Horses with people problems.

05/11/2023

A little desensitizing with Mr B..

04/07/2023

Cleaver, Billy and Shorty doing there soccer practice😁

02/07/2023

A couple of Pics from this weekends clinic.
Thank you to those who could make it and I hope you enjoyed yourself as much as I did. 😁
Video's in comments..

28/06/2023

A little roping fun😁.
Video's in comments.

18/06/2023

Our "All things Spooky" clinic is just around the corner, deposit needs to be paid by 21st of June.
See you all on the 1st and 2nd July😁.

25/05/2023

Workin dog 🤣

24/05/2023

Getting away with it!

I had an interesting conversation with a clinic spectator yesterday. She is a confident and capable rider at a yard that puts more focus on the horses mental well being than average, so this conversation did surprise me a little. It just shows how prevalent certain unhelpful outlooks are in the industry.
I was working with one of the horses she rides in the clinic. He was a nervous arab and we had great success getting him relaxed through the day.
Her question was about his exercise rides for endurance. Now I generally recommend a horse like this needs more practice being emotionally fit before working on physical fitness, but I also need to offer advice of how to proceed if that doesn't happen.
My main advice is to pay attention to signs of building anxiety and do something about it. In extreme cases that something is "get off and do groundwork".
This raised the question. "... But isn't that letting him get away with it".
I answered with a question. "What would he be getting away with? Being scared?"
Horses don't enjoy an overwhelming sense of doom. They don't plan it just to make their riders have a bad day. They genuinely fear for their lives.
The simple act of noticing they are worried and doing something constructive to help them through it builds their belief in our ability to keep them safe.
Sure, if you get off your scared horse, and while they're still scared untack them and let them go, they will associate riding with fear. Their last memory of a ride was them in terror for their life. If they get worried and a disengagement doesn't bring them out of flight mode, getting off and addressing that worry on the ground is only going to build confidence. Getting them relaxed and maybe getting back on a relaxed horse, or even just working them on the ground at the place they got worried until they relax is not letting them getting away with anything.
I feel the idea of horses getting away with things shouldn't be in our vocabulary. Yes, release teaches, so be mindful of what you release on, but it's not a battle of wits.
If anything I see riders trying to get away with surviving a ride on an animal in fear of it's life.

24/05/2023

Doing a little confidence building with Tinker bell. She will need to find her own way through the pool noodles, just a few little games to help her through the process. Videos in comments.

07/05/2023

My feed up helper 🥰

06/05/2023

Shorty's new little owner. Early morning ride.

06/05/2023

Shorty's New journey ❤.
Videos in comments.

02/05/2023

Dates for our next clinic "tarps, flags, balls and all things scary" will be on the 1st and 2nd of July. $150 per person per day, lunch included both days, $20 for overnight yards and camping. Limited spots available. Please pm or call for more information or to book your spot. Looking forward to seeing you all 😁.

20/04/2023

Not every horse and rider are the perfect match. I feel that it is important that horses are not forced into a discipline that does not suit them, just because the rider thinks it is a good idea.
It is also important to give people the “permission” to find a horse who suits the discipline or style they are interested in rather than attempting to “make it work” because they will feel frustration and failure if it is not working. This is how dreams are crushed and horses are misunderstood.

17/04/2023

Love this little horse❤ 😁

16/04/2023

Hi Guys, Thank you to everyone who attended the clinic today, hope you all had as much fun as i did. I was very impressed with how much work you guys have put into not just your horse but into your own ground work skills, there was so much improvement all round since the last clinic.😁
Unfortunately the photographer was out of action so no pics, 😞.
The next clinic we will be working with flags, tarps, the ball and umbrellas, I will be teaching you how to introduce each one of these without losing your horses confidence in you as a leader and in himself. It will be over 2 days.
PM me for info or to book your spot for the weekend, I will confirm the date next week.😁

16/03/2023

Hi everyone😊, for those who haven't paid there deposit for the clinic on the 2nd can you please ensure that it is paid by the 21st as I will need to know exact numbers so I have enough food and drinks for everyone.
Looking forward to seeing you all.

23/02/2023

Hi Guys 😁
Dates for the next 4 hour training session will be Sunday 2nd April, as it will be cooler we will start at 10am, lunch at noon then back in the arena from 1pm till 3pm.
We will be focusing on softness in the halter and getting your horse to move from a feel.
Cost is $150 per person, lunch and cold drinks included. A $70 deposit is required to secure your spot then pay the rest on the day.
Limited spots available.

18/02/2023

A couple of pics from today's groundwork training session, it was definitely a tad hot.

25/01/2023

Can't do water's without Miss Gem.

02/01/2023

GROUND WORK TRAINING DAY 18TH FEBRUARY AT DOORALONG.
4 hour ground work session with lunch included.
$150 Per person
8am start.
Call 0405150008 for more information and to book your spot.

28/12/2022

Dom's response to today's lessons 😂

28/12/2022

Let's see how Dom controls himself at a walk and trott off lead with the flag.

28/12/2022

Once your horse can stand relaxed while using flags, bags or anything scary to him the next step is to make sure they can cope while there feet are moving. It's great to teach your horse to stop, stand and remain calm under pressure but it's also important to teach your horse to remain calm and in control of himself when his feet are moving. We are not often standing still when a roo jumps out or a bag blows past when we are riding out.

28/12/2022

Jodie doing the final touches of flag desensitizing on and off lead preparing for the next stages.

19/12/2022

19/12/2022

My favourite place to do a lesson, so peace full.

10/12/2022

After a lot of ground work and preparation, it's first ride time😁.

10/12/2022

Miri teaching her pony the pick up and preparing him for her first ride on him.

10/12/2022

Miri practicing "The drunk man" 😂. Made such a difference to this spooky little pony.

09/12/2022

Teaching the first ridden stages of how to bend to a stop.
In my opinion this is the first and most important lesson every horse and rider should learn.