I spend lots of time just walking horses through trail obstacles and exposing them to things they could come up against while working.  But this year I am going to be more creative and put out Halloween costumes and displays to get them ready for the season trails.   Things we take for granted can be a big scary ‘horse-easting’ beast to our horses.  You can do this at home.  Here are a few tips.

1.    Make a stick scare crow.  It’s easy just using a broom and duct tape a small branch across it for the arms.  Put old clothes on it and stick it in the ground.  Put an old hat on the broom part of it and don’t worry about it having a face.  Then hand walk your horse by it.  If your horse doesn’t spook, great!

2.  Get out an old sheet and hang it from a tree.  A slight breeze is all you need for this scary, ghostly object.  Be sure to hand walk your horse by it just in case.

3.  Take large black trash bags and drape them across bushes.  For more fun, turn your large trash can over and cover it with the bag, then put a pumpkin on top of it so that it looks more like a living object to the horse.   Be safe and once again hand walk  your horse by it first.

4.  I strongly suggest that you put these in an enclosed arena first before sticking them in your yard.  This keeps you and your horse safer in case he spooks and takes off running.

Your goal is to teach your horse to trust you and depend on you for guidance regardless of what he comes in contact with on the trail.  Go slowly, use lots of affirmation for your horse (pats, scratching withers and a kind voice works wonders).

For more on safe training for the perfect trail horse  go to www.baymountacres.com or contact me at sherry@baymountacres.com   704-902-7345.

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Horse in Training at Baymount

This pretty little two year old horse is in training mode here at Baymount Farm in Statesville, North Carolina.  She came to us a few weeks ago as a very green horse.   She knew how to lead, stand and allow grooming and that was just about it.  BUT the owners had been so kind and consistent with her that she is a very trusting horse.  Nothing seems to spook this horse as she is learning her new trade in life.

 I combine ‘natural horsemanship’ along with classical training.  I like to take the best of both worlds and do what makes sense to me using a lesson plan for teaching the horse.  Therefore, I don’t miss any steps, make sure I think through what they need to learn in order while building on concepts and skills.  I don’t use harsh equipment, disciplines or force training.  I tend to think of these animals as children that I need to teach a sign language.  If I have to punish them or hurt them to get a reponse then I have lost the motivation for learning and just created a resentment that may show up as a problem somewhere down the road. 

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1.  Dress in layers.   Lots of layers, long thermal underwear, several long sleeve T-shirts, a vest, keep your head and ears covered, and wear sock and glove liners.  Also, give up those riding tights or jodpurs, if you can for stretchy jeans. Jeans are generally thicker.  Buy them a size roomier so you can layer underneath.

2.  Invest in a pair of winter riding boots.  I like the kind with velcro fasteners.  It is easier to get them on and off.  Make sure they are insulated to help keep your toes toasty.

3.  Invest in a riding blanket that covers your horse and wraps around you and your saddle to block the wind and hold in heat.

Once everything is in place for you to stay warm, think about your horse.

1.  Keep him in condition for winter weather.  Bump up his grain a little in the fall and put on a few pounds or keep him blanketed.

2.  Be deligent about keeping him shod properly.  In icy, snowy and muddy footing, it doesn’t hurt to invest in shoes with studs or specialized boots for proper footing.  These can be purchased through several sites found on the internet.  It is easy enough to measure for them.  But be sure to have a new trim on him before you do measure.

3.  Wrap your horses legs to help prevent tendon damage.  Walking, trotting, gaiting or cantering on sloppy footing puts more stress on the legs.  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Most importantly, plan accordingly, give yourself plenty of time and enjoy your ride.

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Recently, I had two very green 3 year old horses come in for training.  They had some ground work and saddle work done, but basically everything was new to them.  The owners needed a little help to get over the hump and continue themselves and I was happy to help.  These two horses had been pasture buddies since they were one year old.  They were very dependent on each others comfort for security.  However, this did not interfere in their training.  I put them in stalls on opposite ends of the barn and pastured them together in the evenings.   They adapted quickly and only whinnied to each other occasionally as if they were checking on each other. 

Training went quickly and easily as they are both very intelligent animals.  I always start out with basic ground manners:  standing, tying, grooming, picking up feet, bathing, clipping, moving left, right, back, forward, leading, bridling, saddling, using a bit, moving away from presssure, the walk forward cue, stopping with the bit, the one rein stop, etc.   All this I teach them from the ground before I ever get on their backs.  

