from Kelly Barry, Clear Path HorsemanshipQuestion for Kelly Barry, Clear Path Horsemanship
How
can I get and keep my horse's attention when we go to a show or
someplace new so he can be relaxed and we can both have a pleasant
experience?
Kelly's response:
Well, that's a very
good question! The reality of the situation is that the new,
stimulating environment is more important and interesting to your horse
than what you have in mind (standing still and remaining calm). Some
horses are especially intrigued by the surrounding hoopla, so you
need to be MORE INTERSTING to your horse than the other horses, riders
or other distractions.
The
easiest way to be a good leader for your horse is to do some simple
groundwork exercises on a 12' lead line with a rope halter. Make
the tasks challenging enough for your horse to make him use his brain
but not so hard that he may not accomplish them in the time you have
available. When he is giving you a good effort, reward him with
some quiet time and allow him to just stand. You've made standing
still a reward! Send your horse a mental image of how
proud you are and he will be more than happy to try for you the next
time you ask.
The rope halter is a basic groundwork tool
that has been gaining in popularity. It is constructed in a way
that makes it easy to communicate using pressure and release.
Used with a 12' yacht braid lead line (yacht braid rope is heavier but
more flexible than normal cotton or poly leads - 12' is longer than a
lead line but shorter than a longe line), you have a unique
communication tool. Use these tools to ask your horse to perform
challenging maneuvers like backing up, going sideways or changing
direction on the circle. These tasks are challenging
for your horse mentally but not too difficult
physically. These Foundation Training or
Natural Horsemanship techniques are a far cry from the old
technique of longeing your horse in a circle until he is tired.
Helping your horse to focus, think and be successful by making the correct
thing (standing still) easy and the undesirable behavior(being restless
and "busy") difficult, will help you and your horse find the right
answer to your dilemma.
It's a good idea to practice
these exercises at home first. It will give you and your horse the
knowledge and preparation to be able to handle any new and exciting
change of scenery. You should also try to plan time to get to
know a new place. This will help you be more relaxed too...ready
to be a relaxed and confident leader for your horse. Expose your
horse to new places that are not so hectic. Take him to a new
environment, let him relax and graze a few minutes and then go
home. He'll learn that traveling is not such a big deal.
By preparing yourself
emotionally, exposing your horse to different environments, practicing
the ground work exercises at home and then using those exercises to
make yourself more interesting to your horse than his new environment,
you will have a horse that can go anywhere and stay emotionally fit.
Read more about Kelly in "People You Should Know". You are welcome to send an email to Kelly via this website.
Guest Articles
|  | | How old does my child need to be to take riding lessons?
“How old does my child need to be to take riding lessons?” I’ve heard this question many times. Many instructors use age 7 as a guideline ,while some will take children younger and others prefer to wait until the child is older. The American Medical Equestrian Association (ameaonline.org) has put together some general guidelines that can help you decide if your child is ready to ride.
First and foremost, the child has to have the desire to ride. As a parent, I know that it’s easy to fall into the trap of, “I know she’ll love it…I did!” If it’s your dream and not your child’s, the experience is bound to be a bad one.
In addition, the A.M.E.A. says your child should have the following:
- Muscle strength to hold the proper position in the saddle
- The balance to remain on the horse
- The ability to understand instructions and follow directions
- Sufficient attention span for instruction
- Neck muscles strong enough to support a fitted secured certified protective helmet
The horse should be:
- Suitable for children with a quiet, calm nature
- Small enough to allow the child’s legs to be under the child’s body, and the foot to half way down the side of the horse
The equipment should include:
- A saddle that fits the child
- A saddle that fits the horse
Your instructor should:
- Have experience and patience to work with young children
- Have appropriate discipline and control of the program
- Teach in a fashion to allow progressive development of motor skills
- Have knowledge of riding skills appropriate for the age of the child
- Require ASTM/SEI certified headgear at all times when mounted
- Have facilities with a small closed ring away from motorized traffic, other horses and disruptive activities
This article is brought to EquineGatherings.com by Carol Yunkes
Guest Articles
| | | Are you an equine professional? Do you represent an equine organization?
Our gathering room will be the location for our Thursday night “Talk to a Pro” Night. We’d like to make various equine professionals (trainers, vets, farriers etc.) available to our customers for questions and info. You can make a presentation if you like, or you can just BE THERE to meet and greet and answer questions and network!
We’d also love to host equine organizations interested in promoting themselves….whether you are a professional organization or a charitable organization. Come gather with us!
We will also be compiling a resource book for customers who come in looking for a professional. Give us your basics…..where you are, what you do etc. and we’ll put you in our resource book. We want to hear from you!
Last but not least….would you be available to answer questions received through our web-site? If so….give Carol a call, submit your interest or add a post to this discussion.
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