Standing quietly
This is what I like to see, and what tells me a horse is really settling down…amidst an extremely windy day, Lozi is standing here before we do a training session, hind leg cocked and quiet eyes. She was never super jumpy or quirky on the ties, but has never looked very relaxed either. Today she is showing that the training we’re doing is paying off. 👌🏻
Lozi is a 9 yr old Tennessee Walker. Lozi hasn't had much done with her for about a year and a half. The ultimate goal is for her owner to enjoy Lozi on the trails. Her owner shared about Lozi getting spooky at times, especially when dirt bikes pass her on the mountain trails. I started with her in the round pen after she did not want to be caught in her paddock (which let me know she didnt have much trust or respect for me). My only goal for these sessions (2 sessions in one day, about 20 minutes each) was to work on joining up- having Lozi face me and ultimately to come into the center of the round pen with me. All of this is done through body language. Things I'll watch and make note of when I'm round penning are: how long does it take the horse to show any kind of relaxation (ie. licking and chewing, head and neck lowering, blinking, etc), does the horse seem more relaxed going one direction or the other, does the horse cross canter and if so, does it appear to be a physical related issue (hip, hock, stifle pain, etc), or is the horse so tense he is no longer focused on coordination through his body, does he keep focus on you or get distracted quickly, etc. Horses reveal a lot about themselves in the round pen. It's also a place where they will call you out with mistakes you are making as a trainer. Round penning is one of my absolute favorite things to do. I will keep updates coming of Lozi's progress.
As a horse trainer I have found myself always spending more time with training horses than I do with my own. Jessica Forliano, my mentor and trainer I worked for in Pennsylvania gave me some great advice not too long ago…she told me to spend whatever time I have with my own horses, even if it’s 15 minutes. SO nice to start getting big ol’ Bentley back into shape! Thank you, Jess!!!
A snowy April day
A cold crummy day meant a great day to review some roundpenning…for both horse AND dog!
I find this oddly satisfying
Baby season is well upon us
Welcome to the world, munchkin 🥰
Gunner is an awesome little horse. We had been struggling with getting much impulsion from him. He was super resistant to go forward and push from behind. The owner decided to get X-rays and a small cyst was found in his right stifle. Hind shoes with a wedge have been very helpful and we have been adding some new exercises and hill work to his work routine. This is just another reminder to listen to your horse- and rule out physical issues before always assuming it’s always a behavioral problem. Of course there are times it absolutely is behavioral, however I would like to give these horses the benefit of the doubt and make sure it isn’t a pain related issue.
This boy 🥰 I had already taken him for a walk, but he just has to come along on Bentley’s walk too
Excuse me Miss, you seem to have forgotten our alfalfa.
