The Eder's Haven Ranch

07/18/2024

Exactly

Your gentle reminder that our horses need to have their needs met in a species appropriate way 💙

Diagram inspired by Horse Conversations

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07/17/2024

Zanzar is still looking for her person. She's a lovely mare that really needs someone to bond with. She's so calm and smart. I wish I had time for them all. I also have a gorgeous mustang mare, that's been there, done that who will be available in August. Super laid back senior mare that's a perfect confidence booster. She's been all over the trails and super fun. Definitely not slow and boring

07/13/2024

What do you think horses would consider a bad owner. I'm sure it's different than what humans do.

07/11/2024

Bourbon learning about baths today. What a good boy

07/04/2024

Mommy and Son day, practicing ponying. I can't wait to see what these 2 do together

07/01/2024

Look at the difference between the two horses

Flashback to a cartoon that made me nod in agreement years ago, but now I appreciate its nuance even more! Kudos to the knowledgeable artist Elżbieta Jeżewska Art who highlighted the difference between instability and postural stability in horses.

On the left, we see flashy movements driven by abduction, leading to a twisted thorax and dumped sling on one side - a recipe for long-term issues.

On the right, adduction-based postural stability may not be as showy, but it's the key to a healthier, happier horse in the long run!

Let's prioritize substance over flash and focus on building strong foundations for our equine friends!

07/01/2024

Everyone meet Bourbon! He's here to learn about being a good riding horse 🐎. He's been spooky but, we are getting to the bottom of that now. He's such a good boy with tons of try. Thank you Kelbi for trusting my with your special guy. Thanks Autumn for your help today ☺️

06/29/2024

Misty is enjoying making friends 😃

06/27/2024

Love Walter, his teachings were way over my head when I found him. I'm just beginning to understand what he's talking about, all these years later.

I was talking to my students that every horse and rider are unique, but the one thing that is consistent throughout every lesson is that learning cannot occur without relaxation. Without relaxation, there is no point in attempting to train. Horses are prey animals and are programmed to be concerned about their own safety. A tense horse is worried they are not safe. We have to understand this. The horse may be afraid of his surroundings, or separation from their herd, or maybe they are in pain and it isn’t obvious to their rider yet. Anything that makes the horse uncomfortable will make them concerned about their safety, and no learning can pe*****te that fear. A relaxed mind can learn. A tense one cannot.
In my book "Dressage in Harmony", on page 12, I write that muscles are found in extensor-flexor pairs. A tense horse tends to contract both extensor and flexor muscles at the same time, thereby tightening and stiffening the joints through the action of the opposing forces. A truly relaxed horse will have every muscle relaxed from the poll to the tail, moving in regular rhythm and responding easily to all the aids, and the hoofprints are light. The rider can take up the reins or give the reins, and the horse will maintain his rhythm without running away. This must be true of all three gaits. A relaxed horse is not stiff, nor tight or frightened. Only when relaxed will the horse show brilliance in the movement.
If a horse is tense, you may have to dedicate the entire ride to achieve a relaxation. Some horses are more prone to tension than others. If your horse has an extremely high sense of self preservation, it takes enormous patience by the rider. Horses are programmed to be concerned about their own safety, and are hoping you will show them the way to a more secure state of mind. With repetition, the horse begins to believe in their rider. They begin to learn there is a better feeling out there that the rider will help them get to. The time it takes to get to a relaxed state becomes shorter over time.
When the horse is spooking, do not get too close to the scary thing and "give" to help unwind the tension. This can take great courage on the rider's part, but holding a tense horse tight creates even more tension. The "give" helps the horse's neck to soften and lengthen, and relaxation eventually start to migrate through the horse’s body. The horse recognizes the rider will not "trap" him and will not force scary things upon him. That builds trust, and trust creates relaxation.

06/27/2024

Oh this mare makes my heart sing ❤️. My Melody

06/27/2024

Ezra is overcoming her fears and becoming a great riding horse.

06/26/2024

Mom and son day at the Ranch. Zoey is always amazing with children 😍.

