Lindsay Grice's Posts - Barnmice Equestrian Social Community2024-03-29T12:02:47ZLindsay Gricehttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/LindsayGricehttp://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2187999218?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1http://www.barnmice.com/profiles/blog/feed?user=17kaaxc70c7g0&xn_auth=no“Bad mood “?…or maybe an ulcer.tag:www.barnmice.com,2018-09-24:1773158:BlogPost:8031192018-09-24T20:02:00.000ZLindsay Gricehttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/LindsayGrice
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<p>Equine vets are filling up on the latest, smartest research this week at the British Equine Vet Congress. We all benefit , don’t we?... as new evidence trickles into our barns, it changes our treatments and traditions. It often changes our minds.</p>
<p>Here’s just one of the top seminar tweets…”Based on Dr. M. Hewetson’s ongoing study of owner-reported signs, most…</p>
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<p>Equine vets are filling up on the latest, smartest research this week at the British Equine Vet Congress. We all benefit , don’t we?... as new evidence trickles into our barns, it changes our treatments and traditions. It often changes our minds.</p>
<p>Here’s just one of the top seminar tweets…”Based on Dr. M. Hewetson’s ongoing study of owner-reported signs, most frequent clinical signs of equine glandular gastric disease are temperament changes, decreased appetite, unexpected weight loss, poor performance, and skin sensitivity.”</p>
<p>While a physical discomfort isn’t always the source of behavioural issues, it sure doesn’t hurt to consider!</p>Halt at X.tag:www.barnmice.com,2018-09-16:1773158:BlogPost:8031032018-09-16T20:00:00.000ZLindsay Gricehttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/LindsayGrice
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055525?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055525?profile=original" width="350"></img></a> <strong>Credit: Dana's Doodles</strong></p>
<p><span>Like bookends to the dressage pattern’s rhythm and brilliance, the halt is a moment to compose beforehand and reflect afterwards. This week</span> Jill Irving reflected on her FEI WEG performance regarding the challenge of the halt. She was so proud that her horse stood quietly, despite outside…</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055525?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055525?profile=original" class="align-center" width="350"/></a><strong>Credit: Dana's Doodles</strong></p>
<p><span>Like bookends to the dressage pattern’s rhythm and brilliance, the halt is a moment to compose beforehand and reflect afterwards. This week</span> Jill Irving reflected on her FEI WEG performance regarding the challenge of the halt. She was so proud that her horse stood quietly, despite outside distractions and internal adrenaline. “It’s hard when you fire them up to do other movements, then say, ‘Oh, by the way, you have to stand still.’”</p>
<p><span> Do you ever feel you’re running on adrenaline? Overwhelmed? Overscheduled? I’m becoming convinced that humans were designed to halt at X – to pause, turn off work and turn off the phone. </span></p>
<p><span>I multitasked my way through a 10 year stretch I call the <em>running on adrenaline years.</em> I felt like there were not enough hours in the day. I’d opt for a full-service gas station, efficiently using the unscheduled five minutes to make a call or write a cheque. Every time I stopped I'd start to doze off. So I tried not to stop.</span></p>
<p><span>I noted, while judging and teaching riding clinics in Israel, that everything shuts down for the Sabbath. Activities, businesses, even horse shows!</span><span> The directives from God in the Scriptures to work hard, then carve out a day to rest, reflect and recharge are still observed – religious or not. Psychologists confirm that people and families seem to thrive on a regular rhythm of work and rest.</span></p>
<p><span>Any ideas to take “mini-Sabbaths” within the week or at regular intervals through the day? Turning off tech, going for a walk, sitting down to eat, praying, opting for a <em>look in the eyes</em> conversation with a friend instead of a text.</span></p>
<p><span><em>“Do not be conformed to the standards of the world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind</em>.” From the book of Romans, the Bible.</span></p>4 Areas To Improve Horse Welfaretag:www.barnmice.com,2018-07-25:1773158:BlogPost:8024032018-07-25T12:54:50.000ZLindsay Gricehttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/LindsayGrice
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<p>What are the welfare challenges facing pleasure and competition horses? A four-year research study, led by academics at the University of Bristol’s School of Vet Sciences set to find out. I thought it was cool that experts from across the equine industry contributed to the research- vets, farriers, trainers, welfare charities, breed and competition associations. As we…</p>
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<p>What are the welfare challenges facing pleasure and competition horses? A four-year research study, led by academics at the University of Bristol’s School of Vet Sciences set to find out. I thought it was cool that experts from across the equine industry contributed to the research- vets, farriers, trainers, welfare charities, breed and competition associations. As we know, these groups are often at cross- purposes!<br/><br/></p>
<p>The priority welfare challenges and solutions identified in the study include:<br/><br/></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Unresolved stress or pain behavior:</strong> educating horse caregivers about signs of stress and pain<br/><br/></li>
<li><strong>Inappropriate nutrition:</strong> especially, overfeeding and obesity <br/><br/></li>
<li><strong>Inappropriate stabling and turnout: limited turnout, social isolation and poor grazing conditions</strong></li>
<li><strong>Delayed death:</strong> owners might keep horses alive inappropriately resulting in prolonged suffering of a horse in pain</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/horses-in-our-hands-study-university-bristol-world-horse-welfare-570536" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Horse and Hound</a> </p>
<p><a href="https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/horses-in-our-hands-study-university-bristol-world-horse-welfare-570536">https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/horses-in-our-hands-study-university-bristol-world-horse-welfare-570536</a></p>Equitation sciencetag:www.barnmice.com,2018-06-13:1773158:BlogPost:8014522018-06-13T19:00:00.000ZLindsay Gricehttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/LindsayGrice
