I have a buddy sour horse.
As much I always hated to admit it. I might say, "He's a little difficult sometimes," or, "He's cranky today," or "He's just doing this because he doesn't like going this way,".
But you have to face facts. A horse isn't "just a little bit buddy/barn sour". He either is or he isn't. It really depends on how much he acts out on that.
My horses buddy is Sage. He goes no where without her.
Only having three years of experience in the saddle, I used to be extremely cautious. So here's how a ride would go;
I get him out of the yard after stopping many times. Sage whinnies. We make it to the road and go south. Sage whinnies. Poco, against my cues and commands, veers to the right side of the road and stops. Sage whinnies. He backs into the ditch(that's right folks, just like parking a car) and pulls forward and starts heading back home.
No matter what I did, it always ended badly. Finally, I started getting off and leading him because I didn't want to get bucked. A few times, I'm sorry to say, I lost my temper with him and it turned into a battle of wills, who could pull or push harder. Can you guess who always won?
Neither of us were happy and rides were emotional, usually had both of us yelling at each other.
Back to basics. I didn't know what else to do. I had even tried selling him twice because I was, if I admit it, afraid.
I don't know what changed, but I saw everyone else on their horses riding flawlessly and I couldn't take it. I had to have that.
So I did what I knew how to. I went back to the very beginning. I was going to teach him how to learn.
Horses learn their leaders by one ability. Can you guess it? It's not intimidation, by the way. They learn that that horse is the leader because he can move their feet. Watch two horses that are just meeting. There is a role for each, and whether it turns to a full on gallop and battle of who's winning, or just a pin of the ears to say, Hey, that's too close, move.
Horses want that. They want to have a leader and someone to look to.
So our job, as riders is to show them we are capable of this. We take the roll of herd-boss. I like having a partnership with my horse, yes, but I don't want him walking all over me, metaphorically and physically. There is that fine line that I seem to like to tread on.
Moving his feet. I needed to get tough, put on my I'm-not-afraid face and get in the game.
Every time he starts veering to the right, before he get's there, I pull the left rein toward my belly-button and slack the right rein. I lay my left heel against his side to make sure he doesn't drop his shoulder into the turn and bump his right side in the middle of his ribcage to create energy to move off from. I will circle him twice and then move him off in the original direction.
I can usually tell after a few times of doing this that his mind is more on me. He's tucking his neck around, picking up his feet and giving in to smaller amounts of pressure faster. His brain may still be back at home, but his feet are moving away. And that is one step toward a better horse.
Troubleshooting. I know. This sounds too easy, right? Sometimes it just is. But sometimes, that horse will, as soon as we've finished a circle and are moving away, will try home again. Well, turn again!
Yes, you may be dizzy. He may be dizzy! Just take a breath and try again.
Changing pace. Starting out, just try this at the walk. If he's feeling good and energy is going into his step, pick up a nice jog for a few strides. Be warned, the faster you are moving the faster you stop, so be sure to read his body language and cue him to stop before he takes it upon himself.
Small spaces. If you only get the chance to ride away from the buddy or barn, or just simply want to go for a ride on the trails, and you find yourself in a situation without enough space to do these circles, instead back him.
Teach him to back first at home, then try this out of the pen.
Put soft contact on his mouth and wiggle or "seasaw" on each rein individually, creating energy with both hands and feet. Squeeze with your calf muscles while bumping with your heels. As soon as he takes a step backward, release all pressure and stop your heels. Praise him so he knows he did it right.
The most important part of this exercise is to get his mind on you. To get his feet moving. And if you can do that, he will start looking to you as his leader instead of whatever is at home.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
My mission statement
I believe in horses.
It may sound as if I am getting ready to say "unicorns", but I'm not.
I believe in horses not only because by many standards they are the greatest animal, but because they believe in me.
My mission statement is to teach horses to believe in their handlers, and teach their handlers to believe in their horses.
1. Training can be easy, or training can be hard. It's all about how you play your cards. My Degree's training is designed to start by giving horses the easiest option, and increasing the pressure as they do not respond.
2. I strive to teach them as naturally as when they learned to take their first step, when they learned how to flee and everything else that comes naturally to them.
3. I don't just want to get my horse listening to me, I want to learn to listen to my horse.
This is Degrees. These are my methods. And this is how I train.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Don't Lose Your Cool-10 ways to beat the heat
For horses like mine, whose lives have been void of the luxury of cool, dark stalls with AC and fans blowing on them all the time, summers can be the pits.
