tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50480108223015448552024-03-13T22:40:21.042-07:00Lauren's Horsing ThoughtsLauren Woodardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09155435390803371402noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5048010822301544855.post-53859098321118609032013-07-26T06:41:00.001-07:002013-07-26T06:41:47.951-07:00The Beautiful Room: Exceptional Horsemanship from Lauren Woodard: Guest Blog Post<a href="http://janeayres.blogspot.com/2013/07/exceptional-horsemanship-from-lauren.html#comment-form">The Beautiful Room: Exceptional Horsemanship from Lauren Woodard: Guest Blog Post</a>Lauren Woodardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09155435390803371402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5048010822301544855.post-35805966451156435192010-04-20T15:18:00.000-07:002010-04-20T15:42:17.852-07:00OUR BLOG HAS MOVED!My <a href="http://exceptionalhorsemanship.com/laurens-horse-musings-blog/"target=_blank">blog now resides on my newly designed website</a>.<br /><br />Come over for a visit to <a href="http://exceptionalhorsemanship.com/ "target=_blank">ExceptionalHorsemanship.com</a> - read more of the same great training tips you've enjoyed. And, learn much more about our services.<br /><br />Come to Exceptional Horsemanship and enjoy the ride!Lauren Woodardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09155435390803371402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5048010822301544855.post-39807977952752469822010-04-11T09:19:00.000-07:002010-04-11T09:31:07.621-07:00BLAMEWhose fault is it?<div>In a nutshell... Yours!</div><div>What is so ding-dang hard about taking the blame for something that didn't go as you wanted with your horse? I really have a hard time understanding people's resistance to this.</div><div>1) It didn't go as you wanted. So, you either had too high expectations for the level of training that EITHER you or your horse have. That's your fault for expecting more than you're capable of delivering.</div><div>2)Your level of skill isn't good enough. Again your deal. It doesn't mean you're a bad person. It just means that your level of skill isn't good enough to accomplish that in that moment. Or... ever if you don't learn from it. So what? And So What?</div><div>3)Your horse's skill level or training wasn't sufficient to accomplish it. Again, yours. Does the horse need to perform the skills YOU want for his horsenal needs? No. If his skill level isn't up to the task, you haven't gotten him there in whatever means you had available.</div><div><br /></div><div>Try this for a while. It will become easier the more you practice (just like anything). When something isn't going as planned, start your sentence in one of these ways: I should have... or, I shouldn't have... Just give it a shot. Get your ego out of your own way.</div>Lauren Woodardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09155435390803371402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5048010822301544855.post-11314912330573832282010-04-08T08:27:00.000-07:002010-04-08T08:31:22.113-07:00Training YoungstersMany people think it's important to let a horse be for the first 2-4 years. While that's great if they're in the wild or out in a pasture with the herd, make no mistake. If you're taking that horse from the stable/stall/pen to the turn out and back, or grooming him, washing, trimming hooves... you're training him. Probably not the things you want to train him for, but training him none the less.<div>Choose wisely. You don't have to be riding or have him be of ridable age to train him. If you lead him even once, you either do it how you'd like it or how he'd like it.</div>Lauren Woodardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09155435390803371402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5048010822301544855.post-39077488241365184802010-04-06T17:26:00.000-07:002010-04-06T17:38:40.327-07:00FUSCILINGMy word. Yes, I love to invent words. Fusciling (verb)- some combination of raising the movement, energy, expectation, signal and agitation in order to allow the horse to find his way to calmness.<div>Many people inherently and because they're taught it constantly, behave in a calm and quiet manner with horses. All well and good you may say. However, two things happen. 1) The horse learns that people SHOULD behave calmly and quietly and then when they don't, all hell breaks loose. 2) Horses learn to train their people that if they don't behave quietly, horse will throw a fit and then insist that person attempt to calm them with cooing noises, petting and treats. This in turn teaches a horse that he is rewarded on several levels when he behaves badly. This doesn't mean that the horse wants to lose his mind just for a carrot, but they learn that flying off the handle isn't uncomfortable for them.</div><div>So, what would cause a horse to choose good behavior when they get rewarded for less than desirable behavior?</div><div>Nothing!