Mills Consilient Horsemanship

11/22/2024

Answer me this… Why is it I see more poll dysfunction with horses who are worked mainly in flat halters, than horses who are worked in rope halters?
(Sorry for the hyperfixation on halters here, recently. 😅)

11/22/2024

THANKS-GIVING

For almost 20 years, I’ve been doing it all, by necessity. The hoofcare, the bodywork, the training, addressing nutrition, etc.

It’s made me educate myself, but one person cannot do all things to a high level or efficiently or sustainably.

Lockie Phillips had a post recently about how, if we’re spending more time doing husbandry than training and riding, we know we’re doing it right, and that resonates so much.

As a trainer, I spend so much time prioritizing the gut and the feet and the social exposure and the environment, and trying to set up new facilities that are horse-centric… and sometimes, I actually get to ride. 😅

But it’s all worth it.

The horses are so much more balanced mentally and physically when we invest in those things than when we just go out and pick at them in a training session.

I’m trying to do all of this on my own, and raise four children, and provide for my family in an economy that gets worse and worse every day.

The truth is, it would be easier for me to just show up and train and stop worrying about all the other stuff, but the results I’ve had prioritizing everything beyond training are worth it.

I lie awake at night, running the numbers on things like how I can make client pens bigger and keep client horses happier while still being able to budget for everything else.

And I’m so grateful for help.

I was a little resistant to taking on another intern.

Regardless of how people perceive me on social media, I’m actually a bit of a hermit and socially awkward and disorganized in person, so I’m always a little hesitant to meet new people.

But having help, and having that emotional support, is priceless.

I’m definitely learning it’s OK to ask for help, and accept help.

11/22/2024

Great thanks-giving post.

I feel this so much. For almost 20 years, I’ve been doing it all, by necessity. The hoofcare, the bodywork, the training, addressing nutrition, etc.

It’s made me educate myself, but one person cannot do all things to a high level or efficiently or sustainably.

Lockie had another post recently about how, if we’re spending more time doing husbandry than training and riding, we know we’re doing it right, and that also resonates so much.

As a trainer, I spend so much time getting the feet right, and the nutrition right, the social exposure right, and the environment right, and trying to set up new facilities that are horse-centric… and sometimes, I actually get to ride. 😅

But it’s all worth it.

The horses are so much more balanced mentally and physically when we invest in those things than when we just go out and pick at them in a training session.

I’m definitely a little jealous, because I’m trying to do all of this on my own, and raise four children, and provide for my family in an economy that gets worse and worse every day.

The truth is, it would be easier for me to just show up and train and stop worrying about all the other stuff, but the results I’ve had prioritizing everything beyond training are worth it.

I lie awake at night, running the numbers on things like how I can make client pens bigger and keep client horses happier while still being able to budget for everything else.

And I’m so grateful for help.

I was a little resistant to taking on another intern.

Regardless of how people perceive me on social media, I’m actually a bit of a hermit and socially awkward and disorganized in person, so I’m always a little hesitant to meet new people.

But having help, and having that emotional support, is priceless.

I’m definitely learning it’s OK to ask for help, and accept help.

11/22/2024

Horse owners, I know you rely on your various professionals to do right by your horse, but don’t forget that ultimately, your horse is relying on YOU.
See something say something, and 2nd and 3rd opinions may be costly, but they’re priceless.

11/22/2024

Yes, please stay clear of the theory of leaving long toes. ‘Able to walk’ does not equal ‘sound.’

Walking better because we’ve addressed metabolic triggers is great, but refusing to address mechanical leverage is so dangerous for joints and soft tissue.

There’s so much in this industry that’s a backlash and an extreme pendulation away from other extreme practices, and I understand over-trimming and over wedging is a huge issue, but the answer is not under-trimming and refusing to address mechanics at all.

As a very knowledgeable wise farrier once told me, make sure they’re getting better because of you, not in spite of you.

11/22/2024

Enjoying a fresh trim and a good scratch ❤️

11/22/2024

If I can offer one piece of advice to you as an owner
It simply is be a sceptic and do not blindly follow one person for none of us have all the answers and a red flag is a professional who thinks they do.

I suppose its why as a professional I never put my tent up in one camp, follow one method, believe with undying devotion to the words that however eloquently wrote or spoke my first thought is often where's the catch ???

You can ask questions in fact you should ask questions, I mean you are entrusting these people with your horse.

Those that try to make you get rid of other professionals in your horses life and declare they are all you need. Huge red flag

Those that say you will save on vet bills yet cannot see your horse spinning on a hind foot as it turns. Huge red flag

Those that say you are the issue and you need to spend more money to get more specific information. Huge red flag.

Those that declare everyone else is wrong and won't ever budge on what they believe is right.Huge red flag.

Those that continue to train your lame horse telling you straightness is the only issue. Huge red flag.

Those that see your horse every four weeks and no progress is ever made and your horse is forever getting the same thing corrected. Huge red flag.

Those that make you continue in a programme, method, even though your horse is clearly unhappy. Huge red flag.

Those that cannot even finish something before jumping on the most popular thing, parroting every snippet of information or video out there without ever understanding the why. Huge red flag.

As a professional I am hugely sceptic of most things or people Because I know for every one genuine in it for the horse there is a hundred only in it for themselves. I don't play the game, I don't stay quiet, I speak out if I think the horse is going to lose out, I remain a sceptic, I need someone to prove their worth to my horses for I am the only one who is their voice I hope this helps you as owner hear your horse's opinion on who you choose to be part of your horses team. X

11/21/2024

Just catching up with this course today, and I definitely have to recommend it.

This sequencing is really close to my own, and you’ll find with a lot of classical work, it’s all very similar, but I do appreciate how unobtrusive and simple this is, and also very buildable for advanced schooling.

There are a couple pieces that are really important, that some programs miss, like beginning with the ground tie, or what I call invisible box.

I noticed him doing effet d’ensemble, and addressing ‘resistance of force’ versus ‘resistance of weight,’ so the advanced classical constructs are definitely built in.

And it’s free!

Get ready to change your relationship with your horse and make ALL your training easier!

11/21/2024

This is why I focus on feet and posture! And the emotions…

11/21/2024

Yes! And our day to day leading and handling exacerbates this! 😵‍💫👌

11/20/2024

11/19/2024

Here’s a fun find since we’re on the topic of the history of rope halters in the US…

What I grew up with… WAY before the advent of the ‘clinician’ rope halter.

Yes, that’s me.

These clips were handy… but the cotton wasn’t very durable, and the clamps could be harsh on the face.

Here’s a great article on why rope halters became more common in certain demographics...

“In the old west, like the Old World, economy and practicality ruled the day; therefore, the rope halter was common for everyday use.

Whether home-tied or, later, store-bought, they were cheap, and required very little maintenance; they were easy to replace if broken or rotted beyond repair.

Leather remained an investment in skill and materials:

A rancher might keep a leather halter to show off a breeding stallion to mare owners. The trainer might use leather halters to “class up” horses taken to sale or show.”

https://wahlerequine.wordpress.com/2016/05/16/an-ode-to-the-stable-halter/