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25th April, 2009

My best wishes to all the returned Service Men and Women.

I hope you all have a lovely Holiday this weekend and keep safe. We are off on the long drive for the State Dressage Championships and not sure how I will go with Internet connections. See how we go.

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Here is some more footage of the mindless Sport of Steer Roping.

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SHANE ROSE HAS BAD LUCK AGAIN

Shane Rose is steeling himself for Melbourne in June, vowing to remain positive after his star horse All Luck was disqualified from a major Olympic selection event in Sydney yesterday.
Rose has suffered more setbacks than most.
He was selected for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, but his horse was injured while the team was acclimatising in the United States about two weeks before the Games began.
Rose was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2001, battled for his life after a horse kicked him in the face in 2005 and was suspended for one month last August when the drug Pentobarbital was detected in his horse's system.
Yesterday, the 34-year-old from Camden was dealt another blow with All Luck failing the trot up at the Bates Sydney International Three Day Event, after finishing first in the cross country yesterday, and dressage on Friday.
After All Luck's disqualification, straight-talking Albany farmer Sonja Johnson won on Ringwould Jaguar, admitting her victory was less thrilling after Rose's misfortune.
"That's a prick of a thing. It's lovely to win but it takes a little bit of the gloss off it when this happens," she told reporters.
"It's a shame because Shane's horse was going fabulously. We need our best horses and riders of that calibre up there available for selection."
Rose must now compete at the Melbourne International Three Day Event at Werribee Park from June 6-9 if he is to have a chance at selection.
He said All Luck trod on his front left foot with his back foot and had a small cut.
"It sort of got me a bit by surprise because he has been pretty good and it shocked me a little when I went up and trotted," Rose said.

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LETTERS OF THE DAY

 

Hi john,

yes it's that annoying woman in QLD with the Standies again! ;) I have a little 3 yr old filly at the moment (been with us for 3 weeks; came from NZ) who seems to think everything we do with her is very scary. She turns her rump on us in the stable when we go to get her out, she is very headstrong even in a rope halter, shies a lot and her worst and most dangerous habit is throwing herself towards you - the other day she pinned me between the tie up rail and herself. She has a boil (which is almost gone now) in her mane near her wither and all I did was GENTLY place my hand on it to check its progress. She has only started doing this the last few days. No one has lanced or squeezed it or caused her any pain to incite such a dangerous reaction. What your advice be on how to manage this? Another thing she does is during trot and canter, she 'bunny hops', lifts her back-end off the ground in a neat little hop with a swish of the tail, probably 2 times per 800m or so. I have had the chiropractor to her twice, and she's found no problem, only the irritation where the boil is/was. Could this be stifle related? Should I get a second opinion from a different chiropractor?
By the way, the 'raving lunatic' horses are coming along beautifully under saddle. One of them come out and run the best race of his career last night for a very good and dominant win. they love being ridden - I've joined a trail riding club and I can't tell you how much they love it! So thanks for your previous advice, you're a champ.

Naomi :)

Congratulations Naomi, that's great news!!!! There is little you can do or should do in a stable if you don't want your head kicked off. You fix those things in the Round Pen so you don't have to deal with it in the stable. Go watch the Pod Cast and read this: I LOVE YOUR ASS BUT IT IS YOUR FACE I WANT. Definately stifle or Sacro issues. Go watch the Pod Casts. No point seeing Chiro's for this. X-Ray immediately and then if no bone chips, cut the ligaments. End of problem.You'll be in Standardbred Dressage soon. Go watch the Podcast of my wife :)  Regards

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Hi I have most of your dvd's and cherish every one. Just wondering if there is anything I can do to practice soft hands when not riding? I am hoping to reducate a standardbred I own and I am having quality lessons on an educated horse to learn positioning and correct aids before I even attempt to do anything with him. Thing is I am so keen to do more but only have one lesson per week. I am working on balance and fitness through exercise so I can be the best rider I can be. Any suggestions regarding hands would be very welcome as my partner refuses to wear a bridle for me to practice ( rather wreck his mouth then my horses). Many Thanks Suzanne

I bet you have wrecked his ears though Suzanne hahahaha. Having good hands is not all about being soft all the time Suzanne. That is one of the biggest mis conceptions in the Horse Industry and the reason why the majority of Horses mouths get ruined. Yes, you must be soft but only when they are. Ride on a pleasure rein but ride as if you have a contact with the correct hand and arm positions, concentrating on making your hands not be connected to your Body, just floating in mid air and never influenced. That takes fitness, strength and so on. Get your hands to where they don't move, no matter what your Body is doing back there. Once you have the independent seat, your hands will be no longer an issue.  Cheers

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John
I would like to thank you for all the info and entertainment your site provides and for re- educating the public on the traditions and commonsense of the horsemanship traditions in this country.My question to you is about when to ask for the first canter on a breaker.I have your dvd's and you don't seem to be in a hurry to ask them too early in the process. My views are that most things deteriorate at faster paces and canter is best left until the young horse has developed balance under a rider.Do you always wait to canter as your dvd's seem to suggest or do you take each horse on it's merits?A lot of industry gurus insist on canter on the first day which seems too soon to me.I would appreciate your insights on this matter
Regards
Eric

 Hi Eric. Why ask for trouble. Why stress the young Horse, why risk anything? That is why I don't even think Canter until about day 5 and even then, only on a straight line, up a Hill and letting the Horse dribble into it gradually by letting it run on gradually in trot to the point where it just breaks into it. Again, why take risks? Why ask for trouble? Many will buck on the first Canter so why have that? The extra days work eliminate more of the jump, touchiness, girthiness and so on, so why inflict sudden girth grabbing young Horses when they are not ready for it. Once I do, I go a kilometer at least. Always being ready during the first few Canters for the instant ORS because as I said, lot's will buck either out of girth grabbing or exuberance "Whoopy Chook" It is very important that your lead Horse (if you have one) also just dribbles into canter. Not zipping off all of a sudden as that will cause bucking for you. I don't have to prove I can do all of those things on the first day Eric. When it gets near the Business end of the proceedings, I soon catch them up with a whoosh :) Regards

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Hi John,
I have a 6yo Quarter Horse, and I currently have him shod on the front feet only. He runs on 350 acres with about 40 other horses so he lives pretty much in a natural horsey environment.

I wanted to keep him unshod in a natural trim, and he seemed ok when ridden on grass, but I could feel he was getting a little sensitive when being ridden out on trails due to the harder, stony ground. This was still occurring even after a couple of months of getting used to being unshod. So I put his front shoes back on and he's been happy ever since.

Most of the riding I do is trail or grassland with very little arena work. I was wondering what you think of Horse Boots, like the Old Mac system, and what the pro and con of these boots might be.

For instance, might they make a horse more likely to stumble or cause any type of ligament damage?
I would very much like to keep him barefoot, but not if there are any negative impacts.

