Since there are many training techniques as there are trainers, I have established some rules, and wanted to share with you, so that you can use them in your method. I cant believe how many people don't even realize to keep these things in mind! People do stupid things that could hurt themselves or there horses, and every training is ended with a tense horse.. Its always good to enter into a training session with this mind set.
1. The training must be safe for me.
obviously its never a good idea to end up in the hospital during any horse training. We are more important then any horse. horses may not mean to hurt us, but they are big animals with a mind of their own. The training techniques we use, must insure our safety first. Accidents will happen, but we must try and minimize danger. Some people don't realize how dangerous being around horses can be!
2. The training must be safe for my horse.
So what if we get a horse in the trailer in a frantic state!? Most likely we will be taking an extra trip to the vet for stitches when we get him out... No technique is of use if you have to get your horses head stitched, or he busts a leg. We should take all the precautions to keep both horse and human safe.
3. The horse must be calmer after the lesson then before it started.
This is the horses way of telling us that he understands what we are teaching him. Its important that the horse stays calm throughout the process. Pain distracts. The more pain you give him, the less he will be able to concentrate on you. its like if i gave you a math problem but smacked you on the knuckles with a ruler, you would have a harder time working on the math question.. Right? The same is when jabbing him with spurs, sticks and other stuff... If a horse is nervous, he is telling us he isn't sure of what we want him to do!
A calm, and responsive horse is the best proof of success. When you see a chill horse doing what he is told, you know he has been taught well..
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Friday, January 23, 2015
Cold Weather Cool-outs (Equine Tip)
Cool-out tips
I hot, sweaty, unclipped horse is a challenge to riders in the winter. Once his coat is wet, his thick winter fur doesn't provide that insulation, and he is at risk of a chill! Your challenge after working him out, and him sweating, is to keep him warm until he fully dries!
I think the best way to cool off a hot horse in cold weather months like now, is with a cooler. Either an old fashion woolen one or our new and improved ones that wick moisture away from the body. Then all you have to do is put him in a place where he is out of the wind, and change his cooler if it becomes damp. Obviously if your in a hurry you can towel dry him as well!
One thing I cant stress enough is putting his winter blanket on while he is hot and sweaty. It will just trap the moisture, making his coat stay wet longer! stick with the cooler till he is dry then put the winter blanket on..
Good news is that you don't have to keep walking your horse till he is dry! Its a common misconception.. walking him till his breathing returns to normal allows his muscles to properly cool down. Once he is no longer huffing an puffing, walking is not necessary!
I hope this helps, and answers your questions about cooling-out an unclipped horse in cold weather!
I hot, sweaty, unclipped horse is a challenge to riders in the winter. Once his coat is wet, his thick winter fur doesn't provide that insulation, and he is at risk of a chill! Your challenge after working him out, and him sweating, is to keep him warm until he fully dries!
I think the best way to cool off a hot horse in cold weather months like now, is with a cooler. Either an old fashion woolen one or our new and improved ones that wick moisture away from the body. Then all you have to do is put him in a place where he is out of the wind, and change his cooler if it becomes damp. Obviously if your in a hurry you can towel dry him as well!
One thing I cant stress enough is putting his winter blanket on while he is hot and sweaty. It will just trap the moisture, making his coat stay wet longer! stick with the cooler till he is dry then put the winter blanket on..
Good news is that you don't have to keep walking your horse till he is dry! Its a common misconception.. walking him till his breathing returns to normal allows his muscles to properly cool down. Once he is no longer huffing an puffing, walking is not necessary!
I hope this helps, and answers your questions about cooling-out an unclipped horse in cold weather!
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Barakel, Grandparents and a great Friend!!
Barakel, where God has blessed. So a little while back I went on another trip with my grandparents and I got to pick a friend to come along! Colette of coarse agreed to come along! haha! We had a great time of just relaxing and tromping through the snow. Grandpa preached some great sermons, Colette and I chilled as we ate snacks and played games! Here are a few pictures!
Colette's dirty side of the room on east side.. Hahaha! no worries, it got cleaned up! Mine was just as bad...if not worse..
And it snowed!
Twas absolutely beautiful out!
And I had to snap some shots of this beautiful girl!
She so cheeky..
And weird.. I had fun with you girl!!! And it was nice to catch up!
Then she stole my camera.... so I just have to put those pictures here!!!
Levi will want this one ya know...or all of them! hahah!
Just a few pictures of this amazing place where God has blessed!
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