Bar T Horsemanship

11/01/2024

Hello new cows!! Yall come let your horses play with them next weekend for our cow clinics!

10/24/2024

10/17/2024

Our CONFIDENCE THRU CONTROL clinic is this Saturday and it’s been full for a while so I haven’t posted about it. But we just had one cancellation so if anyone wants to join us Saturday please let me know!

10/08/2024

Thankful for cooler weather and sunshine!! The cows are happy too!!

10/07/2024

Woohoooo! A brand new teeter totter for the Obstacle Clinic!!! 😍

10/07/2024

10/05/2024

Halloween popping up around Bar T!! 💀🖤

09/26/2024

How About Those Feet

How many times do we wait on the farrier or trimer’s visit to give our new horse a lesson in foot-handling? I have several friends that are hoof care specialists (farriers or natural trimmers) that share with me daily the lack of attention their clients give their horse’s feet. I’ve made a dollar or two teaching horses to accept having their feet handled, but if the horse owner is doing his or her job, I should never be called. When should we start working with those feet? The day we become owners of that horse, of course!
Folks, it is not your farrier’s responsibility to teach your horse to stand patiently to be trimmed or shod. Do you expect your vet to teach your horse to stand still for a check-up or have his blood pulled for a Coggins test? Of course not. So, why do I hear these stories daily, or why is the first thing I hear when someone is interested in purchasing a horse is, “Does he stand well for the farrier?” Yes, it is a legitimate question, but should be one that’s obsolete.
So, how do we make it happen? First, let’s understand things from the horse’s perspective. Without his feet, he’s at the mercy of every predator within a hundred-mile radius. When I try to take a foot against his will, I’ve caused his concern to spike. His response is fight or flight. Think about it—a big burly farrier comes into my barn to trim a young, restless horse, and there’s a pretty lady holding him. That farrier has a lot to prove to both the horse and pretty lady. So, the egos and testosterone roar! Who’s the baddest in the land?! That approach will only turn into a battle of wills. The horse never asked for this.
Now, let’s look at how we might be able to improve that scenario. It’s our job to remove any concern or worry from his mind. No force, just keep our expectations low and slow.
Here’s how I teach them to relax during the foot-handling process. I start in a confined area, a round pen or stall works well. No one holding the horse; he is free to move if he feels threatened. On a loose lead line, I’ll start working my way down each leg from shoulder to hoof, rubbing with first my hand, then later the lead line as we build trust. If he moves, I continue to rub until he stands without any pressure. Repeat the process a few times, giving him a break by releasing the pressure (your hand or the lead line) each time he stands still.
Now, move to the back feet. Stay aware, horses can cow kick! I will never ask for the foot until I can rub up and down each leg without the lead ever tightening on the halter. Now he trusts me and my body position.
Once he stands without pressure while you rub, it’s time to pick up the foot. Let’s start with the left foot. I’ll stand by his shoulder facing the rear of the horse with the lead draped over my left forearm. I’ll slide my left hand down to the ankle and tickle the pastern lightly with my fingers. Hmmm, the foot didn’t come up. Next level of pressure, I’ll use my hoof pick and start lightly tapping the outside of the ankle, tap, tap, Tap, Tap, TAp, TAp, TAP, TAP! I’ll increase the pressure of the tap every two-three taps, waiting for him the lift the foot on his own. The first time or two I may just release the pressure as he lifts the foot without even holding it. Then I’ll only hold it a second or so to continue to build that trust. After I can hold the foot a few seconds, I’ll then hold it low and by palming the hoof from the bottom I’ll move with the horse as he swings it around trying to get it back. The moment he softens, I’ll place the foot on the ground and release it. The trick here is hold it loosely so he doesn’t feel confined, even though I have control of his foot. He can still move it around.
By palming the hoof, you have a better hold and he feels much less constricted. Each time I ask for the foot, it always starts the same way: tickle the pastern, tap the ankle increasing until he lifts it on his own. I want him to pick up his foot because it was his idea, and not because I pushed him off balance and snatched his foot. If I’m holding the foot and he transfers weight, I’ll just palm the hoof and lift. The extreme flex on the pastern will cause him to change his mind pretty quick. I will not hold any more of his weight than the lower leg! As I finish up with the foot, I will always return it to the ground as politely as possible without any struggle, he or me!
Repeat this process with all four feet. If you do this daily for about a week, you’ll soon have a nice, respectful horse who the farrier will enjoy working with!
Remember, you can always give us a call with any questions; we’re here to help. Have a Good Ride!

