Relationship Riding Academy

12/20/2024

Horses put smiles on our faces, whether we are riding them or not. :)

12/12/2024

Relationship Riding with Barbra Ann King ✨

Relationship Riding with Barbra Ann King is an exploration of the way we relate to horses. Barbra shares her evolution in this respect and we discuss the options available to horse guardians.

Listen to podcast

https://www.soul-herd.com/podcast/barbra-ann-king-relationship-riding/

12/07/2024

BOOK RELEASE! Just in time for Christmas!
Now available on Amazon in Kindle and Paperback format.

"NIKKITA" by Barbra Ann King
Can a human learn the wisdom of ancient equine teachings … from a horse?

Bobbie Hill is not your typical horse trainer. She does not want to treat horses like everyone else. She has a feeling, deep inside, that these magnificent animals want things done differently.

When Bobbie hears a horse speak to her, a whole new world opens up as she embarks on a journey with a special equine teacher that challenges everything she knows about horses. An undeniably strong bond forms between them and Bobbie discovers horses in a way she never thought possible.

Will the traditional, male-dominated world of horse trainers accept Bobbie and her ways? Will Bobbie have the strength to stand up to them?

Based on a true story, the events in this book that involve horses have actually taken place. Although the characters are fictional, the Relationship Riding© method is real and is still taught to this day.

Get ready for a life-changing, spiritual experience with horses.

Click the link to purchase:

11/19/2024

It is NOT okay for a horse to have their mouth wide open because the rider is pulling on the reins.

This is a reaction caused by extreme pain: the horse is trying to avoid the pain caused by the bit. Usually, the bit is a western-style with long shanks, which creates a lot of leverage on the bit in the horse’s mouth.

Whether you see it done to a horse on TV during your favorite family horse show, or during a western-discipline competition, or a friend’s horse on a trail ride, it is NOT okay.

I love horses. I speak up for them. I hope you do to.

10/19/2024

For anyone who needs to hear it. It’s more than okay if you’re not riding your horse right now, or if you’re not going to ride at all. Riding is not the only way to enjoy your horse, maybe you want to take them for walks and train on the ground, or maybe you just want to watch them be horses.

You are not “wasting” them in the paddock, they do not “need” to be ridden. So long as they are looked after, that’s what counts. Forage to chew on, Friends to interact with, and Freedom to move and play.

Enjoy your horse, whatever that looks like for you.

❤️🐴

09/24/2024

09/03/2024

Do you or someone you love have low self esteem and confidence? Do you need help learning better boundaries?
Equine Assisted Self Improvement (EASI) might help.

Horses have proven themselves to be an effective asset in teaching life changing skills such as increased self-esteem and self-confidence, dealing with anger, and building better communication skills.

This program is for children, teenagers or adults who wish to work on personal growth and self-improvement and are looking to heal through the way of the horse.

Horses respond better to individuals who are at ease and honest with themselves; assertive and calm, and clearly know what they want. These are traits that you learn in the EASI program.
There is a tremendous power that is leveraged when a person's individualism, creativity and spirituality are unleashed. The horse has the ability to gently bring people to this realization about themselves. This pro-active, unique approach to learning and changing habits benefits individuals, in every aspect of their lives, by giving them effective tools to work through their issues and succeed.

Message for more information.

08/24/2024

Doreen is a Relationship Riding certified instructor who specializes in the EASI program (Equine-Assisted Self-Improvement). This is a wonderdul experience you won’t want to miss.

07/28/2024

It’s about time.

The Paris Olympics has been a platform for exposing training methods used by top dressage riders around the world. FEI is taking action against these methods and banning any cruelty or unnecessary discomfort caused to the horses. Finally, the horse is being considered and cared for.

About 20 years ago, when I was developing the Relationship Riding bitless bridle/halter, I was in conversation with Dr. Robert Cook who did extensive research on the harm caused by metal in the mouth. At that time, Dr. Cook hoped FEI would accept bitless bridles in competition.

Well, it took a while, but events such as the Paris Olympics bring to light some of the abuse horses endure in order to perform at the level they are at. Practices such as Rolkur, or training methods that exaggerate a movement in an unnatural way that prevents the horse from moving freely and pain free, are now being exposed and shunned.

On the bright side, I have worked with horses that have performed at top levels in bitless bridles. Jumping, dressage and western performers, it is possible in all these disciplines.

Now go hug a horse and thank them for all they endure for us humans!

Respectfully,

Barbra A. King
Founder
Relationship Riding

07/24/2024

I hope this text inspires you to do the right thing for your horse.
Our horses need us to speak up for them. 🙂

Deciding to send your horse to a trainer is a big decision. Once your horse is off property, you have no way of knowing what is really happening to them or how they are being treated. Here are a few helpful thoughts to consider when taking the leap of faith - many can be applied equally well to finding a dog trainer!

It is always a good idea to watch a trainer prior to hiring them to help you with your own horse. When observing a session; put yourself in your horse’s hooves and see if you, as the horse, would know what the trainer is trying to teach.

How does the trainer respond when what he/she is doing doesn’t work and the horse isn’t getting it? Do they keep repeating the same thing, increasing the pressure or are there alternative approaches if something does not work? Do they become more physical and/ or upset? Remember one of Xenophon’s quotes; “Where knowledge ends, violence begins.”

Is what the trainer is saying (ie. the philosophy of his approach) and what he/she is doing the same (ie. working without fear or force AS LONG AS the horse co-operates) but if the horse doesn’t then the trainer gets rough.

If the horse is having problems does the trainer consider looking for physical reasons, or saddle fit or do they see everything as a behavior or attitude problem.

Take responsibility – for not tolerating abuse and remember that one person’s abuse is another’s acceptable training method. It always depends on your point of view and the type of relationship YOU want to have with your horse.
You also need to understand that no matter how well trained your horse is, unless you also improve your riding skills you cannot expect the horse to maintain that level of training after returning home.

Finally, at a gut level, how does it feel to you? If you feel uncomfortable about what is being done (even if it is “for his own good”) question it in your mind. Can you keep this up or do this at home, on your own? If not, it is unlikely the result will hold.

From a Tellington Method perspective we are interested in educating horses and helping them learn in general rather than ONLY teaching specific cues and behaviors.

If you must go back to square one, or always start with the same thing each session, then the horse may not really be ‘learning’.
Learning is blocked if there is pain, fear, or anxiety. Often if a horse is not able to do something they are described as ‘dominant’, ‘stubborn’, spoiled, or resistant.

Like people, horses have different learning styles and different ways of expressing and coping with stress or confusion. Breeds have been bred for specific purposes and even with a breed there will be different learning styles.

Bottom line: You are your horse’s advocate.

Make sure your horse in training is being treated as you would like to be treated, fairly and with understanding and kindness. Know that if you cannot find a trainer who meets your criteria, you can join the growing number of amateur riders who choose to start their own young horses.

To read the entire article: https://www.ttouch.ca/2020/02/14/finding-the-right-trainer-for-you-and-your-horse-or-any-animal-really/

Photo by Lynne Glazer from my latest publication, "Training and Re-training Horses: The Tellington Way".

07/10/2024

Animals help us discover our authentic self 😊

07/01/2024

07/01/2024

The Relationship Riding method transcends generations: from me to my daughter KC King, who is a Certified RR Instructor, to now my grandchildren. I’m a proud grandma!

06/15/2024