Deanna Preis Horsemanship at Shade Tree Stables

12/14/2024

Then and Now 🤣
2019 & 2024

Photo credit to Jeff Preis Photography who freezes his fingers off to get these kinds of pictures 😘

12/11/2024

Cues.

You'll often here me talk about cues, and how we need to be very specific. My trainer says, "the more things we teach the horse, the more clear we need to be, and the closer the horse needs to listen." This builds a horse that can truly think, and not just react.

When Gustavo was young, before I started him, I taught him tricks. Each time he learned a new trick, he'd want to randomly show this new trick in anticipation of attention or reward. I found it very useful to be teaching him a few tricks at a time to keep him really thinking and looking for a specific cue. On the other hand, my horse Magic, only knew on trick, and that was to smile. That's a pretty harmless trick, but she would throw it out there every chance that she got because this was the only trick she knew.

When teaching the horse something new, and especially when we're reinforcing that behavior with R+, we must make sure that we're not confusing the horse by being excited when they offer the behavior when it's not asked for. We simply redirect the behavior by asking something else like, "trot". When a behavior is confirmed, we put a specific cue to it, a sound, a hand gesture, a body posture etc. We only reward when the behavior is offered when asked for, and ignore it, and possibly ask for something else if the horse volunteers it when not asked.

By being clear, we reduce frustration in the horse, thereby increasing motivation.

12/10/2024

This is what I talk about when I say the domination works right up until it doesn't.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/wjwmuWPfVrYtho5Z/

12/09/2024

What a fantastic weekend! I'm sitting at the airport reflecting on the events of the last few days. A common theme that kept arising was pointing out subtle signals from the horse that this is enough. That we can pause, and be even quieter and more subtle in the ask next time, and how much lighter and quicker the horses respond when we do less.

Big hugs and thanks to my loving hostess Joanie ♥️
It's been lovely Florida, and I'll see you again in March and November 2025!

12/07/2024

By the skin of my teeth!

I made it to Florida! I had 57 minutes to get to my connecting flight with a layover in Atlanta. I was already concerned about this, and then had a 40 minute delay in St Louis at the start because they hadn't done their paperwork!

I ran, and ran, and ran (not my thing). As I'm going up the escalator there are too many people to pass, so I check my phone while I'm waiting to see that they moved my flight up 5 minutes!

I literally got to my gate with 2 minutes to spare. An older gentleman says to me casually, "well you made it" as I'm huffing and puffing. And then says, "you have grey hair". I said yes, I have grey hair from things like this". He then says, " No, you have GREAT hair". Well thank you sir 🤣 turns out he rides horses too and is proud of me for doing what 10 year old me wanted to do, and says, " I am too. It just took me 62 years"!

12/04/2024

"Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be" -Abraham Lincoln

There are a million reasons to be unhappy. Pick one.

Or, use that same energy and voice in your head to be happy. The same amount of time will pass either way.

St. Louis cavesson was a collaboration with HIDALGO Sattel and you can get yours from Hug Your Horse : Hidalgo Leather Tree Consultant Use code STSSTL for a discount!

Photo credit to Preis Photography

12/03/2024

Ignorance is Bliss

The more knowledgeable we are, the more issues we seem to think we have! Did you just read about PSSM, and now you suspect 75% of the horses you work with have it? What about ECVM, yup every horse that trips now has it. I am in no way downplaying these issues. They are real and for sure a problem! I've also seen things on dissection that would have been very hard to find on diagnostics. For sure don't push your horse if they are saying no, but don't limit or label them out of fear.

95% of my clients are super mindful owners. The kind that err on the side of caution, and I LOVE that! The problem is, it can be very limiting. Our overthinking becomes problematic, and I'm guilty of it too!

I'm pretty sure that all horses have something.... I know I do. Most of us would not pass a PPE, but most of us are still able to be productive, and it's fulfilling, and probably makes us feel better physically and mentally. What I'm trying to say, is don't treat everything like it's broken. Don't let your horse's story own the future. Yes, they had a bad experience/start/rescue/etc. but the future can be bright if you choose to look through the windshield instead of in the rearview mirror.

12/03/2024

"Hold on for one more day" If you grew up in the 90's, I hope you sung that ;)

I'm extending my deal for one more day!

You can join the online self study video library, "Setting Your Horse Up for Success" at the discounted price of $165 for one more day!
🔵This includes lifetime access!
🔵As a bonus, you will receive a private virtual coaching from me tailored to you and your horse's specific needs.
🔵With this deal, you gain access to the private fb group for further support.
🔵You'll receive a 1 month trial of Members Basic where you'll have access to last month's recording of "Equine Nutrition Through Feeding Practice" and this month's upcoming webinar, "Things to do over the winter without an indoor arena".

Who is this good for?
🟢Anyone getting started with horses.
🟢Anyone whose horse is struggling with soundness issues.
🟢Anyone who wants to prevent soundness issues.
🟢Anyone who is feeling stuck on a plateau and wants to move up.
🟢Anyone who wants to develop a better eye for healthy movement.
🟢Anyone who wants a soft and willing horse that looks forward to working with you!

