Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series by Alternative Horsemanship with Samantha Harvey
*Defensive Horses* Difficulty Leading Trouble Trailer Loading Horse Quits Moving Forward
Learn horse behavior, communication, and improve horsemanship skills in weekly articles from Alternative Horsemanship™ with Samantha Harvey the Remote Horse Coach. Sharing her horse training philosophy developed over three decades. She coaches riders of all experience levels in clinics worldwide and offers distance horse coaching, instruction, and consults. Her horse video learning catalog has webinars, courses, classes and more. Subscribe on all social media platforms #alternativehorsemanship
Horsemanship: Raising the Human's Awareness
So much of our horsemanship can be improved in the time spent bringing awareness to our own behaviors and thoughts before we involve the horse. 
Horseback Riding: Building balance in the Saddle
Many folks think whether in the competition arena or riding for pleasure have misconceptions as to what being balanced in the saddle is.
The Illusion of Horse Training- Human Misperceptions
The Illusion of "Horse Training"
One of the greatest negative contributors in the horse industry (to both the human and horse) is the misperception of Horse Training.
One of the greatest negative contributors in the horse industry (to both the human and horse) is the misperception of Horse Training.
Horsemanship: Building the Equine Partnership
Curiosity in horses... a great place to start the Conversation.
Horsemanship: Tips in Improving the Equine Partnership and Spring Horseback Riding Season
Preparing for Spring Riding Season
Looking ahead to the upcoming riding season, whether you ride for pleasure or are a competitor, you can strive to offer a supportive partnership towards your horse. I will touch on two concepts that you can start considering, without even having to battle the outdoor winter conditions!
The first is addressing your mental focus. Often we think of riding as an escape from the everyday challenges and stresses of life. The horse on the other hand can immediately recognize if the person is not mentally present or if they are distracted, stressed, tired, etc.
I suggest folks learn how to mentally “leave reality at the door” when they are heading out to ride. My perspective is that the ride begins when someone thinks about going for the ride. Mentally separating other aspects of life from the time spent with the horse allows a rider to offer the same level of consideration, conversation, and focus they are asking from their horse.
Looking ahead to the upcoming riding season, whether you ride for pleasure or are a competitor, you can strive to offer a supportive partnership towards your horse. I will touch on two concepts that you can start considering, without even having to battle the outdoor winter conditions!
The first is addressing your mental focus. Often we think of riding as an escape from the everyday challenges and stresses of life. The horse on the other hand can immediately recognize if the person is not mentally present or if they are distracted, stressed, tired, etc.
I suggest folks learn how to mentally “leave reality at the door” when they are heading out to ride. My perspective is that the ride begins when someone thinks about going for the ride. Mentally separating other aspects of life from the time spent with the horse allows a rider to offer the same level of consideration, conversation, and focus they are asking from their horse.
Horsemanship: Tying a Rope Halter Correctly
Rope Halter Typing Tip
Most people using this type of halter are not tying the knot correctly. Often the halter slips and loosens after a short while. This can become dangerous if the bottom section gets "stuck" around the horse's jaw and he panics.
This makes the halter not only ineffective for the initial purpose but also creates continuous unintentional pressure elsewhere, leading to defensiveness in the horse.
Most people using this type of halter are not tying the knot correctly. Often the halter slips and loosens after a short while. This can become dangerous if the bottom section gets "stuck" around the horse's jaw and he panics.
Another common issue from "standard" store-bought halters is that the pressure points the knots on the halter should sit on are laying incorrectly on the horse's face. Often the cheek section is either too short or long, causing the know to sit above the lower end of the horse's cheekbone, or it too the length is too long, the knot sits in the sensitive soft tissue pocket near the horse's nostril.
This makes the halter not only ineffective for the initial purpose but also creates continuous unintentional pressure elsewhere, leading to defensiveness in the horse.
One more time, I don't use rope halters when I'm trailering horses. Especially if hauling long distances, there is continuous pressure and often causes raw spots and discomfort.
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