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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »