Manolo Mendez's Videos (Barnmice Equestrian Social Community) - Barnmice Equestrian Social Community

DVD Clip: Manolo Mendez introduces an inexperienced horse to lunging and changes of direction

2014-01-30T21:51:38.362Z

To read about in-hand work and Manolo's training philosophy, inquire and purchase the DVD please visit http://www.manolomendezdressage.com. NOTE: these were ...

Holiday Ride & Greetings from Manolo Mendez

2014-01-30T21:50:15.958Z

Manolo, Kate, Chantelle and the entire Manolo Mendez Dressage team wishes you a very merry and happy holiday season and love, friendship and connection with your horse in 2014.

PS: DO NOT miss the ending :-)

Topaz the Orphan Foal: A New Year's Miracle

2014-01-30T21:47:35.167Z

This is little Topaz whom so many people pulled together to help when he became an orphan Dec. 30th, 2013. While we were feeding Topaz milk in a bucket every two hours, providing affection and encouraging him to move and play, we had also launched a massive search for a surrogate mum with the help of our friends, veterinarians and our incredible Manolo Mendez Dressage Facebook network which came through for us in a big way. THANK YOU.

Within a day of this clip, we found an owner whose mare had just lost a foal and who was looking for someone who had a baby in need of a nurse mare.

Her sweet paint mare and Topaz met and they bonded with each other under careful supervision. Topaz is now able to resume a normal foal-hood and will learn from his surrogate mom how to be horse while she nurtures and loves him.

This is the best resolution we could hope for and we wish Topaz, his new mum, and both their owners the best for 2014.

Note: In normal circumstances, Manolo and his staff do not coddle or play with foals or very young horses as it can create problem behaviors when they grow up. However, in the case of an orphan foal, it is important for the baby to eat but also to be nurtured through touch and play. Had we not found a nanny/nurse mare, we would have found an affectionate and responsible guardian gelding to live with Topaz and teach him how to be a horse and would have been very careful to not treat him like a pet.

Thank you to Kathryn Barrett of Barrett Digital for filming and editing this lovely clip.

Suggestions for Settling the Nervous Horse

2014-01-30T21:44:31.958Z

This footage was filmed in Nov 2012 at Equitana in Melbourne. Clint is a sensitive Oldenburg stallion who becomes nervous in public places and around large crowds. His demo was well attended and he experienced some anxiety on day one which created this educational opportunity.

As Clint notices movement in the crowd and spooks, Manolo remains calm and does not react, he does not feed Clint's fear by raising his voice or demanding he stops moving immediately.

Manolo uses his bamboo as an extension of his hand to control Clint's outburst, posture and position on the circle safely and gently. He touches Clint's chest and outside shoulder, and uses the bamboo as a gate to show Clint that he would like him to slow and calm down.

Manolo is patient, he allows Clint to keep moving his feet while he works out for himself that he is safe and does not need to run. If Manolo asked Clint to halt and stand still for any length of time, it would only heighten Clint's anxiety and upset him more. So, for now Clint can move as long as he still responds a little when Manolo ask for something. Manolo is careful to make small requests like slowing down a couple of steps, or not falling on the outside shoulder that Clint already understands and can manage easily. Manolo does this to avoid creating a conflict. He rewards any small try on Clint's part.

Touch plays an important roll in creating confidence in a new and scary environment. If you praise and pet your horse routinely, touching him when he is afraid is letting him know he is not alone, and giving his body and mind a familiar and safe sensation to help anchor him. Manolo only touches Clint when he has settled enough and is able to process this tactile sensation. Trying to pet him while he is in flight mode will not help him.

It is important to not be afraid of, or embarrassed by your horse's behavior but to be fully present in the moment with your horse and FOR your horse. In this situation, Manolo is with his horse in front of a large crowd looking to see how he will handle an "out of control" stallion. While he is aware of his surroundings, Manolo is completely focused on Clint and his needs. He takes the time it takes to help Clint and not a moment less.

To help Clint focus once that he is a little more settled, Manolo asks Clint to halt momentarily and rein back a couple of steps, Clint does so somewhat in a rush but he still does what is asked of him willingly. Manolo rewards him by letting him move forward again.

To help build Clint's confidence in small manageable steps, Manolo gently feeds the lunge line out to him so has more room to move. Manolo watches him carefully and brings him back in again when he rushes.

Creating a posture where Clint can lengthen and lower his neck and head below its withers is a way to help him relax. It is important to not keep a horse in the same fixed posture the entire time you are working with them, wether there is an issue, or not.

Inside of five or six minutes, Clint has figured out he is safe, and he is able to walk around looking at the crowd with interest rather then fear. Because Manolo remained calm and there was no forced used, he is not stressed or anxious. Manolo pats him and prepares to work with him once he has all his attention.