Fixing or Enabling the problem?

We love our horses, we want the very best for them, and we are willing to try anything to have a great partnership with them. My same story,  different blog.. I am so passionate about helping horses, almost to a fault. I become very sensitive to the way they are ridden, handled, and cared for. We can’t all be like Charlotte Dujardin, Carl Hester or Ray Hunt, but we can try for that picture of harmony. When I was learning to ride at the age of nine, my instructor had me read a book that I will never forget.  “Smokey the cow horse ” it is a horse telling his own story of being born in the wild. He tells his survival story of being born on the range, and human experiences of training. I think it planted a seed in me at a young age to always try to view the horses perception of things.  I hope to offer horse owners a deeper level of thinking and education . When our horses portray an unwanted behavior, it is usually that they are attempting to communicate a problem to us. We can create a superficial view that makes us feel better about the problem or we can address the issue straight on. What you believe is helping your horse may actually be enabling the behavior that will only show up in a different form, sooner than later.

Let me give a few examples of what I am referring to, you will find the educational solutions numbered further in the blog:

1.)  Problem:  Horse does not like ears touched.

Simple solution:  I have a special bridle to accommodate and I don’t ever touch the ears.

2.)  Problem:  Horse does not like bits.

Simple solution: I ride with a bit less bridle.

3.)  Problem: My horse pulls back when tied, does not tolerate grooming or tacking up.

Simple solution: I tie with a slip ring or a bungee.

4.) Problem: Horse won’t respond to leg, is lazy and stubborn.

Simple solution: I wear spurs.

5.) Problem: Horse braces and pushes against bit, fights all bit pressure by tossing head.

Simple solution: I use a gadget designed to place head in a ” frame. ”

When viewing this list, it is easy to see why I chose the word superficial for addressing the issues. Now, to gain a deeper level of knowledge regarding behavior, read on..

I continually teach about the horses shutting down emotionally. This shutting down is a protective mode that begins to have an effect on the nervous system which in time  begins to appear physically. Usually it will show up in the muscular system of the body. Muscles may feel tense, tight, trembling to any touch, and hard. A scientific study called the Defense Cascade proves the protective shut down effects on humans as well as mammals.  Shutting down the emotions to endure stresssful situations, shows muscle shut down as well. “ Emotions are played out mentally and physically, it is a defense mechanism. We can’t always compare horses emotions to humans but if we are training with empathy, we can believe our survival instincts are very similar. This is proven with horses used in the healing process of victims of trauma and abuse. It is a connection that creates an  unexplainable bond to both horse and human.

 

Here is the link to study more about the Defense cascade   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4495877/

    Some of the signs of emotional shut down are horse is irritable with grooming, tacking up, or when you pet them in a particular area, they react as if they had no idea you were there. Some horses just don’t like to be coddled and that is their character. They are all business..”either ride me or leave me alone ” It is up to us as horse owners to really get to know the character of our horses. Then we can recognize immediately if something isn’t right.

What does this shutting down have to do with behavior?

1.)  If a horse does not want the ears touched, ask your veterinarian to look into the ears. If all is ok, then it will be important for you to slowly apply Ttouch methods to the ears, it is a desensitizing, awareness process that starts at the base of the ear.  Horses that  have had barbaric methods done to them like an ear twitch may have damaged nerves. You need to address this and be able to touch the ears, promoting feeling and awareness.  We don’t want the horse ” shut down ” in any areas of their body. Dr. Monica Aleman, associate professor and internal medicine specialist at the University of California-Davis, is one of the few researchers who focuses on the equine ear. “[Head-shyness] could start with something painful and then become a learned behavior, even when the problem is solved, that behavior could be tricky to get rid of,” Aleman said. “You can begin by touching the horse on the neck and then slowly touching closer and closer to his ears, each time giving him a piece of carrot or a lump of sugar. Then he is likely to be less sensitive about his ears,” Meanwhile, if it’s always a battle to put his bridle on, you can undo the headstall, put it on, and then buckle the cheek strap instead of pulling it over his head.” -Excerpt from paulick report. Accommodate the horse through the process but also address the problem.

2.)   I am not against bit less riding, it is a great testimony of control and partnership. I am against bit less riders claiming bits are harsh and barbaric. Bits are definitely misused in several ways, but so is our understanding of what the consequences are by forcing our horse in a position.”  Force without a bit is still force. Taking the bit out of the mouth of the horse does not make it any friendlier if one replaces it by a bridle which can easily hurt the horse’s nose or other parts of the sensitive face.

Holding bit less rein until the horse gives to pressure inflicts pain on facial nerves.

 

You don’t have to know anything about horses to see this is  unnatural. The kinematic abnormality is noticeable with the wrong footsteps

This horse looks super unhappy with the bit less bridle. The nose and poll pressure can be just as harsh on facial nerves as a bit can be in harsh hands.