</div><div>If you don't deliberately put your horse in a position to learn not to react inappropriately, he will get more and more reactive. Not less. People who have been trained by their horse not to agitate him will still have an agitated horse. "Easy boy" doesn't stop him unless he decides to stop.</div><div>So, fuscil your horse. Make up ways of tipping the apple cart. Add hurry up, no that way, yes it's a tarp, I changed my mind I mean backward all in the same minute. This will take a bit of practice on your part and creativity. But the dividends it pays are HUGE!</div>Lauren Woodardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09155435390803371402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5048010822301544855.post-39730914787075767172010-03-25T08:57:00.000-07:002010-03-25T09:07:12.896-07:00Can you/do you stand, with your feet sort of in front of your horse's front feet, with your arm resting casually on his neck, rub his neck, between his ears, ruffle his forelock, etc. WHILE HE'S EATING?<div>People usually throw the feed in the bucket or stall and walk away. Is your horse comfortable with you doing everything while he comfortably munches? Does he stop eating, raise his head, get white around his eye, move away, wait/hope for you to go away?</div><div>You may think you can. You may think this isn't important or a big deal. Just check it out and see.</div>Lauren Woodardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09155435390803371402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5048010822301544855.post-75571917886363077602010-03-02T06:09:00.000-08:002010-03-02T06:21:14.480-08:00<div>Sorry I've lapsed in writing.</div><div><br /></div>Horses learn immediately from their mothers.<div>Within an hour, they're frequently able to stay with their mother and run with the herd. This is important of course, because they don't want to get eaten. They learn immediately from the other herd members how to behave around each horse differently. If they don't, they'll be missing some hide in the shape of a hoof or teeth.</div><div><br /></div><div>People…yoikes. After eighteen years we're just getting out on our own. Even then, we hardly know which end is up and rarely handle dealing with others well on a consistent basis. After 40 or 50 years, we may, if we're paying attention be able to deal with a 6 month old colt who is way smarter than most of the people in it's life.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, when you want your horse to do something and you think he's not paying attention or not doing it… you're probably right! Because he's probably already learned that he doesn't need to. Also, if you're learning some skill and you think your horse should 'get it'. Ponder how many times your riding instructor/trainer has told you something (like sit down in the saddle) over the years. How many times??? And still you are up? Still?</div><div><br /></div><div>Horses are easy. People…</div>Lauren Woodardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09155435390803371402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5048010822301544855.post-77208765484848848662010-01-21T13:43:00.000-08:002010-01-21T14:03:41.474-08:00The ONE answer<span style="font-family: lucida grande;">This is the City Slickers deal with Curly. Remember how he would hold up his index finger? And Billy Crystal was so frustrated because he wanted to know what the ONE answer WAS!!!!Dangit!!!?<br />The one answer is... IT DEPENDS!<br /><br />I can do something to fix an issue with a horse and tell the person what I'm doing and why. Then, they are in what they perceive to be the same circumstance and think they're doing what I did and it doesn't work. WHY? Because it really isn't the same. While the issue may be the same, the manner in which it is handled isn't due to differences in the horse's _____ fill in the blank. His head may be a bit higher and indicate a need for another approach. His body may be in a different position or a fence, rope, person is in a different place. Horse's eye may be indicating a change in thought or an ear twitched or the neck or ribs are braced. Add about a million or more other possibilities and what you are seeing if probably not what I would see if I was there and doing it.<br />Not only that, but, if you always do the same thing when an issue pops up, then the right answer isn't the right answer any more. You must do something different!<br /><br />Frequently when I'm talking to a potential client and they're telling me about their issues with horse, what they think they're telling me isn't what I know is probably happening according to horse. So, I ask some questions to ascertain what is probably so and the person frequently says, "No, you don't understand." I'm laughing as I write this, because actually I understand perfectly well. It's that the person doesn't understand the situation they're really in. This is due to missed cues, being unaware of the horse's intelligence, moods, indicators, etc. And, also due to not having the knowledge or skills to remedy the issue if they do indeed recognize it.