Thanks ~ John F

Well John, you have me on that one. No idea, never used them, know nothing about them. Watch this space as there is always a bright spark or two that helps me out when I hit a wall :) Regards

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Hey you! John our new mini Nemo, (don;t ask) has had very limited handling he is 29 inches tall and only 7mths old. We have had him for a week and in this time I have got him accepting me picking up his feet and brushing him down nicely. But he is still worried about having his stomach brushed. I have to brush him everyday due to his long winter coat and we have winter prickles everywhere. When you go to brush him he turns his butt to you, he has never kicked me but he has given middle daughter 2 close calls. I push his butt away with a stern vocal warning. Is this fine, should I do more? We started the 7 steps with him yesterday and he responding nicely to the yo-yo game. Depending on how he goes the porki-pine will be next. I will tell you the story about him later...very long one. Just put it this way, my family is full of rescues....lol Red is very kind to him we have nic named him "Nanny R"

cheers
chelle

Hahaha Chelle. Never a dull moment. Grab him and pick him up like a Merino Ram, throw him on his back and rub his tummy til your Hearts content :) Get after the 'little sucker' :) You have Foal hobbles, throw them on him. Pull his back leg up to a collar rope and then rub his tummy :) They can be just as dangerous to little Kids so treat him as a big one. Photos would be good :)

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I have 2 foals that I am helping a friend with, one 4 week old stud and one 2 week old filly. I myself have owned and trained horses most of my life from 6 months old on, but never from birth. Both foals have been handled since birth.

The little filly is a dream already leading, very calm.

The little stud on the other had is acting like a little stud. He has hot breading. ( don't know if that could be it) He is very sensitive to touch and not really a people horse. He does not like his head messed with at all. (this seemed to get worse as he got older )We have finally are able to touch and rub up from the nose up to the ears and over the head, but as soon as you introduce a halter, the head starts to fly. I will say he was 2 weeks before we started with the halter, but we did get it on him at first a few times and now nothing. He just will not l stand for it. I have been taking a rope in a large circle and starting really slow to put it over his head and back off, just to get his used to the fact that something has to go over his head. I also always carry the halter with me when I mess with him, so he will get used to me having it. I am hoping then he will not see it as a monster. I am now perplexed and at the end of my knowledge. I know I will have to go slow, but kind of need a guideline on how slow. I don’t want him get used to us only going at his pace.

Any Information will help!

Gennifer from Missouri

Hi Gennifer, on the contrary, I wouldn't be going slow with him at all. I would be completing his training inside a week. Halter broken, tied up, feet trimmed, even start teaching him the 7 games. Remember, every day he gets bigger and stronger. You may need a Pro to get you through this because I can guarantee you this, he will be too strong for you and go off like a 'fire cracker', thus being in high danger of injury and a totally ruined start in life due to the undoubted victory he will get. At that age, you need a big strong Fellow, with gloves and to not let him have a win or go over backwards. That being saved by the strength of a Male. I would even hobble train him for his own safety and your on going future respect order and join up with him in the Round Pen. Once again, you probably should get your local Pro in for a couple of sessions and lessons. Remember, he is a Colt!!!! Regards

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Hi John

Just wanted to tell you that my colt had his 4th ride of his life yesterday going through the forest. Other than having difficulty understanding that I wanted him to step over the rail to get into the forest he did not put a foot/hoof wrong. He had his 5th ride today going out through my neighbours property which has an area that looks like a junkyard and then a paddock with about 100 llamas and alpacas in it as well as creek beds, dams, and other spooky stuff...other than neighing at the llamas (go figure) and having to be persuaded (thank God for a lateral mouth!) to go through the creek bed he was very good...cant say the same about the cars that screamed past on a narrow shoulder despite me having my hand up to ask them to slow down!!

This is all thanks to your Riding and Training the Green Horse DVD...that was definitely the best $69.95 I have ever spent ...and you can quote me on that!
Regards Josie
 

Thanks Josie, wonderful news and well done to you. He is a stunner. Where are the pics? There are more and more success stories related on her of late. Thanks


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Hi John,

Tomorrow I've been asked to help train solid tie an older thoroughbred. I've only ever done it with youngsters..is there anything I should be more aware of when doing this with the older horse?

Cheers
Kim

Yes Kim, the Death of the Horse!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are playing with Fire there. They are far more dangerous than unbroken Horses and you could end with an injury and depending upon the Friend, a Court case? Facilities, equipment and knowledge, lots of it are required for these Horses. You may fluke a good one but many are crazy as Hell. Best of Luck

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Hi Mr HP,

I was hoping you may be able to offer some suggestions for a few issues I have with my mare. I’ll start off with some background on her. She is a 10yo Standardbred mare who was retired from racing at 4yo (5 races) due to an irregular heart beat, but the vet who diagnosed this said it wasn’t a problem for just hacking around & trail rides. I was able to track down her original owner/trainer & the vet who diagnosed her heart, but between then & the people I bought her off is a mystery. The people I bought her off had her for about 10 months & had bought her for their 11yo daughter, but found her a bit too much for a young girl. She had been under saddle for about 4 years when I got her. She’s in excellent health & a fantastic do’er (runs off the smell of a chaffy rag) & has had about 2 years (yes I’m slack) rest in the paddock after we discovered she had a sore back not long after buying her 2 years ago. She’s had treatment for it & is all fine now. She is a dominant mare with the other horses but quite calm & layed back in her paddock, a bit stand offish with people. She is quite happy to come up to you if you have food, but if you just want to give her a pat she will turn away, not really interested in affection like our others. She’s always displayed anxiety when taken out of her paddock to the point where she was almost jumping into my arms if I took her for a walk near the arena. She ties up fine except for the constant pawing (no pulling though). She is respectful of us. She knows not to face her bum to us & to stand back & wait while we put her feed in her feed bin & that sort of thing. She is as good as gold with handling her feet & with getting her feet trimmed but will not let me put anything on her feet, not spraying or even with a brush. She will just jump all over the place to avoid it to the point where she is almost jumping on top of me.

The guy who runs the agistment where they are is a very experienced horse trainer & roping & reining veteran so I asked him to re educate Tess for me. At first she still displayed the anxiety when worked in the round yard, but eventually he got her a lot more relaxed & working well there now, but under saddle she is still very tense & not focused at all. She is constantly concerned with everything else going on around her & not focused on Bruce at all. She can’t relax, always walking & trotting like it’s a race. He has tried tying her up with stockmans hobbles to stop the pawing but to no avail. He has been persevering with her for 7 weeks now. She hates the float. We bought our own float & had a new floor & new rubber put in & made sure everything was safe & comfy for the horses. She doesn’t climb or scramble or rush out. But she is almost impossible to get on. I’ve found the only way I can get her on is to have my husband stand to the side of her bum with a broom & nudge her up (only takes a soft nudge just once). She goes up straight away with this, otherwise I can’t even get her within 10 feet of the ramp (float loading training is next on the agenda). Luckily we don’t usually take her anywhere. Even a short 15 minute drive will have her in such a state that when we unloaded her, she was dripping wet with sweat & the floor of the float looked like a swimming pool. If it weren’t for the fact that all the water on the floor was at the front of her you would think she had pee’d about 20 times. I made hubby read your tips about how to drive & how not to drive before we floated her & we gave her a really nice slow steady ride, yet she was in this state. The other 2 were fine so it wasn’t the weather (24 degrees Melbourne style). I was told once by someone who’s supposed to be a very experienced horse person that it was just arrogance that made her hard to load, but I can’t see that arrogance would leave her in such a state. Back to the pawing, I have left her tied up in the grooming area while I brush the other horses (about an hour) & she paws the whole time. Even when I’m brushing her she constantly moves & fidgets & seems anxious instead of enjoying it like the others do. She isn’t quite so bad if I brush her in her paddock, she will relax more & settle. When the trimmer came out to do their feet, she hardly had to touch Tess’ front feet as Tess had done a good enough job herself. She did say that she’d worn them nice & even though (maybe I should see if I can train her to do the back ones too…lol). So they are my concerns. I would appreciate any light you can shed on these for me. Thanks

