Schrock's Horse Training

06/19/2024

A day in the saddle is a good day!

06/12/2024

Our backyard/horse pasture is covered in wildflowers!

02/18/2024

This wicking blanket works wonders!
https://amzn.to/3Uvl1Wi

01/30/2024

I had a guy tell me about this method to get a horse to collect up and not be high headed, thought I'd give it a try and I can honestly say that I'm impressed by the results!

Don't fight the horse, let the horse fight himself!

If you put a horse in a situation where he's confused about what you're asking him, try putting him in a situation where he can answer himself.

01/22/2024

This is why I work at the horse's speed. It might take me 60 days to get 30 rides on him but I refuse to push horses through training because it creates problems!

01/20/2024

People and horses can both struggle with being present in the moment.

You see it with people all the time.

Interacting with technology and not engaged with the other people at the table or in the room.

But we can also be disengaged with our horses.

If we’re too busy thinking about what could happen, or happen again, or happening across the arena, we miss the value of what’s happening underneath us right now.

A horse isn’t so worried about the past or future, but their minds might be on the barn or their buddy or the tarp blowing in the wind, instead of on you.

They aren’t present in the moment.

And until they are, your training efforts will fail to produce the results they potentially could.

So one of the first essentials to get established in any horse is the habit of paying attention.

Everyone knows that.

But where people can easily go astray is when they fail to apply that concept to every single interaction they have with their horse.

Catching, haltering, grooming, saddling, leading, mounting, and riding…..everything.

In all these interactions, your #1 priority should be to have your horse mentally present with you.

So stay aware of his thoughts --- what his eyes, ears, and body language are telling you.

If his thoughts begin to wander, do something immediately to get them back on what is presently happening.

Never ignore these small pieces.

You’ll be amazed at how being aware of your horse's thoughts, and keeping them on you at all times, will translate to your horse’s behavior in general.

01/05/2024

Those who believe they have mastered the art of riding have not yet begun to understand the horse!

12/30/2023