<br /><br />Experience is the answer. But, it helps if you can have an interpreter like me there because trial and error can take 20 years off your life. If you don't know what you're looking for, you'll have a harder, longer time of it.<br />Also, looking for the experience is part of the answer. Don't just cobble along not paying attention to what your horse is doing or showing.<br />When I see something developing with a horse, I'll ask the owner, "What just happened there?" Most of the time they look at me with a blank face and say, "What, where, what do you mean?"<br />I would not have asked the question if nothing was happening. But, I don't just want them to have the answer. I want them to look for the question and find the answer.<br />There's always more...<br /></span>Lauren Woodardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09155435390803371402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5048010822301544855.post-38575877748318813832010-01-10T05:39:00.000-08:002010-01-10T06:08:13.245-08:00SPOOKING <span style="font-style: italic;">Again! And this won't be the last time!<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span>Oddly enough, many (yes many, many) people don't know their horse is spooky.<br />How can this be so? you may ask. And I sincerely hope you ask.<br /><br />Really look at your horse under different circumstances. Is his head down? Does he have a soft, quiet eye? Are his muscles relaxed? Is he standing quietly? Is he moving (very important) with these same qualities?<br />Or... is his hair standing on end, with white showing and every muscle tense with his head up even though he's standing, for the most part, still? If your rope moves, does he jump? Even a little?<br />Many horses have been trained by various methods to stand still while they're spooking. While many people appreciate this, the horse is still spooky and as soon as horse moves, they frequently blow up. Also, you aren't always going to be standing still when something spooks your horse, so... instead of causing your horse to think he's going to be in trouble if he moves, how about causing him to think he's okay calm?<br /><br />If you find that horse exhibits even<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span> </span>a <span style="font-weight: bold;">tick</span> of the above, take some time to challenge your horse and yourself to see just how spooky he is. Move some things, ask for something, some movement and be very observant and aware of how he responds. If he moves fast, but confidently because you asked for a fast movement, that's one thing. If he moves fast because he was anxious, scared or used to jumping, that's a whole other thing. Can he move one hoof? When you flick a rope his way, does he check with you to see if you want him to move over or if you're just practicing your moves? Or does he land in the neighbors garden?<br /><br />People ride their horses for years and never know or acknowledge that horse is ready to come out of his skin. Then, a wreck happens, because it was just a matter of time anyway, and the person doesn't understand that this was inevitable due to all the signs they were consistently missing because they thought that's just how horses are.<br />If your horse spooks because the ranch dog trots by, you're in trouble! If your horse spooks when you drop your rope, you're in trouble!<br /><br />How about this one. If your horse spooks when you want to take your jacket off? This is such a common problem. And oh so dangerous. Yet, many people don't take the effort to realize that <span style="font-style: italic;">it's not the jacket</span>. It's the spooking horse. If you think your horse will spook or even not be comfortable with you removing an article of clothing, you are asking for a lot of trouble down the road whether you're taking off your jacket or not.<br /><br />If you haven't noticed how spooky horse is and he has a few years on him, it may take you some time to get him to trust you and relax. But, you're going to be doing things with him anyway and wouldn't it be better for the two of you to not be scared?Lauren Woodardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09155435390803371402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5048010822301544855.post-29632886929064252952009-12-30T07:51:00.000-08:002009-12-30T08:17:50.074-08:00TAKING RESPONSIBILITY<br />So much is averted and avoided by not taking responsibility for yourself/actions. People love to take responsibility for all the good things or even things that sound bad that actually make you look good. So and so abused this horse and it's _____ so I'm having trouble trying to fix it. This horse ______ so it threw me off because _______. (blah, blah)<br /><br />Now, I'm not saying that this stuff isn't true or doesn't happen. But, let's analyze the difference between the following two sentences.