Recognizing subtle horse behavior with Alternative Horsemanship™

 If you haven't checked out the Remote Horse Coach video catalog lately, you might do so to see the latest horse behavior courses, webinars, and classes.

The Search - Engaging the Horse's Mind to create willing Behavior

 In Conversations with the horse we are asking them to mentally "search" for what is being presented, and then to physically act upon those thoughts.

 

It could be a variety of scenarios, such as for them to find a specific location to stand in while they are loose in the pasture/stall/round pen, it could be for them to stand in their "box," (what I define as the imaginary, spatially respectful distance near us,) as we ask them to wait. It could be maintaining a soft feeling on the rein as we ride, it could be the horse tracking straight on an imaginary "line" we visualize. 

Horse Skills- The Check-In by Alternative Horsemanship™

Improving Horse Skills - The Check-In

I often encounter people who are surprised or overwhelmed by their horse's responses. There tends to be a major gap in the human's perception of when/what/how things have occurred rather than an understanding of all the ongoing, continuous equine communication that was ignored, overlooked, or criticized and how the animal's feedback would "tell" the person what behaviors were coming next.

In trying to help people become more aware and considerate of what the horse was experiencing during human interactions, I came up with the idea of the "check-in."

In human terms, think if you were walking and someone familiar tapped you on the shoulder from behind. Your focus would be drawn to them, you might slow or pause your behavior, and you would probably engage in conversation to hear what they wanted. But if it was someone you were unfamiliar with or distrustful of, you would respond very differently. The latter responses are how I see many horses act toward people.

 

The Check-In is a "tool" for both the human and horse to develop that offers a consideration, and acknowledgment of one another.

Initially, it may be done at the halt, but later it will occur as movement continues whether the horse is being ridden or worked with from the ground.

Alternative Horsemanship Livestream: Adaptability

 

Reminder Saturday September 14th 9am pdt join me for the Adaptable Interactions Livestream in the Alternative Horsemanship Locals Community 

Helping the Horse with Worried Eyes

Question:

"Hi Samantha,

The other day you talked about stress showing around the horse's eyes.

I recently bought & watched your "Reading the Horse" series, and it helped me get better at seeing more subtle signs of tension sooner. It's really helpful. Thank you for making those videos available!

This is my boy Ernie. He's a Belgian. He is a wonderful sweet friendly guy in his early teens.

He's a PMU foal from Canada, and we got him when he was 2. His job is to be a pet and ride just for fun. He has 2 acres to wander about and he has 3 horse friends with him.

He seems like he really wants to please. And he worries. The pic of his worried face is an extreme example of his "worried eyebrows". I took it right as something that bothered him happened nearby.

My concern is that he looks worried quite often. In your videos, you talked about the type of horse that will keep his emotions in until suddenly he can't. He has never reached that point, and I would like to support him better so he will not reach the point of being overwhelmed.

What should I be doing to support him and help him build confidence? I try to be gently clear and consistent in everything I ask of him, but I'm sure I can get better. I want him to feel confident and enjoy his life."

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.

Horse Training Tips with Alternative Horsemanship

 Horse Training Tips 

Teaching the Horse to Learn how to learn, think, search and try, while building his confidence, willingness, and adaptability.

Horse Behavior- What do you see?

 

In this horse learning video in the Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series, take the opportunity to practice your horse  behavior assessment skills. Watch the short clips of a newly arrived horse's behavior and then learn from Alternative Horsemanship™️ The Remote Horse Coach's analysis of things to notice in the horses feedback, reflecting their mental, emotional, and physical state, "telling" the human how they respond in future scenarios. 

Horse Behavior Video Assessment Courses by the Remote Horse Coach

Join Alternative Horsemanship™ the Remote Horse Coach as she shares unedited first session assessments of working with a 10-13 year old horse, breed unknown, past unknown. Offering voice-overs to explain how the real-time assessment occurs, what to look for in the horse's feedback, recognizing patterns, and much more.

Initial Assessment 3-part series focuses on

• Spatial Awareness

• Defensive Behaviors

• Physical Triggers

  
  
   

First Pasture Session - The 3-part series focuses on

• Spatial Communication

• Halter Help

• Directable Leading

• Bonus video- After the Session

  
  
   

 

Horse Training for obedience or building skills?

 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?

20 Horse Health Tips, Questions & Observations

Below are some basic questions to ask in regards to your horse’s health.
I suggest keeping a horse health journal making note of diet changes, farrier care, odd behaviors, etc. It can be used as a future reference point to learn from and find what works best for the horse.

Alternative Horsemanship the Remote Horse Coach September Livestreams

 

I often hear people talking about how it feels like they're guessing with their horse, they don't know where to start, or they don't know where/why things fall apart, creating unwanted equine behaviors.

 

The goal of this 2-part livestream is to help adjust the human perspective on how they observe the horse. Then to connect how their Observations can lead to developing Adaptable horse skills, to address the equine in both a real time and relevant manner.

 

Observation Opportunities

Sept 7th 9am pdt

 

Adaptable Interactions

Sept 14th 9am pdt

 

Click the link  to join in.

How do I help my horse?

Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series

How can I help my Horse?

 In this horse learning episode, Alternative Horsemanship the Remote Horse Coach shares insight into answering the common question of, "I want to do things better with my horse. Where do I start?"

Click the link to watch on the Alternative Horsemanship YouTube Channel 

 #alternativehorsemanship #RemoteHorseCoach #dearsamhorseseries #horse #horsetraining

Preparing the Horse for 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.

The Horse's Maturity - Physically, Mentally & Emotionally

 Young Horse Riding & Training 

Gentle Reminder...

Although most equine enthusiasts want to do right by their horse, many people are pushed into starting to ride horses when the equine is still very young.

Detrimental Patterned Human & Horse Interactions

Changing the pattern in the small day-to-day interactions can be a great Opportunity to safely assess Holes in your Horsemanship, refine, communication, and build trust.

If there are any "holes," it can be a safe time and place to start changing up the Conversation, refining influencing thoughts, without the equine getting overwhelmed. All in preparation for future unfamiliar situations.

Remote Horse Coach Video Catalog

 

New Horse Skills Courses Added -Starting today!

Alternative Horsemanship the Remote Horse Coach video catalog

Click the link in the comments and use discount code "HORSELEARNING" for 20% of all purchases between now and August 25, 2024

Honest Horse Conversations & Considerations

 Everything I had been working for my entire life seemed to have come crashing down.

My belief system, values, the approach and perspective in how I viewed the horse.