Helping Horses in less than ideal scenarios


Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series

Helping Horses in less than ideal scenarios 

Alternative Horsemanship the Remote Horse Coach shares thoughts on helping difficult, fearful, reactive, injured, distrustful, inexperienced horses in less than ideal scenarios. 

Weekly videos in the Alternative Horsemanship YouTube Channel 

Horses withe Human Problems- Dear Sam: Horse Help

 Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series 



"Horses with people problems"

Learn what may be creating unwanted, excessive, dramatic, or dangerous behaviors and reactions from the equine. 

Click the link in the comments section to watch on the Alternative Horsemanship YouTube Channel 

Subscribe for free videos every Friday.

Assessing & Understanding Equine Behavior


 *Assessing the Horse -Understanding Equine Behavior & Eliminating the Guessing 

Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series 

Learn how to recognize the horse's communication to understand equine behavior, what to address to build his trust, and how to improve reasonable behaviors. 

All new episode on the Alternative Horsemanship YouTube Channel 

Horses Mirroring Human Tension


 Learn how physical tension in the human limits quality equine communication with the horse that creates fearful, reactive, unwanted, and defensive horse behaviors. All new Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series sharing trainer tips

*Tension Limiting Quality Communication with the Horse

Watch the all NEW Alternative Horsemanship YouTube video. 

Understanding Unwanted Horse Behavior

 Horses don't just "do" that...

What if we recognized and addressed the initial signs of concerned, fearful, or defensive equine behaviors before they erupted into things like:

Bucking

Bolting

Kicking

Spooking

"Over-reaction"

Biting

Fixating

Fleeing movement

Biting at the Air

Pawing

Jigging

Stomping

Weaving

Horse Problems- When things dont go as planned

Horse Problems- When things don't go as planned 



Some days everything may go as planned with the horse, and other days nothing does. My personality is to "will" things to happen; it has taken a lot of years and daily intention to realize that approach wasn't going to work when it came to my interactions with horses.

Refining Horse Communication : Dear Sam: Horse Help

 

Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series 

Refining the Horse Communication

Horse Trainer advice to improve horse communication, increase awareness and understanding of equine behaviors, and acknowledge mental and emotional changes in animal reflected in his 


Are you teaching your horse to Quit?

 Are you teaching your horse to Quit?



Nothing is random when a horse does it. You may not know why the horse did it, but very rarely was it not intentional... 

Horsemanship- Helping vs Challenging the Horse


 Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series 

Helping vs Challenging the Horse 

Learn the difference between helping your horse versus offering communication that creates fearful, reactive, and defensiveness behaviors.

New videos Fridays on the Alternative Horsemanship YouTube Channel 


Eliminating the Hurry to Improve your Horsemanship

In western society, people tend to hurry, and unintentionally carry their chaos into their horsemanship.


Their self-imposed urgencies of task accomplishment often become the focal point, rather than prioritizing the Quality of Communication with the horse. The general unspoken standard of "if the horse's behavior doesn't scare me, we're still okay," leaves many horses in the gray area during a majority of human interaction. If the horse "mostly" complies, the tendency is to add more to what is being asked of him.

Horses and Safety- the skill of "Doing Something"

 


Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series 

"Doing something" 

Reduce the chances of horse related accidents by learning to proactively communicate and interaction builds quality partnerships, increases safe horse handling experiences, decreases the equine's fear, and defensiveness. 

New weekly videos on the Alternative Horsemanship YouTube Channel.





Horse Problems - I want it NOW

I was teaching a session yesterday at a clinic, a new student was filling in a last-minute opening and had been unable to trailer her horse to the facility. She asked to do an unmounted session focusing on her body awareness and aid usage while in the saddle- without the horse. Many horse people would probably balk at the thought of paying to participate in a clinic without a horse.



How to Choose a Horse Trainer


Tuesday Trainer Tips- How to Choose a Horse Trainer

Choosing the right horse trainer is easier when owners know the questions to ask. Too many horses are sent to trainers without owners understanding the training approach used or what and how the horse has learned. They often receive no update on the horse's progress, nor how to interact with the horse when they take it home, leaving owners feeling frustrated and horses resorting to previous unwanted behaviors. Alternative Horsemanship the Remote Horse Coach offers tips for horse owners seeking a trainer for their specific situation.

