Friday’s Opinion

This summer has provided a wonderful opportunity to focus on some of the farm-owned horses at Halcyon Acres. We shipped out the last Thoroughbred client horse at the end of May (with only a single talented older client horse remaining – a  non-TB therapy project) and had a couple of months before the next wave of starting under saddle horses began shipping in. That hiatus provided a great learning experience and an excuse to put full-focus on listening to the horse.  It’s been an enriching endeavor for both the humans and horses involved in this awakening.

Natural Horsemanship –Really?

There’s a whole lot of buzz – and controversy – going on right now about current popular horse training precepts. While much of the criticism is centered on one business entity (and that corporate mentality is the problem – whether horsemen once or not, much of the focus has turned away from the horse and horsemanship in deference to the marketing machine minds that now rule these profit centers), the hubbub isn’t the result of a single method (or individual). There has been a festering groundswell of distaste for messages that are being put out there that stop considering the horse (and the novices trying to establish an understanding and bond) and, instead, are designed to drive maximum traffic to products or services for sale. This is starting to backfire for some. The resulting conversation about the wisdom of formula approaches for equines should lead to a savvier human component and happier horses.

It’s not that tough to listen to the horse if you’re willing to patiently watch and learn how each communicates. This usually requires spending time with an open mind around a particular horse, or horses in general, to get a feel what they are trying to tell you. Some people have a natural talent for interpreting a horse’s messages. Still, every horse is different and few equines appreciate an inflexible, pre-determined and dictatorial game plan (and yes, pun intended, this applies to what some label as games too) that has the human calling all the shots and the horse reduced to begging for treats or tuning out to avoid torture. Novices (and some so-called professionals) rarely realize how much damage they can do when they get the urge to orchestrate training with rituals. Horses appreciate a routine they can count on, but I haven’t met any that enjoy a training regimen that ignores the horse’s input in the process.

This moniker has been hijacked from those who had a deep understanding about personally connecting with a horse and redefined and assigned to a branding strategy to create revenue from money makers that offer answers without regard for the horse. Sad.

Novice horse riders need better information

Novices aren’t to blame when they believe the messages they are inundated with that offer tips and tricks to “easily” go it alone without regard to their horse’s issues. Of course, these secrets are only revealed to those that pay $97 for a DVD or learn from someone certified through an expensive qualification process (where money trumps skill for the designation). It’s a crime that beginners are “blamed” by their selected cult leaders if things don’t work out for them “because they didn’t follow instructions”. People who claim they have a “one size fits all” solution for horse training are charlatans, in my opinion. It’s sad to see what happens to the people and horses that adhere to practices that expect the horse to “get with their program”.

Horse understanding always trumps methods

This six-year-old kid on a three-year-old horse shouldn't be safe. But it is. Of course, Andrew didn't prepare this horse for this moment.

There’s no exact science when it comes to working with green horses. The secret isn’t a method – it’s learning how to read each horse with a willingness to include them in the conversation.  It takes time and experience to get there. Those who continue to encourage novice riders to pair up with green horses because their silver bullet (available for cash, credit card or cleared check) provides a catch-all solution to any horse/human challenges should be called out, shunned and shut down. There’s no horsemanship left in the minds of these folks – only dollar signs. it’s unconscionable to put novices in such potentially dangerous situations that also damage the horse ‘s psyche – sometimes for life. It’s ironic that the current blame being put on so many for unwanted horses doesn’t seem to include some of the biggest remote contributors.

If your horse doesn’t beg for the opportunity to train (and this doesn’t mean doing tricks for treats), you’re doing something wrong.

Ask the horse what they want to do

Carl's younger than Andrew - and had never ridden a horse alone either. Buster had a lot of talent, but asked for a job more important to him than competing. He wanted to help a human gain confidence.

The nice thing about schooling farm-owned horses (vs. client projects), is you can ask the horse what they want. Even young horses will tell you when they’re ready to begin working under saddle (and in the case here sometimes – way past ready to the point of getting frustrated that they don’t have a job). Watch, listen and then offer training as an activity (keeping it fun by including the horse in the conversation), and you might be amazed at how eager the horse is to work. Even better (provided you’ve developed a skill for reading a horse’s proclivities), you can be flexible and insightful as you set the foundation for a career path that a horse will enjoy.

We culled out three to train in earnest this summer. One was a four-year-old Irish Draught Sport Horse filly (Clover) that has been begging to go back to work. The second, a six-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Cowboy), has been our go-to farm hand since the age of two and was showing signs of boredom. Play Play was our third selection, who was sidelined with a hock injury that resulted from a kick (she probably had it coming – she’s the only mare in the herd who is aggressive without cause – likely due to fear issues, but still, with this amiable herd, being nasty too often has a price).

The whole family wanted a turn on this patient youngster, with mom and dad rounding out the mix on this day . . .

. . . We had Buster targeted for a career in the limelight with a talented clinican. Buster chose a different path as a helper.

Clover’s back in training (for the third time – shoemaker’s children) and loving it. We started this filly late in her three-year-old year, spent a little time on her this spring and have recently put her into a daily schooling routine. She, along with Cowboy, dismisses herself from the herd and is waiting at the gate at the scheduled time they come in for training.

Miss a training day with Clover now and she’ll let you know about her displeasure that day – and pay you back the next (she’s a character). Cowboy is so thrilled to be transitioning over to English and a direct rein vs. the Western riding that sometimes confused him. He’s relishing dressage and jumping work and eager to understand new requests. He’s a character too. He begs (to train, eat, move – whatever he wants that he’s not doing at the moment) by curling a front leg and will stand as a tripod until his wish is granted.

Speak up

It’s sad that some of the most celebrated equine “gurus” these days lost sight of their horsemanship and altruistic ways a long time ago. Most started with some decent ideas, accomplishments and intentions. The harm they’re doing to riders and horses now, though, with pat answers that include “I have a product to fix that horse,” is immense.

I’m not seeing a witch hunt, I’m seeing and industry correction. And it’s a good thing for the future of our horses and the people who love them.

