All Blog Posts Tagged 'training' (233)

breaking a horse from cowkicking

Hi! i have a 3yr old 4 in april qh mare who cowkicks when you brush her sides and her butt. What can i do to get her to let me brush her whole body and her be fine with it? This is my first green horse. I have had horses for a few years but they all have been older horses so any help would be greatly appreciated

Added by Jessica Parker on January 30, 2010 at 7:34pm — 1 Comment

My favorite horse training tool... the fence.

You might be thinking how can a fence be used to train a horse; simple the fence or arena wall acts as a barrier and helps direct or change the direction of a horses feet when worked in combination with your riding cues. Let me explain how it can work.

Say you are working on your horses stop but he seems to be walking out of it, ride him straight towards the fence as you approach the fence or wall apply your cues for the whoa, the closer you get to the fence the more likely… Continue

Added by Steve Wawryk on January 28, 2010 at 3:20pm — 1 Comment

Fast is Not Better: Is there Only One Right Way to Train a Horse?

We need to change the concept that there is only one right way to approach a horse and that the “right way” has already been discovered, and that the horse and human must cater to it, and that the best method is the fastest method. Fast is not better. Relationship is about time spent in connection. We need to recognize that better horsemanship is achieved through being continually educated by the horse; by adjusting our leadership to create a true working bond.

By… Continue

Added by Carolyn Resnick on January 27, 2010 at 10:00am — 4 Comments

Lead the Way

We often get caught thinking our training begins once we have our horse saddled and ready to be ridden. It’s as if we are unconscious or robotic while we perform the repetitious tasks associated with this preparation. If you are trapped in this scenario, you are missing out on a lot of valuable training time. We should remember that as soon as we are within sight of our horse, the training process begins. Does your horse turn to face you as you approach? Does he try to ignore you thinking if he… Continue

Added by Wendy on January 23, 2010 at 2:41pm — 1 Comment

Teaching a horse to ground tie.

I'm of the opinion one of the best things you can do for you and your horse is to teach them to ground tie. Two reasons I like to teach horses to ground tie is for convenience and safety. We have all been there, we are up on our horses and realize we dropped something or we forgot something in the barn or trailer. It may be you need to tend to another rider or adjust someone’s tack, whatever the situation it may require two hands and be in a location where there isn't enough room or be safe to… Continue

Added by Steve Wawryk on January 22, 2010 at 12:46pm — 4 Comments

Supple, Balanced Seat + Dissipation of Force

The rider, to ride well must be supple; the body must be filled with shock absorbers at every joint to allow the movement of the horse to go through the legs and up the rider's spine without getting stopped anywhere. For the dressage or western rider the ankles, hips and shoulders must be relaxed, moveable, and independent of the movement of the torso.

This… Continue

Added by Sit_the_Trot on January 14, 2010 at 10:00am — 2 Comments

Building That Vital Connection with Your Horse, part 2

In my previous blog post, we looked at how the interactions wild horses use within a herd to maintain harmony and unity can also be used by us humans to help develop a horse’s character in the same way.

Now let’s look at the different personality types within the society of wild horses and how that applies to our relationship with horses and what we can learn.

In nature, the spectrum of the equine personality goes from “submissive” to “dominant” but at the top… Continue

Added by Carolyn Resnick on January 13, 2010 at 7:00am — 1 Comment

Horses, Lyons and Me

This is a very new adventure for me…….blogging. I never was much good at keeping a diary or even a weather journal. But maybe when there is a horse involved, I might do better. We’ll see how this goes.

I should start by introducing myself. You can call me Wendy but I’m also known around the barn as “CR” which stands for cockroach and that’s a long story. I might share it some day. I’ve been an avid horse person for 45+ years. Am I dating myself? I have Appaloosa horses……..whoa, wait a… Continue

Added by Wendy on January 12, 2010 at 7:34pm — 4 Comments

The "ahaa" moment for me and Jack

So I've been working with this Quarter Horse gelding that came into the Western Riding school where I work a couple of months ago. He's a nice horse just hasn't had any real training. So for the last sixty days we have been working a lot on flexion, bend, moving forward, moving off my leg, just getting him more broke in the face etc.

So I just had to share this because… Continue

Added by Heather Little on January 10, 2010 at 9:00am — 3 Comments

Lazy Horse? Behind the Leg? or Tense Rider?

Often people who come to my clinics complain that their horse is lazy. They say things like: "He doesn't want to go," or "Even my trainer has problems getting my horse to go."

I say, really? your healthy, vibrant 5 year old is lazy? Your prime-of-life, athletic 10 year old is lazy? Really? Does he just stand around out in the pasture?

"Well, no..."

Hmmm, Let's see what's going on, I'll say.

