Young Horse Riding & Training
Gentle Reminder...
Although most equine enthusiasts want to do right by their horse, many people are pushed into starting to ride horses when the equine is still very young.
Learn horse behavior, equine communication, health factors, improve rider mindset, develop groundwork and riding skills. Weekly articles, virtual consults and coaching sessions, monthly livestreams, and a horse learning video library. Teaching riders of all experience levels in clinics worldwide for three decades.
Showing posts with label colt starting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label colt starting. Show all posts
Horse Training Program Troubles
The trouble with a one-size-fits-all horse training program
I meet a lot of folks with dangerous horses who previously experienced popular "training programs."
While one program may work for a horse, other horses may need things to be adapted in how and what is presented.
But "trainers" often look for physical responses to specific tasks and have a pre-set "step 1, 2, 3" agenda with many pre-designed programs.
What does Horsemanship mean? By Alternative Horsemanship the Remote Horse Coach
Horsemanship... (my random morning thoughts)
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.
Horsemanship: Teaching the Young Horse to Tie
So many people set the horse up for failure because they don't teach a horse the necessary skills to understand what is being asked of him.
Alternative Horsemanship with Samantha Harvey shares her perspective on when addressing the horse's brain affects his physical behavior to create "uneventful" scenarios, such as tying.
(Sound on)
Young Horse Training and Education- Mental, Emotional, and Physical Maturity
Gentle Reminder...
Although most equine enthusiasts want to do right by their horses, many are pushed into starting to ride horses at far too young of an age.
Young Horse Education: First time Sitting In the Saddle by Alternative Horsemanship
Alternative Horsemanship with Samantha Harvey the Remote Horse Coach shares the first time she sits on a young horse and how her priority is for it to be a confidence-building experience for the horse.
Preparing the Young Horse: When is the young horse ready to ride? by Alternative Horsemanship
Alternative Horsemanship with Samantha Harvey the Remote Horse Coach shares a brief glimpse into an assessment of a young horse and things to look for before mounting for the 1st time in order to have a confidence-building opportunity rather than a surviving the ride scenario.
Preparing the Young Horse for Riding- Building Life Skills by Alternative Horsemanship
In this video snippet Alternative Horsemanship with Samantha Harvey the Remote Horse Coach shares her perspective on colt starting. Her goal is to educate the young horse with skills that will better help him navigate the human world and all future things asked of him. It is not about rushing and task accomplishment, but rather mentally engaging a physically willing and reasonable horse.
Young Horse Training- When are they old enough?
Gentle Reminder...
Although most equine enthusiasts want to do right by their horse, many people are pushed into starting to ride horses at far too young of an age.
Although most equine enthusiasts want to do right by their horse, many people are pushed into starting to ride horses at far too young of an age.
Humor: Thoughts on Buying the Young Horse by Alternative Horsemanship
Romanticized Idealism vs Reality
Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series *Curious vs. Fearful horse
*Curious vs. Fearful Horse and Unwanted Behaviors
Sam is joined in the pasture by a young horse born in the wild.
She discusses how prioritizing keeping the horse's curiosity versus using Horse Training tactics can create fear as the young horse training progresses. She explains how this influences the horse's future willingness to participate and the reasonableness of his behaviors when doing so.
Weekly episodes, subscribe to the Alternative Horsemanship YouTube Channel to not miss any! #alternativehorsemanship #remotehorsecoach #dearsamhorseseries
Weekly episodes, subscribe to the Alternative Horsemanship YouTube Channel to not miss any! #alternativehorsemanship #remotehorsecoach #dearsamhorseseries
Horsemanship: Learning to Observe the Horse
A session of Learning 
I'm always talking about being an observer of the horse. Often incredible things will unfold before you.
The trouble with horse training programs
I meet a lot of folks with dangerous horses who experienced a specific "training program."
Starting a horse under saddle
I spy... Can you find the new arrival?
He and his human counterpart recently participated in a Full Immersion Clinic and she decided to bring him in for training to be started under saddle.
His past is unknown as she acquired him at auction a year ago. The only thing clear was he was very reactive to the world around him.