Anyone that studies and understands the bio mechanics of the horse knows that the bit is not there to gain harsh power over the horse, it is there to feel the horses body. The bit can tell you where the horse is braced and needs  correct flexion. When used correctly, the bit creates proper flexion throughout the entire body. The horse always appears happier without a bit in it’s mouth because they can carry their body the way they want to.  That’s a good thing right? No it is not, horses were not born understanding how to balance under a rider. This is obtained by a training of different gymnastic exercises to create a correct, light, and balanced horse. The way a knowledgeable trainer  gets them quiet in the mouth is by improving their balance. The better they do with their movement the more they become quiet and content in the mouth.

This horse easily performs a half pass at the walk with reins in one hand and no bit pressure. He is being trained to self carriage.

” You are therefore losing the precision associated with the bit. The bottom line is the rider. Pulling and tension of the forearms and elbows and shoulders are the cause of eventual discomfort for the horse, not the bit. This is where the hypocrisy of the bit less came from. Instead of learning how to ride and don’t pull on the reins and therefore don’t “Take” contact, riders felt good about themselves removing the bit. Of course, it is worse for the horse. Contact on skin and bone and facial nerve is a lot worse than gentle pressure on the tongue.” _ Jean Luc Cornille

We are all entitled to an opinion but re educating horses that have been improperly trained, abused, or endured trauma is serious business. The best approach is with thorough knowledge and understanding of exactly how the horses physique works, then after creating self carriage and balance in the horse, go bit less, bridle less, whatever gives you and your horse joy! You will want to periodically check in with a simple snaffle to address any improper bending, bracing, etc.

3.)   The horse that pulls back when tied is apprehensive about what will happen, they are trying to communicate something, you need to address the discomfort and then train them to properly stand. The bungee gives them freedom to pull back, it accomodates the behavior that is very dangerous.  For simple training methods on training to tie, I would suggest reading Mary Twelveponies there are no problem horses, only problem riders.

4.)   Spurs for the unresponsive horse. Horses do not become more responsive with the shouts of spurs and kicking, this actually creates a deadened response after time.  Horses have in the area under your legs a very high tactile perception, by kicking with your heels or even spurs, you overload their perception forcing horses into protective reflex contraction. “Using stimuli developed for gauging human tactile sensitivity, we were surprised to find that horse sensitivity on the part of the horse body which would be in contact with the rider’s leg is greater than what has been found for the adult human calf or even the more sensitive human fingertip. Horses can react to pressures that are too light for the human to feel.” (Saslow, 2002) – Excerpt from Science of Motion Chazot 88

5.)  I have already overly spoken about the use of gadgets to get false results. Once again what we think and believe are solving problems, are actually enabling disastrous results both physically and mentally.

When problems arise, the horse needs to be assessed by a Veterinarian, if all is clear medically, then analyze at a muscular level. Ttouch methods unblock tenseness using gentle yet firm pressure on specific points. In the absence of pain, muscles relax and blood flows more freely. As tension recedes, the body finds balance. Areas of tightness that exist in a horse’s body may be obvious and create abnormal gait movement. Tension in muscles will have an effect on the way the horse functions on an emotional, mental and physical level and can interfere with their ability to be trained and ridden. On the other hand, releasing muscle tension without addressing the root cause can be harmful. Horses and humans use muscle compensations to protect themselves from pain, motion therapy finds the root cause and then re creates proper muscle development. This works like physical therapy.

 

 

” The thoughts we choose to think are the tools we use to paint the canvas of our lives. ”  – Quote by Louise Hay

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Identify the behavior Part 2

I want to share the story of a little paint pony named ” Thunder ”

I received a call from a woman who had purchased a three year old Pony who was not yet trained to ride. She was excited about how calm he was for such a young horse and decided to purchase him. The sellers had agreed to deliver him. She let him settle in his new home but soon found out she could not go near him. He was afraid of everything and everyone. He attempted to kick if you touched him anywhere on his hindquarter or legs. He just wasn’t the same pony she looked at. She had to lock him in a stall so she could attempt to tame him. She did a great job but he still reacted with fear or kicking if she went near his hind end. When I came, he was standing in the stall quivering with fear. He showed major signs of tension like his tail was tucked tight, holding his breath and his eyes were huge. If I tried to approach him over the stall wall, he attempted to jump out of the half door. Hmm..guessing the sellers drugged this pony so he seemed calm when she purchased him. My first thought was he must have been abused. I later realized that he was acting as a horse in the wild would if caught and locked up. Presumably, he must have grown up in a herd and his only human contact memories were traumatic to him. ( haltering, vaccinations, castration, etc. )

The first thing I decided to do is give him treats ( Of course! )

This would help his mind relax and forget about his fears. Eating ( chewing ) actually has a relaxing effect on the horse, it keeps his mind relaxed and not so focused on ” flight ” While he was loving the treats, I was able to halter, and pet him. Everything I did was very slow, talking to him the whole time. What I was saying didn’t matter, it was the tone of my voice that mattered and remained the same, quiet and comforting.