I'll go over just a few tips I like to use when keeping horses during the summer, whether they are in stalls or paddocks.
1. Water is probably the most important source a horse(hey, it rhymes!) can have. The water a horse drinks when in the heat and sun goes to cooling and evaporating through their skin. So its best to keep a large tank of water(preferably out of the sun) in easy access. It's debatable what the "best" way to water horses is. Some like automatic tanks that fill when the horse's nose pushes a "paddle" and releases water, though some horses don't know how to activate this, so if you use one like this, show them first by pushing the paddle and filling it half way, so when they take a sip, their lips press it.
Also, test the water every so often, to make sure that the hose or pipe getting water to it is not in the sun-sometimes when a hose lays in the sun, the water from it can scald us. Imagine what it'd be like if you drank it!
If you keep a big tank like I do, make sure you keep it with constant and cool water. If you find algae or other "ick" on the bottom of the tank, scrub it off! Would you want to drink from that?
2. Shade is of course important. If a horse is out in the sun, it can develop heat stroke or get dehydrated more easily than if provided a piece of shade.
Even if you just set up a simple(temporary) "barn" by strapping a tarp between two trees or two steady poles. (Make sure you desensitize your horse before you put it up, or they may not want to use it)
Even a couple of blankets stacked together would work for a few days while you fashion something more useful.
3. Baths are useful ways to keep horses cool and clean. Try to keep them in the shade while they dry because the hot sun will heat the water and "cook" the horse(Not literally, but it will heat them). Always use a sweat scraper or towel to get the excess water off.
If you don't have a hose handy, a cool bucket of clean water and a sponge will suffice. Just sponge the water on, and sponge the water off!
4. Mister's and Fans are great ways to keep horses cool without having to bath them. Although I've never owned a mister, I've heard wonderful things about them.
5. Ice cubes. I feed my horses ice cubes when its hot, or I put a tray of cubes in their water to keep it cool. I'll even rub an ice cube or two over their steamy backs.
6. Always cool them out after a ride. Bathing them in cool water, wiping them dry and walking them slowly until they are dry are the best ways to keep them going and feeling fresh.
7. Ride later in the day to avoid heat stroke or sunburning. I find I like evenings better, since there's plenty of light and it just gets cooler as you ride. Some like to get up at oh-dark-hundred and get out then, but your time is limited as it gets hotter. But who rides for six hours anyways?
8. Avoid sunburn's by putting sun lotion made for horses on their backs and any white patches on them, which burn easily.
9. Fly masks are like sunglasses for humans. Plus it keeps those pesky flies out of their eyes! (I'm doing it again..Rhyming...)
10. Moving during the heat is another option if you are so financially inclined. Moving them to a place with good ventilation, shade and the right care is a way to have the horses best interest at heart.
Even if it's just a friends house that is well equipped for summer, be prepared to pay a fee. Establish this beforehand so you don't get the bill and keel over, leaving your horse there to rack up the fee's. (I'm joking)
But be sure that if you do move them, your horse is vaccinated and the place you are taking them is reputable.
I'll go over just a few tips I like to use when keeping horses during the summer, whether they are in stalls or paddocks.
1. Water is probably the most important source a horse(hey, it rhymes!) can have. The water a horse drinks when in the heat and sun goes to cooling and evaporating through their skin. So its best to keep a large tank of water(preferably out of the sun) in easy access. It's debatable what the "best" way to water horses is. Some like automatic tanks that fill when the horse's nose pushes a "paddle" and releases water, though some horses don't know how to activate this, so if you use one like this, show them first by pushing the paddle and filling it half way, so when they take a sip, their lips press it.
Also, test the water every so often, to make sure that the hose or pipe getting water to it is not in the sun-sometimes when a hose lays in the sun, the water from it can scald us. Imagine what it'd be like if you drank it!
If you keep a big tank like I do, make sure you keep it with constant and cool water. If you find algae or other "ick" on the bottom of the tank, scrub it off! Would you want to drink from that?
2. Shade is of course important. If a horse is out in the sun, it can develop heat stroke or get dehydrated more easily than if provided a piece of shade.
Even if you just set up a simple(temporary) "barn" by strapping a tarp between two trees or two steady poles. (Make sure you desensitize your horse before you put it up, or they may not want to use it)
Even a couple of blankets stacked together would work for a few days while you fashion something more useful.
