Alternative Horsemanship™ with Samantha Harvey the Remote Horse Coach Articles and Advice Blog

Do you have horse behavior questions? Do you want to improve horse horse skills? Alternative Horsemanship™ with Samantha Harvey the Remote Horse Coach shares her horse training philosophy and coaches horseback riders of all experience levels. Offering horsemanship clinics worldwide along with distance horse coaching, instruction, and consults. Visit her horse video learning catalog offering webinars, courses, classes and more. Find her on all social media platforms #alternativehorsemanship

Clarity, Horsemanship, and Horse Communication

Clarity, Horsemanship, and Communication

Tulip- Pasture Horsemanship Conversations from Fleeing to Participative

Three weeks ago I couldn't get near Tulip. After many Conversations with her learning to let go of her fear and flee, she's learning to try and become curious and willing during the human interactions. For those who missed the original videos, her Sales Pitch, and Week 1 https://youtu.be/BU0SDxd3F8Q , and Week 2 https://youtu.be/oJe-Y8XNuOY , Haltering https://youtu.be/SebMgGaryJM videos to see the progression. Unfortunately, her story of being the "Advanced Beginner" horse that turns out to be as opposite from that as possible is very common these days. #alternativeHorsemanship #RemoteHorseCoach #horsemanship https://remotehorsecoach.uscreen.io

Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Video Series *Empathy vs. Assumptions

Alternative Horsemanship with Samantha Harvey presents Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series *Empathy vs. Assumptions

In this video, Sam discusses how many people are starting in a place of assumption with their horses. This causes the human to not recognize the potential cracks or holes in their equine's educational "foundation." This fundamental misunderstanding leads to a majority of the unwanted scenarios experienced with the horse because the handler or rider is assuming and misinterpreting many equine behaviors.

Be sure to subscribe to the Alternative Horsemanship YouTube Channel for weekly videos.

Full Immersion Horsemanship Clinics by Alternative Horsemanship with Samantha Harvey

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Full Immersion Horsemanship Clinics 2021

The Equestrian Center, LLC Toll Free 866-904-0111 ID 208-265-2644 Website

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Full Immersion Horsemanship Clinics, Sandpoint, ID

Wow... I can't believe we're already into July! As always "life" happens and there's been a few openings in the Idaho Full Immersion Horsemanship Clinics. Perhaps the timing is right for you to join me in these fantastic learning Opportunities!

What is a Full Immersion Horsemanship Clinic?
I developed the "Full Immersion Clinic" as an opportunity to address a variety of topics with participants learning during both unmounted sessions and while in the saddle. These safe, fun, and supportive learning opportunities offer an in-depth full immersion experience.

The Friday through Sunday clinics focus on Equine Behavior Assessment, Clear Communication & Effective Aids, Ground Work, and Riding. We also cover a variety of topics such as anatomical lectures, tack fit and appropriate usage, "finding a feel" exercises, group discussions, and much more!

Who may participate?
From novice to advanced riders, I encourage participants of all ages, disciplines, and experience levels. Horses may range from un-started colts to experienced competitive horses, and everything in between. This is not a "discipline-specific" clinic. Maximum of eight participants.

Can I bring more than one horse?
Yes. One horse is included in the participant fee, if you would like to bring an extra horse to "split" sessions with, there is a $10/day fee.

Can I participate if I don't have my own horse?
At this time I have one lesson horse available that is offered on a first-come basis (depending on the order registration is received.)

Why no predetermined "format?"
This is an opportunity to learn about behavioral patterns in you and your horse and to address "holes" in the foundation of your equine partnership. These may be influencing the quality of the relationship with your horse and are preventing you from achieving your goals. The clinic offers a safe, non-critical, supportive opportunity where you are encouraged to take the time to recognize how what, and why you're communicating with your horse. By watching other participants, people begin to see similarities in their own horsemanship.

These horsemanship clinics can be a great way to offer perspective and offer participants both short and long-term realistic direction for them and their horse. Beyond this basic outline, the structure and focus of the clinic will depend on the participants and their interests. Whether you are a trail rider, jumper, pleasure rider, or endurance rider, and everyone else, there is much to be discovered!

How long is a session?
A clinic day begins at 8 a.m., with about an hour lunch break midday, and ends around 5 p.m. I do not work by the clock but individual time is roughly 45 min to 1 1/2hrs several times in a day and group ride time longer. There is a lot of group discussion in between rides further discussing things that arose in each person's session.

Is the instruction individual or group?
Both. Initially, everyone gets one on one time and then depending on the student and their horse's needs, they will continue to have individual time and/or group instruction.