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<p>I love this thought from Clinician, Chris Sorensen at the recent EC Convention (Can. Equestrian Team) <em>“One of the most amazing things that you learn as you train with top people around the world is that almost all of them practice basics every day. We all think that these famous riders are going to teach us magical tricks that are eluding us, but the fact of the…</em></p>
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<p>I love this thought from Clinician, Chris Sorensen at the recent EC Convention (Can. Equestrian Team) <em>“One of the most amazing things that you learn as you train with top people around the world is that almost all of them practice basics every day. We all think that these famous riders are going to teach us magical tricks that are eluding us, but the fact of the matter is that riding is a very difficult sport, but it’s not that complicated.”</em></p>
<p>Agreed! I think of riding as less like magic and more like a fascinating science. </p>
<p>If “equestrian science” can be distilled to a theory, I’m going to give it a try!</p>
<p>Love of learning + HOW to apply physical aids + understanding WHY the aids work + applying those skills skillfully and automatically = happy horse.</p>
<p> Tested in the lab of the show ring before experimenting in the show ring!</p>Jumping horses as little as possible?tag:www.barnmice.com,2018-06-06:1773158:BlogPost:8014512018-06-06T19:00:00.000ZLindsay Gricehttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/LindsayGrice
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<p>On the benefits of installing lateral “buttons “ on competitive horses, while “jumping as little as possible.”</p>
<p>“I do lots of flat work. A work a lot of poles on the ground to replicate the same kind of training that’s required for the course, but over a rail on the ground instead of having a jumping effort. It just minimizes the impact on the horse. I have a…</p>
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<p>On the benefits of installing lateral “buttons “ on competitive horses, while “jumping as little as possible.”</p>
<p>“I do lots of flat work. A work a lot of poles on the ground to replicate the same kind of training that’s required for the course, but over a rail on the ground instead of having a jumping effort. It just minimizes the impact on the horse. I have a dressage trainer who works with me full-time… [lateral movements ] make my horses really in tune with my aids. They become really responsive off the legs, and that’s useful for what we do.” U.S Olympian show jumper, Kent Farrington.</p>
<p>Jumping is fun. Fundamentals…less so. I know that makes me a “less fun” coach at times, but being on course or in a crowded warm-up ring on a distracted horse without fundamentals is about as fun as being on highway 401 without steering!</p>Riding with confident humility.tag:www.barnmice.com,2018-05-30:1773158:BlogPost:8011772018-05-30T19:00:00.000ZLindsay Gricehttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/LindsayGrice
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<p>Humility - The professional horse trainer who joins in to help set the trail course. The champion who uses his moment in the spotlight to share his own life challenges as encouragement. The clinician who includes the novice riders along with the experienced. The judge who smiles. The winning rider who claps for everyone – even when in 2<sup>nd</sup> place. The rider…</p>
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<p>Humility - The professional horse trainer who joins in to help set the trail course. The champion who uses his moment in the spotlight to share his own life challenges as encouragement. The clinician who includes the novice riders along with the experienced. The judge who smiles. The winning rider who claps for everyone – even when in 2<sup>nd</sup> place. The rider or coach who encounters a roadblock and before turning up the volume, asks – could it be ME, miscommunicating more than THEY not getting it?</p>
<p>Reminds me of a story I read about the rabbi, Jesus, the night before He’d die, stooping down to wash the feet of His student disciples. It’s a good reset for me to remember I’m here to serve my clients and meet their needs. Why did He do it? The account says it’s because He knew who He was, where He came from and where He was going.</p>
<p><span>Maybe that’s a kind of “swagger”. A quiet confidence in one’s own identity, ability and destination. Nothing to prove. Nothing to defend. Free to shine the spotlight on someone else.</span></p>The confident rider – how much is too much?tag:www.barnmice.com,2018-05-23:1773158:BlogPost:8011752018-05-23T19:12:02.000ZLindsay Gricehttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/LindsayGrice
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<p>Our prime minister set off a national conversation about showing more "swagger" as entrepreneurs in business. So as a riding coach I was thinking - what's the role for swagger in the horse world? Is riding different than in other sports? Some describe it as an expectation of success. Others, cockiness. Does an "Own the Podium" attitude, get in the way of some riding…</p>
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<p>Our prime minister set off a national conversation about showing more "swagger" as entrepreneurs in business. So as a riding coach I was thinking - what's the role for swagger in the horse world? Is riding different than in other sports? Some describe it as an expectation of success. Others, cockiness. Does an "Own the Podium" attitude, get in the way of some riding disciplines and get ribbons in another? Hmmm... I wonder about swagger's effect on human (and even horse) relationships. Maybe a happy medium between humility and smug-over-substance. What do you think?</p>Ever wonder…Why does the horse jump? For the love of it? Or simply easier to cooperate?tag:www.barnmice.com,2018-04-25:1773158:BlogPost:8014202018-04-25T22:30:00.000ZLindsay Gricehttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/LindsayGrice
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<p><span>Just thinking through what it’s like to be a horse is bound to make us better riders and appreciate our equine partners! <br></br><br></br></span></p>
<p><span>“Consider, for example, a horse and rider preparing to jump a four-foot wall. Jumping serves the rider’s interests—recognition and a ribbon! The horse, however, takes a risk by jumping, and given a choice most…</span></p>
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<p><span>Just thinking through what it’s like to be a horse is bound to make us better riders and appreciate our equine partners! <br/><br/></span></p>