Attacks won’t help the horses – nor the novices who have been buffaloed by the material they’re eager to soak up as gospel. Better guidance and solutions will. It’s time for those who operate with integrity in this industry to reach out to people who don’t know what they don’t know. Offer problem-solving tactics they can embrace and understand – including cautionary notes on marketing messages that appeal to their emotional drivers, but fail to reveal the truth. Be there as counsel to help those struggling with ideas to guide them with insight to reach their horse in a customized fashion. It’s time too, for industry players with character around the globe to align in a way that helps those thinking about a first horse purchase or stuck with a project beyond their abilities to reach out to people who can help – and really care.

Be a part of the solution

Who’d like to be a part of a free forum at Horse Sense and Cents (we may need to locate this on the BookConductors site, but we’ll offer a seamless link here) that offers novice riders and first-time hours buyers input from seasoned equine professionals for good strategies and decisions from the onset? Whether you’re an equine novice or professional, please share your ideas on how we can make this a useful resource. Feel free to e-mail me directly, comment on the blog or call (585) 554-4612 if this is something that appeals to you.

Friday’s Opinion

Dr. Robert Miller (http://www.robertmmiller.com) popularized imprinting foals with both the term and practice. He’s famous now and deserves credit for the time, research and material he’s put out there to encourage breeders to interact with foals at an early age.

Granted, Miller’s convictions concerning early handling makes first encounters for vets, other service providers and trainers easier, but is it less traumatic for the foal? Does his immediate repetitive approach produce a trusting foal, or one who has been conditioned to capitulate? It doesn’t include the foal’s input – or permission – in the process; let alone the mom. Some may view obedience as the ideal permanent state of a horse, but, provided alternative approaches, most who seek a partnership with a horse would probably opt for a more cooperative strategy.

Desensitizing is overdone

Desensitizing has become the buzz word of late in the horse industry. The way people are interpreting the concept – including imprinting techniques that assault the foal before he can see, stand or react – seem to go too far. Horses that are exposed to sensory overload, presumably designed to teach them to ignore instinct by dulling their reactions to reasonable concerns, tend to lose some of the spirit that makes them a special animal. This includes the bevy of techniques designed to scare the fright out of the horse in the starting under saddle process. It’s sad to see how some of these rituals are scrambling the horse’s brain.

There seems to be too much focus these days on practices aimed to disengage the mind of the horse. Wouldn’t you rather engage a foal in a way that gives him permission to contribute to the conversation? Sure, it may take a little more time and some give and take, but the lessons learned (by both of you) may mean the difference between good and great.

Imprint later and more kindly to include the foal

Simply postponing ‘imprinting’ for a few days and doing it in a way that honors the foal can have a huge impact on how your baby approaches future challenges. Sure, you can immobilize the foal at birth, repeat poking 30-40 times in each place and produce a compliant pet, but if you wait a few days to start interacting with the foal once he can stand, see and consciously respond to your activity, you might find a responsive and interactive process more rewarding as you strive to encourage this foal to become a willing, eager and participatory partner. This begs the question – do you seek to condition a submissive steed, or one who feels welcome to contribute to solutions? There’s no right answer – it depends on what you want. Personally, in working with performance horses, I’ve found the stand-out performers talk back a bit – and usually have good reason for their objections.

Encouraging a trusting, thinking horse

If your aim is a thinking and contributing horse, it’s probably better to start messing with him at about day two or three of age. Of course, you’ll want to ensure adequate transfer of IgG (done with a blood test – learn the hard way once and you’ll never skip this needle again) and it’s a good idea to have your vet do a foal exam at this time, so they’ll be some handling at 18-24 hours of age, but this can be done quietly and easily.

By postponing your ‘training’ of the foal until he’s aware enough to express himself, you set the stage for mutual respect and a foal that regards humans as fair and accommodating leaders to be enjoyed and trusted. Foals are curious anyway, and if you proceed with patience, they’ll come to you. If the mom trusts you, she’ll usually help.

Horses know more than most people give them credit for. Establishing trust can be huge in laying the foundation for future training. That doesn’t happen by immobilizing a frightened foal and forcing repetitive acts on him to ‘desensitize.’ Instead, consider spending some quiet time in the stall or pasture and letting the foal approach you.

At some point, you’re going to want to put an arm around his chest to get him to stand still for some touching and petting, but this should be after he’s decided you’re not a threat. Even at three days old, you’ll rarely have to flip a tail and can always position his hind end near a wall if you’re working alone to hold him still until you chose to release. One calm and kind lesson teaching the foal to stand when you need him to for as long as you require (keep it short, but make sure you decide when it’s over) will probably suffice

With most foals, you’ll be able to find a spot that they love to be scratched. It’s a good idea to start each handling session rubbing that itch. Teach your foal that your approach means pleasure and he’ll appreciate your presence and be more likely to try to understand your requests.

Early foal training goals

Sometimes, you’ll get a precocious foal (it’s usually a filly) that needs to be taught to lead almost immediately. We’ve had a few that have literally headed for the hills alone at day two or three of age as mom went crazy on the end of a lead rope.  Usually, it will take less than five minutes to teach those foals to accept a halter and lead (a butt rope helps, but is rarely necessary with these bright critters). For most foals, though, it’s not necessary to start this training for at least a couple of weeks – or a couple of months – it depends on the foal.

The basics at only days old are to be able to approach and touch the foal without him panicking (so you can at least dunk the umbilical cord without trauma), stroking the back, shoulders, ears, face and legs and to encourage the foal to come to you and appreciate your presence.

By three to four weeks of age, you’ll probably want to be at a point where you can pick up all four legs and have a blacksmith pretend to work on a hoof. Of course, haltering the horse should be a non-issue at this point. The foal should be excited to see you and welcome the attention and turnout freedom you provide.

Happy foals make it more fun for you

If you’re in a hurry, you can always capture and immobilize a baby with force. This will set you back, though. Foals that are handled with patience and kindness as the training process begins are a lot more eager to please. They also become more well adjusted performers as serious training ensues.