3. Baths are useful ways to keep horses cool and clean. Try to keep them in the shade while they dry because the hot sun will heat the water and "cook" the horse(Not literally, but it will heat them). Always use a sweat scraper or towel to get the excess water off.
If you don't have a hose handy, a cool bucket of clean water and a sponge will suffice. Just sponge the water on, and sponge the water off!
4. Mister's and Fans are great ways to keep horses cool without having to bath them. Although I've never owned a mister, I've heard wonderful things about them.
5. Ice cubes. I feed my horses ice cubes when its hot, or I put a tray of cubes in their water to keep it cool. I'll even rub an ice cube or two over their steamy backs.
6. Always cool them out after a ride. Bathing them in cool water, wiping them dry and walking them slowly until they are dry are the best ways to keep them going and feeling fresh.
7. Ride later in the day to avoid heat stroke or sunburning. I find I like evenings better, since there's plenty of light and it just gets cooler as you ride. Some like to get up at oh-dark-hundred and get out then, but your time is limited as it gets hotter. But who rides for six hours anyways?
8. Avoid sunburn's by putting sun lotion made for horses on their backs and any white patches on them, which burn easily.
9. Fly masks are like sunglasses for humans. Plus it keeps those pesky flies out of their eyes! (I'm doing it again..Rhyming...)
10. Moving during the heat is another option if you are so financially inclined. Moving them to a place with good ventilation, shade and the right care is a way to have the horses best interest at heart.
Even if it's just a friends house that is well equipped for summer, be prepared to pay a fee. Establish this beforehand so you don't get the bill and keel over, leaving your horse there to rack up the fee's. (I'm joking)
But be sure that if you do move them, your horse is vaccinated and the place you are taking them is reputable.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Respect, Part 1
Respect. The all important item that every horse lover wants and strives for in their equine companions. But all to often, once we achieve this position, we let it go. Little by little, the horse gets the upper hand(or is it hoof?). Why is it that we work so hard to form a bond and gain respect, but as soon as we figure we've done it, we relax, I mean, what's it matter if he walked away from me that time? Oh, he stepped on my toes because he got too close, no biggie. But is it really? I think so. I'm offended when my horses do something like this to me. Why? Because that would be like a mother teaching their children not to smoke a cigarette. So the child (for the sake of the article, his name will be Augustus)agrees. Augustus waits until mom goes to the store, grabs out the pack of smokes and takes a wiff off of one. Augustus' mom comes back, only to find him wreaking of smoke. Shouldn't this offended her? It would me.
So don't let your horse be Augustus. Demand that he throw away the bad attitude and show him you deserve respect.
When I was a fresh horsewoman, I would read tons of articles saying that the two most important things in a horse/owner relationship is sturdy respect and a good bond. But half of the articles never really got around to telling me how it was that I did this.
I eventually figured things out and tried lungeing for respect, join-up and LOTS of groundwork before even putting my foot in the stirrup. And still, I love my groundwork.
Join-up is beneficial when you first get your horse. It shows him that you are a confident, steady, sturdy herd leader. Take for instance if you were in the middle of nowhere. Would you want to follow JimmyBobbie over there that doesn't know where in the world he's going and isn't strong enough to lead you all there? No. You'd want to follow the strongest, no-nonsense man with good direction and strong focus.
Horses are the same way. They want somebody who will make them feel secure in what they are doing. They will test you to see if you are really cut out for the job.
Horses are professional people trainers. They love to test us and feel around for us. They want a leader with a flashlight when their in the dark. A confident one when their upset, and a sympathetic one when their scared.
So in conclusion, be the confident leader that they want. Don't stand for nonsense and don't let them get away with bad behavior. Look for Respect-Part 2 coming soon!
So don't let your horse be Augustus. Demand that he throw away the bad attitude and show him you deserve respect.
When I was a fresh horsewoman, I would read tons of articles saying that the two most important things in a horse/owner relationship is sturdy respect and a good bond. But half of the articles never really got around to telling me how it was that I did this.
I eventually figured things out and tried lungeing for respect, join-up and LOTS of groundwork before even putting my foot in the stirrup. And still, I love my groundwork.
