Stepping With You Equine Behavior and Training

27/10/2024

25/10/2024

First ride on the 6 y/o gelding, first ground driving lesson before many more to prepare him for our first backing. I hate camera. I lost 20lbs recently and still loosing . But you would never know from the pick and video. Ugh. But the horse has done amazing with only two training sessions a week!

20/10/2024

Second ride on this handsome 6 y/o gelding. It went just like the first ride. No bucking, no confusion just curiosity and relaxation.
Our view while training is absolutely beautiful 😍 too!

30/09/2024

30/09/2024

CAN A PROBLEM EVER BE FIXED?

Problems with a horse are not fixed because we want them fixed. For things to change with our horse it must begin with things changing with how we work with our horse.

“You don’t help the horse if you don’t help the owner.”

This is the basis of clinics. Clinics are intended to educate riders, not horses. All the magic needed to address problems with our horses happens at home with the new knowledge we gained at a clinic. Nothing at a clinic is aimed at educating a horse. It’s all about educating the rider.

But why? If we can help fix a rider at a clinic, why can’t we fix a horse too?

It’s because a horse’s old patterns of response are never eradicated. They are never wiped from a horse’s brain. They live on inside a horse forever. You only change an unwanted behaviour by subduing the ill feelings that triggered the behaviour and replacing those feelings with ones of safety and comfort that lead to a new way of responding.

Nothing is fixed or eliminated. We just overlay new patterns over the top of old patterns.

With training, we can reshape the way a horse responds to our questions. We can show it a better way. A safer way. A more comfortable way. But if we allow the old ill feelings to resurface again, the old unwanted behaviours will resurface hand-in-hand.

The better the training, the deeper we bury the old patterns. It may seem that we have fixed a problem because we did such a good job of making sure the old feelings that caused the problem don’t come to the surface. But they are there and will return if we revert to our old patterns.

We can’t let our guard down. We can’t assume our horse is ever “fixed”. That would be a betrayal of our horse. It is not the horse’s responsibility to bear the burden of always being emotionally centred and being the horse we want it to be. It is not invested in doing what we want. A horse is only motivated by what response it perceives will lead to safety and comfort. It’s our job to help make that easy for our horse. It’s never the horse’s failure. It’s always our failure.

Photo: At a clinic, Huey is convinced that resisting a feel on the rope works best for him.

30/09/2024

Horses are a lot like 4th graders.

I know this because my wife, Bridget, is a school teacher, and over the years, I’ve gained a pretty good understanding of what it takes to make a great student-teacher relationship... and I’ve come to realize, in many ways, it’s not that much different from the horse-trainer relationship.

Horses, like students, may not always remember exactly what you taught them on a given day, but they remember how you made them feel.

They remember whether or not you encouraged them and made them feel confident about the things they have learned.

They remember if you took time to listen to them and to build a relationship with them.

They recognize our attitudes and behaviors, and they are easily influenced by the energy we put off—both positively and negatively.

Horses, like students, need space to make mistakes.

They don’t need to be micromanaged.

They don’t need to be harshly criticized when they get the wrong answer.

Instead, they need you to guide them in the right direction and be rewarded when they find the right answer.

Horses, like students, need us to take the time to help them develop their skills.

They need us to show patience and kindness.

They need us to have understanding and excellent communication.

They need us to be committed to their growth, no matter how slow or fast it may be.

Horses, like students, need us to understand that progress is not an overnight process, but rather a lifelong journey. And, while it may be a long journey, it sure is a rewarding one.

30/09/2024

No secrets 💪🏼

📸 Ope Originals

08/08/2024

This right here is where it's at. I have had this amazing client family who I admire so frigging much. They never owend a horse up untill a year or a little more ago. They reached out for rehabilitation and lameness help with their first horse Echo ( a quarter horse). After helping them with their mare for a few moths we found another mare to help out. The second mare is a Polish Arabian. Not all Arabians are created equal. They are an amazing, reliable, hearty and trusting breed. Fast forward about a year of my help and collaborating with training... here they are happily trail riding at night. Happy horses and owners. I love my backyard owners! They pay so much more attention to detail and the progress speaks for itself. Amazing job,it was a family effort. Christi, Emma, Cora and Freddie! Great work. I tip my hat to you all. Love yah!