Anyone can take short cuts to dominate or desensitize a horse, and sometimes, it’s necessary to do so for safety sake. But, most of the time, you can engage a foal so he gets excited about the new game you’ve planned for the day. Allowing the foal to participate in the process produces eager learners and more determined performers as time passes. At least, that’s been our experience.

The next time you embrace the fad of the day (or guru of the decade), ask yourself if what they are advocating allows for customized approaches. Each horse is different and there’s rarely a solution that works for all. Usually, it’s best to take bits and pieces of ideas offered with an open mind so you can test what works for you and your horse with a bit a scepticism applied. Horses are usually born happy but it’s humans that make or take their glee with the domesticated crew. If you’re passionate about horses, why not help your foals develop an attitude that includes a zeal for learning from you? You’ll likely find such an experience a lot more rewarding than developing a dictatorship aimed at mindless obedience.

What have you learned from the foals you’ve worked with? Please leave a comment below so others can learn from what’s worked, and what hasn’t, in your experience.

Friday’s Opinion

It seems the older I get, the more I’m inclined to ask the horse how he wants to proceed. Years ago, I’d relish the opportunity to engage a horse in a battle of wills that demonstrated my mettle and glue.  Granted, it’s hard to know how much of my collaborative approach comes from the wisdom of age, or the pain of aging injuries borne from younger and dumber years, but I have found the changes in my technique over the years seem to make training a lot more fun for the horse.

Of course, there’s the occasional alpha that’s already had a good deal of mileage schooling humans who chose to confront them with demands vs. understanding that requires staying power and athleticism, but most horses will choose to be agreeable if you listen to their concerns, spend the time required to ease them into new lessons and fortify your riding time with ground work.

Short is better with early horse training

One of the things I’ve learned when it comes to starting horses under saddle (or working through issues that have developed as a result of an initial bad start) is brief is best when it comes to the duration of lessons.

Sadly, most seem to feel the more time you spend riding a young horse (or, even worse, round penning him to exhaustion in preparation for carrying a mount), the faster he will learn. It upsets me to see people pushing young equine minds past engagement and enjoyment toward a resentful and frustrated state of resistance – or a mindless submissive obedience trance.

Ten to fifteen minutes of training time seems to be the sweet spot for most young horses being introduced to a rider (and this includes ground work done in preparation for this moment too). Usually this can be an easy goal to reach if you spend enough time getting to know your horse so you can gauge his mood, choose lessons that will appeal to him and quit after a request is met. Sure, there are horses and days when your quick lesson plan turns into hours of persistence when wilfulness and attitude surfaces, but these are rare situations once you learn to hear the horse.

Some horses respond better to daily lessons; others need days to absorb what they learned so they can start the next training session ready to progress. Professional trainers and novices who try to make every horse fit into their formula training regimen create unnecessary roadblocks to building a happy partnership and an eager performer. The learning process accelerates exponentially when you customize your plans to respond to the horse’s input. Done right, this reduces the time in the saddle and makes each session a fun and collaborative game for the horse (this doesn’t mean you allow the horse to do whatever he wants – but does require a process that shows you are listening to what he is trying to tell you). Babies just don’t have the mind or body to handle hour-long drill sessions. If you can make each day fun, easy and rewarding for both of you, your horse will come to relish the opportunity to work and you’ll be amazed at how eager he is to learn and please as a result.

Longer prep time leads to better equine performers

I cringe when I hear people boast they “broke a horse in seven days.” These horses fear new situations, don’t trust people and expect every new experience to be traumatic. Who can blame them? Or, with some of the colder breeds, they’ve had their heart yanked out and have succumb to a life of submission and servitude.

Common sense should say that early preparation done patiently and thoroughly makes for an easier and better horse when performance training begins – but that doesn’t seem to prevail with many focused on the clock or calendar.

If you start the training of a young horse with the aim of building trust and rapport, most will strive to please you with responses that exceed your expectations. They also handle new situations with a confidence and interest that you don’t get from a horse that has been rushed or forced. Whether you’re a trainer seeking to put the basics under a horse as quickly as possible to please your client with your speed or a novice following a rote agenda prescribed by someone who’s never even seen your horse, you’re missing out on rewarding opportunities to engage and excite your project. If working with a horse that loves to train doesn’t grab you, you’re also putting early barriers in place for the horse to be the best he can be in the future.

It’s not a matter of losing a few weeks’ time with a slow and easy initial approach, but instead, a method that saves you months or years of time and sometimes a lifetime of frustration for you and/or the horse when you adopt a training approach that incorporates the horse’s particular penchants and responds to his expressed issues. Of course, you can’t get there if you don’t consider the horse as a participant in the process and allow him to give input.

How long is too long with a horse?

If you’re staring a young horse under saddle and he’s done what you first asked then becomes belligerent with subsequent requests, the lesson went on too long. Don’t be tempted to push harder because you’re having a good day (or a bad one and you just want to turn that screw a little further once he’s answered your initial request because you want to establish who’s boss).  Take the win and quit early, knowing you’ll have a willing and responsive horse tomorrow for giving him immediate credit for his efforts.

Foundation work for horses intended to be great performers takes time. A quick early start usually leads to problems later. No horse should be expected to be ready to start career training in a day – or a month. If you’ve spent 60 days with a horse, however, and are getting nowhere, that’s a bad sign. In fact, if you spend a few weeks with a horse and aren’t making any progress, you should probably look for another who may be more adept at reaching the horse. Each horse is different and some come with issues, are slow learners or cannot adapt to your style. Most, though, won’t be able to retain what you’ve taught them with comfort, confidence and the understanding to move on to more refined training demands in much less than a couple of months.  Rush them in the early starting training and you’ll usually pay later.

