Horse Learning & Skills Tips

Horse Time Mindfulness 

Photo is of a very dedicated student who wore this shirt she made to an Alternative Horsemanship clinic...
1. Many people focus (and worry) about doing things "right" and don't realize their concern has affected consistent, regular breathing when anticipating or being"hopeful."

The effects include:
* rigid and delayed communication offered to the horse
*mental & physical fatigue
* limits their physical adaptability to assess and address the horse in real-time
 

2. Many people offer constant negative criticism towards the horse (often after he has offered an unwanted response,) rather than communicating what I call Positive Alternatives. Offering proactive communication to help the horse mentally engage and offer physical responses that he CAN do.
Always communicating after-the-fact criticism teaches the horse to be defensive toward the human communication.

Horse Skills Tips - Learning to Be Present

ReLearning to Be Present...

 

The rate of mental distraction and emotional chaos I see people bringing to their horse interactions nowadays seems to be increasing (at an alarming rate.)

Is Technology Help or Hurting Your Horse Learning

 

Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series

Learning Horse Skills: Modern Day Trials, Tribulations, and Challenges

Discussing pros and cons of online horse learning and how technology has influenced the way we connect or are disconnected with our horses.

Click the link  to watch on the Alternative Horsemanship YouTube Channel.

New videos are posted every Friday.

Horse Learning Help & Skills- Addressing the "frozen" moments in the Human Part 2

 Part 2- Addressing Triggers on the Horse Learning Journey

Each aspect of unpacking previous horse experiences and creating new ones based on trust and willingness is connected. Below are some of the common aspects that need to be addressed to reduce the common "frozen" experience folks have when unsure as they embark on a "new or different" way of interacting with the horse.

Methodology without a Foundation
It can become obvious for folks when they need to "walk away" from a previous training approach that is no longer aligned with their mindset. The challenge is- becoming clear on what they are now "walking toward."

Struggles on the Horsemanship Journey Part 1 by Alternative Horsemanship

Group member statement:

"It can be isolating...and I sometimes feel like an island. I struggle at times with feeling frozen in place, being afraid that I am not “enough” or don’t know enough to move forward with my geldings for fear of making mistakes and backsliding in their progress, or more importantly, breaking the trust I have been building. I am concerned that I may lack clarity at times with them because I get into that frozen space. I feel like we make progress…and then I start to question myself constantly. It’s hard not having a coach I can go to with questions and concerns. "

Tips for Your Horsemanship Journey

How often do you assess what you are bringing to the equine partnership?

Do you recognize how your mindset influences your emotions?

Or how your emotions affect the quality of communication offered to the horse?

Do you ever get frustrated with the horse's responses (or lack of) without acknowledging how your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are being mirrored in the equine?

June Alternative Horsemanship Livestreams

 

Learn more HERE

Fearful, Anticipative, Spooking Horse Behavior Help

 

Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series 

Fearful, Reactive, Spooking horse behavior 

Discussing how many horse training approaches can reinforce the horse's fear. Tips and insights into building trust and try during equine interactions, creating safe and reasonable horse behavior.

Click the link to watch on the Alternative Horsemanship YouTube Channel 

Confidence or Tolerance: Understand Horse Behavior

Confidence- just because a horse is going through the motions of "doing things" and is "learning" does not mean that he is gaining confidence and feeling secure 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 coerced to physically comply.

The Follow-Through Alternative Horsemanship Livestream

Alternative Horsemanship the Remote Horse Coach Livestream 

Sunday, May 26th, 6pm pdt

Join the discussion addressing the overlooked Follow-Through aspect during the equine interaction. This helps give insight into if the horse is ready for what will next be asked of him and how "much" communication is needed for the equine to become mentally available toward human direction. 

Reference video 

Hosted at the Alternative Horsemanship Locals Community 

Human Intentions Affecting Horse Behaviors

 

Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series 

Discussing the impact of human intention on equine interactions and behavior. Gain valuable insights on enhancing horse skills and improving communication with your horse. 

Click the link  to watch on the Alternative Horsemanship YouTube Channel.

#alternativehorsemanship #dearsamhorseseries #horse #horsetraining #RemoteHorseCoach #Horsebehavior #horses 

Attending Horsemanship Clinic Tips

 Attending Clinics Tips:  

When to attend, why should you go, and with whom should you participate or audit?

10 Horse Tips to improve the Equine Partnership

 Goal Fixation vs Clear Communication 

10 Questions 

One of the most overlooked aspects of why people and horses are having issues is because of the lack of human clarity.

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.

Ask the Horse Trainer - My horse keeps backing up

 Ask the Trainer... Q & A

Unwanted Behaviors- Backing

"Hi, I just bought another quarter horse. When I went to check her out, 2 different people, a man and a lady got on her to ride, she too a step or two back. I got her home,  tried to mount her, and she just keep backing up. I tried for about an hour to go get on her and she keeps backing up. I tried to do this in my field. She let me put the saddle on her easy and the bridle. I tried on 2 different days. I don't have a round pen, should I try to do it in the stall next just to get on and off of her a few times? Thanks for your help."

Paul