I watch as they ride and yes, the horse seems sluggish, making little effort to… Continue

Added by Sit_the_Trot on January 10, 2010 at 7:00am — 3 Comments

Building That Vital Connection with Your Horse

As a student of equine communication and behavior, I believe there is a vital ingredient missing in today’s equestrian world. I think that the foundation of any relationship with a horse not based on a deep connection can, and indeed does, lead to problems. To add this vital ingredient, I recommend that before you even start to train a horse with traditional methods, you take the time to bond with him and shape his character and attitude to fit in harmony with you. My focus is on… Continue

Added by Carolyn Resnick on January 7, 2010 at 11:30am — 1 Comment

Looking Back...Moving Forward

While it may be cliché, somehow I can't imagine any more appropriate post on New Year's Day. As I sit here, watching the Tournament of Roses Parade (and pausing the DVR frequently to admire the equestrian units), I can't help but look back at 2009 and everything I've gone through with Samba, and build upon my plans for us in 2010.

Samba became mine in February, a few months shy of her fourth birthday. Although all horses "turn" a year older on January 1st, I just can't bring myself… Continue

Added by saddlebroke on January 1, 2010 at 1:30pm — 2 Comments

Once You Arrive At The Show You'll Need...

If you’re thinking 2010 might be the year to go to a recognized USDF/USEF dressage show, then here’s what you need to have.

I’ve made a list for you of what you’ll need for documentation

once you arrive at the competition grounds.

Just filling out the entries before the show can feel like you’re

Submitting government documents with the paper trail being long and… Continue

Added by Colette Sossaman on December 30, 2009 at 1:00pm — 1 Comment

Ride Fit 1-2-3: Making Sure Your Barn Chores Aren't Causing You Postural Problems in the Saddle

Hello and Happy New Year!

I had a great question recently posted to my page about the effect of barn chores on your body, as a rider. Lorel's question about barn choring is actually quite common, so she gave permission for me to post her question here in the blog so that others could benefit.

Lorel's Question:

Hi Heather, I struggle with a problem which I am sure many other riders have. I am employed working with horses then do farmwork when I get home so I have… Continue

Added by Heather Sansom at Equifitt.com on December 28, 2009 at 11:00am — 1 Comment

Bomb Proof Your Horse Before The Show:Tackle the Monsters before they Tackle You.

Bomb Proof Your Horse Before The Show

Tackle the Monsters before they Tackle You

With over 35 years show experience I’ve come to know exactly what is going to upset a horse new to competition.

If the horse eating monsters are handled on the front end, you will have a huge advantage while competing, and definitely have a much,much better over all show experience and confidence builder for both you and your partner.

Just because your horse appears to have a… Continue

Added by Colette Sossaman on December 8, 2009 at 9:59am — No Comments

10 Monsters To Tackle Before The Show

10 Monsters To Tackle Before The Show

This week I have a list of suggestions to make sure your horse is mentally ready for the environment of a horse show.

Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security that your horse is laid back without first practicing the following list.

Making sure he’s ready will save you time,money,heartache. and headache.

ARENA ACCESSORIES

1.) If your arena doesn’t currently have bright flowers and bushes boarding… Continue

Added by Colette Sossaman on December 1, 2009 at 1:43am — No Comments

Six Tips To Improve Your Scores….At The Show!

Last week I talked about the warm-up and how to make sure you know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, exactly how much time it will take to warm up your horse before you actually ride the test

This week we’re going to progress to the actual test and how you can improve your test score while at the show. Here we go.

1.) Canter Around The Outside Of The Arena Before Entering.

You will have a beautiful forward trot to enter with and make a fantastic entry and first… Continue

Added by Colette Sossaman on November 17, 2009 at 10:30am — 4 Comments

The Warm Up: Where the Test Is Won Or Lost

The warm up is the most crucial part of any competition. It's where the test is won or lost.

Too much warm up and your horse may be dull and less reactive to your aids.

Too little warm up and your horse may be more "exuberant" than you anticipate.

In this weeks installment I've listed exactly what you need to do in order to take the mistery out of the warm up.You never know how your horse will react to new settings until you expose him to them.

Don't wait until… Continue

Added by Colette Sossaman on November 10, 2009 at 8:00am — 2 Comments

Western Saddle Fitting and Purchasing

Question: How do you determine what size of Western saddle to get your horse?

Answer From April Reeves, Horseman's U.com: I will give you enough information to be able to purchase a good saddle that not only fits the horse, but fits you as well.

One thing I like to stress, when looking for a saddle, the cheaper they are the worse they fit. Cheap saddles do… Continue

Added by April Reeves on October 22, 2009 at 12:30pm — 5 Comments

I would like to know more about martingales, particularly the German Martingale

Question: What is a German martingale and how does it work on a horse? My horse tosses her head all the time and my friend told me to use one. Are they expensive? How much will one cost? What are other types of martingales and how do they compare?

Answer from April Reeves, Horseman's U.com: Wow, lots of questions here! The German martingale is a specialized piece of training equipment for experienced riders. It differs from other martingales as it allows lateral… Continue

Added by April Reeves on October 20, 2009 at 10:30pm — 4 Comments