Subscribe to the Alternative Horsemanship YouTube Channel for weekly videos.

Horseback Riders and Equine Enthusiast Tips- Stop overwhelming Yourself

Stop Overwhelming Yourself
It is very easy to become overwhelmed by everything that "isn't" or is challenging, frustrating, and exhausting with the horse.
Unrealistic expectations, hopefulness and continuously comparing ourselves or our horses to what "everyone else" is/can do, is detrimental to the Quality of our interactions and leads to less-than-ideal scenarios.
I wish more folks gave themselves permission to literally and figuratively focus on being present and addressing themselves and their horse in small segments. Each segment of Clarity in Communication can connect to the next, which influences how the "final" piece of accomplishment is experienced by the horse.

Help! My horse won't respond


If you feel like your horse doesn't listen or respond to your communication watch this Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series video explaining the root causes of unwanted, resistant, disinterested, slow, heavy equine behaviors. 

November's Exclusive LIVE Content with Q & A Opportunities in the Alternative Horsemanship Locals Community addresses this behavior in a 4-part series. 

Alternative Horsemanship the Remote Horse Coach Quote


I meet many horses that are living in a constant state of anticipation and physical tension.
Often the human is distracted by the horse's unwanted behaviors- without acknowledging the root source(s) often stemming from the animal's mental and emotional state.
Without starting in a mentally clear, present, and available place, many horse enthusiasts unintentionally "dump" their
life's chaos and stress upon the horse, and it becomes their filter of how they perceive the equine's behavior.
So much lack, delay, and miscommunication occur if the human's emotional rollercoaster is delegating their interaction with the equine.

Learn how to improve your equine partnership, refine your communication, understand equine behavior, and so much more by joining the FB group, subscribing to the YouTube channel, enrolling in 1 on 1 Remote Horse coaching, learning from the Video Catalog, or becoming part of the Alternative Horsemanship Locals community for weekly live streams with Q & A opportunities.


 

Horse Rider Tips Unintentional Communication


Alternative Horsemanship Horse Trainer shares three horseback rider tips to bring awareness to the horse rider of unintentional communication creating unwanted responses in the Horse. For exclusive LIVE Content join the Alternative Horsemanship Locals community

Preparing the Horse to Safely Tie


Tying a horse can quickly become dangerous without quality preparation in the horse's training. In this video, Sam discusses tips to assess how the horse responds to pressure, in order to diminish traumatic and dangerous behaviors such as pulling back. She uses two different horses as examples to help viewers see what a horse looks like when he is ready to be tied up and one that is defensive towards pressure and needs more preparation to safely tie.


Subscribe to the Alternative Horsemanship YouTube Channel for weekly horse tips and horsemanship learning.

Prioritizing Addressing the "Scary" Horse


Sam discusses why it matters to help horses during stressful times, fearful, or concerning experiences and what many people unintentionally teach their horses leading to unwanted and dangerous behaviors. Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series- Prioritizing Addressing the Horse Subscribe for weekly Alternative Horsemanship the Remote Horse Coach videos.

Is my horse misbehaving or in pain?

Many unwanted horse behaviors are a result of an animal that is experiencing pain. In this video Sam shares tips about how to translate or recognize a few of the common signs or indications that a horse may be in pain which may be the root cause(s) of dangerous or resistant equine behavior such as biting, kicking, bucking, bolting, difficult to catch, saddle, bridle, or mount, etc. Subscribe to the Alternative Horsemanship YouTube Channel for more Tuesday Trainer Tips videos.

The Resistant Horse





When the horse is...

Resistant to being caught
Constantly pulling when led
Pulls back or gets stressed when tied
Swishes his tail every time you walk behind him
Always is moving away when trying to tack him up
Steps away when trying to mount
Walks off as soon as the rider is in the saddle
Is drifting, bracing, or anticipative when ridden
Takes "a while" to load into the trailer
Might explode backward during the trailer unloading
Is "buddy" or barn "sour"
Has the same "issue" with the same scary spot repeatedly
Offers dramatic behaviors when something unexpected arises
Paws, paces, cribs, weaves, wall kicks, bites while in his enclosure
Is aggressive towards other horses or at feed time
Etc., etc., etc.

