Valuing the Horse's Halt

 A picture can tell us so much. This horse was new to the handler, was catagorized as a very "experienced and confident" animal. We had the opportunity to assess him at a clinic. 

Horse Trainer Quote

 One of the greatest challenges in my job is finding the balance of how to best help the human so that they can better help their horse. Horse trainer quote

The trouble with horse training programs

 

I meet a lot of folks with dangerous horses who experienced a specific "training program." 

Good on You

 In case you need to hear it... 

A past student years ago had these bracelets made for me after hearing me incorporate the saying in my teachings.. 

I usually give them out at the end of my Horsemanship clinics. Good on you... 

For showing up. 

For trying. 

For searching. 

For persisting through the challenges. 

For seeking change within. 

For not just accepting surviving.

 For having to become honest with yourself in order to make long lasting changes. 

Good on you...

You aren't the horse trainer but you're teaching your horse

"It is okay that you aren't the horse trainer, your horse still recognizes your efforts." 

What is Alternative Horsemanship?

I was recently asked about the "Alternative Horsemanship" and why I use that to describe what I do. So I thought I'd share with the group my answer...
The interpretation of "Alternative" Horsemanship is relative to your current perception and word association... as the human student's awareness and recognition of believing the horse's communication evolve, so does their translation of what Alternative "is."

Time and Horses

Enjoying the moment...

Even though there's always something "to do" on the farm, I've been intentionally working towards slowing my own thoughts down.

Yes, I check one thing off the list and add four more projects.

But that is irrelevant to the horses. As is time.

Learning to recognize and change how we respond to triggers that create an "urgency" in our own human patterns of thoughts, emotions and behaviors can completely alter the relationship with the horse.

The human can still have clarity, intention, and a goal, yet without adding the chaos that appears when the Conversation with the horse becomes a dictatorship rather than two-way communication.

Starting a horse under saddle

 I spy... Can you find the new arrival? 

He and his human counterpart recently participated in a Full Immersion Clinic and she decided to bring him in for training to be started under saddle. 

 His past is unknown as she acquired him at auction a year ago. The only thing clear was he was very reactive to the world around him. 

 Part of my goal to help prepare him for life is to help him learn how to think through scenarios, search for options, and to keep trying in a reasonable manner, even if what he originally offered wasn't what was desired.  

One of the things in seeing a horse like this is a reminder of when I come across horses that are as cute as he is, is that often the human's emotions have clouded the perception of what the horse is expressing in his own emotions and is being reflected in their physical behavior. 

This causes unintentional filtering of how a person interprets horse behavior, causing passive support towards the horse when he really needs proactive interaction and guidance. 

Would you like help in assessing your horse to clarify how to approach working with him? Find out more HERE