Day 1 #Equi-Quality Challenge with Alternative Horsemanship™

 #Equi-Quality Challenge

Day 1

People are often surprised at how much building a Quality Equine Partnership starts with themselves.

"What should I focus on next with my horse?"

I frequently hear this question or am asked by students or other equine enthusiasts struggling with having a goal, direction, or unsure of what to focus on during their horse time... the answer is always the same, "Refinement." Irrelevant of if you ride for pleasure or are competitive (or if you only work with your horse from the ground,) every interaction is Opportunity for improving your and the horse's skills.

Helping the Fearful Horse

 

Every day I get many, many messages from horse owners worldwide about animals that are displaying fearful behavior. People reach out with questions ranging from minor concern to extreme scenarios that have become dangerous for the human and equine. 

 

I have shared my thoughts as to "what" is missing in most "rehab" scenarios or attempts of reeducating the horse to reawaken his curiosity to replace his fear. This then changes his ability to learn, and retain, which affects his future behaviors.

Horse Learning Goals Tips and Insight by Alternative Horsemanship™

 Horse Goals and Looking ahead to New Year
A lot of people have a lot going on in their lives, and limited time with the horse. I suggest to students to get a journal (no, you will not be writing pages and pages) to "track" their equine interactions. Writing experiences, thoughts, questions (it doesn't have to be coherent to anyone but you) can often help "organize" some of the chaotic thoughts and questions one may have about their equine interactions.

Mindful vs Mind Full Horse Interactions

 

Anticipation...in the human

 

A common challenge many equine enthusiasts face is struggling with the anticipation of "what will happen" when with their horse.

 

There is a fine line of being aware of your surroundings, and things that are occurring at the moment, but to also not fixate on these and the potential outcome.

Human Emotions Sabotaging Equine Partnerships

I've had many comments over the years about how I seem to never lose patience with the horse during moments that for most people would trigger a rollercoaster of emotions... such as in the scenarios of when a horse:
Resists being caught
Difficult to Trailer Load
Bolts when Led
Won't stand quietly tied
Avoidant towards the farrier
Has excessive movement when tacked or mounted
Is sensitive about fly spray or bathing
Is buddy or "barn" sour

Are you unintentionally "teaching" the Horse unwanted behaviors?

Frequently, in an attempt to show kindness, folks try to pacify, mask, and cloak unwanted interactions with the horse.

Horse Problems: Mounting Issues Livestream by Alternative Horsemanship

Part 2 of the February Livestream series: Mounting Issues

Join the Alternative Horsemanship Locals community to watch the live stream teaching addressing avoidant, defensive, tension-filled horse behaviors while mounting.

Reference Video Part 2 

Livestream: Watch now

Horse Behavior Help: Task Accomplishment or Quality Communication

What does the mounting block, walking out a gate, loading into a horse trailer, crossing over a tarp, or passing through a stream have in common?

None of them are about the actual task. Instead, they can all reflect if there is Quality and intentional, specific communication or if one is lacking having the tools to communicate with the horse. They are Opportunities to refine first engaging and directing the horse's focus, then asking for adaptable movement.

Horse Skills & Tips: Mindful vs Mind Full

Mind Full vs Mindful

For people who are new to my teaching and training theories, there are many questions, followed by a great deal of pondering and brooding as folks start to question “the way they’ve always done things” with their horses.

An introspective assessment, rather than seeking “answers” by imitating others, frequently leads people to an uncomfortable stage as revelations about themselves, their behaviors, and patterns during interactions with horses become apparent.

Increasingly Chaotic & Resistant Horse Behavior

Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series Normalizing chaotic and resistant horse behavior


Join Alternative Horsemanship the Remote Horse Coach in this thought-provoking YouTube video as she sheds light on the ongoing issue of chaotic horses and the intricate web of unwanted and resistant behaviors.


