Horse Rider Mindset Motivation

Mindset Motivation
I often share this quote as I work to educate folks to be more supportive of the horse.
So much of what dictates the quality and success along the horsemanship journey is based on the openness of the human putting themselves "out there" to be present. 

No critique or judgment towards themself. 

Letting go of comparing oneself with what "others" are doing. 

Groundwork: Helping or Hurting your Horse Partnership? Alternative Horsemanship the Remote Horse Coach

 
Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series, the Remote Horse Coach focuses on groundwork and discusses understanding horse interactions that can either reinforce defensive, resistant, avoidant, unwanted behavior or it can teach the horse the skills to think, search, try, and offer reasonable behavior. Alternative Horsemanship™ shares insight into changing human patterns, critical communication, assessing the horse's feedback, and other tips to build a solid foundation and trust-based horse partnership. 

Can you recognize defensive horse behavior? • Can you recognize Defensive Horse Beh... 

Alternative Horsemanship TikTok / alternativehorsemanship Alternative Horsemanship IG / alternative_horsemanship 

Reading the Horse Behavior Online 7-part Course https://remotehorsecoach.uscreen.io/c... 30% off through Dec 31, 2023 Remote Horse Coach Courses
Use discount code: REMOTECOACHCOURSES 

LIVESTREAMS with Q & A Opportunities https://bit.ly/ExclusiveHorseContent In-Person Learning https://learn

Improving Horse Skills: Mis Perceptions of the Halt

 Mis Perceptions of the Halt

Many humans view the halt as a physical yielding or obedient behavior. There is little or no concept of the difference between the feet not moving versus a horse mentally present, physically soft and balanced when asked to stand.

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 Help: Defensive Equine Behavior & Re-Education by Alternative Horsemanship

 


"Can you recognize signs of Defensive Horse Behavior?" 

Horse Skills: Mental Focus

 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.

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... 

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.

Horse Skills Webinars by Alternative Horsemanship the Remote Horse Coach


Have you visited the Remote Horse Coach video vault? 
Here are a few of the popular horse skill-building webinars:

Mindful Significance Horsemanship Series

Mechanical Obedience vs Mental Engagement
 
Connecting the Groundwork with the Riding
 
Four for Four Horse Riding Skills

Building Confidence in the Horse and Rider
 
Horsemanship- What am I missing?
 
Pressure Points: Equine Communication

Now through December 31, 2023, enjoy 30% off all webinars (unlimited use)
Code: REMOTECOACHWEBINARS

Learn more HERE


Teaching the Horse or creating Unwanted Behaviors


Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series
Are you effectively teaching your horse or unknowingly nurturing undesirable, resistant, and defensive behaviors? Gain insights into human behaviors that perpetuate fear and defensiveness in horses, and explore creating mental availability to foster willing equine behavior.
Click the link to watch on the Alternative Horsemanship YouTube Channel.
New videos are posted every Friday

 

Holes in the Horse's Education: Lightness vs Softness

It is my job when a horse first comes in to evaluate “where the horse is at,” mentally, physically, emotionally, and experience-wise.

One of the most basic and common initial scenarios is a horse that is “light” on the lead rope (constantly offering slack on the rope, but physically tight), when led in the “normal” position (standing somewhere near his head and drawing him forward with the lead rope.)

Horse Skills & Tips: The Unloading of the Horse

Frequently, especially if loading the horse was stressful or concerning for both the human and the equine, when folks arrive somewhere they tend to rush during the unloading and "hurry" to get the horse to the stall or pasture.
The point of the prior interactions with a horse is to increase their availability to "hear" and address what the handler is asking of them, irrelevant of the familiarity of a location. 

Preparing the Horse to not Hurt the Farrier

Preparing the Horse How Not to Hurt the Farrier
 
Two big challenges for many horse owners are trailer loading and having their horse stand well for the farrier.

Horse Skills - Refining Understanding of 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 being able to influence his brain and movement.) Vocal commands are a third, less common form of pressure.
A horse’s natural response to human pressure is to flee from it, become defensive towards it, or physically “challenge” it, which causes him to be unable to “hear” the person. The horse needs to learn that pressure offered by a person can be similar to feedback he'd receive from interacting with other horses.
Author Quote: Unknown

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

Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series Cinch or Girth Tension

 Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series 

Horse Tack Tips : Cinch or Girth Tension 





Discussing cinch or girth tension, tack fit, horses with past or current pain issues, types of tack, etc that affect the tightening and stability of the saddle.


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



Horsemanship Skills : Following a Feel

 "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.)

Horse Skills & Tips : Breath and Tension

 Tips for Resetting your Breathing and Releasing Tension at the Halt



Without realizing it, many riders hold their breath quite frequently when interacting with or riding the horse.


This unintentional simple act creates continuous containment of the horse due to the rigidity the human then carries in their body causing constant chaotic, miscommunication with the horse.