I used some Ttouch methods with him. These are awareness methods, not massage. These ” touches ” make the horse more aware of their body. In other words, if a horse is nervous or holding emotions, he completely shuts down his mind and body, it is a defense mechanism that humans use as well. Horses become very unpredictable in this state of mind. The Ttouches help the horse become aware of his body mentally and physically. It can also create a bonding and trusting friendship with horses that are tense. I started with a long dressage whip to act as an extension of my arm. This way, I could stand back in a non threatening way but still touch his hindquarter without getting kicked.  If your horse is having odd behavior, I suggest trying Ttouch to see if he is shut down, blocking out emotional stress or pain. Know that there is always a reason for this behavior, based on fear or pain. It doesn’t have to mean the horse was abused, it is almost like a map to areas of tension. If you don’t address the cause, with proper training exercises or tack fitting, you will waste your time with the Ttouch ( after horse has been diagnosed healthy by your vet )  ligament issues, arthritis, etc. can cause pain and rigidity as well.

Signs of tension with eyes and mouth say a lot about the horses emotions but so does the tail! A clamped, rigid tail is a sign of fear or even pain that resulted in shutting down emotionally. You want to address and actually get the horse “aware ” of it’s body. Does your horse unnecessarily spook at things? Does he seem startled when you pet his hindquarter like he didn’t know you were there? This can come from a slight physical pain that can even come from locked back muscles, shoulders, etc. Remember some horses tolerate pain by becoming stoic, emotionally shutting down. It will eventually show up in behavior, lameness or health. The horses self preserved way to stay comfortable, enduring, tolerant. Horses main priority for themselves is comfort, and safety.

” The horse must always feel comfortable in all equestrian activities, this is how we show him our love and respect.” – Miguel Tavora

You will start to know a horse is relaxing by watching his body signs. His eyes will go

from distant or scared to calm and relaxed. ” softer look in the eyes

He will begin to lower his head in a relaxed manner.              He will breathe out and begin to gently chew. These relaxed signs can appear but the tail may still be rigid and clamped.

I could now pet him all over but needed to know if he was still going to kick out if I pet his hindquarter. I use a rope or lasso to desensitize that area, just placing slight tension for awareness. Linda Tellington suggests polo wraps   as they are gentler. In some cases, the horse is less fearful of approaching with the rope than wrapping him with a polo wrap.  After some hopping and kicking, he settled. He was just scared and kicking out in defense. His ears were not pinned but his tail was clamped. All  “problem ” horses have to be handled differently and that is why no” how to” book can address the situation. I taught the owner the Ttouch so she could work with him 10 to 20 minutes per day. He soon became relaxed and accepting and I was able to start him under saddle. Chasing a horse in a round pen until he ” relaxes ” does not work in cases of pain and emotion, it seems to but is actually creating a stronger mental shutdown.  This is different than acceptance or accustoming to tack and surroundings. I have seen many horses leap right out of a round pen in fear and confusion. Horses like this need routine and consistency of ” awareness “in order to change their defensive nature to a trusting, willing character. This pony was able to change because of his owners willingness to learn, to have faith in what I was doing and allowing the time needed to gain his trust.

If you persevere long enough, if you do the right things long enough, the right things will happen.
Quote by: Ian Millar

If I never thanked you, My sweet Mare

 

I was obsessed with horses. When I was a kid, I would stand by the road and wait for this married couple to ride by on their beautiful horses. I did not have my own horse, but we lived in a mountain neighborhood where most people had a horse in their yard. I knew the couple would be coming by every Saturday morning. “ Can I ride your horses? “ I would beg every time…”No” they would kindly answer. Finally, after a few times asking, they let me know it was VERY rude for me to ask. So I moved on, I decided to befriend a girl that rode my bus, she lived at a beautiful horse property. “ Can I ride your horses? “ She said yes but would set it up with her Mom. I was 9 and I was so excited!! Her Mom would be the one to lay the foundation of important knowledge of Horsemanship. I could not wait to climb on that black Welsh pony. You have to “ learn “ to ride and care for the horse and tack, is what she let me know. “ You don’t just ride my horses, you have to LEARN to ride them.” I took lessons and took care of her horses when she was away. Fast forward to a very rebellious teenager. I studied all I could about horses, I did not focus on education ( regretful now ) I searched for every wild, untrained horse I could find, I was fearless. I still needed knowledge though; people didn’t believe I knew how to train at such a young age. I was so impressed with anyone that said they were a trainer. I believed that the word “ Horse Trainer “ meant they were honestly knowledgeable about the practice of educating horses. I did not understand that any individual could label themselves with this title. I called every horse stable in the area to see if any trainers needed help, I wanted to learn to be a trainer. I was hired as an exercise rider for a trainer. She interviewed me by taking me out on a trail ride and was impressed with how I handled the horse. On the third day on the job, she told me to tack up and longe a horse that I would be riding up the mountain with her. This horse was wild, it was bolting out of control and actually slipped and fell. I wasn’t phased by it’s behavior because I was there to learn from a horse trainer! Off we went, the horse I was on had a bosal, a hard noseband used for pressure on the nose, and no bit.