Exclusive LIVE Content with Q & A Opportunities https://bit.ly/ExclusiveHorseContent In-Person Learning https://learnhorses.com Distance Horse Coaching & Consultations http://www.remotehorsecoach.com Alternative Horsemanship Video Catalog https://remotehorsecoach.uscreen.io

Empathy and Equines

Empathy + Horses = Weakness

There is a constant human imposition upon each other and horses...
Unrealistic ego-based demands without having accountability as to how a person's clarity of thoughts and intention, quality of communication, adaptability in energy, accuracy of timing, and everyday mindless interactions, are constantly "teaching" horses unwanted responses that people then criticize and chastise the equine for.

Helping the Highly Reactive Horse

Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series

The Highly Reactive Horse

Alternative Horsemanship the Remote Horse Coach discusses the overlooked contributors in everyday human patterns and interactions that create highly reactive horses and unwanted equine behaviors.

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

 

Misconceptions of a Confident Horse

Just because a horse is going through the motions of "doing things" and is "learning" does not mean that he is gaining confidence and or more curiosity from his experiences.

The horse may "quietly" tolerate a situation a few or even many times before he starts to show more obvious signs of stress, insecurity, or fear about what is being presented if he is being pushed to physically comply with the task given.

Unwanted Horse Behavior- Pain the Equine an Unaddressed Contributor

 Pain - the Unacknowledged Frequent Contributor to Unwanted Equine Behaviors

Many horses and humans live with pain to varying degrees on a daily basis. If you've ever been injured or have ongoing pain, think about the all-consuming feeling and emotional state the pain triggered in you.

Horses don't "just" pin their ears when you saddle, get tight or twitch their skin when you touch them, and move away every time you go to mount. If the horse is showing concern, tension, or defensive, please, BEFORE you focus on the "training" first start with your horse's behavior, and assess it for potential pain or discomfort.

Avoiding Triggering the Fearful Horse

Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series

Avoiding Triggering the Fearful Horse

Discussing Horse Help and Problems when trying to avoid triggering the Fearful and Distrustful Horse.

Weekly videos posted in the series on the Alternative Horsemanship YouTube Channel.

Weaponizing Horsemanship

 Weaponizing Horse Communication

The Horse's Behaviors reflect their mental and emotional state. How often are you critical, demanding, and inserting a human emotional filter without considering what the equine is experiencing during the interaction?

Horse Help- Improving your Equine Communication- Eliminating the Brace

Have you ever felt the horse:

Heavy on the lead rope- "dragging" the horse around?

Loading or unloading a horse from the trailer/lorry that you couldn’t “stop” or “move him” to a different place from what he was offering?

The horse would not move out of your personal space when working from the ground?

The horse was resistant to transitions whether being worked from the ground or in the saddle?

The horse is pushing, leaning, heavy, or dragging on the bit/bridle?

When trying to turn in one direction the horse slowly “leaks” the opposite way?

When trying to ride a straight line the horse is constantly “throwing” or “locking up” his shoulder or hip towards the opposite way from which you are traveling?

Picking up the reins and feeling a general “lethargic” response from your horse?

Are you overwhelming your horse?

 

Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series

Is your horse overwhelmed?

Watch the full video and hundreds of others on the Alternative Horsemanship YouTube Channel.

New videos are posted every Friday.

What topics would you like discussed?

Horse Help : Symptoms vs Source Unwanted Equine Behaviors

Learn to recognize the sources and contributors of unwanted horse behaviors by Alternative Horsemanship with Samantha Harvey The Remote Horse Coach.

 Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series Horse Help 

Symptoms vs Source of Unwanted Horse Behaviors 

Subscribe to the Alternative Horsemanship YouTube Channel for New Videos posted every Friday. 

WANT TO UNDERSTAND HORSE BEHAVIOR? https://bit.ly/HorseBehavior 

Exclusive LIVE Content with Q & A Opportunities https://bit.ly/ExclusiveHorseContent 

In-Person Learning https://learnhorses.com 

Distance Horse Coaching & Consultations http://www.remotehorsecoach.com Alternative Horsemanship Video Catalog https://remotehorsecoach.uscreen.io