Considering the Horse: Assessing the fearful and abused horse

Observing the Horse: Starting with the fearful and abused horse... by Alternative Horsemanship the Remote Horse Coach

She's 2 years old and came out of a very bad situation. She's had about 6 months off to just be a horse and gain weight. Her current owner has been unsuccessful in perking the mare's curiosity to participate to any degree with the human. 

I see far too many scenarios where a horse already is fearful and reactive, and people are continuously adding pressure in a manner that is challenging to the horse. 

These are the type of horses who will climb the fence and are seemingly unable to literally see what is in front of them when extreme flight emotions are triggered. If I approach working with her in a "have to" or "make her" manner, there will be no success and I will reinforce what she's already experienced about the human. 

The goal is not about getting her close to me but rather reawakening her curiosity which will replace her fear, which then diminishes the flee and instead she can offer thoughtful, reasonable behavior. 

I will be filming much of our sessions together and creating a course on my Remote Horse Coach video catalog site for those interested in this aspect of horsemanship. 

Considering the Horse: Movement by Alternative Horsemanship

Considering the Horse: Movement (Sound on) The pinto is 25 and semi-retired. The roan is nearing 20 and had a history of physical trauma. Different horses have different requirements and as they age the interaction needs to be adapted. Replay the video a few times to practice "seeing"- balance using the head and neck, engagement of hindquarters, lifting in of spine, pressure, and absorption in fetlock area, etc. The more you understand about the horse's movement, the better you can't recognize and decipher root causes vs symptoms of unwanted physical maneuvers.

Horse Conversations: Building Trust in the Fearful and Traumatized Equine

A Glimpse into helping the Horse by Alternative Horsemanship

Someone recently said, "Sam I love the word you use but I don't understand them. You mention things like Conversation, being mentally available, and searching. What does that mean when you're interacting with the horse?" 

Then I came across this video footage of a severe case from a horse that arrived for help last year. You couldn't get near her, touch her, she was incredibly head shy, and had a lot of PTSD from her previous human experiences. Her bad had massive scarring from a violent past. She'd been sold via video as a Beginner Safe Horse. 

This video shares a glimpse into one of the first few sessions with her. It is an example of what a Conversation with the horse can look like, the shift of when they start to become mentally available to acknowledge the human, and what searching can look like.

Horse Problems: Bucking, Biting, and Bolting - Fixing the Source not the Symptom

In this video, Alternative Horsemanship with Samantha Harvey the Remote Horse Coach shares a brief glimpse into the before and after rehabilitation of a horse that arrived with many human-created "issues." 

He appeared to his owner to have bucking, bolting, rearing, biting, and other unwanted behaviors. The reality was there were a lot of factors and contributors leading to his current dangerous behavior. This video shares how addressing the horse's mental, emotional, and physical state can help rehabilitate the once seemingly dangerous and overwhelming equine.

Dear Sam: Horse Help *Re-evaluating Horse Problems by Alternative Horsem...

Alternative Horsemanship with Samantha Harvey the Remote Horse Coach 

Dear Sam: Horse Help *ReEvaluating Horse "Problems" 

Addressing how most common problematic or unwanted equine behaviors are a symptom, not the issue(s) the horse is struggling with.


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Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series *The Disinterested Horse

Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series 

*The Disinterested Horse 

Alternative Horsemanship with Samantha Harvey the Remote Horse Coach discusses the topic of the disinterested horse and the factors that are leading to the unwanted behaviors. Subscribe to the Alternative Horsemanship YouTube Channel to watch new weekly videos.

Horseback Riding Lesson- Starting with a new Instructor

I've had an influx of new students lately and although folks sign up thinking they are coming for "horse" lessons... there really is a whole lot more that will be addressed.

Horsemanship: Misconceptions of the Circle by the Remote Horse Coach

Misconceptions of a Circle

One of the most misused "techniques" I have found is how people present asking the horse to move around a circle.
Whether it is for lunging, groundwork, riding one, or otherwise, rarely have I witnessed horses thinking and traveling around a circle in an intentional, soft manner.
Often there is a degree of "driving" energy from the human, along with containment via the lead rope, lunge line, reins, the rider's outside leg, etc.