Adaptability in the Horse and Human

Adaptability

People and horses get stuck in a mental/physical rut as to the quality and intention of the Conversations and interactions with their horses.
Without having to "go anywhere" there are so many scenarios that you can create to help you assess, then address and refine, in your own clarity, communication, and adaptability.

Discussing the "Quiet" Horse

The "Quiet Horse" 

Here's a brief video of a horse that reflects many equines I meet whose owners are struggling to understand what is happening with their animal because the outward behavior looks so quiet.





I often hear things like:
He's bored.
He's going to sleep.
He's disinterested.

This week's live video in the Alternative Horsemanship Locals community November 4th, Friday at 6pm pst.

You can post questions related to this topic before the live event and I'll try to answer as many as I can during the Livestream. If you're subscribed as a supporter you can access, watch, replay and learn from all live content.

5 Signs Your Horse Needs a Trainer

If your horse is spooking, bucking, biting, refusing to be caught or tied up, challenging while trailer loading, or generally defensive, it might be worthwhile to hire a trainer for help. Picking the right trainer is also very important. In this video, Alternative Horsemanship the Remote Horse Coach discusses 5 signs it's time to hire a trainer for your horse - and how you may be misinterpreting horse behaviors that could turn into severe or potentially dangerous responses later. Is your horse resistant to being caught, do they act fearful when encountering something new? Are they challenging to tack up or mount? Do they get nervous or anxious and display dangerous behaviors?

Watch the latest Tuesday Trainer Tips video from the Alternative Horsemanship YouTube Channel.

LIVE horse learning with Alternative Horsemanship

Looking for LIVE videos offering Exclusive content with Q & A Opportunities?

Coming in November- Fridays at 6pm pst, 9 pm est, noon ACT

A replay will be available if you can't join the live session.

New topics are posted in the group forum every Monday, comment with your questions, and then join in for LIVE horse-related discussions.

Click the picture below to learn more in the welcome video.


California Alternative Horsemanship 2022 2023 Horse Clinics

Attention Southern California Horse Enthusiasts...

Looking ahead to the 10th year of the Alternative Horsemanship winter clinic series!


OAKZANITA Ranch
Descanso, CA
2022/2023 Dates:
Oct 26-31
Nov 16-21
Jan 25-30
Mar 1-6
Mar 29- Apr 3

Individual 1-hr sessions catered to the individual student and horse's current abilities. Groundwork, equine behavior, tack fit, rider clarity & confidence, are just a few of the many topics often covered in these clinics. They are the only clinics where I allow free auditing.
Email me for participant and auditing details, schedule availability, or to get on the waitlist.

Dear Sam: Horse Help -Spooky Horses


Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series 
*Spooky Horses 

Alternative Horsemanship with Samantha Harvey the Remote Horse Coach addresses why reacting after the fact or attempting to contain unwanted and dangerous horse behavior does not solve the long-term issues of the horse's insecurity and fear. 

New EPISODES every Friday Subscribe to the Alternative Horsemanship YouTube channel to not miss any.

Improve Horseback Rider Skills- Leg pressure and usage

Continued from Connecting the Dots and The Bridle
In regard to leg pressure...
I do not want to feel like I’m “driving” my horse forward constantly with my leg; instead, the energy I offer with my seat (before using leg pressure) delegates the energy that should be reflected in the horse's movement.
AFTER that I will use my legs to finesse, fine-tune, and ask for a more specific movement.

Horseback Rider Help- Improving the Skills: The Bridle & Rein Usage

Continued from the "Connecting the Dots"

In regards to the bridle…
Contact, accepting the bit, not ‘leaning’ on the bit, following a feel, softening to pressure…
Each of the above concepts is used throughout various disciplines.
You may have heard some of these, others maybe not. To me, they all are attempting to reach the same end goal. A horse that softly accepts of the bit, maintains a willing responsiveness when used by the rider, without fear or defensiveness.

Connecting the Dots of Horseback Riding

Connecting the Dots
(This will be a several-part entry that will be covered over the next week or so...)

When resistant, unwanted, and/or dramatic behavior occurs with the horse, people get distracted by the big-ness of the horse. In my mind, the “big” is an after-the-fact response by the horse. The root of the problem has occurred or began to occur anywhere from minutes to months before the horse finally resorted to undeniably dramatic behavior.