Make horse training fun

I’ve had a ton of fun lately having the luxury of letting the sport horse farm-bred horses tell me when they’re ready to start training and taking a leisurely approach to lesson frequency and demands. This is rarely an option with client horses, but it’s been a great learning experience to watch how this has played out with the herd. It’s been amazing to see how eager and interested these horses are when training begins when they say they’re ready and are allowed to express how frequently they’d like to train. In fact, all the young stock (along with the older horses in career training) are so eager to train, they express their annoyance with my busy schedule and associated inability to train them all daily. It’s a competition each day at the gate as to who gets the call. The chosen ones are eager to perform and learn and often ask to continue the lesson after its intended end. I’m having a ball working with horses that relish training so much they are determined to progress faster than asked. They seem to appreciate the fact that I’ll skip training plans on a horse if she doesn’t seem eager to come in.

If your horse (or horses) aren’t eager to see you coming and excited about the opportunity to work, you’re probably making the lessons too long, too structured, too demanding, too formula or too about you. Once you start responding to your horse’s requests, you’ll be floored by how eagerly they comply with yours. Try it. And let me know how it goes.

If you have a challenge with a current horse you’re starting under saddle, have questions about young horse issues, ideas to add to help others starting a young horse or want to shout about one of your proud successes, please comment below. Thanks.

This 16.2 HH TB gelding is happy to lower his head and safely share the love of an assisted living resident without the need for "my space, your space" training.

Friday’s Opinion

It’s troubling to see so much being put out there offering formula approaches to reach every horse. The latest mantra seems to be “respect my space” and is often used as an excuse to dominate a horse into submission. This is especially prevalent among novices, who spout the term with conviction, nod in agreement to the need, yet fail to really understand what they are doing to the horse. Sadly, they’re getting this belief from some self-proclaimed professionals. Novices are sponges when it comes to learning, and I think we need to get a better message out there to ensure future happiness – and safety – for horses and their human handlers.

Do you really want to teach a horse to learn through fear, exhaustion or pain to surrender to you? Wouldn’t it be better for both horse and human if space was shared and respect was mutual?

Sure, there’s a time and a place to send a horse off, curtail rude behavior or demand compliance, but for the truly happy partnerships, this is rare.

Smart horses with heart make the greatest competitors if allowed to chip in to the team effort (although they’re certainly not the best mounts for novice riders). Given the opportunity to contribute to the conversation and goal, these horses will outperform more able equines on heart alone. They’ll also turn into eager pleasers once introduced to a human they can respect on their terms. Sadly, the respect conviction some hold, practice and promote that encourages an “alpha” persona (another misunderstood concept see http://horsesenseandcents.com/blog/559/alpha-mares-how-do-you-define-them/ ) can rob these horses of their spirit as they are demanded to conform to a process that doesn’t consider their input.

Additionally, young horses in particular (now often in novice’s hands) need to be heard, understood and considered individually in training regimens. Putting rote boundaries in place to teach the horse to avoid you until called doesn’t give him a lot of confidence (in himself or you) during the learning process. Some horses are timid, frightened or leery.  Such horses usually thrive when offered a kind, helpful and patient approach “in your space.” Using formula programs that discipline him for having the courage to approach you is counterproductive if the aim is a well-adjusted horse.

Those of you who follow this blog know we had a group from an assisted living facility visiting the herd at Halcyon Acres this month (see http://horsesenseandcents.com/blog/645/therapeutic-horses-can-merely-be-happy-ones/). None of these horses have been programmed to “respect” an invisible perimeter around people. It’s a good thing too, because the experience for these residents would have been far less rewarding – and probably more dangerous.

Three-year-old TB taking care of a first-time, tiny rider in 30 MPH winds - no "respect" training here, just early work to encourage rapport and cooperation.

Instead, these horses are all asked to follow a few simple rules (get along or you’re out of the herd; go into your proper stall without a lead when you’re brought into the barn; no biting, kicking or aggression toward humans; I decide who’s coming in first – and last; and a few other basic requests to help keep all safe and farm operations running smoothly). They’re allowed to be friendly and sociable with humans, and relish the opportunity to approach known and unknown people for a pet and a visit. Of course, each gets customized training in ground work and under saddle training and because they are offered a say in the process, they are eager to have a job to do and choose to watch for and respect requests. Consequently, they can be trusted to be smart, safe and responsive when any human comes into the mix. It’s not about dictating compliance – it’s a mutual trust and understanding that develops from two-way communications.

I have to say, I don’t get this “my space, your space” approach. Of course, there’s a lot to body language with horses and with this arsenal, you can usually put a horse just about anywhere you want. So, it’s hard for me to see why training a horse to avoid you makes any sense at all. I certainly haven’t encountered a horse (at least not yet) that shines when respect is a one-way street. For me, I’d rather encourage horses (both client and farm-owned) to join the conversation and tell me how to make the experience fun, exciting and engaging for them. If that means the herd expresses their excitement at training time and jockeys for position to be first in line, I’m OK with that. In fact, it’s rewarding to have horses that not only enjoy training, but also anticipate the joy to the point they’re competing for the attention. If all were forced to succumb to a formula approach and were “trained” to “respect my space,” I don’t imagine they’d be so eager to saddle up.  Different strokes, I guess.

Friday’s Opinion

Twenty years ago, I lived in a city without the land to house my horse, let alone those of clients. I found an affordable and pleasant place that was a fifteen minute drive, well-equipped and owned by a kind, older couple. They weren’t riders, or horse owners, but had invested in the land and business to provide additional income and a retirement nest egg. The stable owners were willing to rent stalls at a reasonable rate while I provided full care for the horses (where I split up morning and evening feeding duties with another in the barn with a similar arrangement). Fortunately, I was there on a daily basis.

Founder fears

One morning when I arrived, a client horse was starting to founder. This was puzzling as the culprit was a young horse being started under saddle, feed and turn-out was supplied and controlled by me and this gal had never exhibited any signs of health issues or discomfort. As I’m panicked trying to get this horse to stand in a tub of ice, waiting too long for the vet’s arrival and worrying about how I’m going to explain this to the owner, the wife was ever-present declaring she was ‘in flounder.’ Bit my tongue on sniping at her with a correction in the frenzy. Turns out, she had been secretly sneaking huge quantities of alfalfa hay to this gal without my knowledge. There was no malice involved, but a good deal of stupidity in the mix. Fortunately, the horse was treated quickly enough to recover fully.

