Visualize Your Desired Horseback Results

It's important that we're able to visualize the results that we hope to achieve on our horses, or for that matter even when on the ground with them.

Most of us utilize the intellectual capacity in our minds, when learning, that translates into words. When we can attach language to an idea, we assume we understand it.

But horses don't think in words. The language that's common to us makes no sense whatsoever to them. Thus, we have to learn to understand the world as they do. Try as we might, we'll never ever teach our horses to speak English.

So in our first efforts toward this goal, we have to picture the results that we seek to accomplish along with the steps required to meet that end.

See not only the end result, but the details of each step; how are you requesting each movement from your horse? Where are your hands, your legs, the angle of your heels (you're not inadvertently torturing your horse with spurs, are you?), how is your body angled, and what is it all saying?

When you take post-training-session notes try, rather than writing out your reflections, to sketch them.

Learning to put our horseback experiences into visual images, picturing the intentions, reactions and results in a way that's more akin to our horses' experience with the interaction, will ultimately produce a deeper understanding and more effective basis for our equine communication.

Speaking Horse - Are You Communicating Effectively?

Horses speak physically. We have to learn to communicate with them in a way that makes sense to the horse.

As soon as you begin interacting with your horses, from the moment you walk into their pasture or stall, your body is speaking to them. Do you know what it's saying? You'd better.

Having control of your body, understanding what you're communicating to your horse and keeping your messages clear and consistent are essential to effective results and a lasting, healthy relationship with your horses.

Groundhog's Day Delivers Six More Weeks of Winter | Punxsatawney Phil Sees His Shadow and the Cold G

Looks like we'll be riding in the cold for a while longer. Thanks Phil...

Groundhog's Day Delivers Six More Weeks of Winter | Punxsatawney Phil Sees His Shadow and the Cold G

Keep Walkin' | Ladies in Waynesboro Can't Drive Up Main Street Unless Husband Walks in Front

I so vote for horse-only transporation!

Bet the folks in Waynesboro VA would agree with me. :)

Keep Walkin' | Ladies in Waynesboro Can't Drive Up Main Street Unless Husband Walks in Front

Horsemanship Proven to Fend off CLS

The physical activity and emotional balance that are achieved by regular riding and horse training have far-reaching benefits. The on-going opportunities for learning continually stimulate the minds of riders and trainers as well.

Naturally, the condition labeled as "CLS" (crazy/lazy syndrome) is generally avoided by horsemen (and horse women).

Be sure to learn more about this condition by reading this very informative and enlightening EZine article!

Eating Dirt | What to Do After You've Been Thrown Off

Everyone's going to end up in the dirt at some point if they ride regularly.

What you do immediately afterward helps to define the relationship with your horse and could have a considerable impact on your future progress.

First of all, are you okay? Nothing broken? No extreme loss of blood or concussion?
Is your horse alright?

Providing there is no significant physical injury to horse or rider, ignore the bruising (for now) and move on.

Do NOT hit the horse and do not act out of anger. You may well be highly annoyed, but do your best to suck it up and be as calm and in control as possible.

If your horse was acting out of annoyance, ignoring your respectful requests and threw you off in the act of bucking or 'get me out of here now' bolting, you may consider bitting her up for a brief period of time (approx 15 - 20 min on each side should suffice). Then put either a more gentle bit into her mouth or change to a hackamore and get on and ride, for a short time, again. Replicate the action that was going on when you came off (loping, trotting, jumping, whatever it was) so she understands that evasive behavior doesn't meant she gets to quit.

If the horse dumped you in the act of shying away from something frightening, get on and just circle him, getting him to bend and give to the rein pressure. Make sure he is listening to you and following your direction. (The same action can be taken with a horse that rears to unload his passenger).

Whatever the circumstance, it's very very important that you climb back into the saddle ASAP. This not only reinforces to the horse that getting rid of a rider will not get her out of work and activity, but it helps with your own ridng confidence as well.

If possible, it's recommended that you also ride and work calmly with the horse the next day. Expect positive results and a great experience.

Ask, Don't Tell | Make Respectful Requests of Your Horse

Some horses are more sensitive than others, but our requests with all equines should be made in a polite and respectful manner. Most horses do not appreciate being "told" what to do.

Of course, if you ask the horse (gently cue him) and he entirely ignores you, you will generally want to reinforce that request with a firmer signal.

However; keep in mind that if your requests are causing pain (either with the bit or spurs), your horse is very likely to get fed up. Once the horse decides that he's had enough, you'll definitely know. You may well be enlightened after your horse launches you onto the ground; most are exceptional communicators.

Make sure you communicate your directions to the horse in a manner that's as gentle as possible, as firm as necesary and always clear and easy to understand.