Cameron Adams Horsemanship

16/01/2024

The smartest thing I've heard in a very, very long time was said by Martin Black the other day... He said, "It takes pressure for the release to mean something, and release for the pressure to mean something."

That is brilliant... full stop.

That is a saying that will stand the test of time like...
"...do less sooner instead of more later"
Or
"...reward the smallest change or slightest try" Or
"....see how LITTLE it takes..."
Or
"...be as gentle as possible but as firm as necessary"

The most important thing when training, is making sure the horse's mind WORKS right... and that can be messed up so easily by the human by being:

Too harsh
Too lenient
Too fast
Too slow
Too demanding
Too unclear
(... and I'm sure there's more😉)

Sometimes I spend a considerable amount of time getting the horse to think correctly, and when I say think correctly, I mean their ability to feel pressure (and not get scared or mad) and the release of that pressure... both mentally and physically. The mental pressure part comes in when trying to figure something out, trying to figure out the answer to a puzzle or a question or a situation... And when that answer is found, the horse REALIZING the answer has been found LOL, (the pressure goes away)😉. I think Physical pressure is pretty "easy" to understand; it's the signal, followed by phases of reinforcement.

There's an ebb and flow to learning, and some people are good at teaching their horses to traverse this, and become good learners that can process new information well, aaaaand some people are not. And many times it's those horse's that get locked up mentally; they're either dulled out and disinterested, or over reactive with their throttle stuck on high.... or both!

Take care of your horse's mind first and the rest will follow with ease.

✌️
Kalley

10/08/2023

Attuned Horsemanship

06/04/2023

14/09/2022

This yearling’s first time playing in the water.

19/08/2022

In today’s session with a Warmblood Yearling, we worked on following a feel while ponying. This yearling has been having a little separation anxiety lately with a horse in his pasture, so decided to give ponying a try. This was a first for him and my horse as well actually, but both did really well. Spent some time in the arena and then the rest of the session on the track. So proud of how my horse figured out his job and went to work!

28/06/2022

New halters and lead ropes arrived today from Andrea Equine and Parelli Natural Horsemanship

22/06/2022

I have two participant spots still available in my Groundwork & Liberty Clinic this Saturday from 9am to 2pm at Dover Stables in Waterford, WI. Message me to reserve your spot!

19/06/2022

⚠️If your horse bucks, rears, pins his ears, kicks, naps, balks, shies, spooks, refuses, runs out, broncs, bolts, bites, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. please read this post.

If you're always asking "what do I do with a horse who [insert unwanted behaviour here] you'll probably always end up with a horse who [insert unwanted behaviour here].

❌Because, you're asking the wrong question...

If you want to get the root cause, and solve the "problem" behaviour-

you need to be asking:

"how do I *help* my horse who [inset unwanted behaviour here]"

[Look for another post from me where I talk about there being no such thing as naughty horses: only horses who are fearful, frustrated, confused, or in pain]

✅ When you come from a place of "how can I help", not only can your horse feel that change of intention, but you start looking for actual solutions instead of bandaids and quick fixes to cover up underlying issues.

To truly help your horse overcome their "problem" behaviour you need to:

✔️ Learn how to look at situations from your horse's perspective which requires an understanding of horses as a species, how they learn, and what motivates them

✔️ Know how to break down training into small achievable steps which requires sound understanding and application of equine learning theory

✔️ Have the right attitude & energy: patience, compassion, curiosity, and confidence (to name a few) because the same "technique" applied with a bad attitude can have a different outcome.

If you agree but have no idea where to even start- check out my free connection & communication mini-course at www.amaliadempsey.com

13/06/2022

Started working recently with this cute 11 month old Warmblood. He’s been making some really nice progress in the past couple sessions - love his curiosity. I’ve found that If you allow a young horse to really connect with you first, a lot of the things you want to teach them are actually much easier. Pay close attention and listen to their body language, something as simple as just one ear flicking towards you is so important. Also, I allow them to use their natural curiosity to build confidence. While doing those things you can begin helping them understand proper boundaries of how to interact with us humans. And remember to laugh, have fun, and just give them time to learn.