Anxiety under saddle:
Anxiety with the float:
Anxiety away from her paddock:
Pawing the ground constantly:

Kind Regards,

Cathy

Bad Luck Cathy, you purchased a long term psychological Problem Horse that exudes all of the stresses of her Racing career and she just hasn't forgotten it. She relates everything to it, including Floating and I completely disagree with the person who said she is being arrogant. She is just being scared as Hell. I do not think you will ever win with this Horse but I wish you all the luck possible. I would be moving on and imho, you should too. The signs were probably there when you purchased her because almost all of them can be ridden by 11 year olds. Next time DO NOT BUY A MARE!! She is a sad person with long term, deep set memories that I doubt will leave her. Regards

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Hi Mr and Mrs HP!
Just wondering if you've ever heard of behavioural issues as odd as these. I sent my 7 yo gelding to his previous owner (a good horseman) to be ridden before sale, as I am unable to do so because of injury. At home, the gelding is the quietest, and lowest of the pack (and this includes my mini mare). At the place where he is now, he decided to become a stallion. He was challenging the stallion in the yard next door, running up and down and what not, so the man in charge put hobbles on his front legs. Louie kept on running, so he put hobbles on the back legs too (I don't know if this is right or not - is it?), and the horse lay down. Just like that. Not all too worried about it though, he's been out of work for 18 months, but it's odd, itsn't it?
Penny

It may be that your Horse is petrified of the Stallion Penny or that this is a sign that he is a 'Rig" Either way in this circumstance, your Horse should not be along side that Stallion. Get the Vet to do a blood test on your Horse to check the Hormone levels so that you will know what you have but shift the Horse to a different yard and along side a Mare. Then observe the behavior. You will soon see for yourself which of the two theories that I put forward are true or not. Then go from there. Regards

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24th April, 2008

In case you are wondering why the young Horse in this Pod Cast was bucking when I took a hold on his Bridle? It has a direct correlation to the amount of resistance the horse gives. The worse the mouth, the more the resistance, the more the roller grabs and the more girthy he became. Gives his face and no need to feel the girth then. This is always a good indicator of a poor lateral mouth. He is a darling now by the way.

Remember the old Horse with the crookedness issues and throwing flying changes in left right and centre? Mrs. HP fixed him in 5 days and the owner is excited and having lessons now so that she may catch up to the well trained School Master. Now, with proper muscling up, he will be ready to go out and win at Advanced Dressage quite soon./ That is how good he is.

Got two of the tack rooms finished today on my Stables and three more tomorrow. The Stables themselves are all finished.

This weekend is the State Dressage Championships at the beautiful Naracoorte and they are saying Rain. Well, who can complain. Big long trip and very expensive too with the shocking price of Fuel right now. Probably about $6.50 a Gallon you Yankees. How would you like that?

Mrs. HP clipped 'young aureo' who is also qualified into the Prelim and the Novice and she came out a nice color. She was a very good Girl and Mrs. HP did her on her own no problems at all. Once she was over the initial shock that is hahaha. One hang back but that was the end of it. Just a nice reminder to her that she does tie up properly and the end of evasion thoughts. Her worst Nightmare :)

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Dear Judges and Coaches

Wendy Hunt has asked me to let you know about the possibility of holding a Clinic with the International German judge, Uwe Spenlen later this year, please see the details attached.

The details will also be in the next Moving Forward and the EFA SA Dressage Committee is hopeful that we will have enough riders/judges/coaches interested to run this clinic.

Please pass this message on to others who might be interested.

It's a great opportunity for SA riders and officials.

If you think you are or might be interested, please email your interest to Wendy at altongrange@activ8.net.au or call us here at the EFA office on 8234 2700.
 

 STOP PRESS !!!!!!!! ATTENTION RIDERS ,COACHES AND JUDGES

The EFA-SA Dressage Committee is negotiating to have International German Judge Uwe Spenlen come to South Australia to give a judges clinic and possibly a horse/rider clinic.
Whilst many issues are still to be addressed the EFA-SA Dressage Committee would like “Expressions of Interest” from anyone wishing to attend a three day clinic possibly just before Equitana in November. Horses will need to be of an Elementary standard.
Whilst costs are still to be organized the cost would possibly be approximately $120-$130 per lesson ( but this will depend on numbers). Lessons would be for 45minutes.
It is proposed that there will be a one day Judges clinic. To cover costs Judges/coaches and other interested people will be expected to pay for this clinic.
This is a wonderful opportunity to have someone of Uwe Spenlen’s calibre in South Australia.
The EFA-SA Dressage committee will be trying to source grant moneys to help with costs.
If you are interested please email Wendy Hunt at altongrange@activ8.net.au or phone the EFA office and register your “expressions of interest” ASAP.

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LETTER OF THE DAY

Hi John,

Thanks for your explanation of that halter. When I noticed the crossover part under the head little alarm bells went off. It was being recommended on a forum to someone whose horse couldn’t tie up.
I had no intention of buying it… a normal Parelli rope halter is fine for my horses! (and they tie up LOL)
Did you manage to catch Australian Story last night about Anne Skinner the dressage paralympian? Really inspiring stuff. And her latest horse – proves you right when you say horses are smarter than us ;
http://www.abc.net.au/austory/

 It should be repeated on Saturday 12.30pm if you missed it.

Cheers

Wendy

Hi Wendy,

There then is the proof of what I am always saying regarding suspect Products being used by idiots. Can you imagine tying a Horse up by the snout in a lasso rope? Just think about it. The Horse violently pulled back and the lasso engages, crushing the face of the Horse and applying pressure from 360 degrees. Good Training? Dangerous? Cruelty to Animals? Yep. All of those and more. This is the problem with Horse Forums. They are very dangerous for Horses./ Yes, they make a lot of people very happy and serve ego trips, know it alls, bullies and complete Cons but amongst them, the Horse is the victim. Thanks

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24th April, 2008

LETTERS OF THE DAY

Hi John & Linda,

I met you at the Perth clinic and have still been reading your pages daily, anyway I have two questions for you that I am unable to work out for myself and thought you would be the best person to help me.

First question – After reading about clipping and sweating on your site in the last few days, it prompted me to ask this one, my purebred Andalusian seems to sweat more than any horse I have come across. He has just turned 5 and gets ridden normally 5 times a week for approx 30 – 50 minutes each session, no matter what we do, flat work, lunging, bush ride, he is always very sweaty afterwards, I don’t burn around on him, he gets a nice workout and works in a nice frame and does the normal routine with a bit of walk, trot, canter work and then walk to cool down. It doesn’t matter what time of year it is, clipped or unclipped, he always sweats a lot, is this normal, he is not a nervous type and is a very relaxed laid back fellow to ride so I don’t think it is anxiety or stress related to being ridden?

Yes, certain Horses are naturally hotter than others, same as people :) This can vary amongst the Breeds as well of course.

Do some horses like humans having varying degrees of sweatiness, are some just more sweaty than others? I know he is pretty hot blooded as I never float him in a rug or summer sheet as he just cooks, even naked in the float he is hot when we get there, even if only a 20 minute trip and he is not nervous in the float. He sweats like a pig after a nice stroll in the pines at walk, some trot and a small canter. I think is he is unfit but I have had him in constant work for just over 12 months and it seems the same as from the day I got him, if you could shed some light on why this is would be appreciated, thanks.

A Blood test wouldn't go astray, similar to what the Gallopers have, checking all of the various levels. He may need electrolites. Some do.

The second question is - I have a 4 year old standardbred mare I got about 4 months ago and have broken her to saddle, she is a treat and working well except for one thing, she always stops dead to go for a manure. I have almost gone up her neck a couple of times as we have been trotting along nicely and she is a very forward moving horse with a nice springy trot and she just stops dead, sometimes mid stride and I almost end up half way up her neck literally. No matter how hard I kick, use the whip or slap her over the neck with the reins she will refuse to move forward one inch until she has completely finished her business. This is bad if we are going to go to a dressage comp unless she happens to be halting to salute the judge and dangerous if we ever need to get out of the way of something and she won’t move till she finishes her business, any suggestions on how to overcome this??
Look forward to hearing your replies, all the best for now,

Kind regards,

Emma

Yes Emma, you should never hit Horses down the shoulder or neck unless for a few specific reasons, such as the Horse spinning for instance. Always around the rump. The engine is in the back and the Standardbred Horses are always trained to go from behind. Hitting on necks, like Pony Club, means turn sideways, not go. Regards

 

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Hi John
I have emailed quite a few times about my buckskin quarter horse/thoroughbred mare. I saved her 2 years ago from starvation and we have had our fair share of issues but with your advice and a great trainer we are now trail riding in the bush. She has been going really well, we sometimes get the odd argument with a kick up of the heels but so far nothing too horrible. Touch wood. An experienced friend of mine has been riding her recently as I had an old injury flare up. So i head out on my quiet old boy and my friend rides the mare. She is quite a brave young horse and will go past lots of stuff but about 2 times each ride she will shy quite violently. She will bail out to one side and then spin with an intent to run. So far she is stoppable and has not run off. I will be back riding soon and I have quite a bit of experience but I am concerned about the shying. The other stuff doesn't faze me but i am concerned I will come off these shies. I have a stock saddle and your holy @#$$%$# handle on order but my question is this: Is there something I can do to ride through this. I have read your problem page on this, the thing is these shies seem to come out of the blue. My rein handling may need some work her mouth is not too bad (waiting for remouth dvd :) ) but i feel like the shy will have happened before i get a chance to use ors. I read her body language and watch her ears to be onto her thoughts but is there something else I should be doing. I don't want to come off bc I am sure there will not be bouncing. Thanks for your time. Your advice has been invaluable and is much appreciated.
Regards Melissa.

The 'One Rein Stop' is not relevant in this situation Mel. Fast rein handling and the type of rein handling is. This is why I am always on about the pleasure rein. Last night again with the South African Lady. In order to negate such a move, you have to be on a 'pleasure Rein.' Not a Western Rein. There is a vast difference. Just a slight loop in them so yu DO NOT have a contact but then short enough that you can rip one around if need by, without running out of arms. Therefore, the position on the reins has to be an individual thing. The length of your arm and the neck of your Horse has to dictate where your rein hands sit and yet give a pleasure rein but be able to take the face of the Horse with speed and shock WITHOUT RUNNING OUT OF ARMS and having your hands in your stomach or worse, with your rein hand going past your hip (where it must go) but with the spastic crippled wrist in an effort to keep a contact. So, the reason for the pleasure rein, used with an accompanying release of the opposite hand, is what gives one the power to snap a Horse around laterally, using the pressure on the outside of the face of the Horse and strong enough to beat the enormously strong Animal at full flight. Therefore, if you haven't got it under control, you cannot fix the Horse for only negation of the evasion fixes Horses. So the Horse must not get full around to be pointing the other direction. You have to stop that and energize the horse forward with strength and put boldness on it via bold riding with aggression. A smack around the rump is good for those horses, (providing their head is pointed in the intended direction of travel) First of course, you have to be able to ride shies. :) Now, why is she shying with your friend? You have to work that one out. Regards

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Thank you so much John for your wonderful no nonsense advice. I will keep you informed of course re the tying up.

Please pass on my very best wishes to Linda for her competition. It sounds very important. Good luck to her, although I’m sure she doesn’t need it, but she deserves it. You’re a great team. I look forward to the time when you guys have a huge national/international profile – I’ll tell everyone – “ that’s ‘my’ trainer, John O’Leary and I went to a clinic of Linda Oleary’s”.!!
I wonder how on earth you two will continue to make time for the likes of me when you’re on the international ‘arena’?
Thanks from us all.

Kind regards, Nat

There is one thing that I promise Nat. My wife and I will never "lose the common touch" Thanks

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23rd April. 2008

POD CAST OF THE WEEK

 

KNOWLEDGE FOR A FARRIER

I promised a local Farrier that I would write  piece aimed at helping him to become better going forward as he does have a lot of potential and is the best one around these parts....... when he is concentrating.

He was putting front shoes on a weanling due to it having had an accident on one of the hooves and so he decided to put shoes on both front. Fair enough. Now bear in mind that a weanling is a totally unbroken Horse and has no training of right and wrong. Doesn't know what discipline means or much else. The other thing to bear in mind here is that they are little baby feet that by description would be easily hurt as they are both growing and not formed.

When shoes are first introduced to a "Breaker" for the first time, let alone a weanling, the young Horse has no idea what it means and they certainly have not felt a hammer hitting their hoof. They have no pre-programming such as a Horseman gives a Breaker prior to the first set of shoes.

The other thing that I have learnt over the years, having shod many of my Breakers to make sure they were "farrier proof" is that they do not respond to over indulgent hitting with the hammer and so I am very careful and considerate of the Horse to A. Not hit more blows once the nail is driven reasonably home and certainly, B. Not to over hit with the power one may use on a fully mature and shoeing experienced Horse.

In this particular Farrier's case, he is a big powerful Boy and he has a habit, obviously subconscious, where after the nail is driven home in say 3 or 4 strikes, he then hits another three or four times with the power one may use on an 18 hand Clydesdale Horse and those extra and unnecessary strikes  are the one's that can hurt the most because they have no shock absorber qualities of when the nail is first being hit through the hoof wall but not home. Steel on steel. Hammer against shoe. Just a habit the Farrier gets into, just as the Black Smith on the anvil.

So the young Filly, always well behaved, started standing on her hind legs to avoid the pain and so the farrier gave her a slap up the guts as we say with the accompanying "red around the gills' that would suggest anger management may be appropriate.

The young weanling does not know what discipline is or means, does not know what shoeing is or why and of course the resultant manure is the sign of the truth of that assertion. It doesn't work with young horses and can only set them on the road to being a problem shoeing horse.

Immediately, a second young unbroken yet bombproof horse had to be done. It did two manures, the second runny, thus signaling and communicating it's fear of the vibes being emitted from the Farrier as his blood pressure had arisen. Once again showing the value of "listening to our Horses" as they tell you everything.

So if I disappear next week, you know what has happened to me :) I hate pain :) but cranky or not, the young Farrier who is an ardent reader of my site will always think about it at some time in the future, even if maturity has to play a part.