Finding a Horse Boarding Facility- How to Choose the Right One


Choosing the right barn to board your horse means knowing what questions to ask and what to look for when visiting boarding facilities. In this video, we discuss the important features to consider, like cost, other horse owners, facility rules, owner responsibility, and the health of the animals currently boarding.

Subscribe to the Alternative Horsemanship YouTube Channel for the Tuesday Trainer Tips series and the Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series on Fridays.

Help- My horse suddenly stops moving forward!

The theme of the past few days has been new folks asking for help with horses that are going "fine" and then the horse "randomly" or suddenly stops, or quits, moving forward.

Horsemanship Challenges: The Human Learning Curve



In this horse trainer advice video, Sam discusses in her Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series challenges, frustrations, and understanding of the horse many horseback riders experience as their horsemanship journey progresses. 

Subscribe to the Alternative Horsemanship YouTube Channel for weekly videos in this series and the Tuesday Trainer Tips Series.

Horse Buying Check List- Red Flag Behaviors


There are several warning signs to consider before buying a horse, especially to make sure they're a good fit. In this video, Sam shares tips to help horse shoppers understand if a horse is appropriate for their abilities and goals. Are the sellers hiding something? Learn how to spot dishonest sellers and avoid buying a dangerous horse.

What is Alternative Horsemanship?

Samantha Harvey discusses her riding background and education and how she developed her Alternative Horsemanship approach to help horses and horseback riders improve their equine partnership. She shares how her horse philosophy and goal are to help horse riders improve their understanding of equine behavior and communication.

Stop Ignoring the Horse's Behaviors


Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series
*Dangerous and Unwanted Behaviors

Is the horse biting, kicking, pacing, weaving, bucking, fussy, hard to catch, difficult to saddle, grinding his teeth, will not stand still, or displaying other unwanted and dangerous behaviors? Alternative Horsemanship with Samantha Harvey the Remote Horse Coach discusses this topic and recognizes symptoms of fear, defensiveness, anticipation, and potential pain in the horse.

Am I ready to buy a horse? Horse Buying Checklist- Self Assessment- Part 1


#alternativehorsemanship #horseshopping #horsebuying Before you start horse shopping Sam shares tips to better understand what kind of horse will best be suited for your horseback riding abilities, goals, and budget. Part 2 Horse Buying Checklist: https://youtu.be/Edxrqdzd5OA WHEN HORSE AD LIES: https://youtu.be/BU0SDxd3F8Q DANGEROUS HORSES SOLD TO NAIVE BUYERS: https://youtu.be/Q7ZtLG1y4z0


Horseback riding and Horsemanship- Stop Overwhelming Yourself

 One Step at a Time

It is very easy to be overwhelmed by everything that "isn't" or is challenging, frustrating, and exhausting with the horse.

 

Horse Problems- Tacking up Assessment



Most people never consider how the horse responds to just the sight of tack or notice if there are Quality Conversations while doing so.

Each part of the interaction influences the mental reasonableness and physical softness that follows.

While the norm (often out of convenience) is to tie the horse while tacking, the degree of bother or concern a horse may have while doing so frequently is suppressed.

I suggest practicing tacking the horse without tying him. The goal is not about getting tacked up.
 
It is an Opportunity to notice how your horse feels about standing while you are moving around him.

Horse Problems- TOP 5 Unintentional Interfering Human Behaviors

Horse Problems: Interfering Human Behaviors

As folks are learning with their horse or experimenting with a new way of communicating and interacting, they can unintentionally develop intensity in their facial expression, posture, energy, and movement.
 
Without meaning to, as a person is trying to mentally understand and physically coordinate something new with the horse, the human through their own behaviors may also be conveying unintentional signals to their horse.
 
This can add to the confusion between horses and humans when attempting to change old patterns of how the interaction between them has been.

So here's a checklist for My TOP 5 Physical Assessment of yourself any time you work with your horse, but especially if you feel out of your "comfort zone."

Horse Goals vs Creating a Quality Equine Partnership



Horse Goals vs Creating Quality Equine Partnerships

It is very easy to fall into a pattern of setting goals and getting fixated on them while losing sight of assessing if there's quality during the interaction with the horse.