<p><span>“Consider, for example, a horse and rider preparing to jump a four-foot wall. Jumping serves the rider’s interests—recognition and a ribbon! The horse, however, takes a risk by jumping, and given a choice most horses would probably take the safe route and go around. An important question is, why does the horse cooperate and jump? Does it trust that the rider will ensure his safety? Or does he jump to avoid discomfort that might result by not cooperating?” Dr. Andrew McLean</span></p>Nosebands – how tight is too tight?tag:www.barnmice.com,2018-04-18:1773158:BlogPost:8014182018-04-18T22:29:06.000ZLindsay Gricehttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/LindsayGrice
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<p>Standard equipment in English disciplines. Training equipment in western. While nosebands are designed to prevent bit evasion, in the horse business, we’re inclined to default into thinking “If a little is good, more is better! Are we masking bit evasion without asking WHY the horse might be resisting?<br></br><br></br></p>
<p>The International Society of Equitation Science…</p>
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<p>Standard equipment in English disciplines. Training equipment in western. While nosebands are designed to prevent bit evasion, in the horse business, we’re inclined to default into thinking “If a little is good, more is better! Are we masking bit evasion without asking WHY the horse might be resisting?<br/><br/></p>
<p>The International Society of Equitation Science responded to the dilemma of cranking nosebands in equine sport with a study and by designing a noseband gauge for competition ring stewards:<br/><br/></p>
<p>“Some equestrian manuals and competition rule books propose that ‘two fingers’ be used as a spacer to guard against over-tightening, but fail to specify where they should be applied or, indeed, the size of the fingers.” <br/><br/></p>
<p>“When this device was used to check noseband tightness on 737 horses at a variety of national and international dressage and eventing competitions, 44% of nosebands were found to be too close to the horse’s face to accommodate the tip of the taper gauge under the noseband. By extrapolation, this revealed that we are routinely preventing swallowing, chewing, yawning and licking in the name of sport.” I.S.E.S.</p>Do horses sense fear?tag:www.barnmice.com,2018-04-12:1773158:BlogPost:8012392018-04-12T00:40:04.000ZLindsay Gricehttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/LindsayGrice
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<p>Have you ever been unsettled by your classmate’s handwringing before an exam? Or the patient before you holding their jaw as they emerge from the dentist’s room?</p>
<p>Its not that you sense or smell fear. You’re reading their body language….and catching it like an infection.</p>
<p>Riders often tell me that their horse senses they’re nervous. I ask them if they…</p>
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<p>Have you ever been unsettled by your classmate’s handwringing before an exam? Or the patient before you holding their jaw as they emerge from the dentist’s room?</p>
<p>Its not that you sense or smell fear. You’re reading their body language….and catching it like an infection.</p>
<p>Riders often tell me that their horse senses they’re nervous. I ask them if they think their nervousness changes the way they ride and move around the horse.</p>
<p><em>“Do our horses appear to act up because they’re nervous and anxious when we are? Or is it, rather, because when we’re nervous, our muscles get tenser and our aids become completely different from what the horse is used to? To me that makes more logical sense.”</em> Dr. Katrina Merkies, PhD, associate professor and equine program coordinator, University of Guelph</p>
<p>Merkies says this bond is based mostly on correctly applied learning theory—the science of how horses learn. When we’ve trained them in a way that’s consistent and clear and gives the horse a sense of being able to control his environment by knowing how to respond to cues, we can develop a strong lifelong relationship with that horse.</p>Brakestag:www.barnmice.com,2018-03-19:1773158:BlogPost:8007762018-03-19T20:00:00.000ZLindsay Gricehttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/LindsayGrice
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<p>Reliable brakes – not just for reiners! Anyone ever been thankful for a horse who had a braking safety feature installed? An accident averted, an equitation class won, an opportunity to re-group before things got “out of hand”?</p>
<p>I’ve been thankful for horses that know “whoa” before they steps on the reins, unseat a novice, or bump into another horse in the warm…</p>
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<p>Reliable brakes – not just for reiners! Anyone ever been thankful for a horse who had a braking safety feature installed? An accident averted, an equitation class won, an opportunity to re-group before things got “out of hand”?</p>
<p>I’ve been thankful for horses that know “whoa” before they steps on the reins, unseat a novice, or bump into another horse in the warm up ring. A nifty tool in training when a horse’s tension’s rising, and BEFORE he hits flight mode!</p>
<p>On another note, who doesn’t wish we’d put the brakes on our tongues from time to time!</p>
<p><em>Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we could also control ourselves in every other way. We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. <span>…</span> in the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes great boasts.</em> Book of James, the Bible</p>The horse’s flight response. Practice makes perfect.tag:www.barnmice.com,2018-03-12:1773158:BlogPost:8009872018-03-12T20:00:00.000ZLindsay Gricehttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/LindsayGrice
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<p>Flight response is a prey animal’s instinct to flee from perceived danger.<br></br><br></br></p>
<p>Dr Andrew Mclean says “A structure deep inside the brain called the amygdala, sorts out stimuli as to whether they are fearful or not. Fearful stimuli receive special recognition by the brain in terms of remembering - unlike other information, once learned, fearful responses…</p>
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<p>Flight response is a prey animal’s instinct to flee from perceived danger.<br/><br/></p>
<p>Dr Andrew Mclean says “A structure deep inside the brain called the amygdala, sorts out stimuli as to whether they are fearful or not. Fearful stimuli receive special recognition by the brain in terms of remembering - unlike other information, once learned, fearful responses <em>are not forgotten</em>. You can layer new responses on top, so they become less easily retrieved, but fearful responses need careful training to keep the lid on them.”<br/><br/></p>
