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16th November, 2008

17th November, 2008

STIFF ARMS BRIGADE

My comments last night sparked some feed back and I got beaten around the ear hole a bit. On reflection fair enough and I shouldn't have nominated the District so I apologize. However, to the Coach who I thought I was referring to, wrong! I always talk and refer to the system and that is what I was talking about last night. At any rate, I was not blaming the Rider but the system that lets them down and has them going on for year after year like it. I am always motivated by the injustice of the Rider being weakly advised when they are paying money for it and for the long suffering Horses of course.

Despite the reaction, even though no one was identified (normal Human reaction and always happens) it yielded some more interesting aspects of the problem once more. Great for analyzing. If one gets close to the core these days, there is uproar but always in defense of the Rider but NEVER IN DEFENSE OF THE HORSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and so that is the case again. It is ok for Horses to suffer poorly directed Riders' (as well meaning as they are for no one tries to ride inadequately) but how dare we ever point it out to a Rider these days. God Forbid they might cry. Bugger the Human, it is the Horse that matters here. If we want to be Professional Horsemen, Coaches, Judges and the like and we operate from a "Politically Correct" stance (which most do these days) then the Horses of this World have no chance. Hang on, I thought we all loved Horses above all. Pig's. These days we love Humans more. Horses come second.

How come I see Lame Horses being flogged around this State for years and no matter what Level of Judge it is, they will err on the side of the Rider? No way. Mustn't upset the Rider!

One of the comments was "But if she finds out about what you said she may leave the Sport"

So that is why I get a little fired up when typing such things as I can see it happening to the Horses in my mind. I fire off and shoot off at the mouth occasionally when I should not but as I have said in the past, there will be a Hellova Lot of Horses at my Funeral and that my Friends will be an Honor indeed. "Who's looking after the Horses?"

I wrote that before I got this:

Firstly, i would like to say that my opinions of you in the last 12 hours
have changed dramatically.

I respected you as a horseman, and after having the 'joy' and excitement of
of meeting and talking with you, respected you as a person.

Clearly I was wrong.

Never before have I been victim to such bad judgement, and been attacked
about my riding abilities in person, let alone on a public website.

I don't quite know where to start, but i'm so angry right now, its just
going to come out as I feel.

You have no right to say the things you did about my coach - she has been
the best thing to ever happen to me, and has been so supportive with my
riding and my experience with horses, and has tried to instill in me that
horses and horse riding should be fun. She is most upset at the words you
have published, and I don't blame her.

You know nothing about me OR my horse, which infuriates me as you claim to
know what he's like and that I'm a bad rider and then tell the world on your
website.

How you can make the link with rigid arms as a result from pony club, and me
riding a horse, is just stupid. Just so you know, I went to PC for maybe 4
rallies, and left because of the insensitive, stuck up people that taught me
nothing but that if you didn't have the best looking horse and expensive
sadlery, that you should be at PC.

I know that my riding is not world class, and I am doing everything I can to
improve that - isn't that what riding is about? What is the point if we all
start out Grand Prix riders? My coach has told me my issues, and to my face
- and I respect that, but at least she has seen me ride, and is willing to
work through them with me to make me a better rider. Unlike some people that
don't give a sh** and defame those people and make them sound like they
shouldn't go anywhere near a horse. You're a coward for saying the things
you do via a webpage - get out into the real world, and if you see a bad
rider, tell them to their face instead of hiding behind your webpage. Do you
think that you are the only decent horse person around? I think you area a weak
person for going about things the way you do.

I have recognised in the last 6 months now that I am not the right rider for
my horse, and he is not right for me. Hence the decision to sell him,
because i felt that if i continued to ride him it would do neither of us any
good. I have the courage to admit i'm going to do more harm than good, but
there are some people out there who wouldn't have the faintest idea of what
they are doing to a horse and possibly harming them. Give me some credit.

The 'Cowboy' you have also criticised has gained 100% of my respect with the
way he rides, handles and works with my horse. It didn't take me long to see
that he has respect for animals, and is a much more capable rider to deal
with my horses issues than i am. I don't know how you know my horse was
'so much happier at the sight of him' because I know for a fact you weren't there,
and the 'cowboy' certainly wouldn'y have told you that himself, so that is an outright lie.
If you had been there and witnessed such a thing with your own eyes, then fine, but
DO NOT make assumptions about my horse.

The video you coincidently happened to see (perhaps 10 seconds of the whole
story) was not ever meant for your eyes. I did not feel comfortable on that
horse and stopped riding after I felt it was not right - Isn't that what
trying a horse is all about - to see if you work well together? I think you
are game judging me and my riding on 5 minutes of footage, on an unknown
horse.

I have questioned my riding capabilities for a while now, and i would like
to say that thanks to you, i am very close to giving up riding for good.
Only through the support of my wonderful coach, and brilliant friends have I
stuck at it, but it is stupid, uncaring people like yourself that cause
someone innocent like me to just throw it away. Thats not what horse riding
is about.

I will never be a grand prix rider, my aim with riding is to have fun, and to
learn. I have no expectations of going to a comp and winning everything - i
have always wanted to have a good time, and build a strong and trusting
relationship with my horse. If I don't have that, there is no point. I wish
you could see that too. If there weren't riders like me around, you would be out
of a job?! Couldn't have that now could we.

You are one-in-a-million John, I really wish people would see you for who
you are, a coward who judges people because they are not as good as you, and
then write your opinions on your website, hoping for a bite. You keep on
posting stories and comments on riders and horses, good luck to you, but i hope
I never have to come across you again. I have done nothing to deserve this kind of public
defamation, and i have in fact stood up for you at times, but if I really knew then the
person you are now, that certainly would not have happened.

I know you have done things like this before to other innocent people, and you will no doubt
do it again (or else shock you won't get traffic through your website). You obviously
enjoy seeing people angry, upset and sad - that is no normal human being, and I hope you
feel just 10 seconds of regret for saying the things you have, but I know
you have probably enjoyed all the attention this has brought, and will
continue to ruin people's confidence for many years to come. That is the sad
part.