09/15/2024

Weather should hold off! We are excited to welcome everyone to Bar T today 1-5pm! Bring a dish or $20! Bring a horse or just bring yourself! See yall soon!! 🖤

09/12/2024

Super fascinating watching Jim put a first touch on a Mustang this morning!! Also excited the weather looks much better for this weekend! Hope to see a lot of familiar and new faces this Sunday at our mini clinic!!

09/09/2024

Join me in wishing the face of Bar T the happiest of birthdays!!! He’s changed the lives of so many horses and horse owners! I’m so grateful to be a small part of Jim’s life and to have learned SO much from him the last 14 months! We love you Jim!!! Happy birthday!!!

08/19/2024

OUR FALL CLINIC SCHEDULE HAS BEEN DECIDED! There is more information on our website about each clinic! Please email me at [email protected] to register or if you have any questions! Most clinics will allow 8 riders. Auditing is $30. We can't wait to see you!! *$75 deposit required to hold your spot*

07/29/2024

As we creep towards August we are about to work on our Fall Bar T clinic schedule. We would love your input on what clinics you’d like us to have! If you have requests, please send them our way! We will also be having some mini clinics! As much as we love summer (convincing ourselves) are excited for cooler weather! -Jamie

06/09/2024

Day two of Confidence thru Control! Everyone had a great first day with lots of improvement by the end of the day!

05/28/2024

We just got a spot back open for this clinic! This is such a great clinic for riders with anxiety and/ir horses with anxiety! Which is about all of us! 😉

05/13/2024

Jim Thomas Solveig Aycock Jamie Staggs

This Sunday (May 19) we will be hosting our Advanced Cow clinic as a reschedule due to rain on the original date. We have two spots open. It’s 9am-4pm-ish and it’s $250 for the day including lunch. It will be held at Bar T, 730 Pete Thomas Road, Pittsboro, NC. You just have some knowledge of moving cows. This is not a roping or speed clinic, but more about your horse manipulating where cows are placed by using controlled body movement to move the cow. Email me at [email protected] to sign up or send us a message!

05/13/2024

This Sunday (May 19) we will be hosting our Advanced Cow clinic as a reschedule due to rain on the original date. We have two spots open. It’s 9am-4pm-ish and it’s $250 for the day including lunch. It will be held at Bar T, 730 Pete Thomas Road, Pittsboro, NC. You just have some knowledge of moving cows. This is not a roping or speed clinic, but more about your horse manipulating where cows are placed by using controlled body movement to move the cow. Email me at [email protected] to sign up or send us a message!

05/09/2024

This Saturday should be Gorgeous weather! We have a couple spots left in our Intro to Cows clinic. It’s such a fun clinic! Let me know if you’d like to join! 🐮🐮🐮🐴🤠

05/06/2024

Yall…. Our Intro to cows clinic this past Saturday was a BLAST! We have one more this coming Saturday, May 11th and we have a few spots open! If your horse has never seen a cow, or if you have always wanted to learn how to move cows, this is the clinic for you! English riders, western riders, dressage horses, anyone can benefit from this! Email me at [email protected] or message us and I can get you signed up! It’s $250 for the day, 9am-4pm with lunch included and you’ll get professional pictures as well!
730 Pete Thomas Road, Pittsboro NC, 27312

05/04/2024

Cow day!!!! Perfect weather!!

05/03/2024

**JUNE 8-9 CLINIC…Confidence through Control….** TWO SPOTS REMAINING!

The Confidence though Control clinic is exactly as the name implies. Most people lack confidence in riding and working with their horse because they realize that in extreme situations, they have no control over the horse. This clinic helps people understand how to take a horse full of anxiety, fear, distractions, and bring the horse back into a calm piece of mind by simple exercises whether through from the ground or on their back. During the clinic we will safely present situations where the horse could become anxious and give the rider an opportunity to bring the horse back to a better place. Once we begin to understand the mind of the horse it’s so much easier to invite him to a calmer world.

This is a two day clinic, 9-4 both days. It’s $350 and includes lunch both days. Please email me, [email protected] to register!
Location: Bar T: 730 Pete Thomas Rd, Pittsboro NC 27312