<br />1. My horse threw me off.<br />2. I fell off.<br /><br />Yep, in both cases you hit the ground and it probably didn't feel so great for any number of reasons. But, if the fact is that your horse did what you said, i.e. stopped really short because you yanked back on the reins in your own panic, and you flew over his head because you were up and out of the saddle, the horse didn't throw you off.<br /><br />You fell off. <br /><br />But, "I fell off" sounds so much worse, doesn't it? Saying my horse threw me off retains your ego and sadly, frequently allows you to not get your skills better because, after all, it's not your fault!<br />I'm not trying to crush anyone's ego, here. I'm trying to help you get better and if you don't think it's your fault, you won't be in a hurry to fix it. You fell off. SO WHAT!<br />The only real "so what" is that you are looking at it from a viewpoint that will not benefit you. Really! You will not benefit from telling yourself you're better than you are and it was your horse's fault. This story spin is easy. The truth? Difficult. But, that doesn't change the reality of the situation. If you can say to just yourself, "I fell off" you're on your way to fixing it.<br />There are so many different situations and causes for the various ways we end up on the ground, but analyze truthfully or ask someone who was watching what they saw, to see if your idea of what happened is in line with an outside view. It happens so fast sometimes and skills and perception get out of whack. Ponder, will it really kill you to admit, even just to yourself, that you fell off? If there was someone watching that knows horses, they'll know anyway that you fell off and didn't get thrown off, so... Don't go looking for corroboration. Hopefully, that someone watching can give you a more accurate account of what happened so that you can work on fixing it. If you don't believe you have anything to fix because it wasn't you... ? I'm not even saying that you're not trying to fix things every time you get on. I'm sure you are. However, be/get more precise with your assessment of yourself and horse so that you can precisely focus on the points that will help you stay on top. There is an art to riding ( The Art of Riding, Book 5, sadly well away in publishing time but started) well. It's not just staying on.<br /><br />Bucking may or may not be a different story. If the horse was bucking because that's what he does for whatever reason and you can't stay on, it still doesn't necessarily mean he threw you. If the horse really wants you off his back that's a different story and we're not talking about that here.Lauren Woodardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09155435390803371402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5048010822301544855.post-31895781196336526442009-12-21T05:44:00.000-08:002010-01-25T05:22:35.779-08:00SPOOKINGIs there someone out there who likes riding a spooky horse? Anyone out there who likes sitting on a horse whose hair tingles under you and feels like a bomb ready to explode? Anyone out there who likes having a horse jump right on you because something to either side or behind or in front spooked him and your 12 square inches of real estate seems to be the best place for his 1100 pounds to be?<br />People... this will NOT take care of itself. If you don't tell horse that isn't how it's going to be from now on, it will not stay like this. It will get worse! And Worse!<br />If you take the time to re-train you and your horse to not spook, it will continue to get better. But, both of you must consistently challenge each brace and thought process in the beginning. And the beginning isn't a specific time frame. It's until it's good. Then it's a maintenance deal, but the more you maintain it, the less you have to.<br />Your approach to de-spook training is so important. If you approach it wrong, you will cause the horse to get more worried and more spooky. Ask someone if it's not working for you.Lauren Woodardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09155435390803371402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5048010822301544855.post-31204768163164339772009-12-07T06:16:00.000-08:002009-12-07T06:25:58.303-08:00I was a judge for one of the obstacles on the ACTHA competitive trail ride in Bumblebee the past Saturday. Huge turnout, 95 or so riders. Always interesting to watch what the riders and horses are doing. Some of the handling/bits/attitudes are distressing to watch, but, all in all it's enjoyable. But, it's interesting how many people tell their horse to do the wrong thing and don't know it. I score the horse higher if he is doing exactly what the person asks even if it isn't what the task is supposed to look like because he is following the direction. But, then I score the rider lower for asking incorrectly.