Pure Joy Horsemanship

04/18/2025

**Hoof Education Series - What Do You See? **

Hello Hoof Education fans!

I'm excited to hear what you have to say about this hoof!

Share comments below. 👇😃👇

Purejoyhorsemanship.com

04/15/2025

There's NO Such Thing as Stubborn Horse. There is a Horse That Feels Better Not Doing What You Ask.

04/15/2025

**Behavior Tip of the Day! 🎉

This tip is about YOUR behavior! What? It's all about my horse's behavior, isn't it?!

Nope. If you're in any way influencing your horse, your behavior matters, big time.

What I want to encourage you to do is to vary that behavior that you're putting out there and is getting all over your horse.

Don't be a one note communicator.

Oh, my horse looks away and I make him move his feet. My horse won't stand still so I make him move his feet. My horse got scared so I move his feet, yada, yada, yada.

And yuck!

Your response is the same every time - the same action, the same intensity, the same experience for your horse no matter what his motivation is - pain, fear, distraction, confusion, anxiety, etc. How is that beneficial? I'll tell you this, if you have to keep repeating your "fix" over and over again, it ain't working!

Instead, get creative with your responses. Mix them up! If your horse gets nervous, let him graze until he's relaxed. Grazing can be naturally calming. If he's screaming for his buddies, take him back to see his friends and gradually build up to spending more time away at a greater distance. If he doesn't want to "go" stop and listen to what your horse is saying.

Create an environment for your horse in which he feels SAFE, COMFORTABLE, AND EAGER to do what you want. ❤️

Give it a try! Share your experiences in the comments. 👇😃

Purejoyhorsemanship.com
Purejoyhorsehaven.org

04/14/2025

If Your Horse is Unsound without Shoes, Your Horse is Unsound with Shoes

04/14/2025

Hi Everyone!
Here's a Question...
What Does it Mean to You to "Make Your Horse Soft?"

04/13/2025

04/12/2025

Where Does the Majority of the Resistance in Our Horses Come From? It Comes from Us.

04/09/2025

Step 1

Make Sure the Thing You're Asking Your Horse to Do Isn't Unpleasant

04/05/2025

It's beyond time we are empowered to take control of our horse's hoof health!

Please click this link.

https://www.purejoyhorsemanship.com/post/let-s-talk-teach-and-trim

04/02/2025

**Horse Behavior Tip** - Making Touch Consentual

It's not uncommon for us to believe through observation and education that horses are inherently designed to bend to our will.

Let's consider that...

Horse's are highly intelligent sensitive beings with strong survival instincts hardwired into their brains. They are acutely aware of their surroundings and physicality.

We're very similar. Many of us feel uncomfortable when others stand too close or reach out to touch or hug us without warning.

I'm a hugger but I always ask, "may I give you a hug?" before I approach out consideration for the other person's experience. I also respect the answer, "no, thank you."

And yet... we approach, touch, grab, rub, halter, etc. our horses often without any consideration for their experience at all.

It makes me sad to see a horse cringe or flinch, yet stand stoically, when their human approaches and proceeds to do what they want to do, unaware of their horse's discomfort. Horses are often conditioned (often with the use of aversive methods) to tolerate anything we throw at them, without resistance or complaint - hence their reluctance to offer any version of a "no, thank you."

Of course, if I'm there I begin educating them about developing a kinder mutually collaborative relationship with their horse that will make EVERYONE much happier. 💕

No one enjoys or seeks to be ignored or treated without regard. Everyone has value. Teaching your horse that you value him or her is a great gift that paves the way to your horse feeling more confident, secure, and bonded to you.

My challenge to you is to closely observe your horse's body language when you approach. Look for signs of insecurity or discomfort such as:

✅️Closed Eyes
✅️Wide Eyes
✅️Elevated Head
✅️Stepping Away
✅️Looking Away
✅️Held Breath

Are you interested in professional one-on-one help resolving behavioral issues with your horse and developing a relationship that nurtures confidence in you both?

Empowering humans to help their horses and relationships thrive is my passion and area of expertise.

I would love to hear from you.

Purejoyhorsemanship.com.

03/31/2025

Horse Owners! Do you have a hard keeper or an ready keeper? Are these terms even helpful when you're discussing your horse's feeding program?

Check out my new blog post about this important topic!

Purejoyhorsemanship.com

Horse owners frequently use these terms to describe their horse's dietary intake requirements. What do they really mean, and are they useful when we talk about your horse's nutrition? In the Beginning...It's likely the idea of a horse that was easy to keep weight on, in comparison to one who took mo...

03/29/2025

Think of Your Horse's BAD Behavior as
Your Horse's Way of Asking for Help

03/27/2025

**Hoof Education Series - What Do You See??**

I want your feedback, always, but today I'm going to tell you what I see. I see a horse who was in pain because her feet were so disfigured by bad trims and shoes that she couldn't stand or walkcomfortably. The first time I trimmed her, she struggled to make it to the tie rail.

By the way, this is not only foot pain she was experiencing. Her entire body was affected. Imagine standing on feet that hurt and trying to put as little of your 1000 lbs of body weight upon them 24 hours a day. Really... imagine that.

We're taking disruption of function, comfort, balance, and stability from the hooves up. Hoof imbalance, distortion, and the subsequent pain it causes in the #1 contributor I see to equine anxiety, behavior issues, and problems under saddle.

These horses WILL continue to comply, move around, and even run on their own but they are compensating and deteriorating, NOT thriving.

I'm very proud of the progress I've made with this horse. She's walking comfortably over rocks. She's more relaxed. Her movement is unrestricted. Her body has regained healthy smooth pliable musculature.

The photo of her hoof from the bottom is 8 weeks from the previous trim. There is no distortion even after two months. The foot is very functional, maintaining itself really well, and she's comfy.

Here's my challenge to you. The next time you see your horse, do his or her feet look right to you? Are they symmetrical, balanced, with smooth tight hoof walls, and we'll developed heels and frogs?

Have you been through farriers, vets, and supplements trying to fix hoof problems?

I'd be happy to answer questions you have. Feel free to send in photos of your horse's feet for me to comment on.

I am her to help you gain the knowledge you need to support your horse's quality of life.

I know it's not easy to go against people you trust and rely on. It wasn't easy for me either. Your horse shouldn't have to pay the price though.

If it seems like I'm down on "all" hoof care professionals, I am but strongly wish the circumstances were different. I really do.

The reality is that every saddle fitting, wellness consult, nutrition appointment, behavior assessment I do ends up being a hoof discussion and intervention.

The good news is we can make it better. Let's do that! Please share.

Purejoyhorsemanship.com