<p>A horse doesn’t get a 2<sup>nd</sup> chance in nature to make a judgment error – when a threat is perceived he flees to a safe distance and checks things out from there. Thus, while most skills are learned by trial and error, it only takes one trial for him to learn something through fear.<br/><br/></p>
<p>The flight response shows up in various ways. Bucking, shying, tension, running, hurrying, jigging, rushing,”.<br/><br/></p>
<p>Mild to maximum expressions, flight is self-generating -the faster a horse’s legs, go, the more worked up he becomes. That’s why, when afraid, a horse will run right into a fence!<br/><br/></p>
<p>So…it makes you think about the idea of letting a horse “get it out of his system” on a lunge line or chase him in a round pen until he focusses on the handler. If practice makes perfect, what does practicing a fearful situation do?<br/><br/></p>
<p>On a human level, what about rehearsing our fears and fretting over problems? Does running in a circle get it out of your system or make your worry more? <br/><br/></p>
<p><em>Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?</em> Jesus Christ</p>Horses and Fencestag:www.barnmice.com,2018-03-11:1773158:BlogPost:8010602018-03-11T20:11:40.000ZLindsay Gricehttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/LindsayGrice
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<p><em>Don’t give up what you want most for what you want right now.<br></br><br></br></em></p>
<p>I had the privilege of speaking to a student group last night- Life Lessons Learned from Horses. From the city, on outdoor education at a local retreat centre, everyone had experienced their first “horse encounter”.<br></br><br></br></p>
<p>Horses are hard on fences, I told them. They bend…</p>
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<p><em>Don’t give up what you want most for what you want right now.<br/><br/></em></p>
<p>I had the privilege of speaking to a student group last night- Life Lessons Learned from Horses. From the city, on outdoor education at a local retreat centre, everyone had experienced their first “horse encounter”.<br/><br/></p>
<p>Horses are hard on fences, I told them. They bend them, break them – maybe the grass is greener on the other side…. Every horse person has nursed their share of “fence injuries”! <br/><br/></p>
<p>Kind of like us - when we push the limits, find a loophole, cross the line or take a short- cut, what we think will liberate us might only get us caught up. Or short- cut our goals.</p>Horse learning: Licking and chewing-takin’ it with a grain of salttag:www.barnmice.com,2018-02-14:1773158:BlogPost:8007422018-02-14T11:55:54.000ZLindsay Gricehttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/LindsayGrice
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203068204?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203068204?profile=original" width="320"></img></a></p>
<p><span>Is it an <em>AHA</em> moment in a horse’s understanding? A sign of submission or a sigh of relief?</span></p>
<p><span>Always one to ask questions, I think a little differently about the licking and chewing thing than I did in earlier years training horses. We recognize this mouth behaviour in a horse after stopping to take a break in an intense training…</span></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203068204?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203068204?profile=original" class="align-center" width="320"/></a></p>
<p><span>Is it an <em>AHA</em> moment in a horse’s understanding? A sign of submission or a sigh of relief?</span></p>
<p><span>Always one to ask questions, I think a little differently about the licking and chewing thing than I did in earlier years training horses. We recognize this mouth behaviour in a horse after stopping to take a break in an intense training interaction. It’s like that moment of relief you get when that police car, approaching in your rear view mirror, with sirens blaring, zips by without pulling you over. You swallow and take a deep breath!</span></p>
<p>Dr. Sue McDonnell <span>explains. <em>When an animal or a person is threatened or acutely stressed, the nervous system switches into alert or fight or flight mode with the sympathetic nervous system. Pain, fear, or confusion can all turn on the sympathetic system.</em></span> <em>Whether scared or confused or excited from the running around or the trailer loading, the horse is in sympathetic mode. A break in the pressure often allows the horse to return to parasympathetic, as that occurs you see the licking and chewing response…. <span>in horses I tend to think of this as simple neurochemically mediated responses that do not necessarily reflect any thought processes.</span></em> Dr. Sue McDonnell is head of the equine behavior program at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine</p>
<p><span>So what do you do in moment of relief? “Thank you Lord!” is my default. Do I learn from the stress? Hopefully. But I’m not a prey animal. We know that horses can’t really learn when they’re in flight mode or stressed.</span></p>
<p><span>I’ve learned over the years that horse training actually goes faster when a horse’s mind and legs are thinking slower.</span></p>De-stress horse handling procedures.tag:www.barnmice.com,2018-02-06:1773158:BlogPost:8008102018-02-06T23:21:03.000ZLindsay Gricehttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/LindsayGrice
<p>Applying science-based learning principles for any horse training scenario, Dr. Sue McDonnell suggests how to de-stress 5 common stressful vet treatment procedures. It's common for equestrians to unintentionally train avoidance responses using pressure and release in the wrong timing. “We put pressure, the horses react, we back off because we have to because they're big or we weren't prepared, and the horse almost immediately gets into an avoidance cycle,” she said. “Recognize when something…</p>
<p>Applying science-based learning principles for any horse training scenario, Dr. Sue McDonnell suggests how to de-stress 5 common stressful vet treatment procedures. It's common for equestrians to unintentionally train avoidance responses using pressure and release in the wrong timing. “We put pressure, the horses react, we back off because we have to because they're big or we weren't prepared, and the horse almost immediately gets into an avoidance cycle,” she said. “Recognize when something is not working, and change your approach before the horse becomes conditioned to avoid."</p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.thehorse.com/articles/39001/fixing-treatment-aversion-in-horses" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Article Link - De-stress horse handling procedures</a></p>New Year, new horse show rules.tag:www.barnmice.com,2018-01-08:1773158:BlogPost:8006182018-01-08T21:17:24.000ZLindsay Gricehttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/LindsayGrice
