Circle N Horsemanship

01/08/2024

01/07/2024

Savvy Tip Sunday!!!

Headstalls why we use and how we use what we use!

just because it "fits" and is pretty doesn't make it correct, safe or good for the horse.

Head tossing, head shaking, tight TMj, sensitive ears, Excessively yawning and working the jaw. These are just a few indicators that your headstall or bit is fitted incorrectly and is putting pressure on sensitive cranial nerves, the bit could also be to narrow or to tight causing discomfort in the mouth. (yes there are also teeth issues and other factors but this is the start)

We all see and know people that use a snaffle bit, mechanical hackamore or bosel with a single ear headstall. If we are going to use equipment we need to use it correctly and with respect for our horses and safety.

01/02/2024

New Year!! New You!!!

With 2024 starting a new chapter that gives you 365 days to make new dreams come true!

This is a great time to start setting those Dreams high even higher than you think you can because if your dreams don't scare you a little they aren't big enough, after all it's not always the end result that counts it's the journey along the way.

We are going to challenging everyone are you ready!?! We want to know your dreams! comment below what it is!!! 🤯

What's a huge dream you wanted to do?
(now let's break that down into goals.)

what did you do too achieve this goal ( on a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly level )

Now what is a goal you would love to achieve this year?

What do you need to do? (make it a realistic)

Daily ✅ (set small daily goals)
Weekly ✅ (set a goal you can work towards that week)
Monthly ✅ (set a goal you can work towards that month that your daily and weekly goals have set you up for towards success) to accomplish this goal?
Year ✅ (what is you big goal to accomplish this year and how is it helping you achieve your big dream!

Hold yourself accountable make notes on your calendar make a checkout!!

We can't wait to hear about your dreams and we are here to support you through the year and through the challenges to help you achieve them.

12/31/2023

Savvy Tip Sunday!!!

12/25/2023

Savvy Tip sunday!!
preparing your horse to be safer for your farrier and desensitizing to objects around the feet and legs.

12/17/2023

Savvy Tip Sunday!!

Preparing one for the flag.
The flag is more than just for desensitizing it's a great tool in the bag for training.
More often then not people will over desensitize their horses, causing them to be stoic or shut down and over doing the little things to the point there's no meaning behind it anymore creating the horse to check out.
Personally I want my horses to handle situations with confidence and awareness not to tune out and ignore the situation at hand.
Today im going to show you how I introduce the flag and how i will use it as a tool to apply pressure and controlled chaos. This is a great way to build the confidence up so that if a situation would arise my horse won't feel the need to go into flight, fight or freeze mode but instead quietly and confidently work and think through the situation.

12/14/2023

The relationship between humans and horses has a long history. As horses evolved and became more domesticated, they became a valuable source of transportation, labor and companionship.
The development of human societies has been greatly affected by the relationship between humans and animals. Among the latter, the horse’s impact on human lives and cultures is unparalleled.

We owe the horse more than we can ever repay.
If you are only a student of technique, then the options become very limited. But when you are a student of the horse, the options are unlimited.

12/10/2023

Savvy Tip Sunday!!!

Are you really setting up your young ones up for a successful future?

Creating a feel instead of brace starts from the very beginning. This video is the c**ts second time in a halter and he already wants to follow that feel and be respectful.
What and how we do things on the ground will show up under saddle so be mindful and attentive to what you are asking and how you are asking. Having a respectful horse will secure a great future for your horse no matter who handles them or where they go in the future.

This "little" 5month old c**t is headed in the right direction for a great future.

12/04/2023

Savvy Tip Sunday!

Is your young one really ready for that first ride?

Here's what i do for the last preparation before getting on and taking that first ride. Preparation is the key to a successful uneventful journey with these young ones.

Setting these horses up for success from the first day is the most important job as horse owners.
It is extremely important you as the owner prepare these horses to be respectful, teachable and quiet.

11/26/2023

Savvy Tip Sunday!!!
Does your loop constantly figure 8?
Are you missing more shots than you are catching ?
Do you hit your hat or horses head?

Here are a few tips to help you with your swing, loop and and angles !!

11/20/2023

The more You Know Monday!!

did you know........

Bosal + Hanger + Mecate = Hackamore.

I’ve had some people get upset with me in the past with my post’s because I say ”bosal” or “bosal style hackamore” instead of just “hackamore” on my posts. Now there’s a reason why when making educational posts I use the word bosal instead of hackamore. Lots of times the term “hackamore” to the average hobby rider their mind directly goes to the mechanical hackamore or loping hackamore. Often times the average hobby rider will refer to hackamores as “bitless” instead of a hackamore as well. So there can be some confusion in the communication when I say “hackamore” as a bosal style hackamore is not very commonly used amung the average rider.