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LETTER OF THE DAY

Hi John,

Heard about this on a web-forum:
http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?PGGUID=2e87bf48-7b6a-11d5-a192-00b0d0204ae5

Not sure what to think of it…. One of those things that at first glance you might say “oh neat” and then think about it some more and be a little concerned!

Cheers

WendY

This is a very interesting subject Wendy. In essence, this is a 'WAR BRIDLE' dressed up as a rope Halter and with a quaint name for marketing purposes. The War Bridle as invented and used by Old Australian Horsemen of the past, is a very vicious piece of work and makes virtually 100% of Horses rear. The Monty Roberts Dually Halter is of a similar design and imho, is also a War Bridle which is why at his Adelaide visit, his floating Horse reared over backwards onto it's head. Thus proving my assertion. So let's examine the training messages behind this versus the rope Halter.

First up, this Halter should NEVER be let near an Amateur, nor should the Dually Halter and definitely never the War Bridle.

When one takes up a feel on a rope Halter, the pressure is placed across the back of the head of the Horse and the handler has the available options of maintaining that feel if the Horse doesn't come forward, give or try or start reversing backwards. It has one request, go forwards and it has one directional request. Come, from the back of the head. If it tries, the subsequent 'reward and relief' soon signals to the Horse what is required and it learns via a reasonably efficient pointer.

With this Halter in the Photo, "Feel Good" hahahaha I love that :) if you pull on the lead rope, the Halter closes as a vice on the face of the Horse and gives pressure from front and back. Telling or asking the Horse to go forwards and backwards at the same time, not to mention the available 'pulley system' and fulcrum affect to empower the Human to become super strong, a dangerous thing to have.

So this piece of equipment has zero training qualities and is an unjust tool of training as well as cruel in a large percentage of uneducated and un timed hands of the majority. The Metal fittings don't require comment but then you have to consider that the 'brain dead' of the Horse Industry (not their fault just not taught Horsemanship) would tie their Horse up with this equipment and don't anyone tell me some wouldn't. Then you can truly imagine the foolhardiness of selling such equipment into a Market that cannot be controlled or educated.

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SELF DENIAL AND YOUR HORSE

Mr. O'Leary,

Your assessment was a hard pill to swallow,. . .and then I remembered the "glint in your eye". I reread the information time and again, hearing it from someone genuinely concerned. THANK YOU!

I know little about muscle development and acceptable weight (opinion seems to vary from person to person way too much!), but I KNEW THAT SOMETHING WAS JUST NOT RIGHT. Now, I am tackling my feeding strategy and exercise program with a lot more gusto! For me AND my horse!!

THANKS AGAIN O'LEARY!!!!

Self Denial is something that every Horse Professional would meet at an ever increasing pace these days and the letter above is a wonderful example of someone who was not so delicate as to get all shattered and wounded but put the welfare of her Horse before her own feelings and kept an open mind. My sincere congratulations as I fully expected you to 'fire up'

I meet some terrible examples of people in 'self denial' when dealing with Problem or difficult horses and their delicateness always serves to ensure the failure of Training, mostly to the detriment of the Horse and often all the way to the Doggers Yards. In this World of Political Correctness and Double Speak which I call 'falked tongue' coined by the American Indians, the Professional has to tread on Egg Shells if they are to keep all people happy all of the time. That is not possible these days which is why some Trainers, myself and Ray Hunt included, let them say it as it is and let them sort it out for themselves. After all, they are paying for the advice so are we expected to give a half version so as to protect the touchy one's? I think not.

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LETTERS OF THE DAY

Dear HP,

Sorry, forgot the letter bit just before.

Thank you for the revelation!!! One of my horses worked hard today and sweated 10 times MORE than usual....put it down to that long
winter coat and hot weather!!! BUT Couldn't work out why she was
more reluctant today than any other day....very unusual for her............OF COURSE!!!! She was too darn hot to enjoy
herself. Will clip this week.....dont care about the whiskers.

Cheers ,Jen

There you go Jen. That is why I spend the time to keep this website running. It only takes one person out of thousands but that is one Horse better off. Thanks.

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Hi John and Mrs Horseproblems

I have read with interest your article on shying and I wonder if you could look at my case study, please.
We are based in South Africa and we compete and train Dressage horses and Showjumpers.
I have recently picked up an impeccably well trained 13yr old mixed breed Dressage horse that is now in Medium Dressage. The horse has won every major championship in Southern Africa in the past 10yrs so he should be a school master at schooling and the show arena. We have not yet taken him to a show as we have only had him for 4 weeks and he is in fitness training after recovering from a long illness.

My problem is that in a schooling session, the horse goes through 15 – 20 minutes of walking exercises with no hassles. We then moves into working trot exercise and without a hint or warning the horse does the most violent shy that has managed to dislodge 2 highly skilled dressage riders in the last 2 weeks. He appears to shy at nothing at all, and the shy is of such violence that it seems to be a “get off my back shy”. To give you an example of the type of shy: Doing a 20m circle with leg yields to the right, the horse will suddenly spin to the left then shoot sideways at enormous speed. If you are still on board then, before you can gain your seating he spins and shoots to the left again and will continue to do this until either the rider is dislodged and comes off or something stops him like the side of the arena, a drum or a tree.

The action is so violent that to try and gain control of the horses head (which one already has in full contact because you are schooling)and get your bum back into the saddle to try and leg yield the horse back into action is absolutely impossible. I spend my life riding and training complicated evasive horses, but this horse has me beat and my top dressage riders will now not ride this horse because of this shy. Even I am now nervous and I am not a nervous rider at all. But the thought of falling off on such a shy is not an appealing one. He is not a big horse, infact he stands only 15hh compared to our other string which all average 16.1hh – 16.3hh.

Before I think the worst, I am now questioning the saddle fitting (he is ridden in a treeless Barefoot Dressage saddle), the bit in his mouth (A simple Dr Bristol snaffle type for every day training) – absolutely everything that could cause this violent action. Or is it a malicious action to indeed get the rider off and get out of work. I am trying to contact the previous owner who trained him from the age of 3yrs old, but I am not having much luck.

In your opinion what do you think could be the problem
Many thanks for a great website
Warmest regards


Anne
South Africa

Hi Anne, I have a job for you. Whip over the Border and bump that Mugabe off would you :) Your problem is a very difficult one and there is certainly some historical baggage attached to this Horse. I would need to get hold of him and run all sorts of test before I would truly know. However. Here are some musings.

• Have his eyes tests.

• Ride him in Blinkers as a test.

• Ride him with one eye covered as a test.

• Change eyes.

• He will spin the same direction every time???? I suspect so. Attempt to simulate this on the ground with long reins and see if you beat him but first....

• go do this: TESTING THE LATERAL MOUTH OF YOUR HORSE

• Then re-mouth him and fix it if not up to scratch. Then a Rider, given their rein Handling speed, should be able to stop him. They must however be Riding him on a pleasure rein during the test so as to have the snap and rip of the one rein hand laterally without the other rein hand blocking the take of his head in the opposing direction of travel such as you would have if collected. Such Riding cannot happen 'On the Bit'

• Rider carries a lump of Polly pipe in left hand if horse spins left, with a frightening piece of plastic tied to the end of it, which his head accidentally runs into when he attempts to spin left. Shock him out of it. or

• Depending on the Horse re rear possibilities, tie one side rein to the offending side to stop him getting his head around but test that in the round pen first to cement it.