When we reached the top of the mountain, I turned around to let the trainer know I felt the horse wasn’t listening, and before I knew it, he was bolting out of control. He took off so quickly that I dropped my left rein ( I only ride and teach with connected reins now ) and was crazily headed straight for a cliff. I could not stop this horse so I did what I was always taught…pull the horse round in a tight circle to slow or stop. When I brought my one rein to my thigh, the horse lost his balance and fell on me. Unfortunately, when it fell on me,I was between a good sized rock and the horse. I was unconscious, i’m not sure for how long but when I awoke, the trainer was praying over me. Turns out I had broken my upper back, crushed my lower and was two inches from being paralyzed by a hairline fracture. One week in the hospital and three months in a back brace. I was devastated, ashamed, and contemplated giving up on being a horse trainer forever. I remember my Sister bought me a get well card with horse magazines and told me to never ever give up my dream. I still have the card. It turned out the horse was in training as a “runaway” The trainer had used my fearless character to test ride the horse never warning me to keep an eye on it running for home. Hopefully she learned a little more about safety and horses from that…

I had to ride again, it was like an addiction that I could not ignore.

Almost 6 months later, I was able to buy a horse for only $ 500.00. She was a beautiful Thoroughbred cross with Mustang/ Morgan. When I went to try her out, she would not move, they had to lead her to the end of the driveway so she would walk back to the barn. I had to have her. I had a secret that only that mare and I knew- I was scared to death that she might bolt off. What they deemed stubborn, I saw as safe. I kept her at a ranch that had 60 acres of trail riding. Off we went, she would take 5 steps and refuse to go any further. Kicking, swatting with a crop did nothing. She wouldn’t turn for home, spook, back up, just froze up in her tracks. The previous owners said she had started doing that recently, but she used to love galloping everywhere they went. She would climb on and run this mare everywhere. Well that was my answer, this horse was so resentful of being ridden that she figured out a way out of it. She was too kind to try and hurt anyone or become aggressive, she just turned sour.

Bam!!, my eagerness to fix horses was coming back! I would take the mare out, go three steps, turn around and come back. Unknowingly, we were helping each other stay in our comfort zone. We were both taking baby steps toward confidence. Each ride brought us both further and further until the desire to refuse just went away. We rode all over, then when I had to live in the city, we continued to ride all over, picking up milk from the gas station was always the best! This Mare ended up being one of the best teachers not only in my life but instructing so many children as well.

 

I will never know completely if she sensed my fear and that made her unsure of going forward or if she became balky from her previous owners. I believe perhaps a combination. I am so thankful I acquired this mare that I named “ Tasha “ after the Welsh pony I learned to ride on. She brought me back to my dream of becoming a horse trainer and helping horses and owners overcome problems.

I wanted to share my story for a few lessons…

1. Respect the horse as an animal and know they can be unpredictable
2. Anyone can be labeled a trainer. Be enamored with their knowledge, their empathy for the horse as well as the rider, not just their title.
3. Respect and understand riders that have fear.
4. Do not use fearless young riders to accomplish what you are afraid of. Hire a professional. Communicate why you are afraid of the horse, be honest and allow the trainer the time it takes to help you and the horse overcome obstacles.
5. There is power in prayer
6. There are questions surrounding the use of terms such as leader, submissive, and obedient. One term we can all agree on in horse and rider is confidence.
7. Admitting and facing your fears of your horse is not shameful, it’s smart!

Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.

