Category Archives: Five Element Personality Typing

Horse Temperament: Punkin’s potty mouth

As a Jue Yin(Wood/Fire) horse temperament, Punkin lacks in social graces. This is not his fault and he never intends to insult but the Jue Yin type does not naturally take into account the needs of others. This tendency to insult without intention got me and Punkin into trouble a few weeks ago. I have … Continue Reading »

Is Your Horse a German Shepherd?

If your horse was a dog, would he be a German Shepherd? Not sure? Check out our new fun-loving and somewhat patriotic video about the Metal horse temperament type (a.k.a. the German Shepherd) on YouTube. Is Your Horse a German Shepherd? If you missed our past videos on Labradors and Poodles, check them out (along … Continue Reading »

Horse Temperament: Punkin, a reactive Jue Yin

Kim had her first fall off of Punkin this morning. They have both been doing fantastic so we were due for a slight setback. As a Wood/Fire(Jue Yin) horse temperament, Punkin is reactive and we have to always remember this. Kim was practicing leading Punkin up to the trailer step to get on and for … Continue Reading »

Is Your Horse A Poodle?

We had tons of fun interacting with people about the “Is  Your Horse a Labrador” video. If you missed it, check it out on our new interactive page: Horse Harmony Facebook Fan Page (please hit the Like button if you like what you see!) The Labrador video was about the fun-loving and food-loving Earth horse … Continue Reading »

Horse Temperament: Punkin’s first road trip

Punkin, my Wood/Fire(Jue Yin) pony, went on his first adventure off the farm. I hauled Punkin and my Fire horse temperament, Cerise, to a local ranch horse versatility clinic. We did not compete but spent the day hanging out around the arena and out in the parking lot around all the other horses and activity. … Continue Reading »

Horse Temperament: Progress with Punkin

My new Wood/Fire(Jue Yin) pony, Punkin, is coming along fantastic. After he was nervous about being ridden, Kim and I have been focusing on his groundwork. We have been getting him really soft about bending his head both ways and moving his hind end separate from his front end without bracing in his ribs. Kim … Continue Reading »

Horse Temperament: First ride on Punkin

Punkin, my Wood/Fire (Jue Yin) pony, is coming along great in his training. He has a very willing attitude and wants very much to please me and my friend, Kim. The Wood horse temperament is more likely to slow down and buck when he is upset and the Fire Horse temperament is more likely to … Continue Reading »

Is Your Horse a Labrador?

In my veterinary practice, I have discovered that treating a horse according to his temperament type is one of the most important factors to horse health and happiness. I’ve been talking to lots of people about this around the country. I’ve been writing about it in blogs and newsletters. Some people get it. Some people … Continue Reading »

Horse Temperament: Punkin gets a saddle

Punkin is progressing at a steady pace despite the fact that Kim and I have not been able to work with him every day. As a Jue Yin(Wood/Fire) horse temperament, Punkin does not really need a daily work routine. He is quite happy when he gets attention and just as happy when he is left … Continue Reading »

Horse Temperament: Is your horse in pain or being a pain?

Had an interesting session yesterday with my Fire horse temperament mare, Cerise. Cerise had been working very well over the last few months and her attitude was very good. Up until a few weeks ago I was riding her and then my 71 year old friend was riding her some after we finished our training. … Continue Reading »

Refined Horsemanship: How to catch a horse

Details are so important in refined horsemanship including how to properly catch a horse. Punkin, my new welsh pony, did not want to be caught. He was easy to catch in the trailer when he was delivered, but once he was loose in a pen he was not so good. Punkin would wheel and take … Continue Reading »

Horse Depression – Is Your Horse at Risk?

Believe it or not, horses can become depressed, just like people. A depressed horse can show symptoms such as a lack of motivation, low energy, dull hair, or even chronic illness. Luckily, horses are fairly straightforward, which means that horse depression can often be treated with simple changes to in the horse’s management program or … Continue Reading »

Horse Temperament: How to avoid a Metal horse colic

Boy, has this been a dry winter/spring in Central Texas. It is only April and we are regularly in the nineties with single digit humidity. The Metal horse temperament is the most at risk for colic under these conditions. The Metal horse temperament often has challenges with the lung and large intestine so a Metal … Continue Reading »

Horse Temperament: Can You Breed for a Certain Type?

Whether you can breed for a certain horse temperament is a great question. In my experience you can attempt to breed for a certain horse temperament but there are no guarantees. I have also been asked, by someone who took the online level one certification course, if any breeds tended to be a specific horse … Continue Reading »

Who Are You? A Horse Temperament Typing Dilemma

If you don’t know what motivates a horse to perform, how can you train your show horse to be a healthy and happy athlete? This was certainly the dilemma faced by Beckett’s owners … and many other people in the horse world as well! Beckett was a beautiful fine-featured Hanoverian gelding who was bred for … Continue Reading »

How Does Burnout Feel to a Horse?

The word “burnout” is now being used a lot in regard to horses, but do we really know what burnout means or how it feels to a horse? Burnout can be a complicated condition, and manifests differently in different temperament horses. In short, burnout is the condition where the horse has been pushed beyond his … Continue Reading »

How to Handle the Angry or Naughty Horse

Does your horse seem to wake up on the wrong side of the pasture often, or have a short fuse? Does he seem quick to anger? Or is he always acting naughty by destroying fences, pestering his herd mates, bucking you off, or spooking even when he is not afraid? If so, then you probably … Continue Reading »

Horse Temperament: Who is that horse, really?

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could have an engagement process to determine a horse temperament before you made a purchase? I mean, people have the option of getting to know each other and learn each others patterns before jumping into a long term relationship but alas a person in search of a new horse … Continue Reading »