<br />Some people are jerking their horse's head with their rein coming across their belly button and on toward their opposite shoulder and <span style="font-style: italic;">wanting</span> horse to step over with the front feet, yet the technique with the rein and body position they are using is directing the hind feet and causing a turn on the forehand instead of the required turn on the haunches.<br />I just have to sit there and watch. I'm not sure how to get the word out about the skills needed to operated horse feet. There should be a way for people who don't know they don't know this to find out.<br />Suggestions????<br />Maybe a judges corner on an ACTHA newsletter. I'll look into it.Lauren Woodardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09155435390803371402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5048010822301544855.post-10684402249224102472009-11-30T06:15:00.000-08:002009-11-30T06:24:21.818-08:00Be Open to the Possibilities.<br />Having a plan is great. But, it frequently means you miss what is actually happening in the moment that is a precursor to what you would need to accomplish the very task you were meaning to do in the first place.<br /><br />For example: You're approaching a jump. Horse is bracing laterally on the turn and picking up speed (which means he braced vertically against the bit, too!) Yet, because you decided to jump, you continue. You may get over the ump, but... getting over that one jump isn't really the answer.<br /><br />Getting over jumps well is the answer. Now, you don't always have to stop going over the jump, but certainly take time to remind horse how you'd like the approach to be afterward. If you don't take care of this, you are then telling horse that how that just went down is correct. After all, you didn't ever say so. What else are you telling horse is fine, when it's not now you would really like it?<br /><br />Softness and willing response vs. bracing and malicious compliance. One keeps getting better, one keeps getting worse.Lauren Woodardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09155435390803371402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5048010822301544855.post-43379455473793218202009-11-11T18:08:00.000-08:002009-11-11T18:11:25.976-08:00Tom Dorrance must have had great reasons for not being famous. He didn't approach any horse matter in a way that the average person wants to "get something done". And most people don't want to start where they need to start. So, I'm guessing he only worked with someone who was open to not knowing and was interested in finding out.Lauren Woodardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09155435390803371402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5048010822301544855.post-68481458960192528032009-11-11T17:49:00.000-08:002009-11-11T17:55:50.840-08:00Now, I'm not going biblical on you, it's just that everyone knows this verse - Ask and it will be given to you, search and you will find, knock and the door is opened to you. Nowhere does it say - tell yourself and everyone how good you are and you will be.<br />Every day with horses is one heck of a learning experience. Every nuance, movement, non-movement, notice what you notice. You don't have to DO anything, but notice, be aware and wonder.<br />You will not get to be a horseman without constant learning. There really isn't a get to. It's a constantly changing awareness of what is. Then, you can do stuff and see what happens.Lauren Woodardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09155435390803371402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5048010822301544855.post-21894673247713215612009-10-31T06:18:00.000-07:002009-10-31T06:42:03.688-07:00Per the comment on prepping ideas for veterinary needs.<div>It's an old saw and is in my book, but I also understand that the depth of the concept is frequently not understood. Will your horse do as you ask forward, backward, left, right, up, down or stand still WHEN you ask?</div><div>If we even ask this question of ourselves, we get to the do as you ask and then aren't very precise about the answer. But, the second part of the concept is WHEN you ask.</div><div>If a horse does what you ask because he was going to do it anyway, or it's convenient for him, or it's not a big deal, no difficulty or stretch, that isn't what we're going for here. Will your horse do it when he doesn't want to?</div><div>This takes time setting up situations where you can test horse's responses and test your own skills, observations and knowledge. While you don't need to have the exact experience that you may encounter down the road, it certainly helps if you take every opportunity that arises and make up others.