– Winston Churchill

10 tips that help partnership

1. Health- Horse needs to be thriving to have an interest in his work. Consistent vet care, a knowledgeable farrier, De worming schedule ( preventing ticks as well as parasites) turn out and quality hay are obviously beneficial.  Do not over grain your horse as this leads to stored energy making it impossible for your horse to focus, this  is dangerous.
2. Tack -I see so many saddles that are placed too far forward. This can hinder the horses shoulders causing discomfort and stumbling. Quite often in an evaluation of horses behavior, it is due to a poor fitting saddle. It becomes easy to believe that a saddle is a saddle and the horse can wear it…Horses have to be comfortable if we expect them to perform well.
3. Goals- Setting long term goals are great but placing a high expectation on our horses can cause frustration and disappointment. It’s a good idea to not only set your big picture goal but a daily goal as well. This leads to reassurance for both you and your horse and keeps things in an achievable perspective.
4. Focus- Your horse needs to have obedience. Some people do not accept that word with partnership but working with a 1200 lb animal, you need to know there is an understanding of respect and safety between horse and rider.
5. Purpose- What is the honest purpose for what you are trying to achieve. Make sure you are seeking help from a knowledgeable instructor that can explain the reason for what you are asking from your horse. ( example: placement of the horses head )
6. Consistency- This means stay consistent in your communication with your horse. Consistency in aids leads to a great partnership. Consistent repetitive exercises actually raise tolerance level producing weaker response from boredom.
7. Subtleness- subtle aids ( not jabbing with spurs, yanking reins, etc. ) The most effective riders are the ones that can control horse with slight body nuances.
8. Influence- The horse lives in the moment, he does not know what your future goals are. His main desire is survival and will protect himself from pain or seek absolute comfort. We want to tap into that comfort, not create heightened  defense mechanisms.
9. Balance-Horses are not born understanding how to carry a rider. Imagine giving someone a shoulder ride or piggy back ride that was flopping all over the place. You would try to accommodate the balance the best you could. Horses attempt to carry unbalanced riders but this usually leads to muscle imbalance, and resentment. Riders should have an understanding of how to properly balance the horse as well. A balanced light horse is a horse that is easy to sit upon and control in perfect harmony.
10. Safety- Do not take your horse or yourself out of comfort zone if you are insecure. This type of desensitizing training only re assures the horses insecurities if he has not been properly prepared mentally and physically. Get to genuinely know your horse and how he reacts to situations at his comfort. I have endured quite a bit of alarming situations with horses. I develop trust and confidence with them in a less distracting area before expecting a horse to protect me in an unexpected situation.                      Some before and after pics with these training methods                                                                                             

To be Trusted is a Greater Compliment than to be Loved

Having a passion for such an amazing, majestic, beautiful animal as the horse is a gift.  There are horse lovers, and then there are those that my Aunt would say,  have the “fever.”

My Parents tried to help my obsession. I had horse everything ( still do ) They bought me a horse, I had subscriptions to horse magazines, I had acquired tons of books about horses. One horse was not enough, So they let me buy a naughty little pony. I had actually bought him for my little sister.  Amazingly, she lived through that pony always bolting for home! When the movie International Velvet came out, I was hooked. I began jumping my little Morab Mare in hopes of becoming an Eventer. I wrote to the Olympics to inquire how my horse and I could be chosen for the U.S. team. They were kind enough to write back that I needed Show experience, a really nice horse, and money. I wish I still had that letter!

I started begging to be sent to a horse school where I could live and learn everything about horses.

My Aunt and I at the racetrack in New York.

My Dad flew me to New York to spend a short time with my Aunt. I was so excited, my Aunt at that time, was a groom, eventually to be an Assistant trainer at the race track!  I was mesmerized by her knowledge, she educated me about everything she was doing.  I want to dedicate a blog to her and a short summary of an amazing, hard working, horse lover.

My Aunt Janice always loved horses.  Her best friend and neighbor had a horse so she got to ride.  She actually hadn’t known that her Dad was a horseman until one day she was galloping the horse around and he began shouting instructions to her on how to

My Grandfather on his pony.

properly ride.  My Aunt became a mother at a young age, then unfortunately a single mom.  She needed a job to support herself and her son.  Her first experience of racehorses was at Green Mountain Racetrack in Vermont.  She started as a hot walker, you hand walk the horses after a workout to cool them out.  This was a job she could bring her son to, he could hang out with books, crayons, etc.  She then relocated to Suffolk Downs in Boston, where she became a groom.  It was there that she began to specialize in caring for the difficult horses.

Grooms work very hard at making sure that the horses are comfortable and need knowledge to know if the horses legs need heat or ice.  Grooms need to know which therapy to use for any apparent swelling in the horses legs.  She then moved to a farm in Ocala, Florida where she worked for the impressive Pancho Martin.  He was the hall of fame trainer of thoroughbreds, remembered as the trainer of “Sham”.  They taught her everything possible regarding care of the racehorses.  She even prepared all the Sham babies for the races.

Then, it was a huge step to the famous Belmont racetrack.  When she started she was one of very few women who worked at the racetrack.  It was known as a man’s world.  It was hard work, dangerous, and an absolute commitment to the horses care.  That is where my Aunt excelled, she became a sought out groom.  Her ability to nurse the racehorses so that they would perform better was an amazing gift.