What does Horsemanship mean? By Alternative Horsemanship the Remote Horse Coach

 Horsemanship... (my random morning thoughts)

Isn't a "thing" or a fad... it is a mindset influencing a way of being.

Equine Rehabilitation and Horse Re-education what is involved? Addressing the viral video


A recent video I posted on TikTok got over 1.1 million views in about 72 hours showing the Before and After of a horse that had arrived for "bad and dangerous behavior" issues such as biting, kicking, bucking, bolting, striking, etc. when the root cause was the amount of pain he was currently in, his past mental and physical traumas, and the strong distrust towards humans. This is a response video explaining what is involved in the way I approach equine rehabilitation and building the Horse's trust. Here's the link to the Before & After Horse Rehab video https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRaJTJ5s/

Emergency Equine Evacuation Preparedness - Are you ready?


Equine Emergency Evacuation Preparedness Alternative Horsemanship with Samantha Harvey the Remote Horse Coach address Equine Evacuation Emergency Preparedness. Too many people, especially horse owners, make no preparations, have nothing packed, and have no plan in case of an Emergency Evacuation. Have you thought about your horse's emergency evacuation options in case of fire? What will you need to keep your horse safe during evacuation? How long you'll be away? Do you have travel items for you and your horse packed? Evacuation Route driving options? Enough horse feed and water? A safe destination?

Watch the video to be as best prepared as possible to keep your horse safe and healthy.

Re Assessing Your Horse's Tack Fit


Correct tack fit is a huge factor that can influence behavioral issues, the quality of interaction, and the horse's comfort. Horses can experience changes in their body depending on the season, level of fitness, and age, potentially creating ill-fitting tack. In this video, Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship video she offers suggestions for reassessing the safety and fit of your equine partner's tack.

What is it like being a Horse Trainer? Thirty years later


Alternative Horsemanship with Samantha Harvey the Remote Horse Coach shares her unexpected journey as a horse trainer, developing equine partnerships, trauma, building trust and try, and setting the horse up for success in the human world. So much of the horse's initial training influences its future safety and well-being.

Time and Horse Improving Skills

Wonder if you're progressing with your horse? Do you feel pressured to keep up with your horse friends' accomplishments? Feeling stuck in your horse's training? In the latest Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series video Sam discusses *Time, horse skills, and how self-imposed urgencies are detrimental to the equine partnership.

What is it like being a Horse Trainer? Thirty years later


Alternative Horsemanship with Samantha Harvey the Remote Horse Coach shares her unexpected journey as a horse trainer, developing equine partnerships, trauma, building trust and try, and setting the horse up for success in the human world. So much of the horse's initial training influences its future safety and well-being.

Young Horse Education- Mental Availability vs Physical Obedience

"Just" a horse standing in front of an open gate...


When I met this two-year-old Andalusian he was bolting off, kicking, biting, and striking when led by his owner.
His answer to everything was to get big, flamboyant, and have his legs go in four different directions at the same time.
He was literally trying to climb out of the round pen the first few times I did sessions with him.
He saw no value in the human and was very defensive towards them, trying to avoid them at all costs.

Unwanted Horse Behavior- Helping the Head Shy Horse - Dear Sam: Horse Help


Does your horse display unwanted behavior, is he head shy, difficult to halter or bridle? Is your horse defensive about you touching mirror his face? Watch the latest Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series by Alternative Horsemanship the Remote Horse Coach addressing the head shy horse and learn what you might be missing to help change your horse's behavior.

Subscribe to the Alternative Horsemanship YouTube channel for weekly videos.

Moving the Horse to a New Climate * Dear Sam: Horse Help


Dear Sam Horse Help Horsemanship Series *Considerations when moving the horse to a new climate Insight on how best to help a horse transition when moving from one horse climate to another to have the least stressful experience. #alternativehorsemanship #remotehorsecoach #dearsamhorseseries All new access to Exclusive LIVE Content with Q & A Opportunities In-Person Learning Distance Horse Coaching & Consultations Alternative Horsemanship Video Catalog

The Human Intention- Influencing the horse's mental, emotional, and physical responses


Until humans figure out what we are bringing to the equine partnership, we cannot offer the horse clear, intentional, specific, and segmented communication they so often need.