Cowards wouldn't put that on here for the World to see Madam. I need to tell you that I had no clue who you were even, or who your Coach was and I can't understand why people think that I was talking about the Coach. .I only listen to about every 10th word when the Ladies are cackling.   Incidentally, you would never have known about that piece had it not been whisked around the Net and no doubt brought to your attention by the "oh so concerned but lovin every minute of it"  Anyhow, time for some "straight talk".

These days, especially the Female line of us Humans, absolutely love gossip and it appears as I watch, complete fair game to bag the heck out of their own Friends, no matter how close they are. I mean criticize their Riding and talk about it behind peoples backs. At the Dressage there are two sports happening. The Riding and the knockin. How do you think it was brought to my attention in the first place????? and I have seen more video than you think I have. So if you think I am the only one with the view, you are mistaken. You may think of me as you will but I can assure you that I had your best interests and that of your Horse and all future Horses foremost in my mind. I can understand you being upset, I never meant that but take a tip, only the best can come out of this if your attitude is right.

For now however, you are coming across to me as in "denial", still. I am told you are now wanting a Medium trained Horse so that you can go far quicker. It doesn't happen like that. I watched Horses (plural) that you have ridden and what they were telling you but you not hearing, motivated me to talk about the subject again, for the masses. Most impact possible. Remember this though. I did not identify you, I did not criticize your Coach and I certainly did not criticize the Trainer. IN f act I complimented him. I am well used to the "Chooks going off" to the point where truth is lost in the translation and that is what has happened here. As they whip up the frenzy, the truth gets twisted.

You may think that I have two heads from now on, fair enough but use it to take the quantum leap so that you may be a pleasure to have on the back of a Horse rather than a terror. If you do, one day, despite your rage, if you are honest with yourself, you will silently thank "the old bastard" as the Sport that you love so and the Animals that you love so, finally rewards your efforts and passion. The last thing that I would ever want to do would be to attack a Country Girl! I only found out who you are 5 minutes ago. My apologies for upsetting you and wonder why those receiving all of the money you have spent over the years, didn't responsibly advise you? I won't respond to all of the emotive stuff.  Regards

************

I took a lovely Dress and Top into Hospital today and took Mrs. HP to a flash Restaurant on the 5th Floor of the Hospital, with Friends. Had a Cap. She loved it. I would also like to thank Chris (one of her Pupils) who went in their and cut her hair" The Nursing Staff don't know what's happening to them hahahahha. The part I like is how we cheer all the other Patients up on the Ward. The old Ladies were all asking Mrs. HP last time, "When's John coming in?" :) Now it's, "He looks like Richard Geer" hahahaha.  There are walls between each Bed in her ward but they all burst out in laughter when we crack a Funny. I had taken a Skirt in yesterday that was too short. They all thought that was funny so I told them about my Dad when Mum was in Hospital. She wanted a pair of Bra's and he went to the shop in Victor Harbour. The Assistant asked him what size? He said 15. She said, "but Sir, there are no Bras size 15." He said, "Well, I take a 7 and a half Hat and that just fits over one of them"

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Rider dies in accident at Golden Gate Fields


A veteran exercise rider at Golden Gate Fields in Albany was killed early Sunday morning when the filly he was riding spooked and fell on top of him.

Ignacio Ramirez, 58, had just left the barn at 6 a.m., when his horse, a thoroughbred, flipped over. The horse was uninjured. The rider was pronounced dead at the scene, according to racetrack publicity manager Tom Ferrall.

"This is very rare," Ferrall said. "You have injuries. You have people bucked off, but never anything like this." Ferrall said it wasn't known what spooked the filly.

The racetrack is located on the Eastshore Freeway just off Interstate 80 and Interstate 580.

Golden Gate Fields general manager Robert Hartman said, "This was a tragic accident. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ignacio's family and friends. It's a very sad day for the entire racing community."

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A HORSE TO CALL HIS OWN

The Purvis 5-year-old was surprised Saturday with his very own horse that was presented to him at the Lamar County Turners-n-Burners 4-H Club Showdeo.

Steven's fulfilled wish came courtesy of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Mississippi and the ladies of Chi Omega Epsilon Delta Chapter at the University of Southern Mississippi.

"(Steven) has been waiting on a horse since he was 3," said Steven's mom, Amber Saucier, 24. "That's all we've heard out of him.

"When he first asked for one, I told my Mom I didn't know if he knew what a wish was."

Steven suffers from acute lymphoblastic leukemia, but his mother said you'd never know he was sick. He was diagnosed when he was 3.

"He takes chemo really well," his mom said. "He's been in the hospital three times in the last four years, (but) he didn't slow down."

Steven thought he was only attending Saturday's event as a spectator, but the surprise of learning he was the guest of honor left him speechless upon first meeting his new horse.

"For a little boy who just a little while ago was saying he doesn't have a horse, he has a horse now," said Shelly Moses of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Mississippi. "They'll get to grow up together."

Moses said the female horse is 1 1/2-years-old and was found in Lucedale by a volunteer.

The ladies of Chi Omega also surprised Steven with supplies, rodeo gear and a cowboy hat to help fulfill his dream of being a young cowboy.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see someone's wishes come true," said Barbara Wakeland, a Chi Omega. "We're happy to help, (and) it's fun to see the smile on the kid's face."

Wakeland said the sorority holds an annual Songfest to raise the money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This year's 57th annual event will be held Nov. 20 at Reed Green Coliseum at Southern Miss, she said.

Last year the chapter raised more than $26,000 for the foundation through Songfest, officials said.

When asked how it finally feels to have his very own horse, Steven's small mouth stretched into a smile and he animatedly threw out his arms, showing rather than telling how excited he was.

And he's already got a name picked out.

"Trigger," he cried.

"I don't think I cried this much when he started school," his mother said. "(She) is going to be his best friend

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LETTER OF THE DAY

This is a pretty scary story for those of use who tow around this area!!

Leanne

Wonder if this guy was on drugs or trying to do something to the horse or planning to be there when she got home - scary so I thought worth passing on. Shame she didn't have her uniform on - particularly the belt with the cuffs & Glock!!


