The "pick me up" exercise is much more than just a cool trick to teach your horse.
I like to teach the horses I train to move the three parts of their body -- their shoulder, rib cage, and hind end -- on the ground before doing it on saddle.
When I teach this, I train in both directions: away from me and toward me. Moving towards you is often more confusing for hores at first, but just as important.
Having these parts moving together, but also separately, is necessary for suppleness, understanding cues with our legs, and achieving more advanced manouvers.
#horsesofinstagram #horsetraining #horsemanship #coltstarting
"When we said, 'stay consistent, be clear in what you expect, keep working even on the bad days and the hard days and one day it will all click and get into place,' this is one of those days."
Shady is finishing her 2 month of training with us at the end of August. Amen to the good horses. ☀
#horses #horsemanshiptraining #dapplegrey #coltstarting #albertahorsetrainer
"How do you start working with an untouched horse?" This is a question we get asked all the time, so let's break it down!
In the video, you see Evie, a mare who came into our program completely untouched.
When we started working with her (or any other horse at this level!), our first goal was to have her comfortable around us.
We do this by introducing ourselves to her through low-stress techniques. We'll spend time around her, handfeed her, and let her become familiar with her environment and our routine.
Next, we'll introduce the halter to her by having her eat through it in a bucket of oats. Our goal isn't to put it on yet, just to let her become familiar with it. We want a positive association build up between being fed, the halter, and lead rope.
Afterwards, I used Nash (one of my saddle horses) to rope her. We do this so there's not only minimal stress for the horse, but so another horse is there for confidence. Through this, we started teaching her the very basics of pressure and release, and once she was confident with that, we started introducing the halter. We use soft pressure and release, rubbing it on her face, putting it on, and removing it -- over and over until she felt confident and comfortable with it.
For the rest of the week, we used oats and a small piece of baler twine to form a positive association when clipping the lunge line on her. Afterwards, we began leading her around the round pen, building up our pressure and release. Afterwards, we started introducing physical touch to her neck and shoulder, and once she was comfortable with that, we began desensitizing and sensitizing!
Stay tuned for more Evie updates!
#halterbreaking #coltstarting #horsemanshiptraining #untouched
We still have a few training spots open for July in Barrhead, Alberta! If this is the transformation you want with your horse, make sure to reach out! ✨
But for Horton, feral might have been an understatement 😮
When Horton arrived at Key 13 Horsemanship, he was terrified of absolutely everything. And I mean everything. Halters, ropes, people, brushes, things that moved, things that didn't move... the list just seemed to go on and on. But we really can't blame him. Horton had grown up roaming with a herd of 250 other horses, living a feral life out on pasture, with very minimal human interaction.
But just after three weeks in our program -- with patience, respect, and behavioral-based training -- we've seen a brand new personality come out. He's gone from scared and reactive to calm and thoughtful. He's been able to handle new challenges with relaxation instead of reactivity. And while he still can be fragile in his confidence and has lots more to learn, he's getting set up for success in the right way.
If you have a horse like Horton, we're here to help, just reach out! 💛
#libertytraining #coltstarting #horsemanship #horses #naturalhorsemanship #horsetraining #horsetok #edmontonhorsetrainer #albertahorsetrainer #albertanaturalhorsemanshiptrainer
You probably didn't know this about music and horses 👀🎼
But to start off, you probably DID know that horses can experience stress, whether from environmental or social factors, such as training, improper diets, or poor living conditions. And this stress can lead to health and behavioural issues, ranging anywhere from ulcers, to teeth grinding, to resistance to training, and to learned helpness. This is why, as a trainer and owner, one of the most important parts of my job is to manage stress in horses.
So how do you do that?
By finding the level where the horse can learn and retain the information we provide, without becoming disinterested (too low of stress) or panicked (too high of stress).
This means that I have a number of tool to reduce the stress of the horses I train... and one is MUSIC 🎼
And no, I'm not kidding here! Boehringer Ingelheim not only completed a study on the impact of music on horses, but also developed a music track designed to reduce the stress on equines. In conducting the study, they played specific frequencies and tempos to horses in different environements. They observed the results and found that playing specific music can help balance equine behavior. Why? Because it helps mask outside sounds and vibrations, allowing the horse to release stress behaviors.
In this video, we can see Remi, one of our untouched horse enjoying a piano piece, and Horton (in the back), who came closer to enjoy it, too.
If you're curious about the music track they developed, here is the link!
https://youtu.be/66Z1cGh3qi0?si=a6ulIFMqE2c40UN0
Try it out with your horse and let us know their reaction!
#libertytraining #coltstarting #horsemanship #horses #naturalhorsemanship #horsetraining #horsetok #animalsandmusic #edmontonhorsetrainer #albertahorsetrainer #albertanaturalhorsemanshiptrainer
If you need a feel-good post, this one is for you 💛
Meet Horton. He's only 3 years old, but already has a lifetime of stories.
