The Horse Teacher

29/01/2024

As I've said so often, here's another expert in positive training weighing in.

PSA: As a reminder…rope halters ARE aversive. Period. They are devices used to control your horse through the use of averive pressure. This is why they are described as:

“The Professional's Choice Clinician Halter is designed by professionals. This custom-made halter features two strategically placed knots that trigger pressure points on the horse's nose to help maintain control of a difficult or young horse. The halter is slightly rigid, has a smooth finish.”

“Hand-Pressed Knots
Assuring the halter will not come unraveled. Knots are strategically placed on the noseband to sit on pressure points of the horse’s nose, which discourages leaning against the halter.”

“The thin diameter of the rope discourages the horse from wanting to lean or pull against the halter.”

Those are direct quotes from Smartpak and Amazon. As you can see from the description it adds control. How does it add control? The thin contact points of rope. Any rope adds a small area of contact which makes it sharper and more concise which equals more control than a flat surface which disperses the contact and minimizes averse pressure. Next is the knots. The knots are all placed on sensitive nerve centers of the horse’s face and head. Again these things create compliance and responsiveness from the horse. He doesnt listen and the many pressure points of the halter instill pain, so it results in compliance. The sheer weight of the lead rope causes pressure and reminds them of the active contact points. It is at work even withou escalating pressure. Pretty soon the aversive association is set and becomes classically conditioned. This means thst the body has a visceral and involuntary response to the rope halter and the emotions that it creates. Pain typically creates fear and constant fear can keep the sympathetic nervous system activated. That means they are sensitzed sndcready for fight/flight/freeze. That unpleasany association grows to include all that goes with it, including the person. This is not helpful for building trust in the relationship, in fact, it may be working against it In addition, the rope is very strong and tightly braided. It does not give and it will not break.

There are ways to teach your horse to lead and be safe without the use of aversives. A flat halter is not, onto itself, aversive. With thoughtful training it never will be, the light, non-escalating pressure can be taught through R+. As another reminder, R+ DOES include preparing our horses to listen and learn to respond even in highly stimulsting situations. Even sharp, sudden cues can be taught to prepare for unpredictable and potentioally scary situations, without creating pain and fear. If you need a rope halter, we understand! But it does indicate a need to address whatever it is that makes them feel so worried. They are communicating that they feel need to flee. A good goal is to work toward being able to use a kinder, more gentle halter. There are some powerful tools to help you reach that goal. --- Shawna Karresch Equine

09/07/2023

No, it's not easy.

16/11/2022

You know you have....

17/10/2022

THE RULES OF DRESSAGE:

A dressage test is a test of your skill against another competitor's luck.

Dressage is about achieving a harmonious working relationship with your horse, whose only idea of harmony is eating grass in the field.

If you want to end a drought or dry spell, wear a new jacket and top hat to an outdoor arena.

Untalented, difficult, aggressive horses have robust health and long lives.

Talented, tractable horses are accident-prone.

You will ride the best test of your entire life just prior to being disqualified for not wearing gloves.

Horses do not improve their paces because you are wearing expensive German breeches.

If you chose a disco theme for your Freestyle test, then the judge will not be less than 90 years of age.

The less skilled the rider, the more likely they are to share their ideas and advice on riding a test.

If you are considering the services of a horse clairvoyant to help you with training, then you have reached the point of total desperation - try German breeches instead.

If you fall off your horse in the arena you will have paid to have the test videoed.

If you are feeling confident before a show, then three of the Canadian Dressage team and one leading Eventer will turn up to give their young horses some "experience."

Your horse will perform its best piaffe ever when you ask for extended canter in the test.

No one cheats at Dressage because no one has worked out how to.

It is surprisingly easy to end a test with a perfect square halt once you have scored a four for every other movement.
---- From My Virtual Eventing Coach

05/07/2022

26/04/2022

Yes, this a cross-country jump. Think you want to try????

09/08/2021

😂🤣😂🤣

05/08/2021

*I will be making a new group to add students to for "homework. "

Dressage is for everyone! Maybe the Olympics are in your future. Now creating a waiting list for lessons for when the weather cools down..
You're on the list, Ellie!

24/04/2021

The Direct Rein, as its name implies, is a simple, unilateral action of the hand that produces a corresponding effect on the horse on the same side. It is also, somewhat imprecisely, called an “opening rein” or a “leading rein,” though these terms refer specifically to the rein in its respective capacities as an outside "opening rein" or an inside "leading rein," not to the rein aid in general.

This is the rider’s primary rein aid, and is most commonly used for basic bending, turns and circles where the horse’s head is gently taken in the desired direction by a rein that leads to the inside. In fact, the vast majority of rein aids a rider will apply, no matter what level or discipline one rides, will be direct rein aids, making this the foundation rein aid in all English riding.