<p></p>
<p>It’s human to look for a fresh start every January, isn’t it?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>New habits and attitudes to replace or tweak the old ways.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>And because it’s our human nature to find a loophole, horse show committees roll out new or tweaked rules to close them!</p>
<p> Judges and stewards reset our inner scoring systems. Competitors tweak tack and even training techniques.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>What’s new from EC?</p>
<p>No ear phones or earbuds in the show ring. And only one…</p>
<p></p>
<p>It’s human to look for a fresh start every January, isn’t it?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>New habits and attitudes to replace or tweak the old ways.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>And because it’s our human nature to find a loophole, horse show committees roll out new or tweaked rules to close them!</p>
<p> Judges and stewards reset our inner scoring systems. Competitors tweak tack and even training techniques.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>What’s new from EC?</p>
<p>No ear phones or earbuds in the show ring. And only one bud in the practice ring.</p>
<p>In equitation, black (or other) stirrup irons are again allowed, but silver ones are “recommended”.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>What’s new from AQHA?</p>
<p>Knockdowns in equitation over fences will carry a 4 point penalty – in other words, it’s not necessarily a “game over” issue, unless it’s clearly the fault of the rider.</p>
<p>Any “rein detangling” done in western events can be penalty free as long as the adjusting hand stays behind the rein hand – ie. no attempting to alter rein tension or cue with the free hand.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Ranch horses will earn a 10 point penalty for “unnatural ranch horse appearance”.( eg. an obvious, unnatural tail carriage).</p>Riding bareback: when natural is not necessarily better.tag:www.barnmice.com,2017-11-25:1773158:BlogPost:7984382017-11-25T15:45:56.000ZLindsay Gricehttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/LindsayGrice
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055517?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055517?profile=original" width="350"></img></a></p>
<p>That bareback beach riding bucket list experience - a tender moment for the rider, yet perhaps differently “tender” for the horse.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">In several recent studies researchers have confirmed the benefits of pressure -distribution thanks to saddle trees, making them a better option than some treeless saddles or riding bareback…For example,…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055517?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055517?profile=original" class="align-center" width="350"/></a></p>
<p>That bareback beach riding bucket list experience - a tender moment for the rider, yet perhaps differently “tender” for the horse.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">In several recent studies researchers have confirmed the benefits of pressure -distribution thanks to saddle trees, making them a better option than some treeless saddles or riding bareback…For example, peak forces at the trot are twice a rider’s weight, and they increase to 2 ½ or three times the rider’s weight at the canter. </p>
<p>“It might seem more “natural” to ride without a saddle”, says professor and researcher, Dr. Hilary Clayton, “but unless you’re particularly light and fit (and skilled) enough to distribute your own weight evenly across your seat and thigh muscles, your horse is probably better off with a well-fitting saddle between you and him.” </p>
<p>The Horse.com Dec. 2016</p>Am I allowed to use a bitless bridle?tag:www.barnmice.com,2017-11-17:1773158:BlogPost:7984062017-11-17T19:30:00.000ZLindsay Gricehttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/LindsayGrice
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055345?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055345?profile=original" width="213"></img></a></p>
<p> I'm asked this question at a few open shows per season. Currently most rule books do not permit bitless bridle.</p>
<p>At the Global Dressage Forum. Dr. Andrew McLean one of the panel experts “How you train the bitless bridle depends on the hands at the other end. I think you can have the horse light in anything.… It’s how you train it.”</p>
<p>When asked if a…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055345?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055345?profile=original" class="align-center" width="213"/></a></p>
<p> I'm asked this question at a few open shows per season. Currently most rule books do not permit bitless bridle.</p>
<p>At the Global Dressage Forum. Dr. Andrew McLean one of the panel experts “How you train the bitless bridle depends on the hands at the other end. I think you can have the horse light in anything.… It’s how you train it.”</p>
<p>When asked if a bitless bridle is kinder and more friendly to the horse, Dr. Hilary Clayton (one of the most respected researchers in equine mechanics and behaviour) replied, “I approach it scientifically. There is pressure on the nose. (With research technology) we looked at the cross-under bitless bridle and discovered there is twice as much pressure with this noseband, on a localized area. So padding the nosebands in that area is necessary. We need to look at more different types of bridles, but they are not totally benign either. It’s a matter of evaluating the horse. Don’t just assume you take the bit away and it’s more friendly.”</p>Ready for the show – bitless or not!tag:www.barnmice.com,2017-11-10:1773158:BlogPost:7985052017-11-10T19:30:00.000ZLindsay Gricehttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/LindsayGrice
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203060995?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203060995?profile=original" width="320"></img></a></p>
<p>I applaud Melanie Ferrio-Wise not so much for going bridleless at the Washington Horse show, but for the systematic process she took to get there.</p>
<p>As a riding a teacher, I’m excited about process– understanding and enjoying the journey, not just the results. Teaching skills and cues to your horse, layering them to produce the manoeuvres you’ll need and then…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203060995?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203060995?profile=original" class="align-center" width="320"/></a></p>
<p>I applaud Melanie Ferrio-Wise not so much for going bridleless at the Washington Horse show, but for the systematic process she took to get there.</p>