Intention and Horses- Improving the Equine Partnership

It is very easy to come up with all the reasons why you can't or to avoid and delay addressing things with the horse.


Much of what we initially consider as being "horse issues" typically are an accumulation of smaller undesired moments, reflecting our level (and lack of) awareness, mental presence, and intention.

Deconstructing The Horse's Spook * Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series

Deconstructing The Horse's Spook
Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series
Addressing the Human Consideration, Quality of Communication, and how the Horse's Mental and Emotional state influences his Physical behaviors.
Subscribe to the Alternative Horsemanship YouTube Channel for more horse learning

Horse Riding Tips: Improving the horseback rider's balance

Tips for Improving Rider Balance

So much of our horsemanship can be improved in the time spent bringing awareness to our behaviors and thoughts before we ever involve the horse.
The reality is most people don't have the option of enough time in the saddle. We are often disconnected from our thoughts, and we have very little body awareness.

Horseback Rider Fear & Anxiety- What if I don't do "it" right?

What if I don't do it "right?"
Over the years of helping a variety of riders of all ages, backgrounds, disciplines, and experiences, I get asked this same question as they strive to improve their equine partnerships.
Horses have an incredible ability to recognize the human's intention whether a person is in close proximity or not.
The "story" of self-doubt in the rider/handler's head, diminishes their ability to stay present, and communicate in "real-time" with the horse.
Even if the aids are not totally clear, or the timing is slightly off, the clearer and more specific the intention, the greater chance the horse has to address what is being presented.
Experimenting, assessing, and refining understanding of the horse's response and communication is a continuously evolving journey.
Let go of the anticipation, distraction, and self-doubt. Replace it with short, specific, segmented communication with clear intent, and take time to assess the horse's feedback. This helps clarify what to address next to refine the Conversations and build trust in the equine.

Things Horses Spook At... and why the dramatic response


Alternative Horsemanship the Remote Horse Coach shares common encounters or scenarios that cause many horses to spook. Rather than seeing the dramatic response from the horse a the issue, it is often reflecting the degree of the equine's mental and emotional containment. Subscribe for the upcoming Dear Sam: Horse Help Episode addressing this "issue" in depth.

When the Horse Sales Advertisement Lies- Vicious Cycles and Dangerous Equines


Alternative Horsemanship the Remote Horse Coach shares the vicious cycle of passing off the dangerous horse to unsuspecting horse buyers and the unnecessary trauma and fear that follows.

Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series *Horses, Humans, & Pressure


Horses, Pressure, & Tight Spaces I see many people trying to teach the horse new things and feeling like it becomes a chaotic, overwhelming, and potentially fearful experience for both the horse and the human. 

Here are a few tips to help break things down so that the learning becomes quality and clear so the horse can retain the new experience. 

I view training as establishing a common language between human and horse, that has value to the equine. 

Then when expanding the animal's exposure and experience by using clear "language," it becomes confidence-building Opportunities rather than ones leading to defensiveness and fear in the equine. 

When this BLM mustang was adopted after the round-up, she found herself in a home where they attempted to "break her." The elderly gentleman who had her then passed away, and at that point, she was uncatchable and untouchable. When I first met her, from a 100' away if I slightly lifted a finger she would bolt off. It took a lot of time, patience, and helping her reawaken her curiosity, to diminish her fear so that she could start to become mentally available to learn how to learn.

Helping the Highly Reactive Horse with the Remote Horse Coach


Mid-week thoughts... Someone was asking about a highly reactive Thoroughbred and how to fix his spooking issues, even after he had been at a trainer for two months.

Horsemanship Tools- Unintentional Weaponizing Creating Fearful Horses

 Weaponizing Horsemanship "Tools"



"It" has been called a variety of names, has multiple different styles, and in the name of imitation without understanding, so many good intentioned horse people are using "it" in a destructive, aggressive, critical manner teaching the horse fear, flee, containment, and defensiveness.

Dangerous, Dramatic, Reactive, Anticipative, Fearful Horses

 It isn't Convenient

When the horse is...