The deal can be found on my website shadetreestables dot com. After signing up, be sure to check your spam for information on your FREE bonuses, or send me a message!

12/02/2024

All good things must come to an end.

Today is the last day to catch my Black Friday deal! Don't forget:
🔵Lifetime Access
🔵One Time Payment
🔵10 Continued Education Credit Hours
🔵Free Virtual Lesson
🔵Free Month of Members Basic
🔵Free Access to the Private Facebook Group!

Inside you'll learn:
🟢Anatomy
🟢How to Train Your Eye for Proper Movement
🟢How to Motivate Your Horse
🟢Understand the Laterals and How to Use Them
🟢Liberty
🟢Functional Groundwork to Create Soundness and Lightness
🟢Teach Your Horse to Stand at the Mounting Block
🟢Pugsy's Story, including video of movement, and findings post mortem
🟢And So Much More! The video library continues to grow! Get in now before the price goes up!

Deal can be found on my website shadetreestables

12/01/2024

Having a job.

This story comes up often in clinics and lessons. Lets say you come over to my house for a holiday. You come in, take off your coat, and you see that I'm a bit frazzled. I'm rushing around and trying to get all the things done. If you offer to help, and I say, "no, I've got it." this might make you uncomfortable to sit and do nothing while you see how busy I am.

On the other hand, if I say, "Yes, if you could mash the potatoes, that would be great!". You might feel relieved, like, "yes, I can mash potatoes!" I see horses come to new barns for clinics all the time that are unsettled. The owners are well meaning, and trying to keep them calm. Heck, I've done the exact same thing! But, I find that if right away we give that horse a task to do, for example, stand in this spot. It has quite the calming effect. It's an easy job, the horse knows how to do it, we just need to set clear boundaries that this is what I would like you to do in this moment and nothing else. We have to kindly, tell them to color with in the lines. These are the boundaries. By having clear boundaries and expectations, it helps the horses to feel more confident and creates a safer environment for everyone!

11/30/2024

Do you need CE credit?

My Black Friday deal is great for owners, trainers, bodyworkers, and more! It's also a 10 hour continued education credit course for NBCAAM! Save $100! This is a 1 time payment of $165 and you get lifetime access, along with the private fb support group!

11/29/2024

SAVE $100, 1 time payment, and have LIFETIME ACCESS!

What you'll get:
🔵Lifetime access to the online video library "Setting Your Horse Up For Success"

🔵Become part of the like minded community of mindful horse owners in the private Facebook group to help you through the information, and celebrate your successes!

🔵1 FREE virtual lesson for personalized help for you and your horse along with exercises to move forward with!

🔵1 month FREE trial of "Members Basic" which includes a monthly webinar from leading professionals in the equine industry, and access to the recording!

Thank you for supporting mindful, horse friendly training! I look forward to being able to continue to provide an ever evolving body of knowledge!

Set Your Horse Up For Success Are you concerned with your horse's long term soundness? Start you path to better understand healthy movement Purchase Virtual Lessons 1 Virtual Lesson $65.00 Purchase 3 Virtual Lessons $185.00 Purchase Purchase Online Course Setting Your Horse Up For Success $185.00 On...

11/28/2024

Crucero says, "No green bean casserole for me, but please pass the carrots!"

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Today is a day to reflect on how good we have it. Sometimes we get so caught up in all the doing, that we forget that things are pretty dang awesome!

11/27/2024

Horses don't just go lame.

There's a whole host of contributing factors that play into lameness over the course of time. These include, the way we ride, our physical limitations/asymmetries, saddle fit, lifestyle, the age the horse was started, the type and amount of conditioning, nutrition, healthcare, hoof care, etc.

What other factors do you believe contribute or prevent lameness?

Photo credit: Preis Photography

11/26/2024

The Black Friday DEAL is coming!

Are you ready for it?

11/25/2024

Don't be greedy.

How many times have you heard me say that in a clinic or a lesson?

Sometimes we get so focused on what we want to accomplish, that we forget to appreciate the little moments that will lead up to the more consistent "big" things.

We can be working and working, and then when it starts going right, instead of releasing or rewarding, we think "there it is, now keep going", "give me MORE of that!" When in reality if we release and reward in that moment when the horse first gifts us with a lovely balanced moment, we are more likely to help the horse understand that THIS is what we are looking for, AND more likely to motivate the horse to give us more of it in the future!

If you haven't had the pleasure of horses nickering in their work, or offering up more lightness, and more collection, you are truly missing out on one of the best feelings in the world!

11/25/2024

Multiple feeding stations.

Currently I have 2 herds of 2, yet I have 2-4 feeding stations at all times for each herd.

Why do I do this?

1. It increases movement. All 4 horses here are spherical in shape. If they were to roll on a steep hill, there's a chance that I'd never see them again. The more hay stations there are, the more they'll play musical hay bags.

2. It minimizes resource guarding, stress, and conflicts. Even if the hay never runs out, there can still be low level stress if a horse has concerns about food scarcity, a big bubble of personal space that they don't want to share, or if they are lower on the totem pole.