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Sample Our Newsletter
"Cinchy Horses," from my FREE monthly newsletter
From the Saddle Breaking a Horse Series:
"It certainly doesn't take them long to learn that a saddle on their backs means they're getting put to work pretty quick – so it's no wonder that so many bad habits develop along this point. They weren't born yesterday: You approaching with a smile on your face, a saddle in one hand and "Riding for Dummies" in the other can only mean one thing: Work. It's no wonder they begin channeling the advice they've heard from their buddies: "Dance around," "Act like you're gonna bite," "Don't let him put the bit in your mouth. You get a bit in your mouth and you're done for." And, they're always trying something new, aren't they? I'd finally worked one of my mares through – what I thought was every bad habit at saddling time – only to have her lay down on me. (I cured this by being the ready the next time: The moment her legs began to buckle I screamed like a stuck pig and got her moving... anywhere. Trust me, she didn't go back and tell the others to try laying down.)
You can only deal with these crazy things they try in one way – and that's by keeping your sense of humor. They're going to keep coming like the tides – and the moment you lose your temper, they've got ya. Know why? Because your horse is dancing around, saying to himself "This is the part where he gets nuts everyday and smacks me." You lose your temper, smack the horse and prove him right. Every day. You do get the saddle on, the bit in his mouth – but each time it gets more difficult. Like the boy with his finger in the dike, new holes keep popping up."
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From John Lyons Trainer Keith Hosman |
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Stop Bucking Study Course
A Downloadable Book
A sample from Day 1:
"Naturally, green horses and horses with a penchant for bucking are best started on the ground where you are safest. To that end, put a headstall, reins and snaffle bit on your horse. You don’t want to start this work using a halter. The signal to the horse isn’t as clear as from the bit and some horses who are especially out of control can drag you from here to there if they’re simply outfitted in a halter. You’ll also need a dressage whip.
Do this exercise with a friend - you’d be surprised what they can see from their vantage point. Their insight and honesty might speed you through this.
Flip the reins over the horse’s neck as if you’re going to ride. Stand on his left side, near his shoulder, facing him. Take the rein near his mouth just below the slobber strap so that your thumb is toward the rear of the horse. Raise the dressage whip in your right hand as if conducting the Philharmonic and kiss. If he doesn’t move (and he probably won’t at first), tap him on the rump. If he still doesn’t move, relax, you gotta start somewhere. You can tap a little harder, perhaps quicker in order to “kind of annoy” the horse. Don’t smack the horse unless you’re willing to chance a quick kick to your ribs. Trust me, you’d be amazed how high and far those back legs can reach." - Print out from home
- 5 Days, 5 chapters
- Learn at your own pace
Just $4.99
For more info:
this course | all courses
Available Downloads:
"Stop Bucking"
"Rein/Speed" (for Nervous Horse Owners)
"Round Pen First Steps"
"Trailer Training"
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GUEST AUTHOR ARTICLES
Children and Horses
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"How Show Moms Can Survive the Horse Show Experience"
Written by Kathy Keeley
Copyright © 2008 Kathy Keeley
My years of being a horse show mom has provided me with some interesting insights. Below I've compiled my best tips for surviving the show experience and making the most of the time with your child. I find that these three tips make the most of my parenting time at horse shows, whether they're local shows or A circuit shows.
1. Use teachable moments. Teens hate being given "the big talk", so most experts say it is far better to use teachable moments, or those times when something occurs and provides an opportunity to do some on-site parenting. Perhaps you overhear a particular situation discussed over the temporary stalls, and you use use the opportunity to open discussion with your teen about how she might handle the same situation.
Your trainer can be helpful in this process as well, such as when your teen takes an attitude with you or talks back to you. The trainer can point out how the teen appears to others when she engages in this behavior. Our trainer does this with her riders with great effect. Most teens are appalled when they see another teen respond disrespectfully to parents, but are oblivious when they do it to their own parents. Hundreds of teachable moments and good parenting opportunities abound at horse shows, so choose your moments carefully and don't be content to be simply a spectator.
2. Build a partnership. Horse showing has given me the opportunity to build a partnership with my daughter. On weekends there is a period of time when we slip out of the "mother-teen daughter" relationship and into the "rider-adult partner" role. During a show my role becomes that of groom or assistant to the rider, so I have responsibility for hauling the horses, helping with setup, and providing show information. My daughter's role becomes that of rider, horse groom, and show person. We slip into each of these roles to make the show experience work.
During that time, I've found it ineffective for us to tell each other what to do, to criticize the other, or battle over what is best because we have to work together to get everything done in a very short period of time. The partnership has given me a special insight into my daughter that I might not otherwise have, and provides a break in the traditional mother-daughter relationship as well.
3. Be a role model. As a show mom, I am always trying to be a role model for my children because I know that they are always watching what I do. I want to act in ways that show them how adults can solve problems, handle difficult situations, and be professional about winning and losing. I have seen too many mothers stand at the gate and harass the gate person about points, rankings, prizes, and the order of entry. I have seen trainers and parents handle issues with each other and with others very unprofessionally, to the great embarrassment of their children.
We had one situation in which we were showing in a different zone and were doing something incorrect for that zone. Another parent got upset and told her trainer. The trainer, in turn, went to the steward, who pulled my child as she was about to enter the ring. I could hear all this from the next golf cart and was astonished that neither the parent nor the trainer, both of whom I knew, could not take my daughter aside, point out the problem, and get it resolved. The entire situation was handled very poorly and was unfair to the kids going into the ring. Even though we in violation of the rules because we were unaware of the different rules in this zone, the situation should have and could have been handled much more discreetly. We did not do a good job of being adult role models that day.
Teachable moments are all around us every single day in every activity that we do. As a parent, it's important to remember our responsibility as role models to our children, whatever the situation, so that they learn effective life lessons that will serve them always.
Veteran show mom Kathy Keeley is founder of ShowMom.com, the first online community created especially for horseshow mothers and daughters who want to learn how to successfully navigate the horseshow circuit and maintain a great mother-daughter relationship. Get our free horseshow packing list when you sign up for our free email newsletter, The Savvy Show Mom, at ShowMom.com.
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Disclaimer: Equine training can be a hazardous activity which may subject the participants to possible serious injury. Keith Hosman, Josh Lyons, Patrick Benson, their associates and other trainers listed on this site will not assume any liability for your activities. Our newsletter, books and videos provide general information, instruction and techniques that may not be suitable for everyone. No warranty is given regarding the suitability of this information, the instructions, and techniques to you or other individuals acting under your instructions.
All Rights Reserved (TM) 2009, horsemanship101.com
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Horse Owning: Children and Horses, advice for the horse owner provided by John Lyons Certified Trainer Keith Hosman
Bookmark horsemanship101.com for Horse-Keeping Tips
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