Introducing new object to your horse
When introducing any new object, I like to seek the horse curiosity. If he/she freezes or avoids (like in the video), I wait, without adding any pressure, until the horse acknowledges the item by looking at it/touching/ reaching out.
Once he's done it I take it away and wait to see how they feel about it. If the horse holds their breath, wait until they release, licking/chewing, and repeat on both sides.
When I place the item near neck/back, I'd like to wait until they blink , then I take it away. This process insures that the horse doesn't freeze and learns that the relaxation is the answer.
Keeping calm
Meet Skye, a beautiful 6 year old Welsh pony.
The owner was after some advice of how to handle her while the neighbour’s gelding runs next to her on the path.
My advice will be firstly stay calm and focus on the path ahead, ignore the other horse and project calm assertiveness to your horse.
Skye is very clever and once she understood that she is not expected to pick up the gelding’s energy, she kept walking nicely all the way to her paddock 🐴❤️
Meet Whiskey!
a 4 years old Highland pony, with a beautiful long mane.
I work with him on a weekly basis, just groundwork, to strengthen his muscles while asking for softness.
I like to start every session by leading with energy, if I raise my energy I'm looking to see if the horse can match my energy.
If he does it means he's mentally with me.
On the second part you can see me asking him to go backwards, with very gently ask. He's such a beautiful boy :)
Don’t catch your horse
Don’t catch your horse… get their attention ( without food) and they will come to say hi 👋