Join-up is beneficial when you first get your horse. It shows him that you are a confident, steady, sturdy herd leader. Take for instance if you were in the middle of nowhere. Would you want to follow JimmyBobbie over there that doesn't know where in the world he's going and isn't strong enough to lead you all there? No. You'd want to follow the strongest, no-nonsense man with good direction and strong focus.
Horses are the same way. They want somebody who will make them feel secure in what they are doing. They will test you to see if you are really cut out for the job.
Horses are professional people trainers. They love to test us and feel around for us. They want a leader with a flashlight when their in the dark. A confident one when their upset, and a sympathetic one when their scared.
So in conclusion, be the confident leader that they want. Don't stand for nonsense and don't let them get away with bad behavior. Look for Respect-Part 2 coming soon!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Training Your Horse the Way You Want
Tweaking the methods for each horse...
Choosing the right methods for your specific horse is very important.
Different horses will always respond differently to every method. So, that's why we tweak methods for each horse.
I prefer natural horsemanship, mostly because it's easiest for me and the horse to learn.
If you can't learn something, how are you supposed to teach it? Now I know not every way to each persons method (Say, Craig Cameron) will work exactly for you. You're definitely going to want to do things a mite differently for you. Now that doesn't mean if the trainer says to put pressure on the hindquarters a certain way, but that's too hard, that you put the pressure in the middle. Just because its hard don't change it, change something so your horse and you are learning better.
And as well, just because you change something doesn't mean you are suddenly an awesome horse person. You'll still get caught in the lead line, drop the whip or give the wrong cue sometime.
Find a happy medium with you're tweaks.
How do I choose a trainer to go by?
I prefer natural horsemanship[as briefly mentioned above].
And there are just a handful of natural horsemanship professional level trainers.
Clinton Anderson is by far my favorite, along with Ken Mcnabb and Craig Cameron.
Anderson focuses on just you and the horse. His methods are simple and easy for you and your horse to learn. It took me only a number of sessions to get my horse fully responding and willing when I tried him.
I've done very little of Cameron's methods, and some of Ken Mcnabb's.
I found Mcnabb at Equi-fest 2010. He did a sort of short clinic with a lady's horse that was always rushing things. He'd try to 'Take you across country', as Mcnabb put it.
He worked on taking and giving, giving and taking. Making you're ideas for the ride, his[the horse's] idea as well.
Instead of just jerking on the reins and holding all of that bottled energy in, Mcnabb showed us how to help him listen to you, but then once he was listening, let him have a little of what he was wanting.
If we always take take take, he'll quit giving, and then where will we be? Smack dab on our behinds, watching your horse do what he was asking for-running away.
But if we ask for something, then we take it, use it, and give something back.
Is it confusing?
How do I 'give' and 'take' from my horse?
Easy. Ok, lets take the scenario Mcnabb had at the Equi-fest. His horse wanted to go, and now!
This horse, when trying to pull back on the reins, would get 'behind the bit'. [i.e tucking in his chin to get away with pressure, not slowing down at all]
It doesn't much help 'yelling' at the horse with your bit. Thats why I call it when people try to yank and pull on their horses mouths. They try to demand respect, and the horse just say's 'Huh uh!'
You have to earn respect. How you ask? From giving and taking.
Nice is nice when its nice.
Huh?
Being nice is great when your horse is being nice. But when your horse is getting nasty, we bust down a bit on them.
Ok, so lets run back up that rabbit trail to where we started.
So your horse is behind the bit. Some would say just use a one rein stop. Those are great for young horses just learning, or a spooked run away, but an already green broke or broke horse needs to learn the proper cues without being forced away from what he wants.
Instead of using a one rein stop or just yanking back, start circling him. Keep him at a nice, even working[Medium] trot.
Work work work!
He wanted to go faster? Give him faster!
Once he's starting to actually listen, ride him out in a straight line, then back him down to a walk.
He speeds up again?
Yay! Lets do that again!
Now, this is where I kind of mix methods.
One of Clinton Anderson's sayings is, "Make the right things easy and the wrong thing hard".
You want your horse to walk? Ask him for the walk and he speeds? Whoopee! We get to go fast for a really long time.
Now I'm not necessarily trying to tire the horse out, a horse in top condition could run all day and not care what you're doing up there.
We're trying to get it in him that when he's asking for something that we don't want right now, its going to get tough for him if he pushes.
Then, once again, pull him down to a loose rein walk.
Keep doing this, once he realizes that he has to listen to you, things will get better.