04/07/2024

04/07/2024

So proud of this family I've been working with. Hard to believe it's been a year working together. Thank you for taking the time to listen to me and your horses. The results speak for themse❣️

26/06/2024

I love my clients! They give me goosebumps often. Lol

23/03/2024

I love my OTTB clients! The change in their body, feet and mind is almost unbelievable.
This podcast brings up alot of good information on OTTBs. One of my favorite parts of the podcast is how lowering stress levels can make a huge impact on their overall health. Easy, less is more.
Even if your not an OTTB owner, alot can be learned by listening to The Humble Hoof podcasts.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/Eyf7N269G8gHXUAz/?mibextid=Nif5oz

When it comes to thoroughbreds, I don't think there's anyone who hasn't heard the stereotype about "bad thoroughbred feet." I've heard all the excuses.. that TBs weren't bred for good feet, that their genetics are just awful, that they will always have thin soles and thin walls, that abscessing "just happens" with them, that they'll be crippled when losing a shoe, and more.

While I'm sure ALL of us have met OTTBs that have had hoof issues at one point or another, many of us have those that have great feet as well, or start out having junk feet off the track and we rehab them to stronger feet and sound gaits. So what's the story - are thoroughbred feet genetically awful, is it environmental/care, or somewhere in between?

Kate Anderson, founder of the Center for Racehorse Retraining, has noticed some pretty amazing changes in the thoroughbreds under her care once they adapt to their facility - including massive changes in the hooves. Kate chats with me about what they do there to get these OTTBs to become sound, barefoot, easy keepers.

You can hear the entire conversation on any podcast app under "The Humble Hoof," or directly at this link: https://thehumblehoof.com/2024/03/22/ottb-feet-genetics-or-environment/

Thank you to our amazing sponsors:

Equithrive offers supplements for everything from metabolic health to joint support – get 20% off your first order at equithrive.com with code HUMBLEHOOF

Cavallo Hoof Boots is offering 20% off a pair of Trek hoof boots at cavallo-inc.com with code HRN

A special shout out to Grid as New, Mud Control Grids– they are a game changer for any mud issues, big or small! – mudcontrolgrids.com

Also be sure to check out HayBoss Feeders – haybossfeeders.com – for all your slow-feeding needs. I get my Hay Boss feeders from Mountain Lane Farm in NH!

27/02/2024

Even if you don't have a pushy horse, everyone should watch this webinar. Very informative and easy to understand.

This topic is so important for the safety of horse lovers and the wellbeing of horses. I made this presentation and want you to have it, for your wellbeing and your horse’s. Check the link in the comments to access this. It’s free, no strings, enjoy it and learn!

06/01/2024

How do I train horses?

The type of training that I do is differant with every horse.
It's extremely informative, beneficial and thereputic to both horse and owner. I've had many moments with horses and owners that will make your jaw drop, in a good way.
But in a nutshell, I take a mind and body approach. The horses diet, conformation, biomechanics, body language, past/current medical or trauma history ect..is all taken into account. Once a horse is evaluated I give homework. Such as, what kind of nutrition (vitamins/minerals ect) the horse could benefit from. What type of rehabilitation exercises to do, starting on the ground. I give recommendations such as, would it be more beneficial for a horse to be stalled at night or out 24/7. To blanket or not to blanket and why. Does the saddle, bridle, bit fit them properly? Do they need shoes or can they go barefoot. I enjoy working with my clients Vet, Farrier and anyone else they have on their team. As Equestrians we can never learn enough.
As an established client, I am always available to talk or text when they need advice, have a question about training or a medical issue happens. I should be called after the vet if it is something serious.
I like to train both R+ and R-. The type of training will depend on the horse and their personality. What is most important to me is safety and the horse being in a relaxed state while learning/training.

I'm happy to answer any questions, feel free to call/text or p.m. me.

Veterinarian, Farrier and client references available upon request.

Looking forward to working with past, current and new clients in 2024!