I started with the male first.  It was interesting that he was very apprehensive about anything being above him and want to bolt everytime I got higher than him.  We worked on this quite a while just to be able to get on his back safely.  I put him in the round pen and started raising my arms up until he accepted that, then I used the rope or lariat to go over his back, around him and over his head until he was ok with that part.  Then I progressed to twirling it over my head and throwing it over his head, behind him and in front of him until he was ok with that.  However, he still did not want me above him.   We have a flat bed goose neck trailer that puts me quit a bit taller than him.  I walked back and forth on the trailer leading him alongside until he allowed me to pet him on the neck and head.   After that , me being above him was not a problem.  From their we progressed to riding.  He took to it quite well. 

However, his sister, who had already been exposed to the saddle, did not have a problem with me being higher than her.  I could get on without a hitch, but she spooked at different things in the yard or pasture.  (Needless to say, I do all my basic training and first time rides in a round pen.)  I did the same training on the trailer with her, but it did not make a difference.  So then I progressed to different desensitization techniques.  I got out our exercise ball.  I started out rolling it around her, under her, over her  and bouncing it until I could bounce it off her sides, rump and shoulder with her standing there.   Not a problem, but she still spooked under saddle if she saw something move suddenly.  So I started waving my arms around like a mad woman, doing jumping jacks, anything I could think of until she started standing there looking at me.  Then I rewarded her with lots of strokes and soft language.  She spooked less and less. 

Time went by too quickly and the owners took her home to finish her.  I cautioned them to keep her on a lead line until they were comfortable with taking her out alone.  They have since emailed me twice to let me know she is doing great and they are now riding her off the lead line and she is the first one at the gate to be worked.   Awesome.   That is what I like to hear.

Here is their testimony:      “ Both horses are doing great! I’ve started riding Zazzy last week off the lead line and she hasn’t spooked yet. She has started just looking at me like I’m crazy when I jump or do jumping jacks with her. She really acts like she is enjoying working, she’s always the first one at the gate and ready to go with me to the round pen. Had too give Sluggo a few days off due to a swollen leg, I think his sister kicked him, but doing much better and he did fine today when I started riding him again. We are very pleased with the progress they have made after being with you. Thank you again.”

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So, thanks to some clients of mine I have had the opportunity to hold a clinic with just such a thing in mind.  They requested that I come to their farm and teach them specifics in their area of riding for the entire family.  I did and it was great!  My daughter and I both held the two day clinic for my clients who were a family of four.  They provided their own horses and equipment.   I think that is the best way to learn.  I can easily use someone else’s horses and equipment when I am learning, but then I get back to my barn and horses, discover that my equipment is slightly different and my horses aren’t quite trained the same and that adds to the confusion of putting it all together.  With their own equipment, horses and on their trails we were able to progress with comfort and ease.  This added to the quickness in which the children were able to pick up important skills in riding and apply those skills without as much hesitation by being on their own territory. 

The first part of each morning consisted of learning to harness, hitch and drive a carriage horse.   This went very well, was lots of fun and the family members learned the basics of driving down their driveway and out onto the property.  They learned how to fit the harness for comfort and security, how to handle the reins properly and how to drive, turn, back and slow down their driving horse.   Most of this they were already doing properly, but just needed a little brush up on their skills and confirmation that they were doing it correctly. 

The second half of the day consisted of trail riding, a few lessons on jumping, two-point position, proper leg placement and usage in the saddle, the correct way to balance and the difference in hunt seat, western, and equitation.  Since we were using gaited horses, the hunt seat was a little challenge but the lessons were learned and the students were jumping by the time we left.   

Unfortunately, because of the weather, we were not able to do as much as I had planned.  We were facing wind gusts up to 25mph and temperatures in the low 30′s.  This made it quite cold, our fingers and toes were numb, our faces wind burned but our spirits were up and that hot chocolate sure was good!  Plus the cooks were magnificent, they provided the lunches and we dined like kings.

At any rate, I have a video of our clinic just for fun.   Baymount Farm Natural Horsemanship Clinic.   I hope you enjoy watching as much as we enjoyed filming and working.  I wish I had more to show you, but our battery went dead, must of been the extremely cold weather. 

Future clinics can be held for you, within a reasonable driving distance, no more than 2 hours away please.   Clinics run $110 per person daily, 8 hour days,  for 4 people, plus hotel.   More than 4 people the price can be adjusted.  Just email me for more information.

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