The Small Intestine is one of two organs associated with the Fire element, and this organ needs extra support. Fire horses are emotional and suffer from very sensitive digestion and are affected by stress and diet changes. Fire horses also tend toward an acidic pH in their digestive tract. To support the Small Intestine, the … Continue Reading »
Wood horses are high-energy individuals who love physical challenges, and must be kept active or they will develop bad habits like kicking and biting. Wood horses also tend to become unhealthy if they are not exercised enough. While the Wood horse is not a picky eater, he does have a very sensitive liver and is … Continue Reading »
Water horses need safety and a trustworthy rider. They can be brilliant show horses but panic easily. They perform well in events that call for animation and excitement, and are motivated by cheering crowds. The Water horse possesses a strong digestive system, but because of his high-spirited nature he burns through calories quickly. The challenge … Continue Reading »
The Metal horse temperament is the prototypical hard-working ranch horse. He enjoys order and control, and can stand up to some of the toughest working conditions. Metal horses do their jobs perfectly but otherwise desire very little interaction. Unlike the Earth horse, the Metal horse assimilates nutrients very easily. And unlike the Fire horse, the … Continue Reading »
How rare is it to find the perfect horse temperament who is willing to please, confidant, smart, strong and athletic. Much of the time at least one of these ideal characteristics is missing in any given horse and a person has to decide what is most important to him. For instance, you might have a … Continue Reading »
Clear, correct cues are important when you are training any horse but based on a horse temperament you will often get different responses to a cue. Professional horseman understand this but getting different responses to a cue can be confusing for an amateur horseman. Understanding Five Element horse temperament typing can help those of us … Continue Reading »
Earth horse temperament types love two things: Appreciation and food. They are solid citizens who want to be acknowledged for the good work they do, and food treats often go a long way toward keeping them happy. They make perfect school horses and work well with children. They develop bad habits when their daily routine … Continue Reading »
This horse is an idiot! I can’t tell you how many times I have heard this statement about a horse temperament only to find that when I handled the horse he gave me no trouble. He must like you is the explanation most given for the horse’s unexpected good behavior. Well, I don’t think horses … Continue Reading »
Reading The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman was a real eye opener for me. The five love languages of people are: Words of Affirmation Quality Time Receiving Gifts Acts of Service Physical Touch This book explained how good intentions do not replace giving a person what they want in relationships. This certainly helped explain … Continue Reading »
Jacob was expected to be fast like his mother but he hated racing. As an Earth horse temperament he even hated being at the track when the other horses were training. Finally his owner took him to a hunter trainer to find him a new career. Jacob loved jumping small fences and carrying a child … Continue Reading »
Is your horse a solid dependable character or does he transform from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde depending on the circumstances? Is your horse an angel when he gets to do what he wants but a devil if you make a request he does not agree with? Do you get along fine with your horse … Continue Reading »
My wonderful Fire horse temperament mare, Cerise, loves to be praised but she prefers charitable giving to being forced to comply. When I ask her nicely to do something and she is in the mood she will give it her all. On the other hand, if she is not feeling good or is having a … Continue Reading »
My Yang Ming(Metal/Earth) horse temperament has lots of skeletons in his closet. He has been doing so well recovering from his traumas as an x roping and barrel horse. He has gotten very comfortable here at the farm and can handle trail rides well. The challenge is taking him to arenas. In his roping and … Continue Reading »
Remi, my Yang Ming horse temperament gelding, has finally decided his life here with me is OK. I have had Remi three and a half years and it has taken him this long to trust I am not going to mistreat him. Remi has a checkered past as a roping and barrel racing horse. Although, … Continue Reading »
Are you able to stay focused when you are around your horse? I have a terrible time with this. I have learned to remain present when I am around people but when I go to the pasture my mind chatter takes over. God has been pointing out to me lately the need to quite my … Continue Reading »
When I say a job I don’t mean go around a course of jumps or do a reining pattern, I mean if you get in a bind can your horse step up and help you. For example, I was riding with a friend that was taking a young Wood horse temperament colt out on the … Continue Reading »
I had a fantastic horsemanship lesson with my Fire horse temperament mare, Cerise, yesterday. My trainer, Linda Hoover, was in town and even though the weather was freezing I wanted to ride. I have been stuck for a while with helping Cerise carry herself in good posture through all gaits and up and down transitions. … Continue Reading »
I was having a discussion with my natural horsemanship mentor, Linda Hoover, and she made a comment that really caught my attention. She said that in order to get a horse to think the thought you want them to you have to get them to let go of the thought he has. Very interesting. How … Continue Reading »
I just got back from presenting the Five Element horse temperament typing system at Equine Affaire in Massachusetts. This is my third trip to this event and I have been so impressed with the organization and quality of the events. What a fantastic venue to learn all about horses. Coagi Long is the organizer I … Continue Reading »
I had an interesting experience last week. I have been working hard with counting cadence and getting in timing with my horse’s feet. I have been doing pretty well with the trot and lope but the walk was giving the trouble. I could get the rhythm but I kept getting out of timing with the … Continue Reading »