AK Training for Horses and People

06/06/2024

I have been privileged to have an article published about my work with horses, my interest in and history of Western Culture in Cowboy Coffee Magazine. The article about me has been written by Carla Arthur and the outstanding pictures were taken by Angela Butler. Thank-you all for all of your help and support!

Order your copy here: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLWWW0VV8J94V/checkout/ZBKNPECFT5I4EL57F42BGW2C

SUMMER VOL 3 is done and off to the printers to be ready for the big release June 15th.
This issue has been an absolute pleasure to put together and dig deeper into our Western Culture.

“Sage brush, rock and sand cover the hill side of interior BC, the smell of the sun-beat sage is intoxicating. Watching train cars pass by, admiring the cross country Canadian art show, hoping to recognize a tag. Dirty nails and gas station food, Coors beers snugged in 15 year old cozies you haven’t pulled out since last season. Camp chairs, hugging early seasons fires, just watching the glow and designing the perfect flame. Much appreciation for the warmth, knowing it’s only a short time before the fire ban hits. A gentle reminder of the whats coming down the timeline while July and August are in full swing and the province is on fire once again.”

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05/25/2024

And that's a wrap! We finished my first Ranch Versatility event this past weekend, and what a fantastic experience it was. I'd like to extend a huge thank you to all the participants who joined us for the three days of fun and learning. Your enthusiasm and dedication truly made the event special.

I was absolutely blown away by the progress and energy shown by the group throughout the weekend. Witnessing the growth of both horse and rider each day was a true highlight for me. It was inspiring to see everyone embrace new skills and techniques to strengthen their bond with their horses.

One standout moment was having a young roper in our midst who generously shared their expertise with the group – they did an outstanding job! And let's not forget all the "firsts" that many experienced during the event – whether it was their first clinic of the year, their first time riding a particular horse in a clinic, or their first attempt at roping or tackling obstacles. It was a joy to support each person along their unique riding journey.

I've been thrilled to receive inquiries from several folks interested in joining us for the next clinic. Mark your calendars for July 12th to 14th – details on how to sign up will be coming your way very soon! Get ready for another round of laughter, learning, and unforgettable moments on horseback.

05/22/2024

Thank-you for the photography Angela Butler!

03/21/2024

Howdy, Fellow Albertans! Let's saddle up and get ranchy! 🤠

Have you heard about the fastest growing Western disciplines? It's ranch versatility! What exactly is ranch versatility? It's where you and your horse showcase your ranching skills in a variety of classes like ranch riding, ranch trail, ranch reining, ranch cow work, and ranch conformation.

Why is it gaining so much traction? It's easy to get into, costs less, and offers a friendly inclusive environment. It's perfect for newbies looking to try-out the show world or seasoned pros wanting a break from the high-stress scene from other disciplines and let their horse have some fun, and learn new things.

I've got a 3-day clinic where you'll gain experience in ranch riding, ranch trail, and working western rail or ranch rail. Not only will you polish up on patterns for potential shows, but you'll also master navigating obstacles, perfecting transitions, and honing those crucial ranchy skills with your trusty steed.

Get ready for a weekend packed with camaraderie and learning! You'll walk away not only understanding the ins and outs of the discipline, but also forging an even stronger bond with your four-legged partner.

Boarding options are available, so don't miss out on this opportunity to embrace your inner cowpoke! 🐴

Please call or visit my website for more information and to register. Limited spots available.

Auditors welcomed.

11/11/2023

08/31/2023

Now this is what I am talking about!

Advice from the master.

Cowboy Dressage training segment with Eitan and Jack Brainard at Light Hands Horsemanship. "If you would like to ride a better horse,here is the place to s...

06/21/2023

Indeed!

Don't annoy the horse

01/19/2023

LETS TALK ABOUT ULCERS AND ALFALFA!!!!

Thought this was neat and worth sharing🤔

Alfalfa and horses with ulcers
Research from Texas A&M University shows that feeding alfalfa to horses with the potential to be high performers either prevents or is therapeutic in treating stomach ulcers.

Something in alfalfa hay tends to buffer acid production, said Dr. Pete Gibbs, Extension horse specialist. Feeding grain, confinement, exercise and overall environmental stress factors are thought to cause ulcers, he said. Studies have shown that horses will heal if provided less acidic diets.

In the research, 24 quarter horses from 12-16 months old were separated into two treatment groups. One group was fed Bermuda grass hay and the other fed alfalfa hay to meet the daily roughage needs. The yearlings received forced exercise during the study. The horses were examined internally with an endoscope at the beginning and end of two 28-day trials.

It's commonly thought that horses turned out on pastures are better off than those that are confined. However, if grass hay is the only hay they are fed, horses can still get gastric ulcers, he said.

In this study, ulcer scores increased when alfalfa was removed from the horses diets, and they were turned out on pasture. Under the ulcer-scoring system, 0 signified no ulcers, with severity increasing to level 4.

Further work is needed to look at horses with varying degrees of ulceration to better determine the full extent to which alfalfa or alfalfa-based products might help from a feeding management standpoint.

Based on what we know right now, for horses that are kept in confinement, eating feed and getting forced exercise, it makes sense to consider some alfalfa as part of their diet, he said.

Until further research is done, he recommends, horses weighing between 1,000-1,300 pounds should be fed about 1 pound of alfalfa after a grain meal.

Follow this link: http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=224

10/17/2020

February 12, 2011

Spring Training 2011; Bilder: Katharina Dick

10/17/2020

Juliane Hoffman Und Digger Diamond Dunit

Showmanship wie es sein sollte. Bitte beachten den Gleichschritt zwischen Pferd und Vorsteller!

10/17/2020

Western Pleasure Impressions

Electra, 7 Year Old Hessian Warmblood Mare; Owner Juliane Hoffman

10/17/2020

EWU AQ & C Turnier Alpenrod 2012
Western Pleasure Impressions -

Mate To Move 5 Year Old AQHA Gelding; Owner Isabell Hörter

10/17/2020

2013 at Montabaur

10/17/2020

https://spellboundhorses.com/2013/03/07/horses-regularly-trained-with-ground-work-are-more-relaxed-when-ridden/?utm_source=getresponse&utm_medium=email

A recent study of dressage horses in Germany that looked at rein length and tension revealed a surprising finding: horses who were regularly trained in ground work/in-hand work had lower heart rat…

09/07/2020

09/06/2020

One of the best Doma Vaquera demonstrations that I have seen!

09/05/2020

"You’ve got to be precise. You have to have something in mind before you pick up on those bridle reins.
My legs are as important as my arms and hands, if not more. I have a directing rein and leg and a supporting rein and leg. You always direct, then support. When you go to the left, you should look to the left. If you are going to the right, you should be looking to the right. We need to understand how to fix it up, so the horse can come from the other side and do what we are asking him to do. I first direct the horse, then support." - Ray Hunt

Image of Ray is by Steve Mecum and was taken at Bill and Carole Smith's place sometime in the early 1990s.

09/02/2020

For those of you who don’t know me and exactly what it is I do please have look at this:

https://youtu.be/r-9EKUy_DQs

Interview with Arnulf Koegler

08/31/2020

It is great to listen to these two legends. A lot of good advice is on offer here. Highly recommended!

08/31/2020

"Horses are very keen on body language, and what I refer to as 'presence', and expression. They know quite a bit about you before you ever get to ‘em. They can read things about you clear across an arena."⁠
Buck Brannaman⁠
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Support Good Horsemanship! ⁠

08/30/2020

“I don't want the horse to get trained, because training the horse is absolutely finite. But if you get the horse to where he operates as if to be your legs, an extension of you, you've far-exceeded that whole training notion.”
-- Buck Brannaman

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08/29/2020

On the way to collection there is horizontal balance. The horse goes from it’s natural balance to shifting more weight to the hind legs and becoming more free in the shoulders. If you imagine…

08/28/2020

Arnulf highly values a solid basic training foundation for the horse and that the horse itself willingly and readily accepts the rider’s aids. His training and horse philosophy have attracted a broad spectrum of riders and horse enthusiasts to seek out his advice and coaching. He has not only successfully worked with Western Show riders and Western recreational riders, but also Hunter-Jumpers and Dressage riders. This past summer (2019) he worked with a qualified FN Trainer (Level A) and active FN judge and her Warmblood horse.

Arnulf would describe himself as an unusual mixture of the traditional Horse Show World, Natural Horsemanship and the old California Vaquero style of riding and training a horse. He considers himself as a lifelong student of the horse and human and the relationship between the two.

Arnulf Koegler (a Canadian Citizen) lived in Canada for more than 30 years (1978 - 2009) before returning to Europe in 2009. He learned the basics about Western Horses and Horsemanship from Larry Hill, Roger Brazeau and Randy Cutbirth.

For Arnulf the well-being of the horse is first and foremost. He considers every horse as an individual. As a result, for Arnulf there is no universal concept to work with horses. One of his most important messages to us, as riders, is that you have to feel where the horse is at based on its training level, psychological and physiological state. This may vary from day to day - same as it is for us humans - we have good days and better days.

To achieve this, Arnulf's work with the horse and the rider is based on a strong foundation of ‘Natural Horsemanship.’ Arnulf’s message is guided by examples of the past and present. Amongst those who influenced his thinking and work are: Tom and Bill Dorrance, Ray Hunt, Jeff Sanders, Les Vogt and Buck Brannaman. However, do not make the mistake and think that he is a ‘want to be clone’ of this or that trainer or horseman. He has his own clear message to share.

During his clinics Arnulf likes to emphasize that a horse is a horse, regardless of the breed. One of his primary messages is that a horse learns from every contact with us humans, both positive and negative. It doesn't know when it's being trained. All training exercises, both on the ground and under the saddle, strive for one goal: to create a harmony between the horse and human. This may be achieved by the well-known and much aspired to principle of ‘timing’, ‘balance’ and ‘feel’.

08/28/2020

https://horseandrider.com/western-horse-training-tips/changing-train-26619

The legacy of Tom Dorrance reaches beyond natural horsemanship and into the world of performance horse training.