If we just run him, doesn't that give him what he was asking for?
Not entirely. He wanted to go for a little jaunt across the pasture, right?
Now he has to do an all out endurance ride in circles, which is hardly any fun, seeing the same scenery buzzing past every three seconds.
Right thing is easy, wrong thing is hard!
Ingrain this into your brain and his! This plays a huge part in riding every day!
As always, have fun riding, and if you have any questions, leave them in the comments box.
If you have any suggestions on articals to write, I will take them in your comments as well.
Choosing the right methods for your specific horse is very important.
Different horses will always respond differently to every method. So, that's why we tweak methods for each horse.
I prefer natural horsemanship, mostly because it's easiest for me and the horse to learn.
If you can't learn something, how are you supposed to teach it? Now I know not every way to each persons method (Say, Craig Cameron) will work exactly for you. You're definitely going to want to do things a mite differently for you. Now that doesn't mean if the trainer says to put pressure on the hindquarters a certain way, but that's too hard, that you put the pressure in the middle. Just because its hard don't change it, change something so your horse and you are learning better.
And as well, just because you change something doesn't mean you are suddenly an awesome horse person. You'll still get caught in the lead line, drop the whip or give the wrong cue sometime.
Find a happy medium with you're tweaks.
How do I choose a trainer to go by?
I prefer natural horsemanship[as briefly mentioned above].
And there are just a handful of natural horsemanship professional level trainers.
Clinton Anderson is by far my favorite, along with Ken Mcnabb and Craig Cameron.
Anderson focuses on just you and the horse. His methods are simple and easy for you and your horse to learn. It took me only a number of sessions to get my horse fully responding and willing when I tried him.
I've done very little of Cameron's methods, and some of Ken Mcnabb's.
I found Mcnabb at Equi-fest 2010. He did a sort of short clinic with a lady's horse that was always rushing things. He'd try to 'Take you across country', as Mcnabb put it.
He worked on taking and giving, giving and taking. Making you're ideas for the ride, his[the horse's] idea as well.
Instead of just jerking on the reins and holding all of that bottled energy in, Mcnabb showed us how to help him listen to you, but then once he was listening, let him have a little of what he was wanting.
If we always take take take, he'll quit giving, and then where will we be? Smack dab on our behinds, watching your horse do what he was asking for-running away.
But if we ask for something, then we take it, use it, and give something back.
Is it confusing?
How do I 'give' and 'take' from my horse?
Easy. Ok, lets take the scenario Mcnabb had at the Equi-fest. His horse wanted to go, and now!
This horse, when trying to pull back on the reins, would get 'behind the bit'. [i.e tucking in his chin to get away with pressure, not slowing down at all]
It doesn't much help 'yelling' at the horse with your bit. Thats why I call it when people try to yank and pull on their horses mouths. They try to demand respect, and the horse just say's 'Huh uh!'
You have to earn respect. How you ask? From giving and taking.
Nice is nice when its nice.
Huh?
Being nice is great when your horse is being nice. But when your horse is getting nasty, we bust down a bit on them.
Ok, so lets run back up that rabbit trail to where we started.
So your horse is behind the bit. Some would say just use a one rein stop. Those are great for young horses just learning, or a spooked run away, but an already green broke or broke horse needs to learn the proper cues without being forced away from what he wants.
Instead of using a one rein stop or just yanking back, start circling him. Keep him at a nice, even working[Medium] trot.
Work work work!
He wanted to go faster? Give him faster!
Once he's starting to actually listen, ride him out in a straight line, then back him down to a walk.
He speeds up again?
Yay! Lets do that again!
Now, this is where I kind of mix methods.
One of Clinton Anderson's sayings is, "Make the right things easy and the wrong thing hard".
You want your horse to walk? Ask him for the walk and he speeds? Whoopee! We get to go fast for a really long time.
Now I'm not necessarily trying to tire the horse out, a horse in top condition could run all day and not care what you're doing up there.
We're trying to get it in him that when he's asking for something that we don't want right now, its going to get tough for him if he pushes.
Then, once again, pull him down to a loose rein walk.
Keep doing this, once he realizes that he has to listen to you, things will get better.
If we just run him, doesn't that give him what he was asking for?
Not entirely. He wanted to go for a little jaunt across the pasture, right?
Now he has to do an all out endurance ride in circles, which is hardly any fun, seeing the same scenery buzzing past every three seconds.