31/05/2022

20/04/2022

Being grounded and attentive.
Our ability to ground ourselves energetically is one of the most impacting skills we can bring to our horsemanship. When you become aware of your energy you can direct your body towards a more balanced and centred alignment. Doing this allows your horse to think about their own balance rather than having to negatively adjust to your inconsistencies or imbalances. How is your ability to be grounded with your horse? Are you able to stay attentive to your energy even when your environment changes? The more grounded we can be energetically, the more we can show up for our horses in times of need and guide them through example. This is leadership!

25/03/2022

I hope your trainer doesn't give you what you want.

I DO hope your trainer gives you what you need, more importantly...what your horse needs.

There will always be someone willing to do it faster and flashier. There will always be someone willing to get you into the show ring on your time line instead of your horses. There will always be someone who will tell you only the things you want to hear. For the right price, there will always be someone.

I don't want that kind of someone...not for me and not for you all either.

So, choose your someone carefully.

Choose someone who values their process enough that they can't be swayed from it by demands and dollars. They know where they've been, where they're going and all of the things they've learned between. They put your horse first and show you the value in work that is centered around what the horse needs. They are your biggest supporter while remaining honest and realistic about what it takes to achieve your goals. The only promise they make, is that your horse will get better...and you will too. You pay them but at the same time, who they are at their core can't be bought. They live their truth each day, honest and humble.

That type of someone is priceless...

- Unknown
〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️🌵🌻🌵〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️

〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️🌵🌻🌵〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️

10/11/2021

THE DEEP-WATER ANALOGY 🌊🌊⁠

I spoke about this analogy towards the end of my latest Q&A IGTV’s, so head there if you want to hear me talk about it.⁠
⁠
Let’s say you’re not a good swimmer and you’re scared of the ocean, and I, your friend, happen to be a swimming instructor.⁠
⁠
I explain to you that I can help you overcome your fear, and I start teaching you different techniques on how to swim (starting off in a shallow pool where you feel safe).⁠
⁠
When we both agree that your skills are up to scratch, and you feel confident to follow my direction, together we head to the beach 🏖⁠
⁠
We start in the shallow water and so far so good. You’re not AS comfortable as the pool, but you’re able to follow my direction.⁠
⁠
We go a little deeper and you tell me that you’re worried, and you don’t want to go any further.⁠
⁠
I could ignore you, push you into the deeper end and make you swim there anyway. But, you are likely to be scared for your life. You are probably going to panic and maybe even jump on top of me to try and save yourself 😰⁠
⁠
Instead, I recognise how you are feeling in that moment. ⁠
⁠
I tell you that we don’t have to go into the deep end today if you’re not ready.⁠
⁠
How about we stay in the shallow water, and go over some of those techniques we learnt together. ⁠
⁠
And if you feel comfortable, we can swim a little deeper and then come right back to the shallow end (approach & retreat).⁠
⁠
This is how I want to be with my horses when they show me they are worried 👆🏼⁠
⁠
The kind of leader who listens to my horse, retreats, and re-approaches when they feel more confident. I take as long as it takes for that horse to feel confident. Because if we force them to swim in the deep-end, we might lose their trust forever.⁠
⁠

➡️Get my 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢-𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 and other resources at www.amaliadempsey.com⁠⁠⁠
⁠
🐴 Join 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐲, and help train your horse to be a light, happy, relaxed, and willing partner. Sign up via website.⁠
⁠⁠⁠
🎧Listen to the 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭 on Apple podcasts or Spotify

06/08/2021

Instead of thinking you need to be in control of the horse, think about giving the horse what they need to control to feel safe. It is not by taking things away from a creature that we create safety, but giving them what they need to feel safe that settles their heart and mind. It is only then that a deeper relationship can develop as they begin to feel that you add value to their life and give them what they need to feel safe.

