Do you ever wonder what your horse is really thinking? Is he happy, sad, frustrated, or angry? Or are suppressed emotions affecting him in a negative way? It is often at that moment in training when we feel we have finally convinced our horse to see things our way that the real problems start … Continue Reading »
Does your horse have so much get-up-and-go that he can barely stand still? Does he run from the far end of the pasture to the water trough … even though he could just as easily walk? Is trotting his favorite gait? If so, then you probably have a Tai Yang (Water/Fire) temperament horse … and … Continue Reading »
It may sound ridiculous to say that your horse needs a chef, but it’s true. Sadly, many much-loved horses suffer from poor nutrition, even at the hands at dedicated and truly affectionate owners. Why does this happen? Because not every horse can thrive on the same diet. The best feeding program for your horse depends … Continue Reading »
After several years of helping people temperament type their horses I have arrived at a rather funny conclusion: while many people love the idea of temperament typing, they don’t always love every aspect of their horse’s temperament. The Water Horse – An Example For instance, the amateur dressage rider who is fascinated by horses in … Continue Reading »
As horse temperament typing has become more popular, and as more people become interested in being in better “Horse Harmony,” I am being asked some pretty tough questions. And I am so pleased! The fact that tough questions are being thrown my way means that people truly want to learn more about horse temperament typing, … Continue Reading »
Five Element horse temperament typing is starting to become accepted by more horse owners as a viable way to have healthier and happier horses. Knowing your horse’s type helps explain those quirky behaviors and special dietary needs. The challenge is typing the darn things! It seems that many horses just don’t fall perfectly into a … Continue Reading »
If you put the right horse together with the right human, even the wildest dreams can come true. Grand Prix jumper courses can be navigated with amazing skill. Roping can be accomplished in the blink of an eye. Dressage can become a form of art in motion. By the same token, when you put the … Continue Reading »
If you are hooked into YouTube or the reining horse world at all, chances are pretty good that you’ve seen Stacy Westfall’s 2006 Championship Freestyle run aboard Whizards Baby Doll, affectionately known as Roxy. Her run, done without a bridle or saddle, incited a worldwide response via the internet. To see a video of her … Continue Reading »
“This horse is an idiot!” I can’t tell you how many times I have heard this statement about a horse only to find that when I handled the horse he gave me no trouble. To this unexpected good behavior, the owner usually says, “He must really like you!” Well, I don’t think horses particularly like … Continue Reading »
Have you ever met a horse who will do just about anything to please you but can’t thrive unless conditions are just perfect? If so, you have just met the prototypical Shao Yin (Fire/Water) temperament horse. The Shao Yin horse is the perfect show horse, hubby horse, kid’s horse and school master, but ONLY after … Continue Reading »
I decided to write Horse Harmony, a book about horse temperament, after experiencing a bad match with a tough mule named Jake. Up until Jake came into my life I assumed a good training program was the answer to all behavior issues. After working with several of the best trainers in the country I came … Continue Reading »
I was talking with a good friend who was having trouble getting his horse to go away from the other horses. Having a herd or barn sour horse is such a common problem and I wondered what could be done to improve this situation. The late, great horseman, Ray Hunt, always said, “Make the wrong … Continue Reading »
Cerise, my 1/2 TB, Fire, mare and Remi, my QH, Yang Ming, gelding, are so different. I am learning how to approach each horse temperament individually when introducing a new exercise. At the last Tom Curtain clinic we practiced helping the horses get soft in the face and have that softness come out through their … Continue Reading »
The weakness of the Metal horse temperament is his digestive tract, specifically the large intestine, and excessive dryness will damage this organ. Impaction colic in horses can be the result of dryness in the large intestine so monitoring water consumption is very important. Metal horses also have an extremely high pain tolerance, which can allow … Continue Reading »
Remi, my Yang Ming, horse temperament gelding was a star at the Tom Curtain clinic this last weekend. I had been looking forward to the clinic all year and it did not disappoint. Tom’s wife, Trina, started a colt for a friend of mine so that was especially fun to watch. My great friends, Linda … Continue Reading »
It has been a month since I started feeding a horse di magnesium malate supplement my horses. What a difference! Remi, my Yang Ming horse temperament gelding, had been on magnesium oxide for over a year so he did not show a big change but both Tess and Cerise are different creatures. When my hoof … Continue Reading »
Earth horses tend to need support for their muscles rather than their joints, and high-quality protein helps the Earth horse temperament develop strong, supple muscles. The goal in feeding the Earth horse is to offer foods or supplements that contain high-quality protein without excess calories. Alfalfa, for instance, is a rich source of protein, but … Continue Reading »
The weakness of the Metal horse’s digestive tract is the large intestine, and excessive dryness will damage this organ. Impaction colic is the result of dryness in the large intestine so monitoring water consumption is very important. Metal horses also have an extremely high pain tolerance, which can allow a mild impaction to advance to … Continue Reading »
Earth horses tend to need support for their muscles rather than their joints, and high-quality protein helps the Earth horse temperament develop strong, supple muscles. The goal is to offer horse foods or supplements that offer high-quality protein without excess calories. Alfalfa, for instance, is a rich source of protein, but is too high in … Continue Reading »
Because the Earth horse temperament has poor digestion and is subject to dampness throughout his body, he needs a lot of immune support. Specifically, dampness and poor digestion can lead to: 1. parasite infestation 2. fungal infections 3. lymphatic imbalances 4. respiratory infections 1. Clearing or Preventing Parasite Infestation in the Earth Horse The Earth … Continue Reading »