Right thing is easy, wrong thing is hard!
Ingrain this into your brain and his! This plays a huge part in riding every day!
As always, have fun riding, and if you have any questions, leave them in the comments box.
If you have any suggestions on articals to write, I will take them in your comments as well.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Your Horse and You-Creating a Good Bond
When it comes to bonding with your horse, don't cut corners.
It's like a good foundation. If you start building on a solid, stable foundation, your house is going to be solid and stable as well. But if you cut corners, the next wind storm you have your house is going to blow over!
When you get a new horse, or even just keeping a strong bond with an old one, spend a little time just hanging out. Go lay on his hay bale. Sit in his stall. Brush him off. Take a day off from your showing and training and take him some extra treats to munch on, I'm certain he'll appreciate it.
Horses are dependent on their humans. If your not there but an hour a week for a lesson and then you go home, he's going to start second guessing your relationship. You'll get wobbly, and your house will crumble.
If you never have time for your steed, you may consider loaning him out to a single person during the week. It's not fair to keep a horse locked up in a paddock or stall all day and night and never get attention just because you don't have time.
You see, horses don't know the little thing we humans call time. They have it all! So consider your horse, is he standing out in a pen alone? Is your bond suffering?
Make certain you are doing whats best for you and them. They are just as important in this relationship as you are!
So in conclusion, build a strong foundation, and your bond will be as healthy and happy as the two of you are
It's like a good foundation. If you start building on a solid, stable foundation, your house is going to be solid and stable as well. But if you cut corners, the next wind storm you have your house is going to blow over!
When you get a new horse, or even just keeping a strong bond with an old one, spend a little time just hanging out. Go lay on his hay bale. Sit in his stall. Brush him off. Take a day off from your showing and training and take him some extra treats to munch on, I'm certain he'll appreciate it.
Horses are dependent on their humans. If your not there but an hour a week for a lesson and then you go home, he's going to start second guessing your relationship. You'll get wobbly, and your house will crumble.
If you never have time for your steed, you may consider loaning him out to a single person during the week. It's not fair to keep a horse locked up in a paddock or stall all day and night and never get attention just because you don't have time.
You see, horses don't know the little thing we humans call time. They have it all! So consider your horse, is he standing out in a pen alone? Is your bond suffering?
Make certain you are doing whats best for you and them. They are just as important in this relationship as you are!
So in conclusion, build a strong foundation, and your bond will be as healthy and happy as the two of you are
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Stuck in a Rut?
I find myself stuck in a rut occasionally.
Brush off.
Tack up.
Warm up.
Ride on road.
Canter in fields.
Return home.
Cool off.
And the list goes on! I do the same thing each time. I'm trying to get out of this RUT!
So I'm going to give a few tips right now.
Try riding english if you always ride western. Enlist in a trainer, or, be self taught. Try Jumping, Dressage, Hunters, or just trails in a different saddle!
Its also easy and quick this way, no heavy tack to lug around, and it takes less time to cool your horse, since he didn't have a saddle and pad on his back.
Horses are very good listeners, and will never tell your secrets!! Just don't forget to ask them to promise ;)
Brush your horse down, talk to him, take him for a simple walk. Do something out of the ordinary to make him feel extra special, instead of the training he's doing.
Always try to mix things up and do things different for a change.
Remember, have fun with it!
Your Horse and You, signing out!
Brush off.
Tack up.
Warm up.
Ride on road.
Canter in fields.
Return home.
Cool off.
And the list goes on! I do the same thing each time. I'm trying to get out of this RUT!
So I'm going to give a few tips right now.
- Ride a Different Discipline.
Try riding english if you always ride western. Enlist in a trainer, or, be self taught. Try Jumping, Dressage, Hunters, or just trails in a different saddle!
- Go Bareback and Bridle-less!
Its also easy and quick this way, no heavy tack to lug around, and it takes less time to cool your horse, since he didn't have a saddle and pad on his back.
- Pack a lunch!
- Talk to him!
Horses are very good listeners, and will never tell your secrets!! Just don't forget to ask them to promise ;)
- Take Some Time To Relax!
Brush your horse down, talk to him, take him for a simple walk. Do something out of the ordinary to make him feel extra special, instead of the training he's doing.
- Have FUN!
Always try to mix things up and do things different for a change.
Remember, have fun with it!
Your Horse and You, signing out!
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