My Aunt with one of her prize racehorses

She loved that each horse was different and you had to find the key to making that horse thrive.  My Aunt says, “They are not a factory number, make them happy and they will run for you”.  Her goal was to become an assistant trainer. As an assistant trainer she would assess the needs of each horse as an individual.  This meant observing what they need or like.  You to have change up their daily workout to keep them interested.  She took her career to where she wanted to be.  She was the person that holds them together so they can do their job to the best of their ability.  Overseeing the horses needs meant becoming very close to them, she was attached to them all.  She explains it as heart wrenching when her horses would win and then sell at claims races.  This is a race where every runner is for sale.

It turns out it was not a love for racing as I always thought.  It was the love of nursing and caring for the horse, keeping them happy and healthy so they could thrive. It wasn’t about the running, she actually admits she barely spent any time observing the races.  When I asked her what the highlight of her career was, I thought she would speak of horses winning.  Her actual highlight, was the five years she spent at a beautiful breeding farm in upstate New York.  At the farm her job was caring for the horses, they were retired runners that were now broodmares, studs, and future prospect.

There are horse lovers everywhere, horses are healing, they offer unconditional love, riding a horse awakens ones soul.  My Aunt taught me a lot in the short time I spent with her at the track.  I was young, but absorbed all the knowledge like a sponge.  One thing always stuck with me, “A true horsemen will quietly learn and observe. You will never know everything about horses because each one is different.  A true horsemen will always desire more knowledge”. 

“It’s amazing what you can learn after you’ve learned all that you think there is to learn”. -Ray Hunt

 

Root cause

Mark Paradies has a great definition of this title; The most basic cause ( causes ) that can  reasonably be identified and that management has control to fix and, when fixed, will prevent ( or significantly reduce the likelihood of ) the problem’s recurrence. This can apply to any situation, I am using this in terms of behavioral problems in horses.

These  are just a few of the major behavior / riding problems ….and possible root cause problems.  Some horses do have undesirable characteristics, (just like people) and we need to find the correct approach to gain their confidence, trust, and willingness to become an ideal horse.

• Spooking = Discomfort, boredom, unconditioned mentally and physically.  Improper riding techniques.
• One sided = Pain, inverted rotation, unconditioned physically. Improper training/ riding techniques, including no introduction of ambidextrous use in initial training foundation.
• Bucking=Discomfort anywhere, including mouth. Improper training/ riding techniques, self defense of situation being asked.
• Rearing= Discomfort, ” stuck ” from improper force of head position, making it impossible to move hind legs forward correctly
• Bolting= Discomfort causing flight response,  horse learning to lean or push on bit causing contraction (stiffening of back muscles ) making it hard to properly slow horse down.

How can we properly fix these horses?

We cannot look at the big picture of the behavior. We need to look at the possible       root cause of the problem.

1.     Your horse needs to be healthy and thriving. Feeding good quality hay, providing turnout, fresh water and a good deworming program is a priority. An unhealthy horse cannot completely offer themselves mentally or physically. An exercise program that strengthens and conditions is a benefit for horses of all ages. We do not see walking around the store as exercise compared to a workout at the gym. Developing the horse athletically and correctly provides a horse that loves to be ridden. Just as exercise is an important part of overall health in humans.
2. Good Veterinarian / Farrier care. Horses need their teeth floated regularly. Even if your horse is at a proper weight and does not drop feed,  with all behavior issues, check the teeth first for sharp edges or decay.  Healthy, balanced feet is obviously a necessity.
3. Tack fitting. A horse can only tolerate so much pinching or rubbing, they are not machines and will eventually speak their mind.

4. Proper Knowledge. Example: Your horse has become one sided, will only take one lead and refuses to bend the direction of unwilling lead. If they have become inverted right, the muscles will become built up on left side of spine causing the muscle to brace against rotation to the left. This improper muscle development makes it physically impossible to take the left lead or properly bend left, etc.

If you rush your horse fast forward with it’s nose at knees, you are causing major dysfunction of the back muscles, not strengthening. Working the horse at his natural cadence, with slight flexion of poll, neck relaxed at level of wither promotes correct muscle development.  This eventually develops muscle to carry the poll as highest point.

 

This is important as it lifts the weight of forehand and allows the front legs to propel the horse upwards, engaging and strengthening hind legs for accelerating and decelerating.  Long rein breaks are important at all three gaits to invite self carriage, without any force from riders hands.

Maximum output from horse with minimum effort from rider allows the horse to learn in the “moment” reward. The reward is the rider sitting quietly and providing the horse with the comfort they will always seek.  Make your training program benefit the horses physique.  A healthy fit horse that thrives with appropriate training methods becomes the art of true Horsemanship.