• or learn to ride shyers hahahah

There are other options but let me know. Old Bugga :)

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Hello John, and to your reader Julie, my sympathies to her, it’s a long road the one she’s on.
I have a question for you regarding my own journey with this blinking horse.
I have wormed this bloke previously using the ‘follow your head up and and down and round and round and finally manage to get some in method’, but am feeling a little over all that sort of carry on, and having an 18hh now trying it on, I’d though I’d rain on their parade and tie their big heads down (Chip style) and blinking well worm them properly. Well, the hanovarian took it well (definitely met that before) ha ha. But as I approached the lovely OTTB with the syringe, he went off – seriously. It was awful and the worst in a long while. I felt like my heart was being squeezed in a vice!
In Perth I didn’t have the facilities to tie him hard (safely) but since we have been on the farm I have been tying him whenever I saddle up or do whatever, and every so often, he just goes off, so this is not a new behaviour, but I have only really just started to tackle it.
So, my question to you is, do you believe that this behaviour will dimish over time with consistent training? At all?
I’m sure you know, whatever your answer, that I will persist with this horse. So I’m not asking if you think he should stay or go - he has some redeeming qualities (yes, that’s noise is me talking crap), and we’ve already come such a long way. I’m looking for a tiny glimmer of hope for a calmer future.
PS I have ordered Endo’s DVD and may worm him from the ground next time ha ha…
Kindest regards and thank you

Natalie

Haha, don't rule that out either. It would do him good to be wormed on the ground :) I would. Once again, this is the OTTB and the terrible breaking in jobs of them, then led by the beard all their lives and resistance builds up and up and up....... Then along comes Nat :) Head filled with good ideas from all over but the Horse goes off like a Fire Cracker. Those Horses always go off far worse than any unbroken Horse one ever meets. They are a non event compared to these Horses. Only consistence of the demand, coupled with the correct facilities and protection, will answer that question for you. The individual personality and the deep in grained fight syndrome can only be revealed with enough tries and losses to the Horse for you to know. Therefore I cannot answer it. Personality will dictate it only. Make one mistake and you can forget the lot. Have fun Nat :)

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20th April, 2008

THINK FOR THE HORSE B4 OURSELVES

It is rare that I use Mrs. HP as an example in the search for training opportunities for you, my readers. I do try very hard to turn everything, even drama, into a learning/teaching experience whereby you and your Horses become more together.

During the week, I was helping Mrs. HP with the training of her Horse and as usual in this God Forsaken Climate, it was too hot at 24 degrees. I could see that her Horse was struggling with the work and it was due to heat. The long Winter coat that was growing in readiness for Rain was making it very difficult for her. Anyhow, I cut the lesson short for the Horse and the following day Mrs. HP clipped her.

Today was the first round of the Australian Prix St. Georges Cup which is a comp for the top 3 Horses from each State over a set number of comps and then the top however many go to Sydney for the Final apparently. Her Horse was firing today and she won the Prix St. Georges and the Advanced we are told (had to leave early of course)

Tonight, whilst watching the video of her tests, Mrs. HP commented what a wonderful color she had turned out after clipping but that she thinks she may have clipped her too early.

I immediately knew what she meant of course. I hear it incessantly amongst the Ladies that surround me daily re their absolute paranoia about color, hair growing back, the "hairy mongrel" and so on.

I had to make the point however...."What is more important, the welfare and comfort of the Horse or your worries about hair growing back too early etc?" "Clip her twice then. The Horse tells us today that it was as relieved as Hell and fired like no other time" It was 28 degrees today.  We ask for very difficult work, we must go to the ends of the Earth to make it as possible as possible :) She saw the point of course.

I rarely hear conversations amongst the Dressage Queens that come from a stand point of the best interests of the Horse. It is pretty much normally about them. So, yet again, the Horse proved that if we "listen to our Horses", they will repay us with interest!

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LISTEN TO YOUR HORSES

and........I always seem to have the unfortunate luck to park alongside someone who has trouble loading their Horse on leaving. I always feel bad about it, wanting to help, not wanting to offer as some hate that, feeling like a heel for not offering and so on. Torn.

Today again, same luck. The Lady in question certainly knew her stuff and had Tom Roberts trained the Horse to load well as it clearly did not want to. However, every time the Horse went back on, 20 times in 15 minutes, she couldn't get the back bum bar up as the Horse would back straight out again, even when being whipped. Incidentally, she had the customary Canvas Summer Rug and Hood or neck rug, forget which.

In the end, it was my Brother who had come down to watch, walked over and put the bum bar across for her when next the Horse went in but it was reasons why the Horse didn't want to go in the Float which interested me as I could read it's mind on each and every attempt. The Float had this division:

Every time the Horse went in and it did, it's back left leg would touch the bottom of the division and the left hip would then drop about 4 inches lower than the right hip. Horses can't spread their legs with this division and it is responsible for triggering the many wall climbers that I have seen over the years. The division commences 150mm too low from the top and extends eactly 3 boards width too far down at the bottom. Hence having the same affect as this division, only difference is you can't see the marks.

So, the Horse was communicating, ever so nicely like a well mannered and meaning Horse, why he didn't want to stay in there. Yes, be good Boy and go in to tapping but worry make come out. Listen to your Horses.

Then of course comes the subject of Rugs in Horse Floats. It borders on cruel in this Climate and is inept to the maximum to ever have a rug on a Horse in a Float. They hate it with a passion, it gives them discomfort, they get too hot beneath it and yet we want them to put a big ol fat grin on their face and walk right on in there. Their judgment is to good for that!!!

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HALTER BREAKING THE FOAL AND HOBBLE TRAINING

Fof those of you who may have seen the Halter Breaking the Foal DVD, blow me down if I happened to grab her out of one of our yards today, not realizing who she :)

I was photographing some of my new Saddlery Gear and just put stuff on her as my Model, in the middle of a bitumen car park, even the collar rope. Not a problem, "water off a ducks back" Cool as. Which proves yet again "hobble train Foals" and they give to everything later.

 

By the way, to Rose in Queensland, this is the Sister to your Son's Horse. The last one left. By Duccio. Going to be real tough to break in hahaha.

VIDEO OF THE DAY

Dear Horseproblems Australia,
Please give an e-evaluation of my 10 year old Trakehner mare. She vetted sound on her pre-purchase exam, and seems sound now, two years later. However, occasionally she will bolt away, quite severely. I believe it is naughtiness, but after viewing your Youtube segment on naughtiness vs. unsoundness, I would love to have your opinion about her seemingly high level of soundness. Thoughts?