Warning all horse owners – Pedestrian on Roe Highway tried to climb into my float!

Friday 14th November 2008, 4.40pm peak hour traffic. Here I was on my own towing my float with my stallion on board. I was stationary at Roe Highway & Great Eastern Highway in the left lane north bound traffic. We were deep in peak hour traffic all waiting for the lights to change. I was checking my mirrors watching traffic in a sense of readiness as we all do when towing our precious horses. All of a sudden I heard & felt my stallion kick out at the tailgate. Confused as to why my horse would be kicking at all I checked my rear view mirror. To my horror I could see the silhouette of a man climbing over the tail gate into my float with my horse!!

Panicked at the thought of my horse being hurt and frightened, I ripped on the handbrake & jumped out the 4wd. I noticed two young men in the Ute next to me looking surprised at my sudden departure. I ran to the rear of the float to find a heavily set male, Caucasian about 30 – 32 years wearing a white t-shirt with UK & Aust flags stitched to it, possibly a soccer or car shirt, stone wash jeans & boots, squishing himself between the roof of the float & the tailgate with one leg over.

I swore at the man to get away from my horse waving my arms about in a frantic. He seemed to ignore me so I began screaming at him to get away from my horse and to do it now. He yelled back telling me it was his right to get a ride & he wasn't doing anything wrong & told me to f off. I instantly took a disliking to his disrespect of my property and could see he wasn't going anywhere upon my requests. The poor horse was starting to freak out & I couldn't hold my emotions anymore and had to protect my horse. I jumped up at the man & reefed him out of the horse float by his shirt. He fell off the tailgate landing on his feet. I briefly looked around to see all eyes on me from every driver to passengers waiting in the peak hour traffic, not a sole looking to assist.

He came into my space puffing himself up, again I yelled to get away from me & my horse float, as he stepped in closer he yelled "I just wana ride, I'll get in your car then". Considering his intention of getting into my 4wd was very real after brazenly getting into my float, I made a flight or fright manoeuvre and pushed him as hard as I could in an attempt to get some distance between him and I. He jolted backward & I made a run for the door of my car. At this point the young men sitting in the Ute next to me were stepping out of their Ute yelling what was wrong. I screamed back "This man got into the float and now he wants my car". With that, the two men started swearing at him to F off. Sure enough he took them seriously & ran through the traffic to the south bound lane. I didn't get a chance to thank those two men as the light had gone green & the vehicles were begging to move.

Typically nobody else assisted, no one honked a horn, nothing. My greater concern was if my horse had not reacted to this person jumping up at the tailgate, then he would have easily made his way into the float. He wouldn't have been able to get out as my personal door doesn't have an inside handle & I would have been going at highway speeds all the way home. I would have inadvertently taken this man home in my float & would have been petrified at finding him in there on arrival.

My Christmas present to me now, is to trade in my extended for a float with fully enclosed doors. I honestly believe it was a case of opportunity & had the storm doors been fitted on the float he made not have been attracted to a tailgate opening.

Thanks for reading, I hope it doesn’t happen to anyone else..

Raechelle

Totally unbelievable Raechelle. These days, I tell you. The "Scum Bags" that are out there. They are worse than Animals and they are getting more and more brazen. I don't agree with the carrying of weapons like in America but you can honestly understand why they may have to now. Mad Max was a very prophetic Movie. Glad you survived and thank goodness for the Lads in the Ute. Thanks for the warning.!

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LETTERS OF THE DAY
 

Hi

I have a horse who is on stable rest and hand walking twice a day due to injury. He has been restricted like this for 6 weeks now. He is sick of the stable and we take him out twice a day for a walk and graze in hand to keep him sane and help his recovery. His leg is much better but needs to remain on stall rest at least another month. Anyway he is a 17hh TB 8 years old and very well trained by a professional, not me. So the hand walking is usually fine, even though the poor horse is bursting out of his skin he is 99% of the time very manageable.

Anyway yesterday I was hand walking him to the arena for his routine roll and a rider came unexpectedly cantering towards us at a very forward pace, my horse was SO excited he did a capriole and reared 4 times. I held him and he then cantered on the circle that his lead rein would permit. I called out to the rider to please walk which thank god she did. Anyway I regained his attention and we continued our walk.

I feel he is under so much stress being locked up in the stable, he is usually kept in a paddock, he must be brimming with frustration. I didn’t know what to do when he was leaping about, so I just held the rain and let him go forward. He doesn’t pull out of your hand so I knew I wouldn’t have to let go. But I just didn’t know how to handle it. He has never done this before and I know his injury is much better and he REALLY wants to be doing more than walking, he is feeling good now.

Usually when ridden etc, he needs a job to do when stressed, and he becomes focussed and calmer. Its just you can’t give him much of a job to do because he is only supposed to walk.

Any advice would be appreciated. I may be wrong but I feel he needs a bit of leniency because he is in such an unnatural situation, but I don’t want to make future problems.

Cheers

liz

Catch 22 Liz. You can't blame the Horse and you can't blame the Rider either. You should probably not put him in one of those environments until he can do some leaping about. By the time you did anything he would have already done the act anyway and the damage if he was going to do some at all. Yes, he just brimmed over with excitement and no doubt thought, "wow, I am better now and am going to be allowed to work" Poor Boy. Put it down to experience Liz. You did as much as you could do. Regards
 

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Hi
I have a 14yo Standardbred gelding who was never raced but was trialed (Trotter). I have had him for 2 years and i would ride him in a parelli hackamore and he was perfect and would listen to me.He has been a great horse until about 4 mths ago he got bit on the nose by a wasp or something like that, he had a big lump on his nose. Anyway he bolted ( I was riding in the hackamore at the time) he wouldn't stop even when i tried one reining, eventually i slipped off. Ever since then he doesnt want to go slow, he as always been forward moving but now all he wants to do in trot or canter is go faster and faster and not stick to the one pace. It's very unnerving and i don't really want to sell him.