 

Mr. Misunderstood

I met this cute horse around six years ago. He was very well taken care of but had some behavior problems. Would not stand tied for grooming, tacking up, bucked at canter, just all around unhappy horse and owner. When you have spent your entire life learning about and being around horses, you still don’t know everything but you do know how to identify behavior. This horse was not comfortable with anything anyone wanted to do with him. I was asked to evaluate him. I start with observing whole horse, then feet, then movement, etc. ( any evaluation for behavior needs to first have the vet check all health aspects ) Next comes saddle fitting. The bars of her western saddle were too tight and definitely caused pinching. Quarter horses tend to be built with a low wither and wide shoulders. There are special saddles designed for Quarter horses,  “Quarter horse bar ” Nice wide fit.

Thankfully, she had a saddle with a wider bar. Next comes bit fitting and then lunging to watch the horses gaits. Then if owner is not fearful, I ask to see them ride. She was a beginner wearing extra large western spurs, she used a curb bit which she held a tight contact like a snaffle. The horse reared and bucked, he looked like a rocking horse. He seemed super confused, most horses are kind and could really harm you if they wanted to. I rode him and oh my goodness, turns out whoever had trained and rode this horse did an amazing job. I was beyond impressed at how I only needed my weight to turn and barely any rein to stop, he was so sensitive, so impressive. She had acquired a wonderful horse but just needed some lessons to correctly communicate with him.  She was doing well, I am very particular on creating balance in rider and horse. I am also particular about teaching the rider, not just the horse. Sometimes this can take time and commitment. Just when things were turning positive, She was wooed by a trainer that offered free lessons. You can’t force people to believe in you but in time,  the horse will always show truth in the training methods used. I was so heart broke, especially when I had to watch him being rushed on the lunge line with his head forced into tight side reins. This horse learned to submit, he was not going to fight. When horses are worked with the same daily routine, head forced in, rushed forward, they begin to develop protective muscles to compensate the abnormality of movement. Correct training develops muscles that enhance elasticity, stamina, and strength.  When pushing an athlete, they are no longer developing muscle but are actually turning the muscle off, this is called muscle fatigue. At first, the workout seems great but then muscle fiber becomes inefficient. When the horse is flexed correctly and trained at their natural cadence, muscles can work more efficiently.

 

Interval training is important for both mind and body. The horse needs a recovery from the same routine, muscle fiber begins to break down and needs to recover and rebuild. 

I came into contact with this horse again as the owner was selling him. He had become slightly lame on his left hind and still showed signs of unhappy behavior. I took him and began his motion therapy. The incorrect muscling he had developed in his daily routines of improper methods had created an inverted rotation of the vertebrae. You could feel him throw your weight left and could not bend right. Simple gymnastic exercises were necessary to create proper function. Re educating a horse requires knowledge. The muscle memory likes to stay dysfunctional but is continually developed with proper workouts. He is a wonderful trail horse and enjoys his work.

 

 

 

 

” Wellness is not soundness ”  – Jean Luc Cornille

Accountability

I felt compelled to write regarding an incident in the Dressage world.  A rider was  competing nationally, at the Intermediare I level. Horse and rider were clearly not prepared to compete at this level, or really any level! However, I think enough negativity has been said regarding this particular rider. It is the reality of the world we live in. Greed, wealth, and desire for fame and ribbons has taken over. It seems that some changes have occurred since this ride. One is, no more live streaming. Does that protect the horse? No, it protects the abusive rider from getting insulted. This public video showed comments in all forms of evil,  in a mad world. People were insulting the riders physical appearance, while others were defending her with ” maybe she was having a bad day.” There is no excuse, ever. We need to ensure our safety with such large animals, making  sure they are obedient under saddle but this horse was not placing anyone in danger, it was submissive to the barbaric riding method imposed.

I was giving a lesson recently to a new client. The rider was all out kicking her horse bluntly with a spur. I spoke up, “can you please not do that with your spur, your horse is going to get upset, he doesn’t understand. ” Then I asked her to remove the spurs and not wear them again, especially in my lesson. The horse obviously had no idea how to move away from the inside leg. This is not taught with harsh actions, it is taught through exercises that invite the stepping away, creating a bend through the ribcage. I was not invited to come back for additional lessons… I think of the horse often, and how some horse owners do not see these actions as abusive. I have also witnessed a trainer tying a horses head to a truck hitch to teach it to yield to pressure. I stopped working at that barn, I did not want to be associated with those methods. In hindsight, I should have held the trainer accountable. Not starting a confrontation but simply, ” Isn’t there a better way, why are you submitting the horse to this method?” Horses need to be taught what is acceptable or not acceptable with their behavior, the same goes for trainers using barbaric methods or worse, telling a rider they are” awesome”, when they are in need of basic education of riding.  Basically, these instructors close their eyes and are taking the clients money.

