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.
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Showing posts with label horse skills. Show all posts
Showing posts with label horse skills. Show all posts
Horses, Humans and Pressure
When we work with a horse we primarily use two forms of pressure to communicate, physical (the lead rope attached to the halter, the rein, the leg, the seat, etc.) or spatial (not touching the horse but able to influence his brain and movement.) Vocal commands are a third, less common form of pressure.
Building Confidence in the Horse
Horse Skills: Goal Fixation vs Clear Communication
One of the most overlooked aspects of why people and horses are having issues is because of the lack of human clarity.
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.
Unexpected Experiences and The Human's Knee Jerk Responses - Horse Help
Over the past 20+ years of posting online and on social media, there's been a wide array of "key board" behaviors that I've witnessed or experienced firsthand from viewers.
Imbalanced Human Movement- Raising Awareness to Improve Horse Skills
The next time you head out to drive your car, sit at the dining table or at a desk in the office, stand in the elevator or move in general, I want you to check in with your physical movement and posture.
If you turn left while driving the car, do you find yourself rocking in your seat and leaning towards the left as you turn?
"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.
Horse behavior- Recognizing the Freeze Response
Can you recognize the Horse's Freeze response?
Check out the Remote Horse Coach video catalog to learn more about equine behavior.
Horse Skills- Common Missing Tool
"Following a Feel"
Those words had no value to me in my initial years of riding (groundwork was nonexistent.) I interacted with the horse offering unintentional, continuous tension- on the lead rope, on the rein, in my leg, etc. There was never a pause, time for mental processing, recognizing separating directing the thought from movement, adaptability in my aids or any conscious release of pressure towards the horse (other than during a jump.)
PC Jen Landis
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.
Detrimental Patterns in Equine Interactions
Changing the pattern in the small day-to-day interactions can be a great opportunity to safely assess Holes in your Horsemanship, refine, communicate, and build trust.
Fear Limiting our Horsemanship
The fear of "getting it wrong" can overwhelm people into doing nothing. Avoidance is a common "tactic" with both people and horses. The mental anticipation by the human can interfere with their ability to be present for their horse, having thoughts such as:
"Last time I tried to ___________ my horse __________ and I don't want that to happen again."
Heavy Horse Behavior Help
It is all connected
[Photo Credit: The Equine Documentalist]
This is a great visual example of the "strings" I often talk about throughout the horse's body. The trickle-down effect of how one body part influences another, even if literally at the other end of the horse's body.
I've used the analogy of the string on a dog food bag; you start pulling one end, and the whole thing unravels.
When people tell me about a horse that is heavy on the bit, resistant in the backing, difficult to hold a canter or lope lead, etc., there are usually multiple other factors contributing to the unwanted physical behaviors.
Developing a Quality Relationship with the Horse
Every week I receive 20-30 "Ask the Trainer requests"... From unwanted trail behavior/lack of manners to groundwork issues to equipment suggestions to feeding options, etc. from around the world. People often expect a "step by step" or "cut and dry" answer. Their focus is on the unwanted physical action without considering the horse's mental or emotional status.
Improving Horse Skills & Refining Communication
Why are you doing "that"?...
Catching the horse that way...
Grooming the horse in that place...
Mounting on that side...
Leading on that side...
Starting the ride in that direction...
Working on that specific movement...
Pressure & Horses: Human Interpretation
I’ve never had an “English” language conversation with a horse, but over the years I feel that I’ve found some degree of a “common language” with which I use to communicate with them. I explain to students there is no “one” way to do things, and I always tell people “take what you like, leave what you don’t” from any learning situation. I finished reading a horse blog the other day and realized that in this day and age I don’t think you can participate in any aspect of the horse world without hearing the word “pressure” in reference to communicating with the horse.
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