A New Year of Horsemanship

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wow, has another year gone by! It doesn't seem possible. I've been looking through my previous blogs to see just how far I've come as a horsewoman (and a person) and as I continue to watch the latest or recently acquired video in my collection, I'm able to quickly see how much progress I've made with my horsemanship. As I've become a better student, so will I become a better teacher both to my horse and students.

At least, that's the goal. It is an ongoing process that should never end. For so many though, it never starts and so the frustration of horse ownership sets in pretty quickly. On these cloudy, rainy, cold winter days, it can be difficult to muster up the enthusiasm to go out and engage with your horse, let alone ride. We tend to think that as long as their stalls are clean and they have enough food, water and a few hours outside, that our job is done. For those of us in it for the long haul, it takes more energy, enthusiasm and imagination to keep the interest alive and to make the horse's life more mentally and physically stimulating. Yes, it's a challenge. So, I keep on watching and learning.

I've even started putting together a mental checklist when I see someone new or evaluate previously viewed trainers/clinicians. I have noticed something interesting in western riding or "natural horsemanship". It is my observation that there are very few men who address the issue of correct riding. Their focus is usually on the horse's behavior and training. The riding instruction comes from women trainers mostly. Many Western trainers will actually omit any specific instructions to the rider as if it is only the horse who exists in the relationship. We are merely a passenger. The horse is being difficult and speeding up or kicking out simply because we haven't executed the right one rein pull or used our leg and rein pull to move the horses hindquarter. Maybe a more severe bit is necessary for that "dull" horse. And there is a lot of pulling going on in Western riding including the "seesawing" that is so common in Western Pleasure with two reins that makes me cringe!!!

English or classical riding instruction videos tend to forget that the horse is part of the picture and that many riders can be given instructions on correct hand, seat and leg position and yet, not have a clue how to get their horse to stand still when they mount, cannot lead their horse from the paddock without holding close to the halter, do not know how to ask their horse to quietly stand to be groomed or for hoof care and a whole host of groundwork issues that show up. It is very common to have someone "hold your horse" while you get on, fully expecting them to pace and turn away and walk immediately once you mount. I, on the other hand, fully expect my horse to stand quietly, even when not tied while I groom, trim, saddle and mount.

As a well rounded horsewoman I need to be aware of BOTH parties in the relationship. We both have a responsibility. For the rider, she must understand what makes a horse tick, their behaviors, their personalities, their innate characteristics. Don't assume that a horse is being "disrespectful" or that there are previous abuses causing the current problems. Learn to recognize physical signs and symptoms of horse's difficulties with movement that influences behavior and their ability to respond to your training or riding. In short, EDUCATE YOURSELF.

But does the average horse owner have time for this-unfortunately the answer is no. We all have jobs, families, outside commitments and interests that sometimes place our horse at the bottom of the priority list. This week I worked extra hours to help increase our savings for future unexpected expenditures. I haven't seen much of my horses this week and I haven't ridden but once in a week. I've tried to spend a few moments looking at some books and videos in preparation for my next lesson with students. It helps to have a mental checklist and find the information that most consistently appears; tips to make my riding and my students riding enjoyable for them AND their horses. I've found that there a several things to look for when reviewing new material:

1) Is the material given in a structured, simple educational format or is it just an informational video that says WHAT is being done, but not WHY or HOW or what to do if it's not working for you? Can you easily repeat what is being done, when you work with your horse or ride?

2)Does it show well behaved, trained school horses with experienced riders only or do they use any untrained horses with inexperienced riders.

3)Are they encouraging safety in riding and working with the horse. Do the riders wear helmets or explain why they do not? Do they emphasize safety ONLY on the ground?

4) Do they explain techniques that can be used for ALL disciplines or is it strictly for "western" or "english" and what does that mean? Shouldn't good riding and horsemanship be applied across the board? Are the techniques easy to duplicate?

5) Do the trainers explain how much the horse's physical abilities or lack of contribute to difficulty with training and riding and behavior issues? Is stubborness, dull mouth, lack of respect or difficult personality for example, used to explain away behavior problems, solved only with more tools or severe handling of the horse's mouth and/or body for control of overall movement?

6) Does the trainer/clinician understand and utilize the idea of balance in the rider AND the horse and explain how these can be achieved separately, then together? Are there specific exerises given to practice and improve balance and movement for both? Do these methods work consistently for you and your horse when you use them?

Of course, I'm sure it's difficult for one person to include both training of the horse from the beginning on the ground to under saddle as well as help for the rider in one video. There are many who try to cover it over a series of videos. They sometimes share the task with their partner, one knowing more about the horse (presumably) and one knowing (hopefully) more about the rider.

But, knowing how much it cost to purchase these videos, you might say that it can be very expensive to take a chance on what you may or may not get out of the videos. Many clinicians and trainers are also good promoters, salesmen/women and have been able to get more attention for their videos. That doesn't mean they are giving you what you need to make your horsemanship experience fun and rewarding. It just means they've got your attention and/or your money.

My advice in the new year is to do whatever you can to make the best of your days with your horse. Buy, rent or borrow books and videos. Take a friend and go to a three day expo and learn whatever you can, go to a clinic, watch programs on cable or satellite TV. Find a good instructor (get references and take a few lessons to see if you like the instructor), ask an experienced horseman/woman who you know has great results and treats their horses with kindness and respect, to help you. Do SOMETHING!-and enjoy the coming year. If you're in the small minority of people who own horses, you may still be a horseowner in 2011. I know I will!