Common Sense Horse Training

01/05/2024

During these cold winter days you may be thinking about offering bran mashes to your horse as a warm, comforting treat and also as a way to help prevent colic due to the higher fiber content of bran. This, however, is an outdated concept and nutritionists point out several potential problems associated with feeding bran mash too often—namely, an imbalance of the dietary calcium-phosphorus ratio that could lead to bone disorders, and a disruption of the healthy fermentation patterns in the horse’s intestinal tract.

The best way to help your horse stay warm this winter is by increasing forage 🌾 and providing shelter 🏠 during a cold snap. And as far as the risk of colic, your first line of defense is to provide plenty of water to keep your horse hydrated. 💦

As always, your equine veterinarian remains your best source of information; contact them to learn more about feeding mashes (they are typically not an issue if fed as the occasional treat) and colic prevention this winter.
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Brough to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

06/05/2023

One key element to training a horse, any horse is clear communication.

Horses are very direct in how they communicate. A flick of an ear, look from their eye, turn of a shoulder or hip. They say to another horse, “I said this, you do that”.

As you work to build a relationship with your horse(s) it is important that whatever you choose to communicate it is clear, consistent. concise.

This way he/she knows what you are saying or asking and can respond or learn to respond applicably.

Remember, if you interact with a horse, you are a horse trainer.

Happy training!

11/04/2022

Going through my notes this morning on my laptop and found this great diagram, I must rifle through my bookcase to see where this one came from & then I’ll update this post with a reference.

It’s a great diagram which visualises saddle fit in relation to the scapula and spine which is super important, not just how the horse may look from the outside. 🤍

10/16/2022

Yes yes and yes.

10/06/2022

08/14/2022

Yesterday we attended a local horse show. We did not show just attended. We were watching the English riding classes-all age groups.

Once again, nearly all the riders had their stirrups too short, hands in their crotch, piano hands, ill fitting tack or saddles too small (and a few too big) for their butt, and more. 🙄.

06/05/2022

We were at a local horse who yesterday. I will be blunt. Yanking and see-sawing on your horse’s mouth will do Nothing!

Nope Nothing for them to come on the bit properly. Nothing to have a relaxed, responsive horse that is working through their body to move. Nothing for the horse to be properly engaged.

When you use your hands and a bit as a weapon it will always backfire on you.

05/01/2022

Spring is here. If you and your horse are starting back to work give yourselves time to get back in shape.

04/15/2022

04/01/2022

03/15/2022

TUESDAY TIP 🦄

BENDING EXERCISES FOR A MORE SUPPLE HORSE

Turns, loops, circles, figures of eight and serpentines are all great exercises that you can incorporate into your horse's training.

Combine them together and you have an infinite number of beneficial bending exercises.

1. Begin with shallow loops and large circles to promote balance, suppleness and accuracy.
2. Progress to tighter turns, smaller diameters and exercises that require more changes of bend as your horse becomes stronger and more flexible.
3. The intensity of all these bending exercises can be increased by varying the gait, degree of collection, speed and tempo.

For more great exercises and advice take a look at my book POSTURE AND PERFORMANCE - https://www.horsesinsideout.com/product-page/posture-and-performance-1

02/04/2022

Really nice graphic here.

Friday Fun Fact about horses...

"Did you know that horses are walking on the skeletal equivalent of our middle finger? Don't forget to give those feet a little extra love and care today."

01/17/2022

With this cold, snowy weather make sure your horses have enough fuel to stay warm!

12/18/2021

One issue I see so often is owners is not setting boundaries with their horses. It is so essential to help you and your horse. We use the "your bubble, their bubble" method. You can always go into your horse's bubble, they can ONLY come into your bubble WITH your permission. If they enter your bubble immediately back them up and/or move them back to their bubble. They will get it.

I cannot stress enough how respecting space is such a foundational skill for any horse to learn.

This applies to being in the pasture, in the barn, in the ring, trailer or even in a stall...anywhere. In our barn as we go to enter a stall, each horse knows they are to back up for the human to enter and they stand quietly as we go about our business-with or without them. They are to respect our space when we are in their stall. When leaving a stall with the horse, the human always goes first.

The horse respectfully follows. If a horse has a 'moment' and tries to rush out/push by, well we just turn around and start again, until they do what they have been taught, you leave the stall nicely, and is expected of them.

When you set clear boundaries with horses you will see how much easier it is to handle and be with them. Be consistent and reward with verbal praise.

12/03/2021

I cannot stress enough how important it is for you to set your boundaries, be consistent and follow through with your horses.

Horses are master manipulators. Don’t let them manipulate you.

12/01/2021

With winter settling in here in the Northeast, we're still continuing our daily training of our horses-just on the ground. Even our veteran horses get cues if/when needed for them to remember their manners.

If you own a horse, you're a horse trainer.

11/25/2021

Happy Thanksgiving.

11/24/2021

Let us all be Thankful for the equines in our lives. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.