. A longeing schoolmaster is a special horse. This horse must be in good condition and able to carry himself in balance on circles in either direction. He should have an excellent sense of rhythm and if the rider loses her balance, he should not get flustered or change his rhythm. The longeing schoolmaster is able to stay focused and relaxed regardless of anything else that might be going on in the vicinity. He is very aware of the handler's body language and responds predictably and smoothly to her requests for up or
down transitions.
  The handler should be familiar with the horse and sure of her ability to communicate clearly with it before putting a rider up. She should know how to keep the horse moving forward in a steady rhythm and how to ask for smooth up or down transition.
  While some instructors like to use longeing cavessons, many people do not have them. A simple snaffle bridle is sufficient. Slip a halter over the bridle and fasten the longe line to the halter ring. We like to use side reins whenever we longe riders but if the horse is comfortable working on a circle they are not always necessary. It is better not to use side reins than to use them incorrectly. Boots or bandages protect the horse's legs from accidental dings and provide tendon support when working on a circle. A riding helmet and gloves are standard safety equipment for both rider and handler.
  To help the beginning rider, we fasten a "grab strap" to the dees on the front of the saddle. The rider can hold onto the strap until they develop good balance. A rider can also use these straps to pull her seat deeper into the saddle. This opens her hips and tips her pelvis up. Crossing the stirrups of an English saddle over the pommel also creates a grab strap of sorts. Pull the buckle down 5 or 6 inches away from the safety bar before crossing the leathers to eliminate awkward lumps under the
rider's thighs.
  The longeing arena should never be less than 20 meters in diameter. Anything less is too hard on the horse's legs. Longe lessons should end before horse or rider become too tired. A half of an hour is long enough. Change direction once, spending half the time in each direction. When changing direction, the horse should stop on the circle and handler should approach it and reposition the longe before working in the second direction. A beginning or muscularly weak rider may need frequent walk breaks during a half hour lesson. With more advanced students, one way to get more out of a longe lesson is to let two students take turns as rider or handler while the instructor watches and
teaches.
  Beginning riders working on a longe should concentrate on relaxation, balance and finding the proper position in the saddle. They can first practice relaxing different groups of muscles, then relaxing all of their muscles. We do not ask beginning riders to hold their heels and toes in a riding position at first. A loose, relaxed ankle helps them move around and experiment with their position. The initial goal is to help them find a correct position with their body aligned from shoulder to hips to heels, shoulder back and open, head and neck straight, and thighs relaxed and flat against the saddle. They should not be gripping with their thighs and their lower leg should rest softly against the
horse.
  As riders progress, there are many balance exercises that can be added at the walk, then trot. Riders can dangle their legs or ride with legs held out away from the saddle. They can change their arm positions to challenge their balance – arms crossed in front, held on top of their head, stretched over their head, or held out to the sides as they twist in either direction. They can count the horses's strides out loud to help them develop a sense
of rhythm.
  Transitions from gait to gait are excellent exercises to use on the longe. As riders continue to progress, they can try to ask for up or down transitions before the handler intervenes. As their balance and muscle strength increase, they can graduate from a sitting trot to a posting trot without stirrups. The instructor/handler needs to be a good observer and choose exercises that will help individual riders work on their particular issues.