Horses should be relaxed yet focused in their schooling

Horses will shut down mentally in order to endure situations. It is an amazing defense mechanism that humans have as well. Victims of domestic violence have to be re trained to ” free their thoughts and become aware of feelings”, it is a scary process to begin to feel.  The eye of a shut down horse is like a shark, unemotional. Once the horse is being re conditioned, their eye becomes softer, they develop character. This takes time, patience, and consistency. I have found the Ttouch to be most effective for awareness. Shutting down mind also results in shutting down body. Muscle tenseness is also a defense mechanism. Over time, these will have a result on the horses overall health and well being. I love helping horses, it is my passion.

There is a lack of riding schools teaching a good foundation for strength and balance in the saddle as well as understanding how the horse physique works. Everyone wants to be a master these days. You can you tube anyone teaching or training ,even if it’s completely inappropriate training methods.

Be careful what you choose to study. Preserve always the beauty of the horse. Speak up about what concerns you ,but do not join in on bashing. Hold yourself accountable to how you are riding, what you are pursuing and if you have any doubt about your trainers methods, ask why they believe that will help the horses potential.

I once attended a ride a test clinic, the educator is a well known trainer and Judge. One rider entered the arena performing her third level Dressage test. The clinician immediately stopped the rider and asked who told her she was ready for that level, questioning why she felt she should be competing at an advanced level. That was so awesome, humbling for the rider and her trainer, but the instructor spoke for the horse. This Instructor held them accountable by standing up for the horse, not closing her eyes and taking their money.  This is not turning your back on disaster, it is arming riders with education to better themselves and hopefully others through example or instruction. The more riders are properly educated, the more they will look for a deeper knowledge,  choosing empathetic trainers, interested in gymnasticizing, not just awards.

Invitation, not force

Not everyone is a champion rider, or born a beautiful rider, you cannot buy your way with purchasing Grand Prix horses. Everyone must endure the path of knowledge, commitment and the work it takes to strive for perfect partnership with our horse.

 

“You might never reach the experience, knowledge, and fame that will make you a Master for the next generations, but you will be at your own level, a master in your horses heart and that is all that matters.”

” Jean Luc Cornille – Fundamental differences.

 

Creating an ideal partnership through knowledge

Knowledge is an important part of learning to ride. We can learn about our horses mind’s and how to empower them. We can learn about our horses ” natural ” habitat and believe we are creating a natural environment in our training methods. The best rider’s and trainers are the one’s mastering the horses physique, creating a functional athlete. Studying how they need to be prepared both mentally and physically for the demands of a rider. This goes for any type of riding as it takes a properly functioning horse to create balance. This type of knowledge requires a sincere dedication of learning and understanding how the horse moves bio mechanically and how we can offer the best comfort and ease mentally as well as physically. To rehabilitate a horses mind and muscles that has been allowed to move dysfunctionally takes both skill and patience. We as riders need to understand that it is a slow, concentrated process to get to the finished picture. If we are trying to start with the finished picture of what we think the horse should be, we are missing out on being more than just a passenger on our horses back. Having a knowledge of how we can negatively affect or positively influence the horses movement and balance places us in a unique relationship of unity and intuition. I will dedicate this blog to rider’s in particular refusing to deepen their knowledge and allowing their horses to be forever enslaved to fitting into a system.

“The riders knowledge is the horses ultimate protection”                                                                    

 – Jean Luc Cornille  

  

Understanding horses mind and body -Part two

It’s important for your horse to be comfortable in his work. If you are not sure if your saddle fits, ask a professional for help. Always begin by setting saddle on horse without a pad. The pommel should not be touching the wither. Place your hand on inside of bars,, if it feels super tight, it is hampering movement of horses shoulder.. You don’t want the bars ( or gullet ) too loose and wobbly either. Now test the saddle with pad and tightened up, standing in your stirrups, place your fingers between the saddle and wither, when you lean forward, there should be no pinching, that is what your horse would feel, check for pinching in the bar area too. Bit fitting is extremely important, as well. A bit that is too narrow for your horses mouth will pinch the corners. One that is too big will move side to side and cause soreness. If a horse has been ridden with poor fitting tack, just changing does not always solve the problem. Horses can become deeply traumatized by pain. Developing  incorrect muscle comes from compensating for poor fitting saddles, uneducated riders, and false training practices ( misconceptions ).  Pain leads to survival instincts.  Horses will shut off their brain, becoming ” numb” to their surroundings, submitting to pain, just to tolerate and survive. What an impressive defense mechanism, allowing them to evolve, but also, unfortunately allowing them a tolerant nature to training misconceptions. This will cause heavy duty emotional baggage that takes knowledge, time, and creativity to fix. You will need to develop and coordinate correct back muscles with sophisticated gymnastic exercises, re educating the abnormal muscle memory.  Treat the problem at the level of athletic development, fixing the root cause, not just

focusing on the sole problem. As long as physical pain is still present, no psychology training will work. Fix the muscular pain, then the memory.

____” A gifted horse will lead a good rider to victory, A great rider will give to the horse the gift of soundness” Jean Luc Cornille