<p>As a riding a teacher, I’m excited about process– understanding and enjoying the journey, not just the results. Teaching skills and cues to your horse, layering them to produce the manoeuvres you’ll need and then testing them in another environment.</p>
<p>Melanie built trust in her horse. Not at Disney movie follow-your-dreams feeling, but by systematically installing the cues she’d need. She taught her horse the neck rope signal, tweaked it at home and tested it off property – riding outdoors and at local shows. Then show went to the Big City!</p>Bridless Jumper classtag:www.barnmice.com,2017-11-03:1773158:BlogPost:7985032017-11-03T18:30:29.000ZLindsay Gricehttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/LindsayGrice
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055628?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055628?profile=original" width="181"></img></a></p>
<p>Even with one refusal and two rails, which dropped them to 24th in the placings, Melanie Ferrio-Wise was delighted with her performance at the Washington International. She rode the course with a neck rope instead of a bridle!</p>
<p>She describes her horse as a tough horse unable to handle the stress of his previous life in competitive dressage. “He doesn’t like…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055628?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055628?profile=original" class="align-center" width="181"/></a></p>
<p>Even with one refusal and two rails, which dropped them to 24th in the placings, Melanie Ferrio-Wise was delighted with her performance at the Washington International. She rode the course with a neck rope instead of a bridle!</p>
<p>She describes her horse as a tough horse unable to handle the stress of his previous life in competitive dressage. “He doesn’t like when I put a bridle on and micromanage him. Learning that made me be a better rider for him.”</p>
<p>There is no rule that says jumpers must be wearing a full bridle, and options like hackamores and bitless bridles are accepted. Melanie had shown at smaller local venues without a bridle and said the decision to let an exhibitor show comes down to safety. “The first time I showed bridleless I asked permission to ride without a bridle, and the steward there said there’s no rule that says you have to have a bridle,” she said. “But if the stewards feel it’s dangerous then it’s time to be done. I never felt dangerous out there.”</p>
<p>So what do you think? Is there a bigger story than an “anti-bit “ story? As I see it, Melanie simply chose a “communication system” that worked best for <i>her</i> horse.</p>
<p>I think I’ll write next about how much I admire the system Melanie privately shaped in her horse – so that she could trust him so publicly!</p>Cowboy Up!tag:www.barnmice.com,2017-10-25:1773158:BlogPost:7978082017-10-25T13:00:00.000ZLindsay Gricehttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/LindsayGrice
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055704?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055704?profile=original" width="240"></img></a></p>
<p>Oops! I ironed a hole right through my dress pants for the second day of judging in Israel. And my pants from the previous day had a small rip beginning. No needle and thread…maybe duct tape? Prayed for the seam to hold as I crawled through fences…gingerly!</p>
<p>I had to take my own advice-when things go wrong in the show ring, never mind and carry…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055704?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055704?profile=original" class="align-center" width="240"/></a></p>
<p>Oops! I ironed a hole right through my dress pants for the second day of judging in Israel. And my pants from the previous day had a small rip beginning. No needle and thread…maybe duct tape? Prayed for the seam to hold as I crawled through fences…gingerly!</p>
<p>I had to take my own advice-when things go wrong in the show ring, never mind and carry on! </p>
<p>Anyone else with a horse show “Cowboy up” story?</p>Three days teaching riding clinics and workshops after the horse show in Israel.tag:www.barnmice.com,2017-10-23:1773158:BlogPost:7978072017-10-23T13:00:00.000ZLindsay Gricehttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/LindsayGrice
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203067484?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203067484?profile=original" width="350"></img></a></p>
<p> I LOVED coaching this group of older teens, each hoping to earn a place on the Israeli AQHA youth world cup team. The following year each will head to compulsory military service, before pursuing any post-secondary education. </p>
<p>This must be what contributes to their strong work ethic and…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203067484?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203067484?profile=original" class="align-center" width="350"/></a></p>
<p> I LOVED coaching this group of older teens, each hoping to earn a place on the Israeli AQHA youth world cup team. The following year each will head to compulsory military service, before pursuing any post-secondary education. </p>
<p>This must be what contributes to their strong work ethic and resilience...</p>Horse shows then and now-amazing!tag:www.barnmice.com,2017-10-21:1773158:BlogPost:7981082017-10-21T13:00:00.000ZLindsay Gricehttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/LindsayGrice
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055784?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055784?profile=original" width="350"></img></a></p>
<p>Before my judging assignment in Israel begins, I’m standing in King Herods’s 1<sup>st</sup> century “Hippodrome”-the site of ancient horse shows and chariot races Herod built at the time of Jesus Christ-part of his summer palace in Caesarea.</p>
<p>It hit me – Tomorrow, I’ll be standing in a 21<sup>st</sup> century…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055784?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055784?profile=original" class="align-center" width="350"/></a></p>
<p>Before my judging assignment in Israel begins, I’m standing in King Herods’s 1<sup>st</sup> century “Hippodrome”-the site of ancient horse shows and chariot races Herod built at the time of Jesus Christ-part of his summer palace in Caesarea.</p>
<p>It hit me – Tomorrow, I’ll be standing in a 21<sup>st</sup> century Hippodrome!</p>A return trip to judge a show in Israel!tag:www.barnmice.com,2017-10-19:1773158:BlogPost:7981052017-10-19T13:15:32.000ZLindsay Gricehttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/LindsayGrice
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203067479?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203067479?profile=original" width="350"></img></a></p>
<p>My judging colleague is from Italy. My ring steward (and wonderful interpreter), Israeli.</p>