Part of my goal to help prepare him for life is to help him learn how to think through scenarios, search for options, and to keep trying in a reasonable manner, even if what he originally offered wasn't what was desired.
One of the things in seeing a horse like this is a reminder of when I come across horses that are as cute as he is, is that often the human's emotions have clouded the perception of what the horse is expressing in his own emotions and is being reflected in their physical behavior.
This causes unintentional filtering of how a person interprets horse behavior, causing passive support towards the horse when he really needs proactive interaction and guidance.
Would you like help in assessing your horse to clarify how to approach working with him? Find out more HERE
Horsemanship and Horse Training in the real world
Training with Reality
Most folks do not rely on their horse for their livelihood and therefore lack a perspective of what kind of quality partner they could have and would need if their life literally depended on their horse.
The picture I have included was taken from the time I spent on the north rim of the Grand Canyon. Besides the modern-day truck and trailer, much of the day-to-day life was just as it was 100 years ago, including staying in cabins with no water or electricity 40 miles from the closes paved road.
Working Colts off of experienced horse... learning opportunities
Several decades ago I made a choice to leave any of the cliches in the equine world that are associated with specific types of riding.
Nowadays my approach is a culmination of my experiences from both the competitive and non-competitive world, along with real-life riding such as on ranches, in the mountains, working with livestock, mixed with working with troubled horses after mainstream ways of doing things led to dramatic and resistance and fearful behavior.
Nowadays my approach is a culmination of my experiences from both the competitive and non-competitive world, along with real-life riding such as on ranches, in the mountains, working with livestock, mixed with working with troubled horses after mainstream ways of doing things led to dramatic and resistance and fearful behavior.
Less than ideal circumstances leading to better partnerships
Thought for the day...
Often when weather conditions and circumstances are out of our control or are not ideal, we tend to shy away from spending time with our horses in order to avoid potential conflict or issues. For me I find some of the most successful learning situations is when our surroundings are less than ideal.
Yesterday was a great example. Here in the desert of southwest Arizona we had a blusterous 20 mile an hour windstorm that was sandblasting from all directions. Being close to a Marine base, we also had F-35 Jets flying overhead, so close that you actually vibrate from the Jet's power. Trash and tumbleweeds were blowing everywhere. Palm trees were bent over.
I've included two pics which don't nearly give you a clear enough idea, but to see the flag standing straight out gives you an idea of how strong the wind was.
Two days before, a three-year-old horse had arrived for training. The first day we had just worked on the concept of softening to pressure on the leadrope. We didn't move farther than 40 feet from his stall. I introduced the ideas of being able to first look and think, and then move. Also the concept that he looks where he's going while he moves, rather than looking at everything except where he's going. The concept of personal space and that if he is asked to do something, he needs to try to address what is being asked of him the first time and not that it takes a huge amount of energy to get him to listen. Also the concept that he can stand over grass and wait quietly without constantly trying to lunge for the grass and eat. It was a lot for his young brain. And yet there was no running, no fleeing, no chasing, no driving, no scaring him, in order to help him learn. Just simple conversation creating boundaries of what behaviors worked and those that did not. Lots of blinking, licking, chewing, and yawning from him.
So the second day is when the wind storm hit us. It was so bad you couldn't see 40 feet out because of the sand and debris in the air. And yet I brought him into the round pen to work with him at liberty for the first time. For me the round pen is not a place to chase/run the horse into submission. It is rather a safe setting that allows the horse to learn to search to find what is being asked of him, without scaring him or driving him into giving up. There was distractions of other horses running around, other animals running around the farm, metal roofs flapping, and yet through simple trial and error (communicated through spatial pressure and release w the lead rope hanging at my side), the young horse was able to let go of all of the mental distractions until he could focus on just me. He learned how to be with me without spatially walking on top of me even though he was loose. He learned how to stop and look at the distractions and then bring his attention back to me when I asked him to. And then he learned how to leave me to move around the rail of the pen, without flee or chaotic energy, rather mimicking whatever energy I was offering from the center of the pen. Then when I decreased my energy and moved away from the center of the pen, he learned to come in and be with me respectfully, quietly waiting for whatever I asked of him next. If you had only seen him you'd never know there was so much distraction and Chaos going on around us.