Who takes care of your riding horse?

It’s always puzzling for me to hear self-proclaimed horse lovers produce a myriad of excuses as to why they haven’t seen their horse in days, weeks and sometimes even months. Even if you assume the boarding facility is providing excellent care (which isn’t always a given), domesticated horses need attention and engagement. That’s something most stables don’t have the time or the budget (unless you’re paying them for this too) to do. Sure, most expect the barn to see and address health issues immediately, but it’s better to be informed and present to help address concerns they may miss because sometimes, they just don’t know.

I hear a lot of complaints online about what a boarding stable isn’t doing, followed by a bevy responses condemning the facility and absolving the horse owner. Of course, my first reaction is – why do you stay there? Usually it’s about money. My second is, what are you doing to fix this? Most shudder at the idea of picking up a pitchfork when they visit if the stall isn’t clean enough. Others claim their horse must have been mistreated in their absence because he’s weary of an owner he sees only on sunny weekends when the kids don’t have a soccer game. Still more cite that their horse has picked up bad habits and it must be the staff that created this problem, never considering that a horse locked in a stall with no attention for weeks might be a bit frustrated and bored and prone to pick up behaviors to help him deal.

Shipping out-of-state

Sometimes you simply can’t see your horse daily because he’s hundreds or thousands of miles away at a breeding, training or sales facility.

I’m still learning. Last year I sent a beautiful mare to points south for a live breed. I did it all wrong. I was too busy to make the long drive to visit the facility prior to shipping. Those recommending the breeder to me had never actually sent one of their horses there (which I discovered later). It didn’t occur to me to stipulate I expected e-mails and phone calls to be returned and/or to be contacted in the event of injury to the horse. From the condition of the horse’s feet on her return, I realized I also should have asked if they remove manure and urine from the stalls and run-in sheds.

When an e-mail arrived indicating the mare had been dead lame for a week, but they had finally determined it was an abscess, I was scared. The next e-mail, lambasting me for offering ideas on how to doctor her, put me in a panic. I spent hours on the phone and dug deep into my pocket for the emergency shipping request, but managed to get her back here within 48 hours.

It wasn’t an abscess, it was a puncture wound that had gone untreated for at least a week. She’s still not sound. All four frogs were practically gone. What was left was peeling off like an onion skin. She had lost weight and the sheen to her coat. Her eyes were empty and it took me a good four months to begin to get her spirit back. She brought lice (something we’ve never had here) back to the barn. Mostly, though, I’m sick about what I put this mare through. It served as a wake-up call that sadly had horrible resulting affects on this poor mare, but it’s a mistake I will not make again. This wasn’t a malicious breeder, just an arrogant, dumb one. Rarely will you find a situation that hurts your horse where it is intentional.

There’s a lot you can do to lessen the likelihood of an issue. Visit the stables (preferably without a lot of notice) prior to sending your horse. Talk to others to gain from their experience. Do a Google search on the farm. Opt for chilled semen instead of live cover (not possible with TBs yet, but give it time). Get a signed contract in advance and be clear on emergency procedures and associated fees, how often and easily they will communicate with you and stabling and other standard care issues.

Own your horse’s well-being

If you truly value your horse as a partner and friend, don’t relegate care and handling to another, even if you pay for board. When shipping is necessary, do your homework. When things go wrong because you’ve abdicated responsibility for your horse (and they will eventually), it’s you and your horse that suffer the most.

Today’s horses need our attentiveness, attention and contact to ensure a happy, healthy, safe and appreciated life. Weekends only doesn’t work well with most equines. They have been domesticated for too many years to enjoy unfettered freedom that feels like neglect and carry too many of the old instincts to be comfortable enclosed by four walls with no outlet or stimulation for energy and mind. A pretty place or slick talker doesn’t ensure your horse is getting the right care. Sometimes, seeing a horse you know so well in the early stages of a problem can mean the difference between quick and appropriate care and euthanasia. Plus, your horse will likely be a much more willing, eager and impressive performer for you if you show you care by being there – or ensuring someone else can and will if you are absent or must send him away.

Please share your ideas for best practices – or horror stories – in the comments below.

Friday’s Opinion

“A gun gives you the body, not the bird.” -Henry David Thoreau, naturalist and author (1817-1862)

Getting a horse to do what you want is usually a pretty easy task. Most horses succumb to treats, threats, routine or demands if they understand your message. Still, there’s a difference between compliance and engagement. Today, there are a lot of training systems being touted as universal. Sadly, when template solutions are applied without regard to the particular horse’s needs, they tend to diminish the equine soul. Do you want a horse that responds to your demands, or a partner that is ready, eager and able to jump in and protect you when you face trouble or err? If your goal is building a partnership, consider how you can make your horse feel a part of the team.

Is it really a good thing to have a horse licking and chewing prior to turning on the training juice?

Kudos must go to those who have spent time with wild herds and offered to share their observations and experiences. They’ve given us valuable information to apply as we interact with our horses.

Domesticated equines, however, seem to have a different dynamic than those born free – at least when it comes to rapport building with humans and horses. Certainly, it’s valuable and useful to look at what others have learned from integrating with wild herds, but what seems to be missing from these teachings and lessons is the realization that each horse is different in how he learns and responds to human interaction. Sure, you can model training around creating a submissive horse that will respond to you demands, but is that the best way to develop outstanding team-players and performers?

The most respected domesticated alpha mare seems to earn a following with an understanding, protective and fair approach through a calm confidence that earns vs. demands respect.
It’s a rare moment when she asserts her prowess – usually done only to intervene if another is being victimized or to respond definitively when being attacked – as kindness and wisdom is her norm. Those that rule by violence and or intimidation and achieve submission get their way when it comes to first dibs on feed and water, but they’re avoided, usually feared and rarely followed.

This begs the question – what kind of horse do you want to develop? Sure, you can gain compliance with techniques designed to present you as an inflexible, hostile, demanding alpha – but do you really want to train your horse to drearily accept your demands? Wouldn’t it be better to foster a relationship that responds to the horse’s indicated needs and learning preferences? It might take a little more time, but the associated mutual respect you build will last for the lifetime of your equine partnership.