</div><div>Taking every opportunity encompasses a lot more from the person in awareness and a lot less of making opportunities. This is because all the little things that horse does that person does not correct/teach are where the opportunities are. A step here, a shift in weight there, put this foot here, no, not that foot and don't shove me with your nose when you're irritated. You can pin your ears and swish your tail, but not for very long. Only as long as I see that you're trying to figure it out. Do you have to? How can you get out of this? You don't understand. Yes, horse those are perfectly fine questions for you to have and contemplate. I'll wait. Well, ready to give it another shot? Well yes, we are working on this. No, not that foot. No, not there. That wasn't it. Nope, not that. I'll wait. But, I'm going to keep asking and only helping you with a small clue every so often if I think you really don't UNDERSTAND. I'm not going to help you much if you're just being difficult because you think you can out persist me.</div><div><br /></div><div>ALL this can happen just walking over to where you were going to tack up. If you tack up without fixing these slights, they will carry over to the ride where you might have a bit more trouble with them once you're mounted. Even if you don't have trouble that day, when the chips are down or the vet is there or some other crisis arises, right when you really hope that your horse is going to do as you ask WHEN you ask, horse is going to say, "well, I rarely do as you ask, why would I do it when I REALLY don't want to"? And horse's response is right. Why would he? It, of course, is a matter of trust and respect along with time spent earning both that contributes to cooperation and accomplishment.</div><div><br /></div><div>People just want to get on. Sadly, getting on isn't as much fun as it could be if horse did what person wanted. This doesn't make horse bad or wrong. Not at all. Just a horse. Person doesn't take the time to be precise and horse is aware of every lapse of precision because he gets points for it.</div>Lauren Woodardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09155435390803371402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5048010822301544855.post-53535871374426887002009-10-27T17:17:00.000-07:002009-10-27T17:24:49.883-07:00I'm not sure I'm all that fluffy compared to the last post. The same thoughts and issues keep re-surfacing, duh.<br />When one is first learning to ride and have a horse, there is so much that you don't know. It's impossible to learn it all in a short amount of time. Becoming a horseman takes years, no matter how good your instructor is. And if you don't have a good instructor or you don't have an instructor at all, you could conceivably ride/have a horse for 60 years and still be a beginner rider. While you don't know what you don't know, it's what you don't know that just ain't so that can really get you into trouble.<br />Who wants to spend a life in trial and error when someone can show you? You're still going to have a lot of trial and error anyway, but most of it will be that if you don't have someone helping you. How many of you would be proficient at math on your own?<br />Take lessons, read, watch videos, watch horsemen, watch idiots (it's important to learn what not to do!!)Lauren Woodardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09155435390803371402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5048010822301544855.post-70171197151419617972009-10-16T19:40:00.000-07:002009-10-16T19:49:53.766-07:00Foundation work<br />Boy, this is a tough one. People's egos get so in the way of foundation work. Seems it's so much better to canter and stay on and feel that that makes you a much better rider than it is to BE a much better rider by being so good at every level of movement with the horse.<br /><br />Saddles don't help you become a better rider very fast or very well. People who have ridden for years have no idea how bad their balance is and how NOT with the horse they are because they never sat on a horse bareback. Try it and see. If the horse takes one step and you're swinging all over the place, maybe you're not as good as you should be. If you can't feel comfortable walking on a loose rein all over the place without you BEING all over the place, you're just not that good. And if you feel that you are, then your ego is more important than your riding. And what about trotting or cantering? Ouch. That's harsh. Maybe, but maybe it's not harsh and is just what is.<br /><br />Maybe I'm cranky today or maybe I've just had a lot of people this week wanting to do things to and with their horse that they haven't prepared for. Either way it doesn't change the issue. The ways of the ego are detrimental to your riding.Lauren Woodardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09155435390803371402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5048010822301544855.post-72791375104442189512009-10-07T14:10:00.000-07:002009-10-07T14:19:54.298-07:00Horses, cactus and people.