This is a fantastic drill to do with all horses- especially barrel horses. It’s the barrel pattern, in a straight line. The pattern consists of one right and two lefts or one left and two rights. Doing this drill helps work on some major issues but doesn’t get your horse feeling “blown up” on the pattern. This horse/rider combo is working on approach, speed through the turn and keeping a symmetrical and balanced circle around each barrel. This drill is perfect at the trot and lope. It really challenges you to stay centered and your horse to be more patient. If you’re looking for a drill this winter or just something different to try with your horse- try this out and let us know how it helps you and your horse. *Disclaimer one day I’ll get better at recording while I’m teaching so ya’ll can hear my instructions live time!* #100xequine #PoulinPowered #teamdoublek #horsemanship #barrelracing
There comes a day when you realize that the fear never really goes away,
that if you really want something,
you have to be willing to do it afraid.
And maybe this is the only way you ever get to discover your fullest potential.
Maybe you just have to dive right in and face the thing that scares you the most.
Because in the end,
it's not the rejections and so-called failures that will haunt you.
It will be your own potential left unexplored.
So maybe you don't need to wait until you overcome your fears to take the first step forward.
Maybe you just need to know there's something more important than fear. Something greater.
Something worth fighting for.
And maybe overcoming your fears is the least important part of your story anyway.
Maybe what matters is that you're scared but still determined.
Shaky but still standing.
Afraid but still willing to try.
Author - Zanna Keithley
I don’t normally run poles. I train them and teach them at home but Iv never had a want to try it out and about. I’m usually a one run and carry my time kind of girl.
This week we went to a little jackpot and I figured I had nothing to lose; so I entered. Luna and I had never even practiced - so my expectations were low. The try this mare has is incredible. She tried to stay with me, she turned nicely and we both came out of the arena So happy! The first of many things with this special pony girl. ♥️
#100xequine
#mainehorsefarms
#pemfequine
#PoulinPowered
#teamdoublek
#horsemanship
When the feels like temp hits 110 on the first day of summer! ☀️✌🏻 Cold hosing is a very effective way to keep your horses cool and happy in the summer heat, just remember to put a fan on them after; to help the evaporation process and keep them cooler, longer! *watch to the end to see him biting and playing with the hose! Water is his favorite thing!* #100xequine #mainehorsefarms #PoulinPowered #teamdoublek #SummerHeat2024 #horsemanship #seahorse
Rider errors
Have you ever been asked to run with your belly button pointed out, your eyes to the sky and your arms locked in place? I bet if you tried it, just once- You would do everything in your power to teach your horse how to lift their back, engage their belly, drop at their withers and follow your hands.
Last week I had to think outside of the box, and I’m posting this with Parent permission.
I had a rider who wasn’t really paying attention to me or her horse. Her horse was unbalanced at the trot and canter. The rider wasn’t using her legs to lift her horses belly so her horse just trotted faster, with her head in the air. After many discussions and how tos of “ask her to lift her belly and drop at the wither.” I asked her to step off her horse and run, just as described. She thought I was crazy but when she got back to me, I asked her to run, engaging her core and dropping her head. She told me “that felt so much better!”
So many times our horses are asking us for help and we just brush it off as they’re “unbalanced, naughty, don’t want to go forward. Won’t stop bucking” The list goes on. This is a very common thing we see all the time, riders don’t know how to help their horses get soft and use their whole body. Often times the rider just kicks or pulls or adds various bits and tack, thinking it will make their horses softer.
In reality if we just look within ourselves and acknowledge that we aren’t helping our horses, and we learn to get better. A whole lot can change!
Great job making these changes in yourself to help your horse, Olivia! ♥️
Our current students are setting some big goals for the upcoming season and setting the steps in motion to be able to reach them! 1st successful canter off lunge in a long time for her and she can’t wait to perfect it even more over April vacation!
Are you still looking for someplace for April vacation? We have a couple spots open and we are looking forward to goal setting and big accomplishments! Message the page and see the Google link below to sign up! Happy to offer a daily rate if you are trying to pack vacation full of fun for everyone! We know the juggle all too well and want to be able to offer the horse world experience where we can!
https://www.doublekhorsemanship.com/camps
Let’s talk about rope handling.
The one thing I preach to my students the most is the importance of saying what you mean, and meaning what you say. Your horse will thank you for being black and white when your asking them a question. Allow them to answer whatever your asking and give them a properly timed release when they get the answer correct. On the other hand a properly timed correction if the answer is incorrect.
How does this translate to rope handling?
If your rope is to long, to short or wrapped around your leg it’s impossible to properly time anything. If your constantly fumbling your rope around, your horse can perceive that as “nagging” and if they get the correct answer they could get understandably frustrated, if they feel like your giving pressure when they deserve a release.
Mackenzie was struggling during a ground work exercise with her 5y/o OTTB mare. I quickly noticed that she had her energy up and that her rope was getting easily tangled. So the next best thing was to practice without the horse! As you can see swapping hands and timing when to move to the shoulder needed some help. Stepping back from her horse and putting the pressure on me made things a lot easier to understand.
You don’t need your horse to practice your horsemanship. There is always something new to learn and I’m thankful to have these tools to help the next generation of horsemen understand the little things!
If your struggling to understand ground work and how to build a strong, willing and reliable connection with your horse. Send us a message. We have limited space for haul in lessons for both saddle and ground work!
#100xequine
#poulinpowered
#teamdoublek
#mainewinter
#horsebackridinglessons
#horsemanship
#groundwork
He is my living proof that hard work and patience pays off.
This is the horse whos known to spook at anything that flaps, crinkles, moves, or wrinkles. If it’s not a cow hes likely NOT interested. That’s just not what I know he’s capable of. What WE are capable of.
I have taken a few steps back with him and allowed him to just figure things out on his own terms. If we have to work 50 feet away from the object then that’s what we’ve done.
Today I brought him out to just look at the tarp obstacle. He brought himself over it on the ground a few times and then after some hesitation with me on his back, he strolled across it like he’d done it his whole life. This video is the first time since owning him, that he has walked over a tarp with confidence.
I love this little red head more than I can ever say and I can not wait to see where our new found confidence takes us the next 365 days. As I have said to everyone in my program “Rome wasn’t built in a day so You gotta start
#100xequine
#lovethehorsefirst
#poulinpowered
#aqha
#teamdoublek
#versitility
#workhardstayhumble
