People seem to think it just takes toooooo much time to train your horse to behave well and then stick to it. Yet, for 40 years they'll let their horse drag them around, pin it's ears when you approach or worse, turn it's butt and threaten to kick. And that's normal. Why? If you get someone who knows what they're doing, a lot of that will be fixed in an hour or so. Of Course that's fixing the horse. Obviously, it's the person that takes 40 years to fix.

I'm leaving for Florida to retrieve my kid who is moving to Tucson and we're driving across the country with the box truck pulling the car. So, I'm not sure when I'm going to post next, but I should be home around the 5th or 6th of Aug.

There's a book out now about dogs. It makes the case for them thinking and having emotions. Well, no s#@%!

Horses, too! When I read or hear someone say that horses only react and don't plan or think, I am from that moment on, caused to consider or reconsider as un-true, anything else that person says. Horse steps on your foot accidentally??? Yeah! Shifts his weight, picks up one hoof, directs it onto your 4 square inches of real estate (your toe area) and shifts his weight onto it. Meanwhile, horse is thinking 'oops'? Then, when the unsavvy person yells and pushes on horse's shoulder, what does horse do??? Usually, puts ALL his weight on the offending hoof. Accidentally of course.

An acquaintance was bragging that his wife trained a couple of horses they had. But, he says, "The stupid thing bucked us off every time we got on." Okay, so your definition of trained is....????? and WHO are you calling stupid????

How about the old grade horse in the backyard that rubs the visiting friend off on a tree or corner of the barn?

How about horses (I have one) that can open snap clips to get into the feed storage? Do you ever see a horse breaking into the worming medicine???

If all this is so, is it possible that when you're riding or have a horse on line that he's fully cognizant of HIS possibilities of getting over on you?? Of course.

And, is it also then possible that what you may be able to get from your horse in exceptional results may be more than you're asking or aware of???? Of course.

People expect too much from a horse they have never trained or asked to do something to do it on the first time. And, they expect too little from a horse as to what they are capable of doing.

What would be going thru your mind if a friend of yours walked up to you and head-butted you?

Why do you let your horse do it?

June - I was on a time frame kick. Seems like I could write every post about it.

Question your YOUR your time frames. How much are you allowing horse not to get it? How much is that you being too easy on yourself? It's not that you have to become Attila, just ask yourself if you MIGHT be able to get a bit more from you and horse. And then, how are you going to go about getting it? And when you see the result, can you ask for more? Was it too easy? If so, you haven't been asking enough from either of you. Go for more.

If something scared horse 3 years ago...SO WHAT! It's not scaring him now and both of you need to get over it and on with it.

Is it just me???

When people tell me how wonderful their horses are...I don't expect to see rearing, biting, kicking, striking, dragging across the arena, running away/bolting (on line or mounted), going left when the signal from person was right, walking off while being mounted.

People frequently use the word 'awesome' describing their horse to me and then either use the word except... or I ask them to show me what they do with horse and these 'things' happen. Frequently, more than one. So, I'd like to know if that's awesome, what word can you use if, for some reason, horse stops doing one of these things??? Is there a higher word? Could we use a bit of discernment here?

Could we, maybe, raise the bar???

It is hot here in AZ. But, that's a great time to check out whether or not your horse will move each hoof forward, backward, left or right and place it where you want or how you want. This is all relative, of course, to how well your riding goes, but in nice weather, people are more inclined to get on and go instead of getting better at the foundation of going.

Find yourself a spot on the fence under a tree or better yet a mister (water, not man) (of course I could be wrong about that last parenthesis). Of course, everyone has the new book, Curbside Service, and is eager to Curbside their horse. Break it down to the first step. Check your body for parts not in position. Ask yourself if you could do it better with less? Could you get more with less? More? I'm not making typos here. Can you keep successively doing more and getting a better response from your horse?

Toss a plastic lid on the ground about 6-8 feet from the fence you're still sitting on. A. I hope like heck your horse didn't spook when you tossed the lid. But, that's another writing.

B. Start with either front hoof. Doesn't matter just see if you can figure out how to get him to place one hoof on the lid. Remember, you have forward, backward, left, right, close, far, circling (half as you're on the fence). After you get good, pick a specific front hoof. After you get good, try the back feet, either one. After you get good, pick a specific back hoof. After you get good, do it without a halter or rope on horse.

Does your horse enjoy being hosed down in this heat. She does if she comes running when you turn on the hose and then presents all four sides and her butt for you to make sure you get all the parts!

Do not quit on a brace!!!

I so badly want people to enjoy their horses more, that it's sometimes hard for me to remember that I can't want it more for them than they want it for themselves. But, boy it's great to see when person and horse come together and get it and love it!

While most everyone says they enjoy their horse, it's just a lot more enjoyable when they don't do things like the opposite of what you ask, or threaten you, buck, whatever and a lot more enjoyable when you aren't afraid of these possibilities. And, a lot more enjoyable when they are willing to go with you. Do the things you're asking with a good eye and ear. Oooooo...softness, willingness, not bracing! Execution!