<p>Striking, as a “reserved” Canadian, Middle Eastern shows are more… dramatic! Enthusiastic applause for <i>every</i> class, down to the final one at 9:00 PM. </p>
<p>Passionate viewpoints are expressed at the show office, over the walkie talkie and from the sidelines are…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203067479?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203067479?profile=original" class="align-center" width="350"/></a></p>
<p>My judging colleague is from Italy. My ring steward (and wonderful interpreter), Israeli.</p>
<p>Striking, as a “reserved” Canadian, Middle Eastern shows are more… dramatic! Enthusiastic applause for <i>every</i> class, down to the final one at 9:00 PM. </p>
<p>Passionate viewpoints are expressed at the show office, over the walkie talkie and from the sidelines are colorful –amped up with volume and hand gestures. No matter the geography – there’s possibly more competition that goes on outside the ring than inside- what do you think?</p>
<p>It’s a judging survival skill to tune out distractions, drama at any show. Not speaking Hebrew can have it’s advantages</p>A good case for saddle time vs. screen time!tag:www.barnmice.com,2017-09-28:1773158:BlogPost:7976412017-09-28T21:32:37.000ZLindsay Gricehttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/LindsayGrice
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055788?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055788?profile=original" width="325"></img></a></p>
<p>"Mr Smith, I think for the sake of your daughter's well-being, you should invest in a horse..."<br></br><br></br></p>
<p>Reading an article about the effects smartphones and social media have on us, I‘d say the science is confirming that uneasiness many of us have our ever-present screens. "There's compelling evidence that the devices we've placed in young peoples' hands…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055788?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055788?profile=original" class="align-center" width="325"/></a></p>
<p>"Mr Smith, I think for the sake of your daughter's well-being, you should invest in a horse..."<br/><br/></p>
<p>Reading an article about the effects smartphones and social media have on us, I‘d say the science is confirming that uneasiness many of us have our ever-present screens. "There's compelling evidence that the devices we've placed in young peoples' hands are having a profound effect on their lives - and making them seriously unhappy." (Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?" Dr Jean Twenge. The Atlantic.)<br/><br/></p>
<p>Study after study finds that the more time and teens spend looking at screens the more likely they are to report symptoms of depression and anxiety. Teens who spend the most time in off-screen activities, especially with friends (the real, face-to face kind), report being the most happy. So, young riders, get to the barn! (and afterwards, sit on bale and yak with the other boarders.)<br/><br/></p>
<p>"In the next decade we may see adults who know just the right emoji for a situation but not the right facial expression".</p>Coaching riders and… buying watermelons??tag:www.barnmice.com,2017-09-14:1773158:BlogPost:7973082017-09-14T00:14:28.000ZLindsay Gricehttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/LindsayGrice
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055744?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055744?profile=original" width="315"></img></a></p>
<p class="p1">Had a little chuckle in the produce section yesterday J</p>
<p class="p1">Hmmm…the process of choosing just the right melon includes the 3 things I consider in choosing just the right solution to offer a horse and rider!</p>
<p class="p1">LOOK- We scan the melons comparing one to another - any flaws? I scan horse and rider-looking for resistance, tension,…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055744?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055744?profile=original" class="align-center" width="315"/></a></p>
<p class="p1">Had a little chuckle in the produce section yesterday J</p>
<p class="p1">Hmmm…the process of choosing just the right melon includes the 3 things I consider in choosing just the right solution to offer a horse and rider!</p>
<p class="p1">LOOK- We scan the melons comparing one to another - any flaws? I scan horse and rider-looking for resistance, tension, conflicting aids </p>
<p class="p1">LISTEN I'm not sure what tapping the Melon is supposed to do but I do it anyway!</p>
<p class="p1">I've learned to listen to my riders more than I did as a younger coach. Does the point of the exercise make sense to you?? Describe what you're feeling-any frustration? Physical limitations or even pain? What are your long term and immediate goals?</p>
<p class="p1">FEEL- I feel the weight of the melon, picking it up. Checking for soft spots</p>
<p class="p1">“May I get on your horse?” Actually feeling the horse may lead to an AHA moment. Resistances, oversensitivity, subtle evasions, an unbalanced or uncomfortable saddle.</p>
<p class="p1">Look, listen, feel. Good coaching wisdom.</p>
<p class="p1"> <i>Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. The Bible (James, chapter 1)</i></p>Tack Traditionstag:www.barnmice.com,2017-08-17:1773158:BlogPost:7967892017-08-17T13:45:03.000ZLindsay Gricehttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/LindsayGrice
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055386?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055386?profile=original" width="282"></img></a></p>
<p>Jim Wofford wrote an insightful piece a while ago in Practical Horseman on the “mindless application of equipment, regardless of whether it is suitable for <i>this</i> horse at <i>this</i> stage of training.”<br></br><br></br></p>
<p>What do you think?<br></br><br></br></p>
<p>He said, “Nosebands are one of my many irritants when coaching. Almost every horse I see [dressage,…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055386?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055386?profile=original" class="align-center" width="282"/></a></p>
<p>Jim Wofford wrote an insightful piece a while ago in Practical Horseman on the “mindless application of equipment, regardless of whether it is suitable for <i>this</i> horse at <i>this</i> stage of training.”<br/><br/></p>
<p>What do you think?<br/><br/></p>
<p>He said, “Nosebands are one of my many irritants when coaching. Almost every horse I see [dressage, eventing] is wearing a flash noseband. And they are inherently ill-fitting. These nosebands can interfere with the horse’s normal swallowing mechanism, producing the very resistance they are intended to cure. Yet when I ask riders whether they have tried other nosebands or even no noseband, they look at me as if I had just stepped down off the ramp of the mother ship.”<br/><br/></p>