So the next time the weather or situation is less than ideal, remember it might be the perfect opportunity, because you may have to face addressing small issues that in the past you've wanted to mask or smooth over rather than getting to the root cause. Being forced to confront those small issues is a wonderful preventative measure for them not to evolve causing major issues further down the road.
Often when weather conditions and circumstances are out of our control or are not ideal, we tend to shy away from spending time with our horses in order to avoid potential conflict or issues. For me I find some of the most successful learning situations is when our surroundings are less than ideal.
Yesterday was a great example. Here in the desert of southwest Arizona we had a blusterous 20 mile an hour windstorm that was sandblasting from all directions. Being close to a Marine base, we also had F-35 Jets flying overhead, so close that you actually vibrate from the Jet's power. Trash and tumbleweeds were blowing everywhere. Palm trees were bent over.
I've included two pics which don't nearly give you a clear enough idea, but to see the flag standing straight out gives you an idea of how strong the wind was.
Two days before, a three-year-old horse had arrived for training. The first day we had just worked on the concept of softening to pressure on the leadrope. We didn't move farther than 40 feet from his stall. I introduced the ideas of being able to first look and think, and then move. Also the concept that he looks where he's going while he moves, rather than looking at everything except where he's going. The concept of personal space and that if he is asked to do something, he needs to try to address what is being asked of him the first time and not that it takes a huge amount of energy to get him to listen. Also the concept that he can stand over grass and wait quietly without constantly trying to lunge for the grass and eat. It was a lot for his young brain. And yet there was no running, no fleeing, no chasing, no driving, no scaring him, in order to help him learn. Just simple conversation creating boundaries of what behaviors worked and those that did not. Lots of blinking, licking, chewing, and yawning from him.
So the second day is when the wind storm hit us. It was so bad you couldn't see 40 feet out because of the sand and debris in the air. And yet I brought him into the round pen to work with him at liberty for the first time. For me the round pen is not a place to chase/run the horse into submission. It is rather a safe setting that allows the horse to learn to search to find what is being asked of him, without scaring him or driving him into giving up. There was distractions of other horses running around, other animals running around the farm, metal roofs flapping, and yet through simple trial and error (communicated through spatial pressure and release w the lead rope hanging at my side), the young horse was able to let go of all of the mental distractions until he could focus on just me. He learned how to be with me without spatially walking on top of me even though he was loose. He learned how to stop and look at the distractions and then bring his attention back to me when I asked him to. And then he learned how to leave me to move around the rail of the pen, without flee or chaotic energy, rather mimicking whatever energy I was offering from the center of the pen. Then when I decreased my energy and moved away from the center of the pen, he learned to come in and be with me respectfully, quietly waiting for whatever I asked of him next. If you had only seen him you'd never know there was so much distraction and Chaos going on around us.
So the next time the weather or situation is less than ideal, remember it might be the perfect opportunity, because you may have to face addressing small issues that in the past you've wanted to mask or smooth over rather than getting to the root cause. Being forced to confront those small issues is a wonderful preventative measure for them not to evolve causing major issues further down the road.
Exploring the use of a round pen- an alternative perspective
A FB friend posted an article on anti round pen usage... Here was my in depth perspective/answer:
I find 95% of folks misuse a round pen, whether under the guise of "exercising" or teaching conditioned responses, such as the lesser of two evils is to turn, face the human and be caught; which is a bullying tactic. The problem with teaching conditioned responses and patterns is the day you change the routine, you get a fire breathing dragon instead of your docile horse.
So what happened? Most horses learn the pattern in order to get the human to leave them alone. There's not a lot of thought or clarity, it is just a form of "escaping" the pressure created by the human. The human in turn incorrectly assumes that because the horse is being so "helpful" by automatically doing something they might ask of their horse, that the horse is okay. More times than not, he is not.