He came into training with us just 3 weeks ago. Before that, he was roaming with a herd of 250 other horses. Now, that might sound dreamy, but in reality, the studs in that herd had been picking on him relentlessly. He was beat up, covered in bite marks everywhere and in need of some TLC.
Now, Horton did have some human interaction in the past, but it hadn't led to very positive associations. Because of that, he was terrified of human touch, of halters, of saddles -- of us and anything associated with us.
It took me 10 days alone just to gain his trust. 10 days to slowly and patiently communicate with a horse that had so much trauma to work through, so much self-preserving behavior.
But today, he wore the saddle. He was relaxed, confident, calm. He was trusting and willing.
These three weeks have been focused on using behavioral-based training to teach him that humans can be trusted, that we're reliable, safe, kind, and consistent leaders. That we can provide safety and comfort. That he doesn't have to do things by force, that he has a choice, an oppinion that matters, and is listened to.
Stay tuned for more Horton updates 💛
#libertytraining #coltstarting #horsemanship #horses #naturalhorsemanship #equinebehavioraltraining #h#horsebehavioraltraining #horsetraining #horsetok #Albertahorsetrainer #edmontonhorsetrainer
Save this checklist for later!
What do you do before getting on a colt's back for the first time?
Maybe it's: lunge, saddle, desenstizie?
While those three things are a common 'checklist' for lots of people starting colts, we prefer to take things a step further, working in liberty and applying behavioral training to make the transition from ground to saddle as smooth as possible!
That means, the FIRST STEPS in our checklist look a little something like this:
✔️ Move forward on the ground freely, without getting stuck or worried;
✔️ Transition through each gait softly, without rushing or feeling sluggish;
✔️ Change directions smoothly, turning in towards the circle, rather face their hind towards us;
✔️ Stop and face us, understanding that engaging with the human will lead to comfort and rest;
✔️ Back up softly from minimal pressure;
✔️ Willingly accept touch and human interaction.
Afterwards, we can transition to working with our horse on a halter and leadrope, advancing in our groundwork and moving to the next steps of our checklist!
If this is something that you're wanting to learn, follow along -- you're in the right place!
#libertytraining #coltstarting #horsemanship #horses #naturalhorsemanship #horsetraining #horsetok #Albertahorsetrainer #edmontonhorsetrainer
By exposing Teeter to differents objects, she is increasing her confidence and later on she will remember this first positive interaction with the tarp.
#horsetraining #horsetrainer #horsemanship #animals #inspiration #coltstarting
This week was busy and we were focusing on creating trust with Remi and Teeter.
They were exposed to different tools and objects to use their natural curiosity and create stimulation.
Today was the first touch on their term. Horses don't care if we have an agenda or deadlines, we are on their timeline.
One day at a time.
#horses #horsemanship #horsebehaviour #coltstarting
If you guessed horses, you were right.
Teeter and Remi are our newest beautiful projects and those young mares are currently unhandled.
Follow along to have update on their training journey.
#horsemanship #horses #horsetraining #coltstarting
Butters is a sensitive horse, when I started to work with him he was worried about the halter, was hard to catch sometimes and was reacting strongly to a lot of things.
With positive reinforcement, Butters learned to think, and to be a problem solver instead of reacting with fear, panic and bolting away.
And you is your horse mentally engaged in his training?
#horsetraining #coltstarting #clickertraininghorses #horsemanship
Key 13 Horsemanship is booking in the next months. I am full for May. I start booking for June and July.
What do I offer?
⭐Colt starting, miles, foundation work ( halter breaking/ groundwork), problem-solving (behaviour modification) and consignment sales.⭐
➡ For the consignement sales, I do offer a full package including training, professional pictures and marketing.
I specialize in the behavioural aspect of training.
My goal is to promote thinking, give the horses the necessary tools and foundation to be the partner who will work with you to achieve your goals. It s all about finding the right key to unlock their mind !
I recommend to my clients to participate in their horses training, which is why I also offer coaching for beginners (I can travel,however, extra fees will apply depending on distance).
I do requiere a deposit to hold a spot and offer discount on multiple horses.
Please don't hesitate to contact me for rates or any other project you'd like to discuss. References available.
Located close to Barrhead
Romy
[email protected]
RT Equine changed its name and ownership to become Key13 Horsemanship. My vision is the same but more focused on the behavioural side of the horse training. The list of the services I will offer starting in spring will reflect this change. Follow us on our new journey to know more!
Solo is one of our newest projects. She is out of Royal Apache Smoke EM and by Lovin R Poco Royal and already shows a lot of potential in training ! Follow our page and her progress.
