Training•Lessons•Sales•Consults Attuned Horsemanship 💞 Behavioral Solutions• Operating since 2015
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A curious and ‘eager to please’ horse is the hallmark of fair and effective training. Fear and dissociation are red flags in my book. One of these days I’ll dive into the psychology behind that opinion, and what that looks like. In one week, Willow has developed great confidence, and independence. She is no longer worried about mom calling to her; she’s busy learning! I just love introducing healthy horse-human relationships to youngsters 💕
Next up: Update on Aspen (mom) 🤗
Know someone looking for a horse? Mira is officially listed! Last photo is her ad. She has a heart of gold, and is very versatile. She’s, healthy, sound, and would bring an intermediate rider a long way! Feel free to check out her ad on KSL, or send me a message for more info!
Lil throwback ☺️
It’s the nature of the horse to present obstacles, challenging us to sort out an issue within ourselves, so we can bring our best energy and thought to the relationship. Until we look at our part, the horse can only change so much. Funny enough, as we grow with our horses, don’t we also grow as humans, friends, partners, coworkers, etc.? This is one of countless reasons I am so focused on the relationship with the horse. For a good line of communication between horse and human. A space that allows us to see with less judgement, and more compassion. And truthfully, this can heal well beyond the scope of horsemanship. Not one second has been wasted working with horses.
It’s the nature of the horse to present obstacles, challenging us to sort out an issue within ourselves, so we can bring our best energy and thought to the relationship. Until we look at our part, the horse can only change so much. Funny enough, as we grow with our horses, don’t we also grow as humans, friends, partners, coworkers, etc.? This is one of countless reasons I am so focused on the relationship with the horse. For a good line of communication between horse and human. A space that allows us to see with less judgement, and more compassion. And truthfully, this can heal well beyond the scope of horsemanship. Not one second has been wasted working with horses.
Mira Session 1: ~50min w/ breaks
TODAY WAS LOTS OF MASSAGE & STRETCHING
(LATERAL & VERTICAL FLEXION) WHICH I BELIEVE IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF THE PRINCIPLE, SLOWER IS FASTER. MAKING THE INITIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HORSE REWARDING, ENGAGING, AND LITERALLY HEALING, PAYS GENEROUSLY IN THE FUTURE.
I ALWAYS RECHECK FOR SENSITIVE/PAINFUL AREAS, IN ADDITION TO PPE (pre purchase exam.) IT’S NOT UNCOMMON FOR SELLERS TO BUTE HORSES, IN AN EFFORT TO MASK HEALTH/MOBILITY ISSUES.
GROUND TIED & GROOMED HER, THOROUGHLY PICKED AND ASSESSED ALL 4 FEET, DID A LITTLE EXTRA WITH THE BACK 2, AND GOT THAT HOW I LIKE IT. I REMOVED HER NOTABLY LONG CHESTNUTS, AND DID SHORT SETS OF CORE AND PELVIC ENGAGEMENT/ TOP LINE STRENGTHENING. SHE’S ATROPHIED SIGNIFICANTLY, AND THIS WILL TAKE TIME. PRESSURE FROM MY HANDS, AND TIMELY RELEASES, LAYS THE FOUNDATION FOR THE CUE/“BUTTON” I’LL USE UNDER SADDLE IN THE FUTURE.
WE HANDWALKED AND TROTTED, TO AVOID ANY SLIPPAGE IN THE MUD, WHILE WORKING SOME CARDIO INTO OUR SESSION.
HER HOOVES ARE BADDD, BUT ABSOLUTELY WORKABLE, SO TOMORROW I’LL DO A TRIM UNTIL WE GET A FARRIER OUT.
Forgive the all caps, I didn’t care to fix and retype it 😅 To sponsor a post, or video (yes I’m capturing footage!) DM or text is best!
In a reining spin, it’s natural to want to control the pivot foot, and it can be frustrating to work out a solution to this on your own. You can lose a lot of training time on that single foot. However, if you can get the reach, rhythm, and impulsion from the front- in a quiet and controlled manner- the inside hind foot will start to plant and pivot on its own. Ironically, if the rider becomes too focused on getting the foot planted, the whole spin falls apart, sometimes the whole ride. Yet another lesson from horses.
Maybe I’ll follow this up with a post on biomechanics in the spin 😊
One thing I see all the time in the sport is: playing the horse’s game- this is where an undesirable behavior, gets the horse the outcome they wanted, engagement.
So your horse is bored. maybe you’re talking to a friend at the barn and he starts pawing. Maybe you’re in the warmup ring a bit early. You go over and correct him, he stops, and you forget about it. But then he does it again. Why? Because what he really wanted, was entertainment. So, he asked you to engage with him. Then you did. Even if it was a slap. Maybe a stern voice. This tells him, if I’m bored and want to get some attention, I just do something that bugs her, and she’ll come over.
What is the alternative? There are three parts: first, ignore the behavior. If your horse wants your attention, they’ll have to think of a more sophisticated way to ask. Second, wait for the behavior to stop, then wait 10+ seconds, then engage with them.
Why? Because they’re trying to think of HOW to get what they want and they will take note of what they were doing when they got it. Third, decide on an alternative way they can ask for your attention, and ONLY engage with that behavior. This allows them to feel secure, and helps you to know when your horse needs engagement INSTEAD of the undesirable behavior. This doesn’t mean they always get your attention when they want it, because developing patience is crucial to their wellbeing, but we’ll save that for a different post…
I told her that the next time she feels afraid, remember standing on top of that horse. Because fear will always be a part of life. Your response however, is a reflection of you. So choose to be brave, honest, and loving. Choose not to be blinded by fear, because a girl with dreams becomes a woman with vision.
Slow down, and just hang out with your horse!
Observe and understand them outside of “their job.”
Where they like to hang out, where they land in the herd dynamic, their reactions to things without a handler, when they rest, when they play, where they do these things, which horses they like to hang around, how they respond to pressure from other horses, and so on. Just like people, feeling seen and understood frees up their mind. This lays the foundation for developing an accurate training program.
Energy • Empathy • Equity
The three E’s are priceless qualities I strive to develop in every student. I believe they are natural truths, only leaving us when we succumb to oppressive forces. Especially when they’re from within. I’ll save you a year of therapy and just tell you, they’re always from within. 😉
What characteristic did you gain during your horsemanship journey?
Three updates you may be interested in:
1. For the foreseeable future, my program will again be based out of Utah!
2. I’ve officially put my vision into action, and have started my nonprofit, Saved by Horses. Which works to provide lessons, access to horses, mentoring, and other resources, to struggling youth that may not otherwise have the opportunity.
3. Although independent, 20% of all my profits will be donated to the rescue. $40= 1 lesson, and $8 of that will go towards helping a kid!
In fact, two are already scholarshipped by Saved by Horses !
It was so hot today, Mooney and I were on the verge of going swimming with the ducklings.
I have some good news, and some bad news. In one sentence: Summer Rain Training is completely full, but I am starting a waiting list. If you are interested in lessons, putting a horse in training with me, or other offerings, please still inquire! I will do what I can to make room 💕
The Four Quadrants of Operant Conditioning! (How we train horses)
Here’s a quick graphic I made with .
Salt Lake City, UT
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