Melanie's Natural Horsemanship

14/04/2024

"If I had a horse buck with me now, I’m a little disappointed. It’s not the end of the world, but I’m a little disappointed if I couldn’t keep the horse out of trouble. Whereas it used to be a source of pride and now it’s sort of a source of shame if I let the horse get that lost." - Buck Brannaman.

Image of Buck is by Mindy Bower.

19/12/2023

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/f91e3665-0c1f-4082-bbe0-9efa594b513d

Quickly and easily listen to Healing Horses with Elisha for free!

26/10/2023

My latest project is this cute Gypsy Vanner mare. She is 4 years old with a c**t by her side and was just bred back. I am putting her first 30 days of training on her and then she will be for sale. The c**t is already sold. She is doing well and has a very lovely trot I may add! Here is just a sample, she is mouthing the bit quite a bit since this is the first time I actually used it to ride her in. I have had her carry it a couple of times but did not use it. So she is just learning to respond to it rather than the halter which is what I start all horses in. She would have responded better if I had just used the halter. But she will get it. She is pretty quick learner.

01/06/2023

I try to stress this with all my horse friends....It is about the relationship and working on your end of that relationship is going to make the relationship so much better. Waiting on your horse to change without changing yourself will never work. His/her response is based on your attitude, demeanor, energy and behavior. That is where it all starts.

Wednesday Wisdom from Ray 🐴♥️

14/09/2022

Anyone interested in learning how to start a horse off right? Looking for a young confident rider that is interested in learning hands on. DM me if interested. Located in Holts Summit, MO.

11/11/2021

04/06/2021

Im looking for a confident rider to help me put miles on my 2 green horses. They are trained with natural methods, I can teach you the methods in exchange for your help, so you dont necessarily need to know these methods as long as you are a confident rider, not a beginner. The greenest has at least 3-4 months of riding but he has been out of work for the last 2 months. I injured my arm or I would be doing it myself. Located in Holts Summit. This is a great opportunity for someone who wants to learn natural training methods or to get more time in the saddle.

08/01/2021

So this is my new mare. I bought her this spring as an unstarted 6 year old. Olivia and I started her together and both of us have been riding her since about March or April. I started jumping her on line, and Olivia jumped her 1 time, but this is her first gymnastic exercise and only second time jumping with a person on her. I think she is doing very well with this and seems to enjoy it too! My camera messed up on the last time she went over the gymnastic with both of the last cross rails up which she did as perfectly as she did this time. So tomorrow, we plan to repeat the exercise and if still good we may add to it.

19/10/2020

Some interesting horse behavior, Haflinger is a new addition and Destin is letting her know who will be alpha! They are getting along better now though.

02/10/2020

Just got off of Destin for her second ride since the Lee Hart clinic. She has a lot of go and is a bundle of nerves, but I am working on getting her used to things and relaxing. I believe we have made some significant progress. I am riding her out alone at walk and trot even out in the fields out of sight of the other horses. I also worked on her lope (which tends to be more of a gallup!) today and I was actually able to get both leads at a more relaxed lope that she sustained for a couple of circuits around my arena. So major break throughs! I think we may be over the hump. I should be putting her in a bit soon! Her downward transitions to a backup are getting smoother too. Will be taking her to the Ranch Dressage at the Von Holten Ranch this weekend.