06/26/2024

Jacob finally found his person. He's back to being called Okie from Muskogee! I do miss him but, I'm happy he's getting the attention he deserves. Love you Jake 💗

06/19/2024

Mystique meeting the herd. She's gorgeous 🥰❤️ mare

06/16/2024

Vin! Oh how I love this ❤️ horse 🐎. Getting on him feels like putting on your favorite pair of jeans, that fit just right. He's 19 and aging like fine 🍷 wine. I hope to ride him for many years to come 😁 Age is just a number

06/16/2024

The Black Stallion ❤
This is a timeless tale that immerses readers into a world where the bond between a boy and a horse becomes a beacon of hope and resilience. Stranded on a deserted island, young Alec Ramsey and a wild Arabian stallion, whom he names "The Black," forge an extraordinary friendship built on mutual trust and survival. This relationship, raw and unspoken, highlights the profound connection between humans and animals, a connection that transcends words and is rooted in the shared struggle for life. The island's isolation strips away the complexities of the modern world, leaving only the pure, unyielding bond between Alec and the Black, a bond that ultimately defines their existence.

Upon their rescue and return to civilization, the story transforms into a narrative of triumph against odds, as Alec and the Black venture into the world of horse racing. The powerful imagery of the Black's untamed spirit, matched with Alec's unwavering faith, creates a symphony of emotion that touches the deepest parts of the human soul. Every race, every stride, is a testament to their journey, reflecting themes of perseverance, courage, and the extraordinary outcomes when two spirits, both wild and gentle, find each other in the chaos of the world. "The Black Stallion" is not merely a story about a horse and a boy; it is a touching exploration of trust, friendship, and the relentless pursuit of dreams.

06/16/2024

Fascia is so interesting!

Learn more about Fascia, Rehab, Body Lameness, Equipment fit, and Podiatry on our Patreon page.
https://www.patreon.com/RexosInc

06/15/2024

Another fun Ladies Ride in the books. A few people couldn't make it, these ladies that did are the best. Really enjoy Katera Cox and Jessica Bowie s company!

06/14/2024

When I say I rehab horses, this is what I'm talking about. I spend so much time opening a dialogue with them that is 2 way, just like this lady is demonstrating. I've changed many horses'opinions of people! I absolutely love what I do ❤️

06/14/2024

So interesting

06/13/2024

Great info

When working with horses, you are dealing with two types. These types are LEG movers and BACK movers.

A leg mover is a horse whose neck axis is raised higher and the neck is made shorter than the horse's level of training. Shortcuts have been taken with the horse's training and the result is a dropping of the back and a loss of connection between the forelegs and hindquarters exhibiting poor basic gaits. The horse is tense, unwilling and resistant.

A back mover (movement of choice) is a horse that is engaged, moving forward and using their entire body correctly for the level of training. A back mover has been developed in such a way that their head/neck position has been allowed to reflect the horse's training level and progress rather than using and taking shortcuts.

Why is this so important???

*Long-term health*
Leg movers work in a biomechanically inappropriate manner. When the horse does not engage their body in an appropriate manner, degeneration occurs at a faster rate which diminishes the overall health and happiness of the horse. Back movers bodies have been developed and effectively set up for the tasks they have been asked to perform. They can have a long, productive life into their 20's.

*Ethics*
A leg mover is a horse that has been developed using shortcuts and they are asked to hold a posture beyond their training and physical capacity. This results in a horse that is stressed and sore. On the other hand, a back mover has been developed to use its body properly. The training has been consistent and gradual and the body has been developed with strengthening and suppleness allowing them to be able to perform the tasks being asked without pain and tension in the body for a mentally and physically balanced horse.

*Disposition*
A leg mover will often work well for their rider in spite of the pain and fear. Over time this can result in the horse becoming sour and eventually reactive and unsafe to ride. A back mover that has been correctly trained is more confident and less reactive resulting in a positive relationship with their rider.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of the horses we see are leg movers and have been encouraged to travel on the forehand. Our goal is to educate and offer an alternative approach for our equine friends to give them the best life possible.

Always ask yourself, "What's in it for the horse?"
Carl Bledsoe Horsemanship
770-403-4635
[email protected]

06/12/2024

I love this old man, Vin. God bless the seniors