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 »
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 »
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 »
I was wanting to keep this a secret but the news is leaking out, I have a new pony! I had been keeping my ears open for a fun horse to get that one of my church friends could ride. When I got the opportunity to get a welsh pony I jumped on it. From … Continue Reading »
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 »
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 »
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 »
I had a conversation with a horse trainer yesterday about horse owner matches. This trainer was commenting that she never gives up on a horse but instead keeps working to find out what the horse needs. Knowing this trainer I am sure this is true and she has a strong set of skills to work … Continue Reading »
The Earth horse temperament seems to have the most trouble with assimilation of nutrients. Many Earth horses tend to get overweight, so owners compensate by underfeeding these horses. It is important to feed the Earth horse nutrient-dense foods, but not feed more than 1.5% of their body weight daily. Feeding a horse larger amounts of … Continue Reading »
Fire Horse Immune Support Fire horse feeding for immune support includes many of the same products that support digestive health since healthy gut flora is so important for a strong immune system. A poor barrier in the intestinal lining puts extra stress on the immune system so supporting gut health will indirectly support immune health. … Continue Reading »
Hi Everyone, My name is Rosebud’s Last Baby, but my real name is Buddy, and I’m looking for a new human partner in life. Don’t get me wrong … I love my mom and I wish I could do what she wants, which is to go for quiet daily trail rides with short lopes, but … Continue Reading »