For me the round pen allows an opportunity in a safe place where the horse and I can have open two way communication. It is an opportunity to assess if the horse is mentally available to physically participate with me. If any sort of fast movement or continuous movement occurs, there's typically a brainless-ness and flee to it.
Most horses that arrive with "behavioral issues" (which is often a symptom, not the issue) is a direct result of constant mental and emotional stress. The horse is rarely considered when the human has an agenda. So often the horses are bullied into doing things that really bother them and "all of a sudden" they act dramatic, resistant and dangerous. No, it wasn't all of a sudden. Most folks do not notice, put value to or address if their horse is asking for help, until the person can no longer ignore the escalating dramatic behavior displayed by the horse.
So as I start a colt, re-educate an older horse or fine tune a finished one, the round pen can be a tool. Could the same conversation happen while in the pasture, being led or tacked? Yes. It is not about location, shape of fence or teaching a patternized response. It is about a quality conversation that sets you and your horse up to be successful. But folks are looking for patterns and conditioned, brainless responses.
If the horse is physically and mentally bothered, fearful, insecure or shut down, why wouldn't I want to address that and help him sort out his concerns BEFORE I get on? There's no need to "wait and see," what the ride will be like; if I see he's bothered now, it'll only get worse in the saddle.
Imagine if all these amazing athletic creatures were supported to compete without being in the the continual state of stress and duress, then what might their movement look like?
By not offering a horse TIME to sort through his emotions, rather just attempting to physically exhaust him, but never address what he's bothered about, is setting up the horse to be defensive....
As with everything, something that can be a safe, confidence building and supportive tool based in how it is presented by one person can also be a horrific experience for the horse if someone with ego, time limitations, and ulterior motives uses it...
Just my thoughts.
Sam
I find 95% of folks misuse a round pen, whether under the guise of "exercising" or teaching conditioned responses, such as the lesser of two evils is to turn, face the human and be caught; which is a bullying tactic. The problem with teaching conditioned responses and patterns is the day you change the routine, you get a fire breathing dragon instead of your docile horse.
So what happened? Most horses learn the pattern in order to get the human to leave them alone. There's not a lot of thought or clarity, it is just a form of "escaping" the pressure created by the human. The human in turn incorrectly assumes that because the horse is being so "helpful" by automatically doing something they might ask of their horse, that the horse is okay. More times than not, he is not.
For me the round pen allows an opportunity in a safe place where the horse and I can have open two way communication. It is an opportunity to assess if the horse is mentally available to physically participate with me. If any sort of fast movement or continuous movement occurs, there's typically a brainless-ness and flee to it.
Most horses that arrive with "behavioral issues" (which is often a symptom, not the issue) is a direct result of constant mental and emotional stress. The horse is rarely considered when the human has an agenda. So often the horses are bullied into doing things that really bother them and "all of a sudden" they act dramatic, resistant and dangerous. No, it wasn't all of a sudden. Most folks do not notice, put value to or address if their horse is asking for help, until the person can no longer ignore the escalating dramatic behavior displayed by the horse.
So as I start a colt, re-educate an older horse or fine tune a finished one, the round pen can be a tool. Could the same conversation happen while in the pasture, being led or tacked? Yes. It is not about location, shape of fence or teaching a patternized response. It is about a quality conversation that sets you and your horse up to be successful. But folks are looking for patterns and conditioned, brainless responses.
If the horse is physically and mentally bothered, fearful, insecure or shut down, why wouldn't I want to address that and help him sort out his concerns BEFORE I get on? There's no need to "wait and see," what the ride will be like; if I see he's bothered now, it'll only get worse in the saddle.
Imagine if all these amazing athletic creatures were supported to compete without being in the the continual state of stress and duress, then what might their movement look like?
By not offering a horse TIME to sort through his emotions, rather just attempting to physically exhaust him, but never address what he's bothered about, is setting up the horse to be defensive....
As with everything, something that can be a safe, confidence building and supportive tool based in how it is presented by one person can also be a horrific experience for the horse if someone with ego, time limitations, and ulterior motives uses it...
Just my thoughts.
Sam
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