<br />Most people want to avoid anything that could go badly. Avoid anything that MAY upset the horse. Avoid anything that may get them in trouble. Avoid TRAINING their horse to stay out of trouble. Teaching horses about cactus isn't really that hard. I don't recommend doing it mounted, however, I have on many occasions. Unless you have the stupidest horse on the planet, they are better about the learning than you may think. Don't shove their nose on it, simply present it for them to inquire about. If you've done a good job teaching your horse how to investigate new adventures and objects this goes well in most cases. They also need to learn about as many types of cactus as possible. Horses don't have a cactus book and don't care that it's in the same family. They need to be introduced to all the cactus that you have available or can find.<br />When your horse is in a frenzy and/or bolting through the terrain is not the time to go "Look out for that cactus." Of course, if he's listening at all (oh, but he's not because he's bolting), he would still be saying "What's a cactus?"<br />Do your homework before you need it. Get your 12' rope and let them investigate while you're not too close. Or, if your horse is pretty good about knowing that the real estate that you're standing on is never the place for him to be, you can do this right next to horse. But, do do it.Lauren Woodardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09155435390803371402noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5048010822301544855.post-90674670575562192242009-09-22T08:23:00.000-07:002009-09-22T08:37:54.786-07:00Youngsters.<div>Many people who are breeding/raising horses say they want to let the horse be a horse. They don't want to 'do/train' them until they're 2, 3 or 4. Yet, unless that foal is out with a herd, YOU are training him.</div><div>Leading the foal with or next to it's mother to the turn-out paddock and back, getting the halter on the horse and feeding IS training. Are you only looking at one side of the training? Is being nice a good way to train manners? <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>WOULD THE OTHER HORSES IN THE HERD TREAT THE BUGGER THE WAY YOU ARE WHEN HE MISBEHAVES???? NO! No herd leader is going to let a foal shove his chest or shoulder into him or run ahead and then kick out at him, or rear up and swing his hooves at him. If you do, he's the power figure. This isn't rocket science yet people are reluctant to take care of this. A horse rearing and striking or kicking at you??? I hate when that happens.</div><div>If you never shove him away, or shoo him off you, or let him shoulder in to you, or step on you, you are training him to be aggressive and dominant. This will make your 'real training' that you're waiting years to do so much tougher.</div><div>Taking a moment to get the youngster to understand NOT in my space is so important and since you're there anyway, don't be lazy or misunderstand your motives in not taking care of it. You are not a leader if a 5 month old colt is making you move your feet. Giving direction to a movement is leadership in training and a must to avoid injury (mostly to you). Teaching the foal to give to pressure instead of learning that the person gives to pressure is imperative as the older it gets, the stronger and tougher it gets. The un-mannered foal grows into an un-manageble 5 year old who now breaks things, bends fencing, tears up the trailer, etc.</div><div>Take care of it as the herd leaders would and set yourself up for success later. </div>Lauren Woodardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09155435390803371402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5048010822301544855.post-40871190087420412182009-09-03T20:14:00.000-07:002009-09-03T20:24:32.894-07:00There seems to be some confusion regarding softness and giving of the head (the horse's. There's no confusion about people. They're just hard headed. HA!). I believe a horse's head and neck should be for the most part, soft and flexible. Give a light feel. Put it in a place that I would like it to perform the task I'm getting ready to ask for.<div><br /></div><div>The confusion comes in with the assumption that the horse's hindquarters need to be engaged and driven forward for the head to soften. This is not to say that you don't want this dual occurrence, just that the hindquarters aren't necessary to achieve a soft feel of the head. This really is two requests. Yet, why shouldn't the horse's head give and go??? What if you are standing still and just ask the horse to give to the left? Is bracing acceptable?? NO. So softness is what you're going for. But, since you're standing still you don't need to engage the hindquarters. What if you have the horse on line? You still may want a soft give in, down, left or right. AND you don't want the hindquarters to move. So, they aren't part of the same movement and the one request of the head doesn't necessarily require the other participation of the hind.</div>Lauren Woodardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09155435390803371402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5048010822301544855.post-66034037061636003502009-09-01T19:30:00.001-07:002009-09-01T19:41:53.865-07:00I was thinkin'.