I see young foals licking and chewing when they approach some of the older horses in the herd (certainly not all – it’s the aggressive ones they feel a need to placate), but don’t see this from horses after they reach a year or two of maturity. Of course, one of my rules for permanent tenants here is that they get with the program – and part of that includes getting along with the gang. So, if a new member decides to be unnecessarily violent and the herd isn’t able to force a behaviorial correction, this critter is the last to be brought in from the paddock and the last to go out. If that doesn’t send the message and they continue to harass unnecessarily, they’re provided walking papers. It’s a rare equine that doesn’t get the message and come around quickly between the herd help and the human ‘alpha’ component.

Dominating trainers will sometimes prevail

Granted, some seem to go too far in the horse consciousness mantra, but those who continue to see violence, pain and domination as a good way to create willing and effective equine performers hit the other extreme. There’s a big difference between standing your ground and getting a horse to comply through fear, pain or immobilization.

Sadly, some who see horses as an animal to be conquered and beaten into submission are successful equine professionals. Some horses will succumb to mean handling and go on to be standout performers. Of course, this begs the question, how special could they have been if handled with kindness and understanding?

Do you click to deliver equine treats?

Few horses wag their tails in anticipation of a food reward. Most will, however, learn to do your bidding once conditioned to expect a treat for a trick. Sure, this provides a quick and easy way to ‘train’ your horse to ‘perform,’ but at what cost?

Domesticated dogs seem to relish the idea of begging for food, but horses tend to prefer to choose to bond with a human that offers some understanding and allows the horse to decide they’ve earned respect. Personally, I’ve found there’s few greater rewards than those that come from allowing a horse to be heard and understood in a way that makes them part of the conversation and associated training decisions. I’m not suggesting letting the horse walk all over you (far from it – few horses respect a push-over, let alone one who defers the decision making to the horse due to fear), but, instead, an approach where the human is steadfast, yet observant enough to respond to what the horse is trying to tell him. Sometimes, with the more challenging cases, the message may be ‘I’ve been taught to hate humans and want to hurt you,’ but even with those extreme scenarios, treats and clicks may gain compliance, but they won’t create a partnership that’s reciprocal. You need to decide if you want to ‘break’ a horse or ‘find’ him.

Do you want to really hear your horse?

There are a lot of books, DVDs, television programs and clinics that boast a method that will work for all horses and all people – if you do it right (experience a failure and it’s your onus).  What I’ve found in working with various horses over the years (and sure, I’ve logged a lot of mistakes along the way), is that the best training approach for every equine is customized. Some horses are timid. Others are scared, confused, frustrated, bored – whatever. It seems the majority that come to Halcyon Acres deemed dangerous are merely alphas that have either been permitted to rule by intimidation and/or misunderstood. In each case, spending time on the ground getting to know the horse and building a rapport pays huge dividends once you hop in the saddle. It’s important to try to recognize the issues your horse may be carrying as baggage from prior experiences along with developing a keen eye for concerns and issues he may be facing. Be a firm, kind, confident and responsive leader and you’ll find your horse may surprise you with how talented he can be once appreciated as an individual and given the opportunity to express his penchants.

The next time you feel the need to preach to another (or your horse) a proven method that is universal, consider hearing what your horse may be trying to tell you. Listen a little bit and you may find a gem you never imagined.

You can possess the horse fully – but do you want just a body with an empty heart? Some like trophies that allow them to boast dominating accomplishments. Those who strive for horsemanship, however, understand the greatness that can come from encouraging and engaging the personality of the particular horse with approaches that let him live fully and individually with a human partner that listens and understands.

Friday’s Opinion

Rescues and associated off-the-track Thoroughbreds (OTTTBs) seem to be in the news a lot lately. Headlines abound professing the need to save the discarded, mistreated, abandoned race horses – usually with a call-to-action to send money. It’s interesting how often things that turn political turn south.

Years ago, there were people in the mix who made a buck or two (certainly not a fortune – most were in it for the rewards gained from experiencing the horse’s transformation and the new owner’s glee) helping these horses transition to a new career. Sure, they’d try to cull out the best prospects, but would then spend a good deal of time working to make these horses comfortable and able to handle new requests. As with any industry, you took your chances, but the talented had good instincts about both the horse and potential buyers. Compensation for professional training was part of the mix in finding new homes for these horses, but it made the experience positive for the horse, the trainer and the buyer.

Today, TB owners can’t give away a horse that’s no longer running competitively, rescues are over-flowing and adopters may get the warm fuzzies initially, but most are ill-prepared to transition a horse that comes with no training to help them understand the requests presented for their new career. Are the horses really better off now being dumped into a holding stall or pasture environment that provides no preparation for future demands or little stimulation during their stay? I don’t think so.

Do you think you’re helping these horses?

It’s an ironic turn that most of those screaming the loudest about the plight and need for salvation of the former race horse have little or no exposure to the breed or racing industry, and in fact, have actually fostered the demise of a system that worked. Who’s helping these horses discover, enjoy and excel at a new job now? Forget about ensuring a suitable home with someone who has the equine skills to help the horse continue on this path.

We’ve been domesticating horses for millenniums. Consequently, we’ve created a species that seems to seek jobs that are human driven (although it does take some skill to understand the needs of the horse in training and career choices). Robbing these horses of this opportunity isn’t a happy ending for most horses I’ve met.

Is the cure really causing no harm?

It troubles me to see some rescues so focused on the revenues and/or the opening stalls resulting from adoptions, they fail to pay heed to good skill and temperament matches. Most fresh OTTTBs do not belong with kids or novice riders, but I’ve seen the push to convince a bleeding heart to “save” a horse. This cure presents tremendous stress on the horse and unnecessary danger to the human.  It’s sad for both the adopter and the horse.

Don’t get me wrong – I’m not railing all TB adoption agencies, but would like to see a training component implemented as part of the mix – for the humans purporting to be saviours too. Few people seem to recognize that merely homing a horse doesn’t necessarily improve his quality of life.