Thank you,
Carrie
Houston, Texas, USA

 

Hi Carrie,

The Horse does not appear unsound, rather perhaps a little miffed perhaps. (miffed meaning not quite Happy) The Horse is mainly not 'round' over the back and therefore not soft. The Rider needs to get off the back of the Horse, not be sit trotting when it is braced and hollow, until such time as the Horse is going correctly. I believe the resistance is coming from discomfort which is caused by a lacking of the basics of the "German Training Scale" and the various rules associated with it. Such being the pursuit of the comfort and therefore happiness of the Horse, prior to proper work. You will note that on more than one occasion as well, the Rider was on the incorrect diagonal and we can't quite work out what the see sawing of the hands is for. Yes, the Horse is resistant in the mouth department and I can see that for sure but how much of that is caused by there not being quite enough athletic support for the Horse to do the work, not sure as we don't personally know the Horse. To summarize, if the Horse is made more comfortable to do the work, resistance should dissipate and the underlying low rating on the mouth of the horse should not have such a bearing on things as resistance in the mind should vastly reduce when equipped with the way of going to help it. Regards

 

LETTERS OF THE DAY

I just read your site, in regards to rearing.......I have a 2 1/2 yr old mare and she rears when she is put into a "tight" situation so to speak. Like trailering or tying...I have not gotten on her back yet, as I don't plan to for another year or so.....however I am new to this I have never owned a young horse before, well under 5yrs old lol. What would you suggest in her case......I want to get this out of her system before I do start riding her...she is going to be my trail horse, and I want her as sound as possible. If you have any ideas I would love to hear them ! Thank you soo much for taking the time to read this, I look forward to hearing from you, I'm feeling a little stuck at the moment =/


Sincerely,

*~Sarah~*

Hi Sarah, it is quite likely that she has "an upwardly mobile mind" like some who think up first where most don't. However, she also sounds as if she has a lot of resistance in her. The Halter Breaking may not have been quite good enough, she probably doesn't tie up solidly and if you suddenly run ahead of her and yank on her head, she will probably pull back rather than leap forward. That equals a resistant Horse and they do the things that you are faced with. Fix all that and the horse will improve. Tying up properly, teach her the 7 Games, definitely leave her for hours at a time with a long rope dragging off her and a ROPE HALTER on to get her thinking DOWN and giving the face when she treads on the rope, not UP. Float train her with Pat's system so she is driven in a float not pulled. When you Break her in, the Trainer can make a huge difference by having her ridden with a soft mouth, lightness, head down never up, and lunged in running reins to keep her there. Hobble training would also make this horse think about other options than rear and to look for other ways to go, thus diluting the thought. Regards

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Hi,

Just wanted to say thanks for the dvd's. They have been a huge help and we are really pleased Linda is a great teacher. I am about to order the green to dressage dvd.

Please tell Linda there has been such an improvement we are taking our horse for his very first dressage test (walk and trot) Sunday and hopefully if he goes well we will be able to start the prelim classes next month! He needs some work on the canter but hopefully with the green to dressage dvd that will improve too. He gets very excited when he comes out of the school and practices in the open field at the moment so I hope he doesn't disgrace us on the day. If you've any tips for or before Sunday we would love to hear them! Hopefully if all goes ok will send you a photo!

Kindest regards,
Tricia
UK

That's great Tricia. I do have some advice. Take the Horse to the centre of the warm up area and make him stand for 15 minutes or until he nods off. Using the ONE REIN STANDING off my PodCast, NOT HOLDING ONTO THE MOUTH OF THE HORSE WITH TWO HANDS LIKE THE QUEENS CAVALRY :) Let the Horse soak it up and learn patience, relax, listen and enjoy. Regards

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Hi John
Wrote earlier today about links...tonight all is fine
Don't know if you get info on what has happened in QLD...councils have been amalegration, living in Noosa is not any more but Sunshine Coast Super Council, what will happen to pony clubs and other groups mmmm who knows, end of the day no one wanted it but State Government made the choice, so much for people power!
Lets keep open mind and see what will happen but remember we the voters had no choice!

Sorry for interupting your day again, if I can say something...just out of hospital (bored as u can see) last weekend had chest pains, didnt think much of it till they got very painful and went to chemist....next thing I'm in hospital...I'm a young 47yr female and fit...please all take care when you feel chest pain, don't ignor it check it out, I was luck spent 24hrs with tubes out of me and own personal nurse and yes public hospital and no I do not have personal insurances.
Thank you to the staff at this public hospital did not leave any stone unturned until I was well.
All keep well,
Robyn

That's no good Robyn. Hope you get better soon. 100 Doctors are threatening to resign here at the moment because the Govt won't give them a pay rise that they deserve. :( They build one way Freeways here you know. Mickey Mouse runs this State :)

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Hi John and Linda,
I have a querie reguarding a 3yr old w/blood gelding that I bred. He is in fact the one who required 9 weeks rehab/retraining after arriving back from the breakers. He went to a friend of mine directly from the breaker for further education. However he was far from safe and would tuck his chin to his chest with any sort of contact, kick up or sort of pigroot whenever you put your leg on any more than a light squeeze. He actually ran into the side of the dressage arena twice - so his mouth would probably have scored minus 10!
Anyway he is now going nicely, has a great temperament and has (hopefully) forgiven me for what I unwittingly put him through. My concern is that when he is going from a trot to walk he does this hop of anticipation with the outside hind for a couple of strides before he walks. He does it on the lunge and whilst being ridden. My concern is that it could turn into a habit hard to break. He is even otherwise, canters on both sides without skipping or changing leads, goes down hills etc. Any ideas?
Cheers TJ

One would still suspect a slight problem with a stifle or something else or mental induced via the Breaker. Sounds like a good one there. The Horse was certainly confused by the sound of it and it is possible that this could be as a result of that but it is not the kind of thing that I have run into unless being physical. Have you fully checked the Horse out? Back, saddle fitting and so on. Is it caused by  a lack of straightness or that which causes 'Bridle Lameness" ? Is the Horse forward enough, thinking forward to walk? Could be Dressage problem? Investigate, keep an open mind. Sorry I couldn't specifically help on this one. Pity the Boss couldn't jump on :) You'd know in 5 minutes then.

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Hi John,

Just finished watching the Mouthing dvds (even my non-horsey mother stopped to watch…)
Had a little ride on my pony breaker yesterday. 3 weeks down, 1 to go apparently. J The air brakes work well and she has also been trained to stop on a “non-active” seat so if a child is riding and slumps forward then she will stop. A bit of a challenge for ME though! LOL
Will attach a pic of her that I took when I was there. When the horse being worked in the round yard was taken away and she was left at the tie-up point she expressed some frustration. ;) She held this position beautifully for about 5-6 seconds, perfectly balanced. And more than once. Not sure if I should be concerned…. ? Maybe she just wants to be a dressage pony?? Hmmmmm
Have had a fun testing my Arab mare (10yrs) for air brakes. Hmmmm. Predictable result ;) Round and round till I was dizzy but she did stop and she certainly learnt from it and stopped faster each time. But alas she does tend to travel “above the bit” because I haven’t had a clue ;) and only do stock work and a bit of endurance. She does go well in a rope halter. Better flexion from the poll. (Or maybe that was just when she was trying an whoopee pigroot? ;) ) Not sure if I should bother trying to “fix” her or spend my energy keeping the pony on the straight and narrow of a good mouth!
Hoping it rains soon!!

Cheers

Wendy

Wow, she is a powerful little unit :) That's just a touch of separation anxiety and nothing unusual. At least it proves she ties up impeccably. :) and will have no problems doing piaffe and passage lol. There is no problems with re-mouthing a 10 year old. I did a 22 year old once. Yes, it turned green here and it is now being burnt off by the Sun again. The weeds aren't though :)

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Hi, I am adamantly attracted to Natural Horsemanship, yet I was so inspired by John O’Leary in “Natural Horsemanship Explained.” I have a good head on my shoulders, and have picked up on the value of his message.
That said, I am inclined to share with you a serious problem that has become quite complicated. My goal is to SIMPLIFY it and stop the insanity of yeilding to all the usual run-of-the-mill advice I am inundated with.
Unusual horse:
Tess has a very low, but long wither with large square shoulders that stick out and above it. OR . . .

