Your intitial reaction needs to turn into a thoughtful response. Your recovery is what counts.

Training or rehabbing a horse is not an overnight process. It is not a cheap process. To train or rehab a horse, the owner must be committed. The professionals trying to help the horse and owner must work within the boundaries the owner sets. Sometimes we decide we can't work within those boundaries. We know that no amount of effort we put in will make the difference needed for the horse based on the restrictions put in place by the owner. Those cases are hard. Our desire is

Give to get what you are looking for from your horse.

If you don’t commit, don’t expect your horse to commit

Horses need breaks.

Release even when you don't think you can. You can always take back but the release must happen first. Without a release, it's just holding. Holding turns to bracing. Bracing turns into more holding. It's a viscous cycle. Give first. Regroup. Re-present the information and give again. You can always halt if it's not working. Less aids, more give, patience and pause.

A foundation for a horse is created from the day they are born.

Horses have personalities. They fall into categories like humans. Some are more sensitive, some are more curious, some are leaders, some are followers. You get the picture. Just like with humans, not all personalities match. This means personalities within a herd of horses and within the human/horse herd.

There is a difference between reacting and responding.  Reacting comes with emotion.  Response comes with thoughtfulness and learning.

Your hands should function as a team and for the most part, move as a unit. When we can accomplish this, we can generally make small requests of our horse with just our fingertips. Often times we start letting our hands work too independently of each other. While you are riding, touch the tips of your thumbs together. The goal is that when one of your hands starts to get a mind of its own, your brain will quickly recognize the rebel and coral it. Often times our bad habi

Trainer’s Tip

Movement is life

I'm on vacation. So I'm sharing a previous Trauner's Tip. My first reshare. I've written new posts every week for almost 2.5 years.

91 degrees at 9p is not fun for anyone.

Fireworks

Horses use compensation as a protection. Sometimes it is from an injury. Sometimes it is from how they are ridden. Sometimes it is from how they are housed. There are many reasons that horses compensate.

Warm weather riding

Final takeaway from the lovely Sand Hill Stable in Ohio. I look forward to returning in May of 2024.

Teaching Takeaways Sand Hill Part 2

Not every behavior from your horse requires a response.