Trainers and breeders are equally culpable. With rescues in the mix, those who are playing the numbers game without regard for the horse can now dispose of an equine easily and with a clear conscience by “donating” him to a facility designed to place the horse in “a good home.” Sadly, despite the poster children, this doesn’t happen as often as most would like to claim.

To their credit, although not TB specific, some seem to get the importance of schooling horse and rider where rescues are concerned (or sought to be avoided). According to www.thehorse.com, The Grace Foundation of Northern California is offering $10,000 in prize money through the Rescue Me Trainer’s Challenge and The Honoring Equines for Life Project (HELP) to train rescue horses. The Back In the Saddle Project (BITS) in California partners with riding instructors to offer clinics with the aim of reducing the number of horses in rescues. In Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington State, Sound Equine Options works with rescues, vets and farriers to identify and encourage experienced horse owners to provide foster homes for horses with a voucher system as an incentive. It would be wonderful to see the Northeast follow the lead of these Western facilities in adopting programs that put training back into the TB racehorse transition process.

Careful which bandwagon you join

So what’s the outcry to save our racehorses doing to the horse today? Opinions certainly differ, but I’ll share mine. The lack of re-schooling at most rescues leaves the horse to languish during his stay. The perception created by the promotional messages and rallying cry of the uninitiated concerning the plight of the racehorse has led to a fire sale price expectation for all OTTTBs. Consequently, racehorse owners and trainers who used to spend considerable time seeking an appropriate home for a good horse and/or a professional to transition him can no longer afford to do so. Trainers who used to have the expertise, patience and network to transition these horses for ideal career changes and associated homes have quit buying OTTTBs or gotten out of the business entirely. The costs and hassles associated with placing a horse in many rescues makes it prudent to directly place any horse that has a future elsewhere, so the ones that tend to end up in the rescues have major issues that are not addressed at the rescues and/or cannot be handled by the adopters.

Sure, there are stories of horses being saved and placed that are true successes for both horse and human. This is great news for all involved and may be worth it for the rest who suffer. Frankly, though, I wonder how much thought goes into the horse’s needs as more rescues surface, resulting in fewer OTTTBs gaining the skills and finding homes for a new career that makes them happy.

Is there a better answer?

I’m stuck a bit on a solution, but I think a great step in the right direction would be for The Jockey Club to start tracking not only TB race statistics and bloodlines, but also TB sport horse achievements with the same fastidiousness they apply to horses in the racing industry. They already have the infrastructure to do this and a great staff at the ready. I know I’d certainly be willing to pay more to register foals if the benefit included better outreach and services to those interested in TBs for a career beyond racing. I imagine they’d find a new revenue stream with breeders and buyers of TB sport horses as well if papering such horses carried benefits for these industries. Most importantly, it would help the horses find a new life with people able, ready and eager to help them transition careers.

Former TB racehorses could also benefit from promotional activities akin to NTRA initiatives to expose the public to the versatility and athleticism of this breed. Of course, a good resource bank of advice and tips on selecting and transitioning the right steed for an intended new career should be a key component of this effort.

Apparently, there’s an organization that’s been formed to help support the TB sport horse, namely the North American Thoroughbred Society (http://www.hellohorse.com/). I know little about this group, as I just found them, but will spend some time watching what they are doing.

It’s sad that good intentions have been so bad for the retired TB racehorse. Broadcasting a message that these horses are worthless has paved the road to ruin for successful re-homing. It boggles the mind that most perpetuating this downward spiral don’t see what they’re doing to hurt the horse.  Until a new mantra – and a means to identify great prospects for casual and competitive riders alike – is developed to combat the sob stories fostered by a symbiotic relationship that helps all involved, except the horse, these former racehorses will continue to suffer.

Can a little voice go a long way?

Personally, I’ve always tried to find a way to be part of the solution vs. adding to the problem. Consequently, in the next few weeks, we’ll be posting a wonderful compilation by Monique Matson to the Horse Sense and Cents (www.HorseSenseAndCents.com) and Halcyon Acres (www.HalcyonAcres.com) websites on TB sport horse bloodlines. The content is subjective, but useful. This is the best resource I’ve found encompassing TB sport horse progeny experiences including career skills, temperament issues, country of origin, bloodline tips, etc. She painstakingly gathered comments from a thread she started on the Chronicle of the Horse website and added some great features to make this an easy list to scan and enjoy. Monique is a gem who all should thank for her kindness and generosity in putting it together and offering it to others. We’ll be looking to you to keep this resource updated and useful.

Are you willing to challenge the popular buzz that recently retired TB racehorses are garbage? Most of these horses already have the athleticism, heart, talent and a good foundation under them to start a new career with zeal. Support rescues that include a professional training component. Call out those that are encouraging those ill-equipped to handle the care and schooling challenges of OTTTBs to adopt for pity sake. Together, we can save these horses by creating a happy new reality for both the humans and equines involved in the mix.

Friday’s Opinion

Why do some marketers still feel being an aggressive, hostile and avoided herd member is a good thing? Sadly, the very old-school, two-by-four, forget-about-the-audience culture, sell, sell, sell, in-your-face approach is becoming common on some of the social media sites that used to be immune. How can intimidating your buyers into compliance and/or chiming in only to promote your wares in communities that are designed to support each other build good will? Beats me. I see a good number of equine related endeavors (that curiously don’t seem to have any horsemanship in the mix) being rude to their intended audience by ignoring the group needs and feeling justified demanding respect. Curious. I have a mare here now like that – no one likes her, or follows her, but she does get her feed and water first. She’s lonely, though, and I suspect, very insecure.

Even after twenty years in the marketing industry (yes, there is another revenue stream), I continue to scratch my head about those who take such an approach – and conclude it works. Sure, they may boast fat cat status initially from bullying or self-serving methods, but there’s little happy involved in the mix, particularly when those who aren’t part of their cult start calling them on their actions.