So let’s get into being technical here when it comes to the hackamore setup. A hackamore in my line of work is made up of 3 parts (sometimes 4 depending on the addition of a fiadore). These parts of a hackamore are

1. Bosal. The bosal comes in a variety of sizes depending on the horses level of training. Larger diameter sizes ( 3/4, 5/8, 1/2) are for green horses. Now smaller sized bosals (3/8, 5/16) are for horses that are more advanced. Typically these sizes are used for the two rein stage of the bridle horse.

2. Hanger. The hanger is the same as a headstall is for a bit to keep it on the horse. A hanger is usually thinner pieces of latigo leather that has a eye on one side you string the end through to tie a knot instead of a buckle. There is a variety of styles for hangers from standard over the poll, center tie and center hung. Usually decorated with blood knots, small rawhide buttons and occasionally small silver conchos.

3. Mecate. The mecate is a 22-24 foot rope that you use to tie onto your bosal to make the reins and tail to compete your hackamore. They can be made of all different types of materials from horse hair (mane and tail), mohair, Yacht rope, cotton rope and braided paracord. Make sure that when you pair a mecate and bosal they are the same diameter in size. Mixing sizes can affect the balance, signal and results of the hackamore when all put together.

4. Fiadore. It’s not surging you have to have, but many people do incorporate a fiadore into their hackamore. A fiador is known basically is a type of throat latch used on the hackamore. Its purpose is to stabilize a heavy noseband or bosal and prevent the hackamore from shifting.

All of these individual things must be put together complete the hackamore. The the hanger and mecate tied onto a bosal makes up the hackamore with or without the fiadore incorporated into it. Below I show a photo for reference of all the parts that make up the hackamore as a whole. Mecate in white, hanger in red, and bosal in yellow.

11/20/2023

Savvy Tip Sunday!!

We all want respect from our horses but do we as the human give respect ?

The little things matter to your horse and the little things should matter to you.

Today we will go into something as simple as haltering your horse and why we halter this with respect.

At Circle N Horsemanship we strive for our horse to want to be in a better relationship with us every time we work with them !!

If there's anything you want to see for a upcoming video please leave a comment!!!

11/13/2023

Savvy Tip Sunday!!

Even the smallest details can mean a big thing to your partnership with your horse.

Every really think how you tack up or store your equipment?

We spend a lot of money on our tack and horses, don't just drag it around in the dirt. Take the time and pride into your equipment.
I see a lot of people that just toss the cinch over there saddle only for it to drag on the ground and then put it on there horse.

Do you like wearing crusty socks?
Your horse shouldn't have to use crusty or dirty saddle pads and cinches.

Here are a few tips on how I like to saddle/unsaddle my horse and put up my gear afterwards.

11/05/2023

Savvy Tip Sunday !!!
Introducing a bit to your horse.
everytime you work with these young ones it's my goal to prepare them for the future , building their confidence and making them better each time.

11/04/2023

⚠️EDIT OF TIME⚠️
🕚Entry gates open at 11:30.
Tumbleweed will have Chili, grilled ham/cheese sandwiches, waters, and hot cocoa. It opens when the grounds open, at 11:30am. Grab some grub before we hit the trail.
‼️Trail rides leaves at 12:45pm‼️ NEED to stop in the barns to register.
We will start and end at the arena.
Then sorting and roping practices starts after we get back from the trail. $5.00 every time you would like to run. (Just be waiting at gate).
If you'd like to say "HI" and not ride, I suggest arriving at 2pm or later.
Make sure to put your name in the jar to win a turkey!
Any questions please PM or text Lori @ 605-770-8295.

IF you would like to stop by for some grub and just say "Hi", I suggest arrive 2pm or later.
See ya Sunday!

09/25/2023

This Saturday & Sunday we will be doing a Private 2 on 2 block workshop! 2 instructors for 2 students for 2 hours!!
You can work on ANYTHING you want!
Reining, ranch riding, obstacles, cattle, roping, the flag.... the options are endless!
cost: $50.00
cattle fee $10.00
Auditing-free

Spots will be first come first serve

Message us to reserve your spot !!

09/25/2023

09/25/2023

We do "vacations" a little differently around here. Getting our young ones out in the real world makes life so easy in the show ring.

09/25/2023

How do you prepare for a ranch horse show and top hand challenge??

well for us this month it has included
2 Clinics
A Wagon Train Ride (40 miles)
A Day of gathering and working 200 pairs of cows and a handful of bulls in 4 different pastures.
Driving out to custer SD
riding to top of Harny peak then mount Rushmore to have have lunch with the presidents, finding out certain people can't follow trails and pick a deer trail up the side of a cliff. Getting back just in time for a team penning and sorting where the girls finished 6th out of 69 teams bringing home some money. and now preparing for a weekend clinic this coming weekend and working cattle the next two weeks.

09/03/2023

was a bit of a change up for our horsemanship/cattle clinic last weekend thanks to all the rain!! but we where thankful for great weather and flexible people!! it was a great set up for a lot of one on one work and so much improvement was made by everyone!!

09/03/2023

lots of "Firsts" over this past week