Make Every Moment Count: Getting More from Your Limited Time with Your Horse

 

If you have limited time with your horse, the goal isn’t to cram in everything at once, it’s to use your time intentionally, with clarity, and an emotional neutrality. Below are some reminders to make the most out of time with the horse.

Increasing Human Behaviors to Improve your Horsemanship

 

Assess yourself before you critique your horse.

When did your ride really start?

Your ride should begin when you THINK about going for a ride. Learning to raise your level of awareness that at every moment you are interacting with your horse (starting with when you catch him) or are even in close proximity, you are influencing the conversation, energy and focus for the upcoming ride.

Helping the Horse- Mentally and Emotionally

 

 Helping the Purginging Horses 

Assessing the horse's health - relative to his diet

 

 I am not an equal nutritionist, nor a vet, but this is a generalized list of things I've learned to see based on the last three decades of working with many unhealthy horses.

Horse Behavior - Herd Dynamics

 Herd Dynamics 

In the summer there is a continuous rotation of horses on the farm as equines arrive from all parts of the country. They stay various lengths of time, depending on their individual needs in their re-education and often rehabilitation. 

20 Horse Health Questions every Equine Owner should be Asing

 20 Horse Health Tips, Questions & Assessment

Below are some basic questions to ask in regard to your horse’s health.

I suggest keeping a horse health journal making note of diet changes, farrier care, odd behaviors, etc. It can be used as a future reference point to learn from and find what works best for the horse.

Taking pictures from both profiles, front, and rear every six months can also be a good reference.

For those who experience dramatic seasons and environmental changes and for those who have had the same horse(s) for a long time, patterns often occur out of convenience in the horse’s maintenance program.

The Uncomfortable Topics: Money, Horses, and Future Planning

Looking at the books... The number of established, long-time equine professionals shutting down their businesses is occurring at an alarming rate. Many who are continuing to operate have taken massive income cuts in their attempt to keep prices the same for clients. Many professionals are having to work second jobs to cover horse business expenses.

20 Horse Health Tips, Questions & Observations

Below are some basic questions to ask in regards to your horse’s health.
I suggest keeping a horse health journal making note of diet changes, farrier care, odd behaviors, etc. It can be used as a future reference point to learn from and find what works best for the horse.

Top 10 Horse Owner Tips

 

Are you a new horse owner looking for expert advice? Or maybe you have years of horse experience but are searching for fresh insights?

Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series

Top 10 Tips for horse owners of all levels. 

Advice on horse care, training, and practical steps to strengthen the owner-horse bond. Whether building a new relationship with your equine partner or deepening an existing connection, these tips will give insight into proactively caring for your horse while prioritizing your and the horse's safety as you are learning on your horsemanship journey.

Click the  link to watch on the Alternative Horsemanship YouTube Channel. New videos are posted every Friday.

Horse Behavior: Imposing at the gate

In this horse learning video, Alternative Horsemanship The Remote Horse Coach shares a young horse who is imposing upon the human as they approach the gate. This Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series episode highlights the importance of recognizing the dangers involved with a horse that is constantly spatially imposing on the human, especially for future scenarios if the equine is emotionally triggered, and how this can evolve into increasingly dangerous behaviors. 

Watch now: https://youtu.be/gCOzmjk_hd8?si=kBO1WCVSFR4pGZ-I

The Horse's Health Livestream by Alternative Horsemanship

Many equine enthusiasts struggle to find a balance in helping their horses achieve a mentally, emotionally, and physically healthy state. This month's livestreams will break down in four discussions many of the contributing factors that affect the equine's health that influence his behaviors and ability to participate in a willing, safe, and reasonable manner.
Livestream Schedule:
The Horse's Mental Health
Saturday June 3rd 9am pst

 
The Horse's Emotional Health
Friday June 9th 6pm pst

The Horse's Physical Health
Saturday June 17th 9am pst

 
Healthy Horse Behaviors
Friday June 24th 6pm pst

Replays are available on all Livestreams.

Watch in the https://alternativehorsemanship.locals.com community.

Horse, Feed, and Health by the Remote Horse Coach

Horses, Feed, & Health Issues

For those of you who don't know, I seasonally split my time into two locations. For years I've observed the difference in my horses' health as I shift from the Pacific Northwest to the desert Southwest.

From changes in the quality of hay to grazing options to the types of grasses available, to the freedom to move in the woods and on texture terrain versus flat open spaces, all affect their health.

 
I often get "troubled" horses that come here for mental re-education and an emotional reset. One of the major contributors to the horse's behavior is his physical health. It affects his mental clarity, ability to be present, sleeping habits, and his emotional rollercoaster.

Difficult Horse Owner Questions- Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series

Alternative Horsemanship with Samantha Harvey discusses difficult questions owners are often overwhelmed by to better prepare equine enthusiasts for potential times of emergencies, horse health care decisions, and unexpected scenarios.
Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series
Difficult Horse Owner Questions- Are You Prepared?
Click the link in the comments for the video on the Alternative Horsemanship YouTube Channel.

Potential Problems with Your Horse's Diet

Alternative Horsemanship the Remote Horse Coach shares horse health tips in assessing the equine's diet and the potential problems it can cause in his physical and mental health often leading to unwanted behaviors. 

Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series 

Potential Problems with your Horse's Diet

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.

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.