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks
Emily

p.s. After he bolted i started riding him in a bridle

HI Em. I often make the point that whilst the no bit bridles and the rest are great, they are only great when everything is going nicely. The possibility of Horses running through them all is ever present. I have ridden one of my own Horses completely in a Hackamore but had a lot of training on her. You now need to test the mouth of the Horse so that you have a way of stopping him if he tries again, (which he could because he knows he can) so read this: TESTING THE LATERAL MOUTH OF YOUR HORSE    THE POWER OF THE ONE REIN STOP

Go tune the Mouth up of your Horse and you will be fine.

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Hi there I picked iur your name from a posting on you tube and I was just wandering if you could give me some advice.

I have a 3 year old lippazaner X welsh section D, the problem i am having with him is rearing. There doesnt seem to be any problems with his back ect and he is not broken anyway. So this problem is just on the ground, there doesnt seem to be any mallace in it but he does it alot and i know it can be very dangerous.He seems like a very immature 3 year old and has really not had much handeling he is very bolshy and has no idea about space. He hates me touching his ears and tends to throw his head up when i try and put a headcollar on him ..... i refuse to hit him so i usually choose to ignore the behavoir and he tends to stop but i would rather just stop him doing it at all! The one time that I notice is that if i am going through a gait and i have to stop he rears or when I hav 2 close the gate he rears he is not scared of the gate but it is like he is very confused he just has no idea. i hav never had a rearer like this before and i'm not particulary scared when it happens because he does it very slowly which gives me time to get out of the way.I would be very grateful if you could give me some tips on handling him ?
Thankyou
Regards Rebecca

The answer Rebecca is to put much more training on the Horse and start breaking him in. Do everything except Mouthing and mounting. Go learn this and train this Horse for starters.: THE 7 GAMES OF NATURAL HORSEMANSHIP

Your Horse is:   MY HORSE IS OUT OF IT'S BOX!!!

and you need to gain more respect from it. The Horse is looking for stimulation and leadership. It is getting bored and wants things to do. I can tell you are falling short in that area as does the Horse. Not the fault of the Horse at all. Regards

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Hi John,

Hope that Linda is continuing to improve, and that her hospital stay is nearly at an end. Very frustrating, to say the least.

Just in relation to your short post regarding the Horse Trials.

We went all three days.

The crowd at the dressage would have to have been one of the best we have seen, although we weren't there early in the day, and I believe it was fairly small then. Got down just at the end of the first event (CIC**), but saw all of the other 2** and the 4****.

We had grandstand seats and the stand was full for the 4****, plus there were a LOT of people in the other areas as well.
Saw Heath Ryan exit the arena, and subsequently get disqualified. Really a shock, and a great pity for one of the sport's genuine good guys.

The majority of the XCountry course was free to the public. It was the area around the arena and the water jump that was fenced off, perhaps a third of the course at the very most. I spent the time in the grandstand - still recovering from accident and unable to walk too far, but Amelia wandered the course, and said the crowds were really thick around many of the jumps.
We had our front row grandstand seats for the showjumping - which we secured before 9 a.m. Was rather amusing to see people, in groups of 4 or more, turning up just before the start of the 4**** (3 p.m.) and complaining that they couldn't get a seat together. Tough. Should have been there early like the majority of us.

For grandstand tickets/entry etc. for the three days it cost $130 each, and think it was money very well spent. Its a once a year treat. The trade stands seemed to be doing o.k., as there were always people around, and I know that later in the afternoon people were being allowed in to the fenced area for free, as we had friends who got in that way. Most of the dressage was over by that time of course, but it gave them the opportunity to check out the stands. The trade village got a fair share of our loose change.

Cheers

Lynn

Fantastic Lynn and I stand corrected then. Well done to them and terrific that this may help retain them. I have watched the poor Workers doing their wonderful job for all the week prior as I have been parking there every day on the way to Hospital. The Day of the Cross Country, I dwelled for 5 minutes, hoping to see just one Horse but I couldn't wait. It was wonderful weather. Poor Heath! Thanks for the feedback.

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Hi John, with interest I have glanced at discussions on your web page regarding riders and their weight which can be a touchy subject. I weigh 100kg but have no flab, just tall and big boned. Although heavy, most horses handle me ok. For twenty years casually I have taught students stock work and general riding at TAFE a lot of the riders from properties have only ridden ag bikes. If they are slim e.g. young fit blokes playing sport I can have them cantering around the round yard in twenty minutes as their balance is good. If they are fat I cannot do much with them as their centre of gravity is all over the place. interestingly enough with girls if they were slim and good riders they compensate for the weight gain and are generally still good riders but sometimes lack confidence which is difficult to reestablish All this is difficult to discuss with the rider [weight gain] due to political incorrectness and its ramifications in the TAFE world but if they ASK me I tell them what the answer to the problem is straight out, get off junk food and enjoy your horse more. regards Bill

I understand Bill. The World has gone mad which is why it is heading for destruction. You can't comment on their weight, even though it is going to cause them to fall off Horses and generally injure themselves far more than the slim Riders, not to mention die of a Heart attack at 40. Go figure. I have sympathy for you. Better Man than I gungadin :)

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STANDARDBRED BRAG FEST

Hi Mr HP,

Just another Standardbred brag fest here. I have a 7yo Standie gelding that I’ve had for 2 years now. I’ve been wanting to get him started under saddle but haven’t had the money lately (as I’m sure everyone can relate to with the price of feed & petrol etc these days). Anyway, I have your “riding the green horse” dvd’s & I’ve watched your podcasts about mounting the Standardbred & been reading your site for a while now & have gained so much more knowledge having done so. I’m one of your many “middle aged mum fans” who’ve only just gotten their own horses so are still novices. He’s been a really good boy since I got him although he didn’t really know much, not even that he was a horse at first so I have taught him some ground work & after the first few times of acting really blank towards what I was asking he all of a sudden clicked & he really caught on.

Well the other day I decided I’d see how he reacted to me trying to get on him, I’ve had the saddle on him a couple of times to see what he thought of that & it was a non event. I don’t know what sort of mouth he has & I don’t have our mouthing dvd so I taught him the lateral flexion & backing up etc with the rope halter & he does really well. So he we are in the arena. I put my foot in the stirrup & just stand up on the stirrup a couple of time…….nothing……..so here goes, I stand up again & throw my leg over & am sitting in the saddle, he takes about 3 very slow steps around one rein stop style & stands there and…………he goes to sleep.