What tack do I need?
The only requirement is that all riders must wear an ASTM-approved riding helmet. There are helmets available to borrow for the clinic for a $10 fee. Otherwise, tack is often assessed, adjusted for proper fit, etc. throughout the clinic.

How do I register?
If you would like to participate, a non-refundable 50% deposit to guarantee participant slots.

To register online and pay online: If using a mobile device click HERE. If on a pc or laptop, scroll to form further down this page.

Or you can visit the Registration page to print participant paperwork and to mail payment.

What does the clinic cost?
The cost to participate in the three-day clinic is $600.

May I audit?
Auditors may pay a daily or a discounted three-day fee. They are encouraged to participate in all relevant group discussions. The auditor fee is $50/day or a discount of $115/3 days. To pay online click HERE or Email to get registered

What is included in the price?
Daily unmounted theory discussions, tack/equipment fitting & usage, individual and group instruction and activities, and pasture board (grass hay) for your horse. There are four 12x12 uncovered stalls available on a first-come, first-serve basis and must be reserved at the time of your registration submission. (You are responsible for cleaning your own stall.)

When may I arrive/depart?
Horse arrivals are to be on the Thursday prior to the first day of the clinic. Local folks typically head home Sunday evening. Those traveling long distances stay through Sunday night, (extra $10/night board charge) and depart Monday morning.

Accommodation options
Free dry camping (sorry, no hook-ups) is available on the property whether you're in a tent, motor home, camper, or horse trailer. There are many options via AirBnB, and plenty of name-brand hotels and motels in Sandpoint (about a 15 min drive south of the facility.)

Food/Grocery Options
Participants must provide their own food and lodging. A mom-and-pop store is just a few miles away, The Pack River General Store, offering basic groceries to a full dining menu that changes daily.

Property Rules
There is NO SMOKING policy on the TEC property.
All cell phones must be on vibrate for the ENTIRE clinic. If you must take a call, please do so to not interrupt the other participant's experience.
You may not ride your horse outside of clinic activities unless otherwise given permission.
Dogs must be well behaved (no barking) and remain on leashes at all times, and owners must pick up after them.

Full Immersion Clinic #1
The Equestrian Center
Sandpoint, ID
July 30-August 1, 2021
Participant SIGN UP
Auditor SIGN UP

Full Immersion Clinic #2
The Equestrian Center
Sandpoint ID
August 27-29, 2021
Participant SIGN UP
Auditor SIGN UP

P.S. If you would like a daily dose of adventures, humor, and insight, did you know you can now see my pictures on Instagram, subscribe to my new YouTube channel, sign up for my Blog and follow me on Facebook?

Yes... I have crossed into the abyss of being totally social media committed!

Reintroducing the Halter to the Fearful and Defensive Horse

For those who have been following Tulip's journey... and as a recap for those who are unfamiliar with her story. She was sold as an "Advanced Beginner" horse via sales video. After being shipped across the country, it took her new owner two hours to catch her... a year later they were stuck in relatively the same place and she was basically untouchable. 

This is the first day of week three. If you're interested in week one, click here https://bit.ly/TulipHorse , and week two, click here https://youtu.be/oJe-Y8XNuOY , and now the first time I'm re-introducing the halter. She has massive physical scarring and trauma. Serious head shy-ness. So a lot of what I do with her in the videos is based on the very narrow window of opportunity I have to help and offer her a different human experience from what she expects. 

Each of the videos is not ideal. It is a glimpse into the beginning of the Conversations and journey of "what it takes" to help a horse like this. I have no agenda. No "we have to..." And, no "circus act." If I were to "drive, make, force a horse like this... she'd blow right through the fence out of fear. The only goal is to reawaken her curiosity to replace the fear and defensiveness.

Adaptability in Horses and Humans

People and horses get stuck in a mental/physical rut as to the quality and intention of the Conversations and interactions with their horses.

Tulip Week Two: Re-Educating the Untouchable Horse- Alternative Horsemanship

Tulip was bought off a sales video as an Advanced Beginner horse. The new owner quickly realized the mare had many fear issues. Haltering the first time took them two hours. Last week Tulip arrived and I couldn't get too close or touch her. You can find her sales video and last week's session here * https://youtu.be/BU0SDxd3F8Q This is a glimpse into what happened during week two.

Making Peace Along the Horsemanship Journey by Alternative Horsemanship ...

Misconceptions about the Horse's Headset

Often I talk about what I call "the Conversation" with the horse. This applies throughout any interaction with the horse.