Tess has large forward shoulders set in front of her wither.

Problem:

Because of the unusual structure/conformation of Tess, I have the painfully frustrating pursuit of finding the saddle and pad to fit her as well as stay off her shoulder movement area. While she was still new to me, I made the mistake of repeatedly pinching her shoulders and wither area with my saddles. She was a bit cinchy to say the least. I would give up on saddles and just ride bareback, but she has trouble staying balanced and smooth. This I assume is all due to her back and shoulders.

History:

Tess is an “auction horse” of about three times at least. By the time I acquired her (I loved her foal!) She did not tie, take a bit, or saddle without rearing backwards and into things, if she didn’t just fall backwards. Then she surprised me one day. I never gave up trying to win her trust; I calmly persisted out in a field where she would be safe from running into things. After 12 or more tries, she calmed and dropped her head into my hands. I massaged her gums and the inside of her mouth! She’s never been hard to bit since.

Saddling has not been resolved so easily. I’ve had to take mainstream advice and modify it, with some argument and disapproval from other horse people, of course. I know what makes her uncomfortable because that is when she rears up. Since I have dropped the saddle further back than the usual, buckled the two back billets only and placed a thick neoprene pad full enough to keep any pressure points (hard places under gullet) away from her shoulders, she cinches up fine and rides smoother.


QUESTIONS:

(1) Have you ever heard of such ill placed shoulders and withers on a Thoroughbred / (we think she is mixed with Appaloosa) ???
(2) To me, she has muscle atrophy in the wither area behind her shoulders. I don’t use wither risers or other front inserts for that reason---they just sit on and push down upon that area on either side of the wither. Does this make logical/proper sense to you, as well?
(3) I believe Tess has been such a difficult horse, initially due to poor handling of her condition, among other ignorant harm. That said, I am aware that she has learned to use her behaviors to get riders to “leave her alone,” also. I get support from riders who have sensed her pain, but I get reprimanded by more riders who just see her as being rebellious. I believe her rebelliousness is secondary to her physical problems. Again, does this make sense as well??
NO ONE I have met can really share in my problem, because they have never had such a horse-problem combo. All claim to have NEVER seen conformation like that of Tess, either.
I’m very curious and grateful as to what advice/counsel you may be able to provide this beyond-novice-but-not-seasoned rider.
Thanks a million,

Pam

Well Pam, you can only deal with what you have and you have a Horse that would be somewhat difficult to fit. There are some other underlying problems with this Horse however. The Foal obviously took a little too much out of her and she has dropped away to an unacceptable riding condition and not ready to have a saddle fitted at all. Frankly, she shouldn't be ridden. Then you will agree that you are not a light weight and when we are up in the weight scales, we must do something about it. I know it is hard but if we truly care for our Horse, we go on a diet. I do regularly. Especially in the case of saddle fit issues and possible sore backs. Then there is the lack of muscle tone which is such that you cannot fit a saddle to the Horse properly plus, she little chance to be comfortable anyway as she has not got the back up athletic tools to successfully and properly carry a Rider. Most of the major muscle groups are seriously de-generated and so you need to learn how to build those up in order to ready and equip the Horse to be able to first fit a saddle and then carry a Rider. If those muscles were replaced, your problems would be largely fixed anyway as she would be an entirely different shape. That requires 6 days a week lunging with running reins and a feeding regime to back it up. I would bet that you need some knowledge based help with your Riding so that you can add to the correct muscle development whilst on top of the Horse. That can be done with knowledge and help.

So Pam, not much Natural Horsemanship there was there.....or was there? Regards

Hello John,

I know this will be one of many emails you receive, but I hope you have the time to give me a few suggestions. I own a gorgeous QH (Doc, as all good QH are named ) I purchased from the sale yards as a 4yo, he is now 9. As a 17yo girl I didnt think of the reasons a registered QH would be there, but that is all history now.

I took home an unbroken or half broken horse that only lead, tied and floated when it wanted to. He was terribly headshy and is to this day still twitchy. He is one of those horses that will throw his head straight at you violantly till you stop doing what he dislikes, I tend to keep doing what he dislikes till he calms down, but that is another story. Handled a certain way you cant tell he is headshy, but he is definitely not a horse Id let just anyone catch or bridle.

He has been on lease for the past two years with an experienced friend just as a trail horse, he is amazingly quite undersaddle. The decision to send him there came about as we could never get him to float consistently. So many things tried so many things failed, Im nearly certain it is down to him still not leading 100%. His main trick is that he knows I cant hold him (rope halter, long rope and leather gloves used, oh and bridle used on advise from another professional, which unsurprisingly made no difference except i had less to hang on to) he does all he can to get into a position to get free (pushes the handler, pulls back, rears and occasionally kicks), even if that means he can only run around the round yard, or jump out as he has scarely done in the past.

He has not floated in over a year, last episode was after a camp (only taken due to other horse injury), he loaded in about 10mins on the way there but took 3 hours the day the camp ended a sleep over and over 3 hours the next day to load, I dare not try again without professional help unless I really have to. I am no wilting flower and have a 16.2hh TB who occasionally has his off days and doesnt want to load and I am quite capable of reminding him of what he is supposed to be doing, however Doc is different. The current leasee has resigned to the fact that he will never be a good floater, but I live in hope. It scares me too, as if a bushfire went through like it did a few years back we would have no way to get him out.

Due to study commitments and the lack of commitment from the leasee I dont think I will be able to work with him much until later in the year. I would like to get someone in to help the horse and me through this process and was wondering if you could suggest anyone in the ACT or surrounding area? All the trainers I know in the area seem to have questionable reputations (one popular trainer having advised me to dog the horse over hearsay from a friend and the same known to not adequetely feed and water their horses) and although I dont wish to be judgemental and in no ways am I experienced enough to be judgemental, I really do need to work with someone I can trust.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Just as your website is, it is so rare to have someone with such experience freely offer their help to others. I have been a student for the whole period I have been riding and have parents with limited horsie knowledge, this has meant that there has been few chances for real professional training, your site has been and is fantastic source of knowledge, thank you so much.

Kindest Regards,
Julie

PS: I have attached a few old photos of the terror . Maybe a few too many, a bit of a besotted owner. I apologise for the gear use shown in a few of these photos (rope halter shown stretched when wet and webbing halter used).

Yes Julie, we know why you purchased him from the Sales then, don't we. We also know why. He would have had a touch start in life I would suspect. For your purposes, you should teach this the 7 Games well, to the point where you can drive him into the Float. That would reverse his mind set and be safe for you both. The underlying problem with this Horse is that he has many successful evasion techniques and they all work. He has never been negated and so they remain and are regularly improved upon and cemented. I can tell you it would be a fist full of a sight to see a Trainer attempt to win and I would have sympathy with them. These jobs can be hugely rewarding but highly stressful and dangerous until possible success. Then failure would demoralize any thinking Trainer who cares. I suspect that this Horse would 'fire right up' if he found his evasion mechanisms being thwarted and the graph would rise rapidly until the point where someone gave. You would want to be strong of mind and not one of these owners who leap to the blame of a Trainer with such Horses. I had one of these just recently. That kind of Owner mindset can be the final demise of the Horse. The Horse needs to be taken right back to basics on the Breaking in and I speak of tying up, giving, not fighting and so on. Fix that and you fix the Horse. Regards

 

 

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