Why Novice Riders Make Excellent Teachers
There is often a sense of curiosity, wonder and awe that has not been polluted with fear, frustration, ego or politics.
equestrian
Curiosity Killed the Equestrian?
What happens to that free-spirited and unbridled joy inherent to any horse-crazy-kid when they grow up? Somewhere it is often exchanged with seriousness and the need for perfection. So how does a person go about reclaiming that sense of innocence with their horse?
Reining Competitions Promote Hyperflexion and Running the Horse into Walls
They do not seem to care that they are yanking on the horse’s most sensitive mouth with a leverage bit. They do not seem to care that they are spurring the horse carelessly and excessively. They do not seem to care that the horse is willing to accept these abuses without striking out violently.
Do Barrel Racers Cross the Line into Abuse?
Barrel racing is a high speed event, and when speed is added to any activity the difficulty level increases as do the potential errors. Let’s also add to the mix the fact that it is a competition sport and involves money, and as demonstrated in Dressage, Jumping and Reining, to name a few competitive sports; money affects motivate. So, does that mean that Barrel Racing, fueled by speed and competitive cash, is subject to horse abuse the same as other sports?
Solving Herd Bound Issues
Just as some people are more trusting upon meeting a stranger than others, herd bound horses react in the same way. Some will get on just fine alone and others panic at the idea of being trapped into a room with a stranger and no one they know to be found.
Good Hands Require Intelligent Thought
By nature we are designed to work against the horse, and the use of our hands is no different. When we sit in the saddle we respond in fear by leaning forwards rather than sitting up taller or leaning slightly backwards.
Mastering the Mounting Block
“My horse refuses to stand still at the mounting block, or even get close!” Sound familiar? I discovered this clever trick to make the mounting block issues a breeze and to entice your horse to WANT to hang out nice and close…
Creative Horsemanship Lessons from Burning Man
The theme of the piece is about leadership, but that is not where my mind focused. Instead it was the remarks made about the creative spirit that is not only encouraged but nurtured and brought to astounding levels.
Cowboy Breaking
This still happens? I imagine the result of this training to be a horse who is unattached to humans, works based off repetitive cues rather than the conversation with the rider, and that avoids being caught to go for a ride. And I’m not certain the purpose of having her jump over a barrel when first being started under a rider, is it the prevention of bucking?
Using Riding Gloves to Build Confidence
Handling the lunge rope and the reins without gloves felt, well, awful. It simply did not run freely through my hands at will as they had when I wore gloves. My fingers seemed to almost stick incomprehensibly to the reins or the lunge line at the most inappropriate times, truly compromising the signals I was attempting to make. They fumbled and fought against one another in an effort to the correct the sticky fingers problem to no avail.
Open Mouth When Riding?
Many of the images below are cases in which great detail was gone into over the fit of the bit. Look at the tautness of the reins, for some the fear in the horse’s eyes… The horse cannot fight against the bit unless the rider fights with him, the horse has no need to open his mouth as an escape if the rider does not pull back on them.
How to Use Draw Reins
“In training one always wants to go too fast. To arrive quickly, do not hurry, but be firmly assured of each step. The lesson should be for the horse, as for the horseman, a rewarding exercise, an instructive game which never brings fatigue. When sweat begins to show, it is because the man has gone too far.”
The Bloodless Bull “Fight”
This is a great example of how playful horses are naturally… and definitely the best alternative to watching the gory display of a traditional bull fight.
Disengaging the Hindquarters
If the horse is spooking one or more of these elements is missing, plain and simple. If the horse is incapable of being ridden in this way then it is time to investigate a pain issue – be it muscle, joint, hoof, saddle fitting, etc.
The Popularity Contest
No one knows ourselves so well as we do – absolutely NO ONE. Not our parents, siblings, best friends. So why would those against us – our enemies – know us any better?
Popularity is a fleeting experience, just as being the enemy is. Our only endeavor of any value is not to gain the high opinion of those horse riders around us and across the globe. The only opinion that has merit is that of the horse we are working with in that very moment. That split second we have a choice – to be popular to the horse, or popular to the crowd. Usually it is the latter that wins out in public forums, unfortunately.
The Proper Fit
Have you ever worn clothes that were too loose or too snug? Remember that uncomfortable feeling you had the entire time? Or carried a backpack that almost sat on your rear, maybe worse when it was hiked up to your neck and you couldn’t take it off without intense assistance?