09/07/2021

We humans have a funny relationship with failure, and perhaps the most curious aspect about it is that the whole thing is completely made up. I mean, the actual concept of “failure” or “failing” itself is one that we’ve created because separate to us, it’s an idea that the rest of the natural world doesn’t share, or even consider.

So, what is “failure” then? If I look at it objectively, it’s when we have an idea about something, a mental model, or a plan that doesn’t match up to the reality of the outcome we find ourselves observing. We then label that outcome as a “failure”, which creates a unique set of feelings and responses depending on what personal value and meaning we have attached to it.

Failure, then, is a misstep with reality. The negative associations we have with failure is the love child of attachment and fixed ideas, but the truth of it is, your body and brain love you to fail… it’s just that they call it something different.

They call it learning.

Learning is when we have an idea and intention about something and act in alignment with that. The outcome we get tells us whether we were close to hitting our mark or far, far away from it, and our brain uses that information to change our motor response so that we can be more efficient and on point next time around.

If you were to have a reasoned conversation with your brain, it would tell you that this idea of failure that you have really gets in the way. It causes you to play out the same reactions and responses and gets in the way of you being able to integrate new information and adapt to it.

So, if you find yourself lamenting your own failure, or contemplating a fear of it, give yourself a poke in the ribs and remind yourself that there is really no such thing. Act in accordance with the reality of what’s in front of you. You’ve taken action and that action gives you new information, which is exactly the information you need to decide on your next best step.

Failure. We just made it up. How liberating.

Onwards.

❤️ Jane

02/04/2021

22/03/2021

In general this is probably the most misidentified problem horseman on varying levels deal with. The big problem for the horse is many of the handlers are unaware and want to "discipline" the horse for not performing to their expectations. If the person is open minded enough to consider where the ho...

25/02/2021

Progress happens by staying so dialed in to each moment! 🐴✨🔑

05/01/2021

24/11/2020

13/11/2020

Lee Smith lives on a cattle ranch in Estancia, New Mexico. She and her husband Mark have a cow-calf operation and raise quality Quarter horses at their Harmo...

16/09/2020

11/09/2020

Home Fundamental Horsemanship with Buck Brannaman Clearing Out the Front Quarters Clearing Out the Front Quarters By Buck Brannaman SHARE Facebook Twitter With Buck Brannaman photos by Emily Kitching This article originally appeared in Eclectic Horseman Issue No. 26 Subscribe Today! There are two pa...

01/09/2020

Great video! More people should work on these kind of things.

Hey guys! Interested in learning how to deal with an aggressive horse? Need help desensitizing or putting the first ride on one? We have a new training serie...

18/08/2020

"Horses are very keen on body language, and what I refer to as 'presence', and expression. They know quite a bit about you before you ever get to ‘em. They can read things about you clear across an arena."⁠
Buck Brannaman⁠
⁠
Support Good Horsemanship! ⁠

12/08/2020

Because the more I work on myself, the better I get with her.
Taking care of yourself is not selfish.
Eating well is not selfish.
Focusing on your workouts is not selfish.
Investing in supplements is not selfish.
Hiring a coach is not selfish.
If your goals are to be competitive in your riding or to just enjoy your time in the saddle more, you need to focus on your own health.
That doesn’t mean being a certain size or scale weight. It means treating yourself like the athlete you are. Look guys, here’s a real news flash I know, but horses are big and fast and athletic animals. And you’re riding them. It doesn’t matter if he’s the most well broke ranch pony on the property who wouldn’t hurt a fly. All it takes is that one to be prepared and you get hurt.
Treat yourself like an athlete because you are one. That means focusing on nutrition, fitness, recovery, pre-hab, rehab, mental toughness and more. You are an athlete.
How are you becoming the best athlete you can for your time in the saddle? Drop a line below!

08/08/2020

❤️ this!

08/08/2020

I struggle, I just don't quit.

30/06/2020

16/06/2020

"Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know."

- Pema Chödrön

Are you Eclectic?