I remembered about no legs so ran my hand down his back to his rump so as not to frighten him by just touching his bum out of the blue. Tap tap tap, cluck cluck cluck…….& we’re still sleeping. A few more taps & clucks & I get a very slow half a step forward & with my level of expertise not even registering on the scales I’m more than happy with that so I get off & I couldn’t stop gushing. I was so proud of him & gave him lots of big hugs & pats & told how good he was & what a clever boy he was. He didn’t seem to see what all the fuss was about but I was so proud of him…..& a bit proud of myself too I might add. The only naughty thing he did if you can even call it naughty was trying to nibble my bum while I had my foot in the stirrup J

I do need to get him lunging though as all he does at the moment is calmly move him bum around away from the lunge whip & just can’t see the point in running around in circles wasting all that energy. We’ve had a couple of laps here & there but there wasn’t much energy used I can’t tell you.

So thanks to you Mr HP & your site I had the confidence & the knowledge to do this myself (okay so I had the right horse to do it with too). I’ll get some experienced help I think with the more sophisticated side of things & I also want to get your leg yielding dvd……once I learn how to use my legs that’s is….lol

PS. One thing I noticed afterwards though, he seemed to want to follow me & be around me even more than usual when I put him back in his paddock.

Kind Regards,

Cathy

Legend Cathy. The Horse as well :) or should I put it the other way around. To get him to lunge (which you should to remove possible girthy) put a plastic bag on a stick and focus it on his shoulder, not his rump until he moves off and out. If you go at the rump, he will simply turn on the forehand. Once he is trotting around you can go for the rump if speed is needed. but if out in the open and not on a round pen fence, even that may cause him to stop and face you. As he perhaps should :) Well done. I like hearing stories like that!!!

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This one is from that Family that converts every Horse into bomb proof :) I wish they lived next door. I would pay them to do half my job :)

15th November, 2008

WARNING - SHOCKING CRUELTY

 
Pledge to go fur-free at PETA.org.

ADELAIDE INTERNATIONAL

I have had a lot of feedback about the prices being charged to enter the event this year. Correct me if I am wrong but $20 to go watch Eventer Dressage and $25 for the Cross Country, with the course fenced off as a result.  It will be interesting to see what effect this has had on the crowd. We shall see what the feed back is after it finishes. One visitor to Mrs. HP said that the crowd for the Dressage was pathetic. Apparently Heath Ryan's Horse exited the arena and he was eliminated. Poor bloke. Beautiful weather. If the crowds are  down due to the price, then would the Trade Exhibitors be charged the same???

THE STIFF ARMS BRIGADE

I have often spoken about the wide spread habit of going stiff in the arms because the Rider has been either taught or most often these days, copied their Friends as the largely Pony Club taught technique gets passed down. It is taught as the way to put a Horse 'into a frame' and if one casts the eye around the Park where the young gather, you will see it is in plague proportions. Incredible really but the young one's always copy their Peers.

Why do I appear pre-occupied with such a thing? Who really cares. Well it is the Horses that care and because I continually have it pushed in front of my face, as plaintiff Horses writhe in torment, signaling their discomfort in many various ways and degrees of intensity but really never t heard. The Kids all think it is normal and proper and would never ever dream that it could be anything about them.

These Horses live unhappy ridden lives and as I said, I see them weekly, often coming to me for remedial work as "naughty horses" A mentioned one of a few weeks ago, ridden by a Lass on the State Pony Club Squad and the Horse absolutely hated her, changing personality at the very sight of the Rider, but I bring this up again as I saw another instance of this recently.

I watched a video of a young Lass Riding a Horse that she was testing at the point of Sale. The Horse went terribly for her but well for the Vendor, both before and after she rode. I commented at the time and all agreed that he hands, due to the stiff arms problem, are shocking and that Horses simply do not like the Girl.

The Problem these days of course is that life is so "Politically correct' that basically no-one will ever tell this Girl and I think that is both pathetic and a failure to carry out Horse Welfare responsibilities where Coaches are concerned. The Girl needs telling. Now I hear that her own Horse, which is running out of circles, chucking the head, chewing on the bit violently, against the leg, every sign to a rider with Bad Hands, that she has just got a Cowboy into the Horse. He happens to be one of my past apprentices. He rode the Horse once, declared nothing wrong with the Horse other than being totally confused and then came back for a second ride yesterday and the Horse was perfect at the mere sight of him.

Meanwhile, THE SYSTEM ploughs on teaching the Kids to ride like pieces of steel, smacking horses in the teeth with every stride.

*********

HORSELAW

I work on a lot of cases and on the majority of them, hold peoples hands through them to save having Lawyers as the case does not warrant such costs and could not support it either. It is difficult enough to win any case although, I have not been on a losing on.

However, recently, I have had two instances of clients who go onto Internet Horse Forums and tell the World about their problems as they deal with their emotional state as a victim but guess what? The potential Defendants' also read Horse Forums or their Friends do and so when they get to Court, the case can be defeated or seriously weakened by the 'big mouth' of the Plaintiff. Further, if lead in the Court, the credibility of the Plaintiff could be seriously diminished in the eyes of the Magistrate, within who's hands lies their fate. They would be looked upon as 'Drama Queens' who appear heavily into 'Soap Opera' ad therefore, they deserve what they get.

Such behavior is most unfair on my professionalism, self destructing the case and worse, they often mention my name on the Forums, to do with the case. Not smart.

*******

MRS HP

I haven't wanted to bore people with too much detail but I have had a number requests for more info. Orthopedics and Plastics are now happy and have withdrawn for now. She is stuck here because of the infections Department who want her on antibiotic drips 3 times per 24 hours, to kill the bug that got into her leg and was stopping healing. It is from the environment and most rear Only been seen twice by the Registrar during his stay here. They don't want to let her go home therefore as it would be too difficult to organize from there. They have suggested another week which will e 4 weeks total and then maybe tablets will do until the pins come out. So it is twiddle thumbs here until then.

