Supporting the Defensive "Purging" of a Horse

This question was posed by a student of mine and I thought it'd be a great way to start the week.

"During several of your training sessions with my horses, you reported that they were "purging." They were definitely different horses following this event. Could you explain what this is and how to tell when a horse is doing this.....and maybe why." Many horses I encounter have a level of continuous emotional containment. This creates mental stress and a physical tightness in their behavior.

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Evolving your Horsemanship to Improve the Equine Partnership

Too many people are unclear in what, where and how they communicate with their horse. They unintentionally "challenge" the horse into guessing what they want. Then they reprimand the horse every time he can't figure it out. Or they present a task using the same manner of communication repetitiously, driving the horse's stress levels up, until he accidentally figures out what the person is asking. The more the horse has to "guess" at what the person wants, the more he will tune out the person's aids or communication and can become dull and unresponsive to the aids or feel like he is "taking over" during the session. 

Self Reflection Opportunities Improving the relationship with our Horse

I find during these stressful times, self-reflection in the emotional struggles folks are currently experiencing can also be applied to better understanding the challenges they may also be facing with their horses.

Horse Help: Conversations with Horses

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Enjoying the horse journey- improves our Horsemanship

Many times when I'm teaching a student, if a tense moment arises, I will instruct them to pat their horse.

This is not for the sake of being "touchy-feely," rather for the release that happens within the rider when they touch their horse.

Q & A with Samantha Harvey- Jumping Students and Resistant Horses

I had an instructor write from New York recently and thought I'd share our Q & A.

Question: I have just recently changed stables where I teach hunt seat. All of my students have also made this change with me. This new barn has some older lesson horses who have been allowed to follow closely behind each other. I have never allowed this and have always had my students ride separately and independently. These horses know absolutely nothing about steering! When my students attempt to steer they pull in whatever direction they may wish to go, usually into a corner or into the center of the arena. I've tried having them ride straight and then apply leg aids along with either a direct or indirect rein but to no avail. The students are getting frustrated which I am trying hard to avoid. At this point both the horses and riders need reinforcement! I'm open to any suggestions you may have. Thank you very much!

Rock Bottom Motivation with the Horse

Rock Bottom Motivation

My horse is really good... except when I ask him to ______.

I often go out to ride concerned about who will be at the barn or stable...

I can only do ____ with my horse if I first _____ with him.

When I first bought my horse he was great, but now I feel unsure about how he will react to things.

I've been riding for 30 years, shouldn't I know enough by now to stop taking lessons?

My friends' comments when they try to help me at the competition/on the trail/at home schooling just stress me out to the point that riding isn't fun and I'm now avoiding going to the barn.

I feel overwhelmed in where and how to get my horse to respect me.

When I rode as a child I had no fear, now it seems to be a constant in the back of my mind and overshadows enjoyment in time spent with my horse.

I dutifully work my horse, but it seems the more I practice something the worse my horse gets.

When I'm sitting in the saddle I'm exhausted after just a short ride.