Resistant to being caught

Constantly pulling when led

Pulls back or gets stressed when tied

Always moving away when trying to tack up

Steps away when trying to mount

Walks off as soon as the rider is in the saddle

Is drifting, bracing, or anticipative when ridden

Takes "awhile" to load into the trailer

Might explode out during the trailer unloading

Is "buddy" or barn "sour"

Has the same "issue" with the same scary spot repeatedly

Offers dramatic behaviors when something unexpected arises

Paws, paces, cribs, weaves, wall kicks, bites while in his enclosure

Is aggressive towards other horses or at feed time

Etc., etc., etc.

Every single unwanted unfortunately common horse behavior above, is a symptom.

Most people try to band-aid the symptom by adding more pressure to the already fearful and defensive equine.

Then one unwanted behavior morphs into another because the root cause was never addressed.

The horse that is left living in a state of constant fear and anticipation because they are defensive toward human interaction leads to mental and physical trauma.

It isn't a matter of "if" they explode, get hurt, or injure the human, but when.

Please stop ignoring the subtle, reasonable behaviors the horse conveys reflecting his fear and defensiveness.

Please start prioritizing slowing down, breaking down the communication to offer short, specific, clear, supportive, and non-critical information that has meaning to the horse.

The horse is not trying to wreck your day, annoy you, psych you out, etc.

The only thing he is trying to do is find a safe space. If every time you show up you bring chaos, distraction, hurried behaviors, anticipation, and unclear communication, what are you teaching him?

To get the Change in the horse, first we must start with the Human.

Dear Sam: Horse Hep *Dangerous Equine Behavior



Alternative Horsemanship with Samantha Harvey the Remote Horse Coach shares how dramatic and dangerous horse behavior is a symptom, how to recognize the initial subtle signs of fear, defensiveness, or anticipation in the equine, and why it matters to address it early, rather than ignoring it and creating the dangerous horse.

 Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series *Dangerous Equine Behavior

Horseback Riding- Trail Riding Tips to Improve Confidence and Clarity by Alternative Horsemanship

 One of the greatest challenges I have is getting folks to switch from reactive to proactive behavior with their horse.

Although for a majority of people riding is supposed to be a fun outlet or escape from other aspects of their life, it isn't always the romanticized experience that initially inspires most folks to start riding in the first place. But it can quickly become an emotionally frustrating experience when the human has intentions that may not yet be appropriate for their own abilities or that of their horse.
I can't count how many people I meet that seemed to have woken up one day and randomly decided to start doing something with their horse and then wondered why it ended in disaster.

Alternative Horsemanship Full Immersion Clinic August 2022

 Final Full Immersion Horsemanship Clinic? *2 Participant Spots available

I developed the "Full Immersion Clinic" as an opportunity to address a variety of topics with participants learning during both unmounted sessions and while in the saddle.
These safe, fun, and supportive learning opportunities offer an in-depth full immersion experience.
The Friday through Sunday clinics focus on Equine Behavior Assessment, Clear Communication & Effective Aids, Ground Work, and Riding.
We also cover a variety of topics such as equine physio, anatomical riding lectures, tack fit and appropriate usage, "finding a feel" exercises, group discussions, and much more!
Where: The Equestrian Center, LLC Sandpoint ID
When: August 5-7
Auditors Welcome
Click this link for details, participant & auditor registration

Horse Rider MindSet- Caustic Categorizing


How Your Thoughts Influence your Horsemanship

Somewhere in the course of people riding the interaction with the horse became compartmentalized into good and bad, right or wrong.
 
It comes from a place of human expectation (irrelevant of if it is appropriate or not,) which overshadows the interaction with continuous critical communication.
Approaching the horse as something to "make" comply, when the person's fixation is stuck on the agenda, they miss things like:

Dear Sam: Horse Help *Changing Human Intention Improving Equine Partnership


Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series *Shifting the Human Intention to Change the Equine Partnership Alternative Horsemanship with Samantha Harvey the Remote Horse Coach shares the latest advice and storytelling of how shifting the human intention led to a total difference in the equine behavior offered, rebuilding the horse's trust, increasing their confidence, and reawakening their curiosity to try.