Horses and the Round Pen- How to not weaponize it

There was an article on anti-round pen usage... Here is my perspective/response:

Horsemanship- The Detriment of "I want"

Has the urgency of "I want" limited Quality in your equine partnership? If the priority is, "I want," how available are you to hear, acknowledge, and address the horse?

Horses: The Sales Pitch vs Reality- Horse buying gone wrong

We didn't capture Day 1 unfortunately, which means you don't have the severity of her flee or defensiveness as a reference, or what it took to just get her halter off.

I wanted to show how hard she'd be triggered but had to choose between triggering that for the viewer's sake, and if I did, what I would be teaching her about future experiences with me. For her sake, I chose the "boring" course.

Some studies recently said humans only have a few seconds longer attention span than goldfish. 

I find a lot of horse videos are dramatic, fast-paced, high intensity to keep viewers engaged. What I'm sharing is about as opposite from that as you could get.

I'll be doing a detailed breakdown in an online course with more footage and me doing voice-over teaching explaining the communication, her behaviors, how to influence a change in her thoughts and let go of her initial flee, avoidance, defensiveness, and fear replacing it with curiosity and a willingness to try.

It is a 20-minute video clip. Use it as an opportunity for self-reflection. Many people watch horse videos inserting their own emotional filter. Perhaps watch as an observer? Notice if you anticipate her behaviors as you watch? Imagine if you were there if you'd "do or want more"?

https://youtu.be/BU0SDxd3F8Q

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In case you missed the original post about here:

The sales pitch said this: 

Tulip is a super fancy gorgeous buckskin quarter horse mare that stands 15.1 hands tall and has as much eye appeal as you could ever want in a horse. She is a 11 year old AQHA mare, she has been used for play days, 4-H, barrels and poles at the WSR a barrel races, And she has also been trail ridden extensively, she has a super good neck rein, walk trot lopes around extremely nice. She is good to catch, good for the Ferrier, loads and unloads good, good with other horses, Stands tied, Tulip does have one vice, She really doesn’t like her ears messed with, at some point in time someone must’ve rough handled her ears and now until she trusts you she does not like them messed with much.

Barn Name: Tulip
DOB- 11 years old
Height- 15.1 Hands
Color- Buckskin 
Gender- Mare 
Price- $5000
Rider- Advanced Beginner & Up
Disciplines-
Playdays
Barrels & Poles
4H 
Open Shows
Trail Riding 

"I think you would really like her she is a super broke super fun Mare that is 100% safe she only has one little quirk that she doesn’t like her ears messed with but isn’t bad about it someone at some point must’ve been very rough with her ears and now until she can trust you she is a little bit worried about it but extremely sweet and very easy to ride and very broke."

She was shipped across the country and delivered. It took her unsuspecting new owner two hours to get a halter on. Couldn't touch, tie, or trailer. The one riding attempt the horse started running backward at full speed.

She's had her a year and can do nothing other than catching her being very, very careful.

Here's my first session assessment:

Massive deep scarring in between her chest muscles as if impaled by something like a t-post, with random divets of missing flesh throughout her body, all healed. She's completely sound.

Atrophy and nerve damage to the left side of her face with trauma to the eye which is set deeper. 

Any movement with "intention"  towards her, she's fearfully running.

Raise your arms, horses in pasture move, trucks on the road slowly going past, she's running.

One tight, trembling, fearful horse. This isn’t just a case of bad training, but true trauma. 

I got her to mentally acknowledge me and "lead" without the rope attached. Then it took about 10 minutes to get her to accept my hand anywhere in the proximity of her head to attach the rope to the halter.

After doing so, she was quivering, in her muzzle and shaking in her body. It was 85 degrees out.

As soon as the rope was attached, she was mentally gone, and physically locked up and braced in her body. As in hyperventilating in her breathing, hard severe steps, inflated neck, and torso. I touched her neck with a finger and she bolted sideways as if touching an electric fence.

I moved her to a temporary small area where I can work with her to start to build trust. Then I needed to get the halter off. It took close to 20 minutes for her not to thrash her head away, get ready to run off, or go flying backward.

One of my biggest peeves in the equine industry is how many professionals will lead on their clients promising blue sky potential. I'm quite the opposite because I think people need a realistic perspective to not be hopeful about how very much it will take to help a horse like this progress and recover. That way growth is appreciated and recognized without an end agenda overshadowing true, long-term changes and healing in the equine.

But these scenarios truly make me angry. Another website selling "pretty" horses that could get someone killed. I'm frustrated for both the horses and unsuspecting owners. 