Jett Equine Therapy & Training

10/20/2024

An absolutely fantastic article on bits and action in the horses mouth.

PDF | Fluoroscopy was used to visualize the position and movements of different types of bits within the horse's oral cavity. The jointed eggbutt... | Find, read and cite all the research you need on ResearchGate

09/06/2024

Here's the thing, there comes a point where I look back and I think which trainer did I learn the most from? Was it Luis? Hendrik? Allan? Meghan? I learned a ton at a two day Anky clinic. Was it Keith? Then I think about my experiences in Germany, Hendrik was my main trainer then and he did something pretty magical that I will always remember. He let the horses teach me.
The first horse I rode in Germany was a little paint mare named Queenie, she was pretty peppy and Hendrik warned me that my hands would be to harsh but he wanted me to ride her. I was a very overconfident youth and was like no problem I will teach her whose boss. I spent that first week in Germany in a corner every time I rode Queenie because what Hendrik neglected to tell me was that if my hands where to hard Queenie would stand in the far back corner of the arena and not move a muscle till you lightened up. In a large way she taught me softness, and I will forever have a good memory of that corner of the arena.
The next horse I rode in Germany was perfect, her name was Luna she was good for everyone and listened so well. She also had the floppiest ears and I miss the thunking sound her ears made when we cantered around. I think Hendrik let me ride her so I didn't go insane.
The next horse I had to ride was Dario, or as I liked to call him Dario the dumb. He was so much leg and seat and I am 95% sure I burned 1000 calories every time I rode him. But he was big and sweet.
Those were the three horses I worked with everyday for over a month. Then there was Dajumba, apparently she was crazy, but she seemed to like me, so on top of the riding and barn chores I got to lunge Da-Jumba and watch how they started horses over there.

I learned that maybe it isn't about the coach, they can guide you, but it is the horses that teach you. And you have to listen if you want the priviledge of training the next crop of teachers you have to listen and adapt to their needs.
Training horses is never about the type of riding, it's about the confidence you can teach them and the partnership you forge with them. When you listen to the horses, they tell you everything.

09/04/2024

What a year it has been, although it isn't over, I had some grand plans for some topline building videos but unfortunately my boy Nick (the big guy) had to be put down. He was having difficulties with his eye, it was more then likely equine gluacoma, but his health and condition went down fast. It was crazy. The story of how I got Nick was one of fate really, I got him when he was 8 months old and he was 17 when he was put to sleep. He only had one injury in his entire life, which osteopathically would make sense to the final days. I always kick myself for not knowing enough, not seeing how things relate, and in a large part being helpless for my horses in their time of need has spurred me into determination to be better and do better for them.

There are so many things in the horse world where I am that make me shake my head and question our industry. There are so many trainers that could be good if they just finished their research. So many horses with so much potential that no one can seem to figure out. I feel like principles and structure has left the horse world and instead its a war on what discipline is better then the other. My job as a trainer is to inspire confidence in a horse. Its to teach them they can trust me and others and that we can make good decisions that wont just hurt or confuse the horse. It isn't to be an alpha or a head mare when I'm training its to build a partnership.
If I am training a horse for a while and it bulks at something, I listen, and usually investigate further but so many people wont. So many other people train their horses to spook on the spot by not understanding the cues to relaxation. Standing still is not relaxation!!!!
Its hard to start when it comes to posting information, there is so much knowledge running through my mind, so much research and time and effort put in. I never know if it is best to just point out odd things or follow a horse through its training. Each horse is unique and different and some techniques work and some horses need different techniques. I want to do posts to help the riders body and the horses body, common tensions I see in both and stretches you can do to open up your body while riding. But at the same time I want to post about behavior issues or cues I see being ignored in horses. I want to post about muscle building and conformation. The hard part is finding a place to start and being true to myself while posting.
I don't want to claim a discipline or a type of training as I use everything I know and have been taught, and I personally believe there is no such thing as a discipline, there is only you and the horse you have. If anything I am a biomechanical trainer for both the rider and the horse and their integration. So bear with me while I find a starting point that I am happy with and feel free to comment with starting ideas as well!

01/04/2024

Lets talk anatomy...
I am thoroughly convinced that anatomy holds the answers to 90% of dysfunctions within the body. Parts of the body where the structure isn't doing what it should will cause compensations throughout the entirety of the frame.
Now, I suck at studying anything that isn't horses, and I am in a very thorough anatomy class right now and I just can't quite find the inspiration to study the human frame. I have found a loop hole! and also be prepared for some entirely nerdy posts. I am going to dissect my anatomy while I ride a horse. In doing so I'm also going to explain the repercussions to the horse eventually.
I want to start with this picture of me riding Kitty, I was riding her downhill and ba****ck. I want to first start with the outline of my hips and pelvis. My right side is elevated in comparison to my left and my obliques are contracted, my hip kept pulling my right leg up through my ride which was entirely frustrating. My left side couldn't get itself together at all there was no balance and as a result my right ischial tuberosity (sit bone) was digging into my girl on the right side of her spine. Now neigh sayers (see what I did there) will say get off your horse you will hurt her back... and to that I say I will not get better if I don't ride, not only will I not get better I will not have the opportunity or chance to correct my riding.
Now for the anatomy (human), lets see what I need to target. First thing lets address why the hip is pulling to the right, it's because I have zero strength in my left side. On my right side, the contracted side, the external, internal and transverse abdominal oblique, serratus anterior, re**us abdominus and intercostals are all contracted on the anterior side (front). In the posterior (back) side I have the lats, serratus posterior, psoas muscles, quadratus lumborum, are all contracted (phew that's a lot of muscles over contracting on this ride) . There is a fair amount of pressure being put on the left side of my spine riding like this, as it has to hold an extension, however for me that is easier than having my left side contracted. As a result the day after my lumbar spine was sore on the left side and just above my right hip was tight, my shoulders were also extremely sore as they were trying to help my weak little core hold itself up.
I have 2 steps, the first step is to work on stretching my right side (it apparently needs it). The next step is to work on core strength and rotations in particular with my left side. Pictures to come! January will be dedicated to mostly focusing on my core and keeping it strong and straight on both sides
The moral of the story here and I have only addressed the core issues (get it, my core🤣) I crack myself up, is no one rides perfect, take the saddle off and you will see a lot of your faults. As riders we have the opportunity to work and better ourselves to help our horses move better underneath us.

01/02/2024

"The explorer for truth must first declare his independence. He must establish his observatory on hills of his own; he must establish it above the imaginary high planes of rulers, kings, professors of schools of all kinds and denominations. He must be the Czar of his own mental empire." Andrew Taylor Still

Happy New year everyone!

What powerful words. We all seek truth to what and why, the best lesson brought home this year in fact alone is why do I believe it is truth? As a bodyworker I am not okay with just going out and giving a horse a good massage, sure, they enjoy it, no doubt I do too, but why? Why is this horse the way it is? Why is its body working in such a way and how do all the muscles interact?
I never really understood how information in healthcare could be so compartmentalized when it comes to anatomy and I am so grateful to have stumbled across a profession that asks the same questions I do.
The body in both human and animal is whole, every part interacts with every part.
I will not fall prey to the sultry guise of symptomology, I will find the truth in fact and anatomy.
2023 was a growth year and my tool kit grew exponentially. I am excited for this new year 2024 is guaranteed to be a big one.

I look forward to sharing my revelations on here and my opinions as I pursue my schooling in Osteopathy and my path to finding my purpose and my horses again. I look forward with a grateful heart, and am exceedingly excited to work with my clients to help their animals find peace and partnership with them.