She thanks all who have visited her and sent cards etc.

*******

LETTER OF THE DAY

Hi John

Many thanks for your reply to my email yesterday. You are right the horse’s education way surpasses my ability. He is a smart horse, and very eager to please, though I do have to watch him for anticipating sometimes, and he is very good at reading my body language and mind (lol). Having said that he is perfect for me, in as much as he is safe as anything, and I never feel frightened on him. He is always obedient, at the very worst jig jogs occasionally on the trail through keenness when we have been over taken by cantering horses in the forest but will stop and calm down once he has a reminder with a one rein stop. He is very calm in the presence of other horses, and will calmly walk past paddocks of young horses when we are out on the trail who are racing up and down the fence line. He is such a great horse. He is more like a big dog, and loves hanging around wanting scratches and cuddles. Walks so lightly in the lead, and will just stand next to me patiently. Also love the way he lowers his head and turns it towards me when he sees his halter or bridle.

Once again you are right as I really want to learn some of the western riding so I can have an understanding of his education, but I just don’t know where to go to find a reputable instructor.

The western clinics I attended were run by the Paint Horse Association and the instructor was-------- She seemed good but then I wouldn’t know, and don’t know how you check out the qualifications of western trainers.

My regular instructor is -------, she has been great for me, and excellent for my confidence, and balance. I think she is chuffed to see a middle aged mother who has never ridden getting on so well. -------also teaches my 6 year old son, and we are really pleased with how he is getting on.

I would really appreciate your advice as to some western instructors or where to go to look for someone. Please do not publish this email as I have named people in it.

Many thanks

Gina

I got a letter from the Coach concerned as well Gina and one must of course have sympathy for attempting to teach any of us 'Seniors' :) What a task?

I answer everything on here Gina and have removed the names of the unsuspecting :) To teach someone with your profile and on such a Horse that is tuned up to answer any movement of weight and legs, would be a most daunting task and hat makes it even dangerous is the fact that you are having to go around corners. The Rider and the Horse have enough to cope with without going around corners together with the inertia that is wanting to eject the Rider off the outside of the Horse anyway. Such Coaches need a Medal and no doubt take Valium behind the Car after :) The bottom line with this is that it is quite simply, dangerous.

Then you have the problem of the Rider, who is worried as Hell, throwing in "One Rein Stops' the moment they feel out of control (which is regularly) thus making it even more difficult to learn the Canter stride because the length of consistent experience can just not happen. In your case, the wonderful attributes  of the Horse, under the arena situation, are anti productive and can see you ejected with one quick answer to an aid. Not to mention the frustration for the great Horse if pulled up regularly.

So it is my firm opinion that teaching such riders' and especially on this Horse, at Liberty in an arena situation is not something that I would want to attempt. Therefore, learning on the school Master and on the lunge (which I would think may be a desired tactic by English Accreditation Bodies) or as I mentioned, in a straight line, up a Hill, over 2-3k, in a Pine Forrest where the Horse is on a Raceway and stays straight and with another Horse as a lead, is as safe an option that I know. I have taught thousands and not lost one. This cannot be achieved by Coaches of course.

Given that the only way a person can learn the Canter and gain improvement quick, is where the Horse can continue the Gait for a longer period of time. That cannot happen in an arena with Learner/Novice Riders and the 'One Rein Stopping" is highly counter productive!!!!
 

*********
 

LETTERS OF THE DAY

Hi John,

I have a need to debrief after seeing part of the fur trade clip. I wish I had not seen it as it is too distressing. My fault for watching it, I had the choice not to. What is it that makes it so hard for some to turn our face when faced with such horrors? I guess I want to know about it but It would have been enough to have just heard about what they do rather than see it. In this case I did turn my face but saw different bits when I couldn't find the stop button and kept checking to see if it was over yet. Makes me fear re-incarnation- what if I come back as a fur trade animal - I 'd better start praying.

Regards,
Vivienne

The most shocking thing I have seen Vivienne. Humans are Animals!

**********

Dear John
I only got about a minute in and couldnt stand anymore... Is that video about the fur trade?? It so I can say I dont wear fur and I cannot afford fur..(not that I would)
Thats the most cruel thing I have seen ..The poor animal was still alive ...How can people be so cruel...Why not kill it humainly at least ...
SOrry but I have never seen anything as bad as that in my life...
Helen R

There are several petitions floating around but I doubt they will have any effect on such Governments. Poor litte furry animals :(

************

animal cruelty is the lowest form of human behavior
Lets get together and do the animals a favour
It makes me sick to see them in need
if they were human they would beg and plead
"don't hurt me, don't kill me don't do it please!"
we should love them and feed them
let them live and breath

who gave them the right to take them away
the wilderness is where an animal should stay
My heart is aching from the look in their eye
beaten and tortured and left to die

these poor animals have no human voice
defenseless against us they have no choice
blood tears would roll down the face of the creator
humans he thought where created greater.

Low is the life form that pray on the weak
so I will give animals a voice so they can speak
it is my duty as a decent being
to spread the word of what I am seeing
If I was there with a gun to their head
burn in hell's what I would say and shoot them dead
be banished form the earth and the heavens above
may your soul go on knowing no love!

********

OMG John I went and had a look I am in total distress. Why didn't they just break their necks or shoot them or slit their throat if they want the fur. They don't this is sick people who do sick things they look like they were enjoying the touture of the animal. I am sick and disturbed by that posting. It will take a very long time to remove the image from my mind. Sick Sick Sick!!!!!!!!!!!! I was just talking to a friend about animal cruelty befor I logged on. Is that money donated going to help them?????? Just go shoot the people and get it over and done with give me their address!

I understand

**********

Hey you! John, I have purchased horses with vet checks and got sound horses that were nutters, but I finally get a beautiful sound minded, educated horse, get a vet check, pay a nice payment and get nothing for it. Red is a dud! He is a @#$!@ .

His ribs are fusing together from his backbone done, most of the damage is through the barrel and he is developing spurs/horns. This is causing soreness/girthiness. He is a timebomb everytime he is ridden.