Technique:
By opening the rein to the side, a soft pressure is applied to the inside* corner (and possibly bar) of the mouth. Sometimes a corresponding push may also be made against the outside of the lips and cheek, depending on the type of bit used, though this is not the primary effect. Here, a bit with a rounded ring will have a negligible effect on the opposite side, while a full-cheek or dee-ring bit may exert a clear push on the opposite side of the head, making the directional indication even more explicit. Though this rein aid is important for horses and riders of all levels, this gentle yet effective rein is the one used almost exclusively when training young horses or those whose mouths have been ruined.

While this rein will affect the horse’s lateral flexion, it has little or no direct effect on the horse’s longitudinal flexion, and is not involved in collection. The other key effect is that the inside direct rein will cause the horse to weight the inside fore. It affects the hindquarters only inasmuch as they are inclined to follow the path of the front end, therefore, some leg and seat adjustments may be required to keep the hind end in line with the path of the front. Here the turning seat comes into play.

The key to this rein is that, as the inside hand moves to the side into the desired direction of travel, the outside hand must correspondingly move forward in order to give. Without this give, the horse’s head is unable to turn in the direction the rein is leading it. Without give in the outside rein, the opening of the inside has little meaning for the horse and will likely ignore the aid, or worse, become resistant to it.

Uses:
This is a universal rein, used by beginners and advanced riders, and for horses at all stages of development and training. It is well understood by the horse; its effects are straightforward, and can safely be employed both at slower gaits as well as at speed - it can even be used to indicate direction to a horse in mid-air over a fence, when other rein aids might unbalance the horse. It is also an ideal rein for riding in the open, such as when hunting, hacking, trail riding, etc. where the finer points of equitation matter less than clear, direct aids.

In addition, it is a crucial rein in the ex*****on of movements requiring more significant weighting of the inside forequarter. The most obvious is the turn on the forehand, where the horse flexes to the inside and concentrates his weight on the inside fore while pivoting his body around it.

As an inside rein, it has the effect of "leading" the horse around the turn. A modified version of the direct or “opening” rein may be applied as an outside rein in certain movements, such as leg-yielding, when used in conjunction with one of the other four rein aids, though this will be discussed in more detail later.

Faults:
This is a one-sided aid, meaning that, though two reins are always used in conjunction, only one of them should be engaged in a direct rein aid at any given time. Generally, the outside rein will give to allow the horse freedom to respond into the inside aid.

Contrary to popular opinion, the direct rein does not apply pressure backwards, but to the side. Though the explanation most often given for this rein (as in the Wright/Morris books on riding) is a backward pressure against the mouth, this will produce none of the effects described above. This direct backward aid is what is known as a “direct rein of opposition.” As its name implies, this rein opposes forward movement in the horse, setting the horse’s balance to his inside hind rather than the inside fore, and is therefore a different aid altogether.

* “inside” refers to the inside curve of the horse’s bend, and not necessarily the inside of the arena.

-- From Glenshee Equestrian Centre

09/03/2021

Planning a road trip this fall to watch cross country jumping in Ramona. Who wants to go?
Probably September....

21/02/2021

You should be so proud of yourself! We are proud of you!

04/02/2021

How old is your horse? How do you know?

25/01/2021

Think it through!! Makes you wonder why we are told otherwise.

Colic has been recognized in horses for a long, lone time, but it's only fairly recently that have veterinarians have been able to accurately diagnosis, and effectively treat, colic cases.

22/01/2021

Looking for "models" that will send me pictures of themselves riding and/or videos that I can critique and use as marketing for my distance learning riding lessons. Free lesson to the "models"!

19/01/2021

Looking for an instructor but there is no one close to you that seems a good fit? Let The Horse Teacher and technology give you your own private lessons to fit your schedule! Using still photography or video, The Horse Teacher can help develop your riding skills and guide you in training your horse to the next level. Safety, fun, and educational, let's get started. Send a message today!

14/01/2021

Do you wonder what it's like working with me in Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy?

02/01/2021

Just in case....

13/12/2020

How is your farrier doing?

02/11/2020

What is in your vehicle??

28/10/2020

Proper undergarments are important!

19/10/2020

Critical thinking!! Excellent article. Please don't just repeat what you heard from a friend.

Mineral Deficiency In Horse Hay And Pasture Nutrition blogs There is a common thought among horse owners that the mineral content of the soil and hay has been reduced to a point that horses are becoming mineral deficient. I do not see the data to support this nor do I see the horses developing a min...

19/10/2020

What is in your vehicle?

30/09/2020

And I growl. And don't forget "Quit!"

25/09/2020

So you think you can ride? LOL, hold my drink....

23/09/2020

Raise your hand if you know what a half-halt is.

03/09/2020

I am considering teaching some horse management seminars at Saddles of Joy this fall. First one would be conformation and relation to function. Yes?? What would you like to learn?

26/05/2020

It's an investment.

Or son....

26/05/2020

Or son....

17/04/2020

Always more leg.