Have you ever looked at your horse and wondered why something so simple, say putting on a bridle or picking feet, has to be so difficult? 

And right behind that thought comes the horrible frustration that tells us to either quit, kick the living daylights out of  “Poopsy,” or try some crafty method that perhaps involves ropes, rednecks, and “the pretty red stuff” (AKA: blood). 

Suddenly “Poopsy” has a four-letter nickname and we’re ready to find him/her a new home.  I could write a book on the ridiculous names I’ve heard animals called and the excuses people come up with for why it just won’t work. 

  “He doesn’t like that, She’s cold, His back is out, They’re overworked,  She doesn’t know what you want, blah blah blah, bleep bleep bleep.” 

I’m not saying that there aren’t times when we need to investigate outside things, such as having teeth floated, etc. but generally when we find ourselves at our wits’ end with our horse it is due in large to having a good plan or a plan at all for that matter. 

Usually, when I first see folks with their horses, they aren’t entirely sure what they want the animal to do. 

They have an idea like walk, trot, lope, stop and turn.  But they haven’t quite mapped out exactly where, when, and how these things should happen.  They just kind of wrestle through the ride, without looking for any refinement or feel. 

And yet no one can be at fault, for how can you fix something when you’re not sure how?  Also, how can you fix something if you don’t know it’s broken?  I’ve learned to be thankful when I find myself beating my head against a wall because it means I’m about to learn something. 

A few tips for when you’re finding yourself stuck:

• What happens before what you don’t want to have happen happens? Read your horse’s expression not after they’re mad but before, from the moment you put that halter on or open the stall door.  Be proactive, not reactive.  Be a leader.
  

• What happens before and after something good happens?  Every horse is good at something, so after we figure out what that is we need to consider the surrounding circumstances and, again, read the horse’s expression.  Consider the horse’s perspective!

• The definition of insanity is continuing to try the same thing over and over and expecting different results.  Are you going insane?  There’s a lot to be said for creativity.  Which brings me to my last thought…

• Seek help.  Whether from a more experienced friend or a professional.  Sometimes even just having someone watch (even someone who isn’t an official “horse person”) can be very helpful.  Even video-taping yourself and watching the result can give you that outside perspective and help you pinpoint exactly what is going on.

Above all, have fun and be safe.  If those two things aren’t happening, adjust until they are.  Good luck and Happy Trails!

~Rachel

Groundwork

Backing: Finding The Feel

A good, balanced back is one of the most difficult things to teach a horse.  It’s one of the only maneuvers you don’t see them practicing on their own too much.  And, while you want to be aware that this movement may be more difficult for your horse (some more than others), you want to approach it with the softest, easiest feel possible. 

Let me explain:

I recently started using the analogy of handling children.  Imagine that you have to pick up a very upset toddler.  Even though the child will probably resist at least a little bit, you still wouldn’t use rough, brute strength to yank the poor kid off the ground (hopefully). 

It would probably be more encouraging to that child to just hold out your arms, offer a gentle feel, but be firm enough to accomplish the task.

When you first go to back your horse, even if you know there will be resistance, you do not want to approach the maneuver in a combative, dominating, etc. manner. 

You will get far more by doing less. 

Offer the softest feel possible and adjust to fit the situation (Ray Hunt).  Some horses will need you to up the pressure (in slight increments). Some may need you to actually back off as they may be more sensitive and overwhelmed more easily.  Others will simply need your patience and the ability to maintain and help them think and feel for the right answer.

This idea applies to more than just backing but I find this to be a great example. 

I hope that in whatever you do, you are learning to listen to your horse and adjust your feel accordingly. 

I can’t define feel and I don’t know anyone who really can.  It’s something that has to be learned and experienced individually.  The best I can do is offer advice I’ve gained from searching for that feel myself and show it when possible. 

I hope this is a help to you and your experience with your equine partner. 

Happy trails!

Rachel ~