<p>I agree with Jim, and routinely ask the riders I teach why they’ve chosen certain tack or training aids. Often there’s a well-reasoned response. Other times a shrug -everyone tacks up their horse this way so it must be correct … sigh.<br/><br/></p>
<p>(Jim Woffard is a 3 time U.S. Olympian and World Champion eventer.)</p>Whales, horses, clicker trainingtag:www.barnmice.com,2017-08-11:1773158:BlogPost:7965682017-08-11T23:04:47.000ZLindsay Gricehttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/LindsayGrice
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055222?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055222?profile=original" width="320"></img></a></p>
<p class="p15">On a Nova Scotia horse judging trip, how cool to detour for some whale watching with my son and his friend!</p>
<p class="p15">As horse gals we pondered what it would be like to ride 'em!<br></br><br></br></p>
<p class="p15">We could almost touch them-hmmm...could they have been trained to come so close??…<br></br><br></br></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055222?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055222?profile=original" class="align-center" width="320"/></a></p>
<p class="p15">On a Nova Scotia horse judging trip, how cool to detour for some whale watching with my son and his friend!</p>
<p class="p15">As horse gals we pondered what it would be like to ride 'em!<br/><br/></p>
<p class="p15">We could almost touch them-hmmm...could they have been trained to come so close??<br/><br/></p>
<p class="p15">Clicker training has long been used for marine mammals and other animals trained at a distance. And more recently, with horses, especially in liberty work,like Cavalia.</p>
<p class="p0">The clicker (marine trainers use a whistle) is a "conditioned reinforcer" (the horse has to be taught to understand it) and used to precisely mark the desired behaviour. Whereas treat delivery can be a little slow to link " that's it!" to a horse's s response, clickers are - quicker! And in my opinion, feeding treats to horses opens up a can of worms. </p>
<p class="p0">Which, come to think of it would been a tasty treat for the whale :)<br/><br/></p>Confusing horse training jargon…tag:www.barnmice.com,2017-07-31:1773158:BlogPost:7966132017-07-31T14:30:00.000ZLindsay Gricehttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/LindsayGrice
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055249?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055249?profile=original" width="300"></img></a></p>
<p>Mystical, humorous or deliberately elusive – the terms we use in the horse business can leave a rider scratching her head. I was a coach’s worst nightmare - “What do you mean by that?” I’d ask . I rarely got a meaningful answer.</p>
<p>When coaching ,I’ll often press a rider to explain a term they’ve used. If they struggle to put it into words, we’ll unpack the idea…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055249?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055249?profile=original" class="align-center" width="300"/></a></p>
<p>Mystical, humorous or deliberately elusive – the terms we use in the horse business can leave a rider scratching her head. I was a coach’s worst nightmare - “What do you mean by that?” I’d ask . I rarely got a meaningful answer.</p>
<p>When coaching ,I’ll often press a rider to explain a term they’ve used. If they struggle to put it into words, we’ll unpack the idea and isolate the aids step-by-step. </p>
<p><i>“Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.”</i> Einstein.</p>
<p>Training a non- English speaking horse partner is complicated enough without including vague terms which a prompt riders to give vague signals and horses to be stressed out. I get a kick out of those light bulb moments – my student grasps the “phonics” of a certain skill and gets results on her own.</p>
<p>So why do we do it? Why do we horse professionals have these weird terms? What are your thoughts?</p>
<p>Here are some of my ideas:</p>
<ul>
<li>Unique terms define my personal brand</li>
<li>A little mystery makes my clients more dependent on me</li>
<li>I know how to do it, but struggle to explain it</li>
<li>Some horse trainer lingo is just – funny!</li>
</ul>
<p>So here’s some of the top terms I’m often unscrambling:</p>
<p>Pick up his shoulder. Dropping his shoulder. Drive him into the bridle. Disengage his hip. Engage his hind end. Ride him in front of your leg. And the ever elusive half- halt.</p>
<p>What are your befuddling horse training terms?</p>A unique “Horse Show Checklist”!tag:www.barnmice.com,2017-07-29:1773158:BlogPost:7967162017-07-29T14:35:15.000ZLindsay Gricehttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/LindsayGrice
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055382?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055382?profile=original" width="512"></img></a></p>
<p>Heading off to a show this weekend?.</p>
<p>(condensed from hunter judge, Laura Kelland ‘s May17 blog)</p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>DON’T go to the show if:</b></p>
<ul>
<li> you aren’t getting excellent rides at home, …<span style="color: #000000;"><a href="http://www.hunterjudgecanada.com/want-to-show/" target="_blank"></a></span></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055382?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203055382?profile=original" class="align-center" width="512"/></a></p>
<p>Heading off to a show this weekend?.</p>
<p>(condensed from hunter judge, Laura Kelland ‘s May17 blog)</p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>DON’T go to the show if:</b></p>
<ul>
<li> you aren’t getting excellent rides at home, <span style="color: #000000;"><a href="http://www.hunterjudgecanada.com/want-to-show/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #000000;">mentally</span></a></span> and physically, both you and your horse.</li>
<li> you haven’t taken your horse off-property in many months (go somewhere lower-key first).</li>
<li> you haven’t <span style="color: #000000;"><a href="http://www.hunterjudgecanada.com/be-prepared/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #000000;">done your “homework”: </span></a></span>both you and your horse are fit, and riding AT LEAST one level (regardless of discipline of riding) higher than what you will be doing at the show.</li>
<li> you are <span style="color: #000000;"><a href="http://www.thistleridgestables.com/hello-world/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #000000;">struggling </span></a></span>with a component that you will need at the show.</li>
<li> you absolutely HAVE TO take home the winning ribbon/prize/championship (well, ok, unless you are there to win thousands of dollars or the Olympics).</li>
<li> you are unprepared in terms of tack/supplies</li>
</ul>