I have gone back to Old owner and explained this to him, he said that Red has always been girthy. He is just as upset as myself probably even more. I was at his home when he contacted the original owner and told him the story, the man has bought Red for $1000 knowing fully that Red his unsound.

I am now at a emotional state of fuzz!!! sorry I can't put words together I will try again later.

thanks for your time

chelle

Hell Chelle. You have had rotten luck with every Horse you have ever had :( Are you getting a refund??????

**********

Hi,
Quick thanks for all the info on your website, interestingly you have explained to me why I instinctively do a one rein stop (now I know what its
called) on any who try and buck. More interestingly, I have unconsciously been instructing my 6 yr old to perform the same. I thought of it as stretching for comfort of the horse and practice for my daughter to have an emergency tool in the event of misbehaviour in her mount. You would be very pleased to see her throw away her outside rein whilst waiting for the soft flex to toe. New mare spins for a fair bit but little Miss waits it out with no leg and then gives big pats once the mare gives. Also is responding to my treatment for rein snatching which happens to coincide with your recomendations. It makes me feel good to have my own practices confirmed by another, and when I can afford I am keen to purchase your mouthing DVD's, I love nothing more than to gain a new pearl of wisdom from like minded horse people. What I know today was started by Poppy many years ago and has been added to mostly by the different ponies I've met, but also a bit from here and a bit from there. I like your methodology, and look forward to reading and viewing some more. My goal is safe kids and happy horses, and being a positive influence on others. I did read a few of the Pony Club problems and am meeting very similar circumstances at our local, (yes we are members, more for the Miss to ride with others than to learn anything, which is so far nil!!) Last school holidays saw me survive my first Pony Camp, but unfortuantely for one kid not his pony. I would swear it was Sand Colic.
We have had what feels like seven years of drought out here and I continually hand feed, and yes as much hay as obtainable, and hard feed is always 75%chaff, I use a bit of herbs and minerals as a general health tonic as we have only recently gained access to a vet locally and I try to prevent illness when possible. I wish I had come across your site prior to camp, as there is no way I wouldn't have bought your e-book and may have been able to help this poor little kids pony, sadly a real gem.

Again thanks, hope this finds you all well.

Desiree'
@Mungindi

Well done Desiree. Safety can be a very important aspect of riding the 'lethal weapon' without a license :) Better to be safe than sorry. Mrs. HP is the good example of just how far reaching an injury can be. Regards to your 6 year old.

***********

TO Cowboy,

how are you> i am glad that i have found your website and found many usefull tips there, though i do have a question for you. I have a five year old mare who had done very little before i bought her, she was broken in Parelli method by previous owner and i had to mouth her. now she is a lazy type of horse she is pure arab, about 15.1hh and built very solid. I have encountered a problem with her and was wondering if you had ever heard of anything similar? when she is first being ridden and when she is tired, she has times where her rear end literally collapses, my instructor has seen this happen and would say that it is a lack of strength. I have had a horse chiro out to her twice and she cant say exactly what the cause is , though she is sore in the groin area and lumbar area very tight, her pelvic reflexes are sluggish. i have her on some herbs from a horse naturepath and hoping this will help. I am though hoping to do endurance with this mare, her breeding is impeccable for the sport but feel disheartened by this problem. so i am just asking have you heard of this before or have an opinion which training etc may be of help to me.

Thank you for your time
Tanja

Yes Tanja, the locking of the patella can cause that or a pinched nerve up in the Sacroiliac area. You need to catch that on video though and then of course you should ask a Vet and get them to look at the footage. Building her up would be important, with lunging etc. If you do catch it on video, let me have a look at it on you tube. Regards

*************

Just wanted to say thank you for the very helpful information on stifle problems and bucking.

Now that I have read your piece and watched the videos, I can hardly stand to see the horses trying to do what I now see is painful/nearly impossible for them to do.

I am one of those "ladies" who purchased a horse from a friend. He turned out to have advanced arthritis in both stifles (ten years old). If I had read your page before the x-rays, I think I could have "seen" the limitation even without the x-rays.

He was not an expensive horse and I would have purchased him anyway knowing what I know, but I would not have insisted he do the things the trainer said he was "resisting" doing because I was not "insisting." I always felt he was trying his best and it was not a discipline issue, but I am not the experienced rider that my friend/ trainer is.

We are in a new place now with a new trainer and working on strengthening and treating so that my horse can live and move as comfortably and pain-free as his conformation will allow.

Thank you again.

Eileen O'Connor
Larkspur CA

Thanks Eileen. Yes, I must admit that it gladdens my heart to hear of so many more people looking at their Horses with an enquiring mind rather than blithely going on whilst the Horse suffers. I hope you saw my wife's article this week. Well one and regards

********

Hi, John. Hope your amazing wife is hanging in there. I have never worked with such a pushy horse as my black filly. I have been practicing the driving game, but I find that there are times when the popper on the rope just doesn't phase her. I went to drive her through a puddle today, and she really got pushy and refused. I went after her with the tail of my rope, but she decided to kick out nastily. I knew she was pi$$ed, but I didn't want to back down but the rope was not enough. She has been through leg restraint program, she moves if I walk into her neck or hindquarters, and she finally backs without trying to go over the top of me. Do you think I should just take my carrotstick and give her the cue to go forward then tan her a$$ if she hesitates? She will go through the same puddle if I go first. I hope I am on the right track. On second thought, maybe I should send for Sarah Palin; she could scare anything across a puddle lol!!
Best Regards,
Em
PS I will be chatting with Dagmar about my older Arab mare. She has lameness in her back end, but the vet will not believe me.

Hahaha Em. The Pit Bull with lipstick. Perhaps get a cut out of her and that should do it :) The principle of passive persistence is a sound one indeed, under normal circumstances, most of the times. However, you have a disrespect problem and I can tell you that I have heard Pat himself use the term "11" on the scale of 0-10. You have the opportunity with the kick out and to be quite frank, If I had a carrot stick on me and the Horse did that, I certainly would "tan her ass" because the disrespect issue is outside of the training issue. All training is anti training with the horse that has lost respect, until it is regained and the problem is that the normal 7 Games with all of the sophistication and levels, WILL NOT GAIN RESPECT on such a Horse and WILL NOT TEACH until respect is gained. Therefore, IT WILL NOT get you respect re-established again either. That sort of Horse fit's into my "Out of the Box" scenario and NH training on it will never be pure. Regards.