Subscribe to the YouTube Channel HERE

Summer Hoofprints & Happenings Newsletter with Alternative Horsemanship

 



Get the latest scoop on Alternative Horsemanship clinics, the Equine Retreat, new courses added to the video catalog, upcoming clinics in Uruguay and Argentina, and more!
Enjoy the Summer Hoofprints & Happenings Newsletter edition for all the upcoming events, click the Video Catalog for distance learning, or subscribe to YouTube Channel for weekly horse insight.

Horse Help- 6 MisConceptions deteriorating the Equine Partnership

Alternative Horsemanship with Samantha Harvey the Remote Horse Coach shares six misconceptions observed that deteriorate the quality of the equine partnership. Subscribe for weekly horse insight and videos.

Biting, Reactive, Dangerous Horse, or Pain Issues? Equine Ulcers

Bad Behavior or Pain Issues? One common trigger spot I see in equines who have ulcers. This mare has not been ridden or in any form of work for several years. She is often high alert, and small things trigger her insecurity and anticipation, causing her to be emotionally reactive. She does lie down and sleep, but for short periods. She's an IR candidate so the feed is specific, monitored, and offered multiple times per day. Experimenting with common dietary gut soothing supplements like Aloe, GutX 100, ulcer guard, and magnesium oxide have had effect.

Horsemanship Skills: First time Ponying BLM mustang

Ponying the horse can be a great learning opportunity. Before doing so, the "tools" in how you communicate must be established so that they have value to the ponied horse. While ponying the Conversation should be presented through the lead rope, not using the rider's horse to spatially move the ponied equine around. If presented with clarity it can be a wonderful confidence-building opportunity. Subscribe for new videos every Friday.

Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series *The Starting Point


Alternative Horsemanship with Samantha Harvey the Remote Horse Coach shares her perspective and another all new episode in the Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series addressing *The Starting Point in the communication with the horse to decrease unwanted equine behaviors and increase their adaptability. Subscribe for new videos every Friday.

4 Horse Rider Tips to improve Equine Partnership

Alternative Horsemanship with SamanthaHarvey the Remote Horse Coach shares these 4 tips to improve the equine partnership.

Unintentional Human Behavior to the Equine Partnership

 Detrimental and hindering things the human often "brings" to a session with the horse...


Stigmas

Assumptions

Ego

Lack of Clarity

Rushing

Lack of Awareness

Mental Distraction

Critique 

Judgment

Emotional Chaos

Hopefulness

Distraction

Avoidance

Fear

What if the "equine experience" started with first honestly assessing oneself, so that we could be mentally present, emotionally calm, and physically balanced to refine the intention, specificity, and Quality of communication to have thoughtful, two-way Conversations with the horse, rather than screaming matches.

Improving the Equine Partnership by Removing the Containment

 Containment:  physically trying to "stop" an unwanted behavior, which is usually the symptom and not the underlying "issue."




Breathing and Improving the Equine Partnership

 4 Horsemanship Tips



Are you breathing? 

When riders focus they tend to hold their breath. Talk. Tell your horse what you are doing (literally,  it also helps you keep track.) Sing to him or whistle. Anything! 

What is a Release? Horse Help

 Reviewing The Release



As with everything, there are many interpretations when it comes to the terminology associated with horses. I try to be clear and precise in the words that I'm offering, but there still can be a gray area in the human student's understanding. This often comes from their level of awareness, background, and unintentional anticipation/expectation of their mind "getting ahead" of wherever they are currently at with their horse.

Horsemanship: Why the Release Matters


Definition of "Matter"- Something to be dealt with that needs consideration

Timing Matters

Acknowledgement of the horse trying and searching for what is being asked of him Matters 

The Equine's Feedback Matters

The Human having Empathy for what the horse is experiencing Matters

The Human addressing the horse in a manner that builds the animal's trust Matters

Every moment of the interaction Matters

Quality Commuication Matters


Photo Credit: Unknown

Dear Sam: Horse Help *Preparing the Young Horse for Riding

Alternative Horsemanship with Samantha Harvey the Remote Horse Coach shares her perspective on what it takes to prepare the young horse for riding. She shares video footage of ground trying, straight tying, long lining, saddling, ponying from a horse and bicycle, dragging branches, lining up to mounting block, and a variety of other scenarios to help educate the horse, maintain his curiosity, and increasing his exposure.