<div>I say this a lot to my students. Once a husband and wife team that I was working with stopped me when I started with it and said, "These are the three words we really hate to hear coming out of your mouth. It's always something we don't want to think about or do."</div><div><br /></div><div>But, for me these are the three most exciting words. They fall into the same category as problem vs. opportunity.</div><div>When things are going well OR when things are going not as expected, hmmmm....is a good thing!</div><div>Oddly enough, the more this path is traveled, the more either way isn't a bother. As the quote by Krishmaurti says in my book (Curbside Service, Change the Way You and Your Horse Think About Each Other), "The secret is, I don't mind what happens."</div><div><br /></div><div>So, lets say you're raising a foal for the hunter futurity. It's 7 months old. I was thinking... it would be fun IF you could have the horse perform in the yearling class without a halter. Not that you have to or should, but if you could.... how good would your class go if you then just followed normal protocol and had a bridle on???</div><div>What if... you took off your bridle during the class and your horse still won????</div><div> </div>Lauren Woodardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09155435390803371402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5048010822301544855.post-43948645425873404612009-08-20T06:48:00.000-07:002009-08-20T06:51:09.771-07:00Avoiding potential problems:<div>Is a great way to run into them in a 'way big' manner.</div><div>You simply can't avoid problems with horses. Your best bet is to cover as much ground with spooking, manners, movement, behavior, skills, knowledge, etc. as possible so that when an issue comes up, you and your horse are able to get through it.</div><div>Push those buttons. Set up, cause the very thing you don't want to have to deal with (under controlled circumstances) so that you can get it out of there.</div>Lauren Woodardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09155435390803371402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5048010822301544855.post-90872329746266166722009-08-16T08:36:00.000-07:002009-08-16T08:41:33.623-07:00Expectations - Why so low?<div>Horse stumbles over and steps on and bumbles thru poles on the ground. Person thinks poor soul has so much trouble and can't do more until it can go over those twigs without bumbling.</div><div>Horse is thinking - this isn't even worth the effort so who cares.</div><div>Person is now scared to ride horse over these twigs because person doesn't want horse falling with person on.</div><div>Horse is okay with that concept.</div><div>Person would get horse a whole lot better by asking horse to jump over 55 gallon drums (on line). Even 6 mo. old foals can easily jump these barrels and it gives horse enough of an obstacle to put in a little effort. Let them bumble over or hit them if horse wants. Make them immovable then the next time they'll try a bit harder. People are frequently amazed at how nicely their horse jumps.</div>Lauren Woodardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09155435390803371402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5048010822301544855.post-65371753458504026822009-08-11T14:23:00.001-07:002009-08-11T14:33:30.194-07:00I had a guy over doing some work at my place today and he was taking some branches out to the alley before he left. I was on the other side of the property. Turns out, he didn't close the gate to the pasture and within seconds after he pulled out of the driveway, I had 4 horses galloping out the gate down the alley and out onto the street.<div><br /></div><div>I ran to grab halters, leads and strings and the horses had luckily, stopped to nibble in a patch of grass. One of the horses is a relatively new arrival and has never been 'around' the outside. This can at times present the worst scenario because this horse could have incited the others to dash down the street. And it's a busy street!!</div><div><br /></div><div>The good news is that I could act like this was a normal experience and walk up to the milling herd quietly, but quickly, snap my fingers at each one at a time and say 'come here' and they did.</div><div><br /></div><div>Figuring out how to maneuver all four of them between plants and driveways and cars going by and getting them each back in the gate was interesting but within about 15 minutes of their escapade everyone was back in the pasture.</div><div>Of course, this happened at 1 pm in 105 degree heat. Alas, all is good!!</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a very good reason that it's a good idea to teach your horse how not to spook and run in unfamiliar circumstances, how to be okay with you approaching in a quick manner and to come when called. Ya think?</div>Lauren Woodardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09155435390803371402noreply@blogger.com0