Social media networks – build or destroy

Social media is becoming an increasingly important platform for those who seek to build relationships with potential centers-of-influence, buyers, vendors, collaborators and supporters. It boggles the mind that some (sadly, this seems to be most prevalent among those who label themselves marketing professionals – don’t imagine anyone else would) still feel the used-car-salesman approach (sorry to those who sell used cars – this is probably a bigger slight than you deserve) is a good way to do business. Of course, this also begs the question, how would anyone with integrity ever find this a satisfactory method?

Free speech doesn’t work for the daft

Fortunately, we live in a world where freedom of expression is encouraged in most countries (at least for now). You’d think this liberty would foster an opportunity for all to gather the smarts to recognize stupid approaches which create more bad will than good don’t develop long-term prosperous businesses. Horse herds allow freedom of expression too – and immediate ramifications for poor behavior. Too bad we’re not as adept as a society at banishing and discouraging the bad actor as our equine counterparts.

Unethical horse dealers – you lose

Over twenty-five years ago, I started interfacing with horse dealers supplying lesson and boarder horses for facilities I managed. I was dumbfounded by the short-sightedness of some who knowingly sold an unsuitable horse for the quick buck. Catch me once . . . these charlatans made $500-$1000 on a single sale at the time, but lost a potential exponential revenue stream that could have come from honest transactions. Had one who preyed on the novice riders with the spiel that horses never ridden and inexperienced riders are an ideal match because they grow together. He not only lost any future business at the stable (he was banned from the property), but also lost a potential huge revenue stream associated with the necessary lesson and trail horses required for the business.  I didn’t get it then and I don’t get it now. Lairs are worse than ignorant and abusive marketers in the equine industry. With the advent of the internet and the bevy seeking out online opinions, word will spread faster of such practices now than they ever did way back when.

Horse herds and horsemen unite

As most of the world seem s to be getting more savvy about filtering out and broadcasting about the hype-masters, charlatans and bad eggs, let’s hope we see a new world where those who operate with character, integrity, honesty and good-will no longer find it necessary to deflects attacks from those who have been dragged through the mud by less ethical operators.

Horse herd dynamics can teach us a lot about communications, marketing and leadership. Usually there are two in the herd that get primary notice. One mare is selfish and wins first dibs, commands attention (avoidance), is left alone and disliked. There’s another who is kind, confident, understanding and fair. That’s the one the herd follows, appreciates and respects. Who would you rather emulate?

Do you have marketing, herd, leadership or business stories that have taught you lessons you’d like to share? Please include your experience in a comment below and get the conversation going.

Friday’s Opinion

I’m a bit on the fence about the proliferation of material being put out there that speaks with buzz words most can’t understand and a conviction that all horses are golden and any problem is human created. Many of these people have achieved a horsemanship understanding few will achieve, but seem to have lost their passion to help the deserving horse with a message most humans can grasp.

Speaking in foreign tongues

Part of me is puzzled by the fact that this new brand of “horse whisperers” refuse to speak in terms a novice (or even a seasoned professional) can understand if they’re not part of their cadre (which usually requires buying $99 DVDs or paying to access members only information on their website). Yet, they claim their passion is to save the horses from human cruelty (usually due to ignorance).  No matter how accomplished these folks may be on the horse communication front, how aptly they can demonstrate their talents and how often they waive the horse advocacy flag, I’m a bit sceptical about those who shout horse savoir while erecting barriers for the most needy.  I get everyone needs to make a living and am not a proponent of all knowledge should be free, but there’s a disconnect with these folks when they lead with a horse welfare banner and follow with all access denied if you won’t immediately pony up.

I think these folks have a lot of knowledge to share that could benefit the horse – particularly those who are challenged with novice handlers and riders. Yet, the language they use is so esoteric to most of the uninitiated, even their sales pitches are lost on this important audience. To boot, they require almost immediate payment to reveal their secrets. How’s that helping the horse?  Still, I realize some of these talented folks have made a difference in the lives of many of the horses they’ve touched. They have a lot of insight to share that could benefit so many horses. I just wish they’d either be true to their stated mission (with terms the masses can understand and associated accessibility for those who seek to assess what’s being offered prior to pulling out the MasterCard) or honest about their intention to make their offerings (and language) exclusive to their club of benefactors.

Who’s really helping the horses?

The paradox between their message and their actions is troubling. If they believe every horse is a victim of human experience and they’ve set their life goals on saving these horses from their dumb human owners/riders/handlers, why limit the salvation to those who boast a wealthy or enlightened owner willing to immediately pay the piper for their education? Usually, those who do the most harm to horses do so without recognizing the ill of their actions. It concerns me when one who can demonstrate such character with the horses they encounter fail to extend this to the humans they accuse.

Is every horse really an angel?

Frankly, I don’t share the conviction of some of the self-described equine mind-readers that all misbehaving horses are victims of human mishandling. I’ve met some horses in my life (not many, but enough to realize not all are angels) that don’t want to be reached. Granted, I’ve spent the last couple of decades of my life dealing with Thoroughbred race horses, where temperament (forget about conformation) is an afterthought, but I’ve come across a few horses over my 40 years of riding and 20-plus years of training that  aren’t worth the costs. There are just too many great horses out there to put in time year-after-year on one that is not receptive to kindness and clear guidance. Sometimes, ignorant breeding (and yes, this is a human factor) produces horses that will be difficult for a lifetime.

Help humans to stop creating problem horses

Sure, most horse problems are created by human handling, but I’d like to believe in most cases, these breakdowns aren’t due to evil, but instead, ignorance – or more likely, fear. If we really want to help the horse – and create horseman for the future – we need to speak in tongues novices can understand, provide accessible information to help them grow in knowledge and awareness, discourage bad horse/human combinations and do all we can to help those who don’t know what they don’t know strive to learn from those who demonstrate integrity and illustrate through their actions what horsemanship really means.

Take the lead from the horse

Horses can teach us so much about communications. I haven’t encountered one yet that seeks an exclusive podium to present that message. Wouldn’t it be great if those who can be called true horsemen today could take a lead from the horses that have taught them so much by being clear, generous, honest and open with their message to the people they are trying to reach?