***********

Hi John,

I have a suggestion for Ingrid who is looking for a suitable saddle for the barrel pony :-)

She should check out Thorowgood Saddles as they have english saddles designed for Cob types e.g. flat back, no wither, in the T4 range and the T6 too.
This is the site here: http://www.thorowgood.com/uk/t4/t4_cob_gp.htm

Good luck, they are difficult to fit when they're that shape!

Cheers,
Taryn

Thanks Taryn.


********

Hi John,

Thanks for your reply. I was at my wits end on Monday, so I moved him to another paddock (not the one out the back though-another one 2 paddocks away) and fully electrified it so he could not get to the fences. The first night he walked the fence, but 3 days on he is really calm and is not worried at all, which is good, he really is a lovely boy.

Thanks very much for your time, it sounds (from your posts) that you have had your hands full with Mrs HP being in hospital. I don’t know what happened but your posts talk of plates being removed etc which sounds very serious. I hope everything is alright and she gets better soon.

Thanks again for your time.

Elese

Great Elese. The key now is to not upset the 'apple cart' :) Thanks


*****

Hi John,

Having problems with my hores ears at the moment, which I think is related to being sore in the poll/upper neck. He only came to be as a lease horse about 4 weeks ago and is very difficult when trying to put the reins over his head and when removing them after getting off. Bridling & unbridling is not so bad. When I try to remove the reins over his head he tilts his head towards me, but then swings it in my direction and nearly knocks you out. I'm pretty sure it's a mental problem, because if I cover his eye and he can't see the reins, there is no problem, it's only when he can see me. Same thing happens on both sides.

On the weekend I did the whole through the rope over the ears and try to get him used to it, but hasn't made any difference. Have also tried to lower his head using both the halter and fingers pressing at the poll, which he is good at until he sees the reins coming over his head again and then he goes through the usual routine of swingins his head. If I keep presisting with the head down, he starts going backwards and if I keep putting the pressure on he eventually goes in the air.

He ties up solid, pulls back every now and again, but then realises he can't get away and stops. What is my next option? I've got your hobbles and wonder if this is the next step as I haven't put them on him yet.

Thanks
Carissa

Ok. This is exactly how these Horses are. Before I forget, this Horse should never be allowed to pull back without a neck strap on. To do so would be making it sore and compounding the mental problem. To improve the acceptance of putting the reins over the ears is far easier than taking them off. but when a Horse reaches the state that your Horse has, it will always violently throw the head. You can fix the putting reins on, with NH but I would be simply undoing the buckle to take them off. Who cares. To fix installing them, just place your hand on the face of the Horse and run it quickly but with extreme softness, straight up the forehead and flat over the ears and away, in a flash. Repeating time and time again and the entire stroke only lasting half a second. The ears will be naturally laid back and you just flip over them and gone. In the end, the Horse realizes that you are not going to dwell at the ears and it will relax. Over time and with progression, slow the hand speed down to end up putting the reins over normally. With regard to the removal of them however, different matter as they hate things coming from behind the ears and they will block such with the ears, compounding the problem badly. You can't follow the same system for this. You are then left with NH and "read my lips" You will be old and grey if you wait for NH. That is why I came with my system because I knew and confirmed with experimentation on many Horses, with 100% success. Problem is that the Public should not go there unless they have the DVD, trained the Horse, have the facilities and have the specific information on how to do it. (which I haven't done in detail) If I get one in the future I will try to do a proper educational piece on the subject.

***********

Hi John

I hope Linda gets home soon. She will be chafing to be out and about no doubt.

I've got two questions today.

1. Leaning on circles. I think the problem we are having here is that my horse isn't bending through his body. He is actually quite stiff. As soon as I can get him to bend the leaning stops. This is only an issue at canter. I have been doing suppling exercises at all paces to soften him and encourage the bend. Is there anything else that may be of benefit? The other part of this problem is that when he gets it right and is bending and travelling nicely, if you go to reward he will more often than not fall out of canter. I think it is because it is hard for him. Knowing that we only do small bits but it is challenging to reward and keep him cantering. I have shown my instructor and she has ridden him and noticed the same thing. She of course is better at maintaining the canter than I am! Riding out is a different story and he can bend like a stalk in the breeze if he is avoiding a scary log :)

Spirals K. Ride your circle at the canter. Diminish the circle by a couple of metres and then let yield back out to the track, keeping the bend. Then, go large and counter bend for 10 metres, then true flexion then back on the circle. You may counter flex say 3 times on the long side and then back to true bend for the circle at the end. Also, increase your leg yielding response by doing forehand turns, turns on the hinds and walk pirouette. Make that better and the rest will follow.

2. This is my big problem. Getting horse to stop. Don't get me wrong, my horse stops well enough, but I want it better as I have a fear that he won't and there are times when it takes longer to stop than I would like - which obviously reinforce my fear. Some of the issue is me thinking more like a car, I want to stop here so I brake now, instead of preparing him for the fact we will be slowing down in a second. So I am working on myself there. The areas we ride are not suited to the full one rein stop (with turning) but my instructor has taught a one rein stop / steady that works in a straight line. I think if he doesn't slow I need to be more assertive and say do it now. There are days when a squeeze of my fingers works to steady and slow him down and days when it takes a whole lot more than that. I think the second type are because I don't increase the command and tend to hold. I am planning to go somewhere flat and work on speed up / slow down at canter and get gears in canter so to speak (we already have that in trot). I am hoping that will tune his responsiveness (that sounds confident LOL). Initial work will probably be canter walk transitions to over emphasise the steady. We have done those in lessons, so he is capable of them. Would you have any other suggestions?

Horse is being a great little trail horse at the moment. I can't say too many bad things about him as we can go out with nervous riders and he will pop into a lovely trot and just stay there. We can go out with other friends on the same tracks and have a good hoon or we can go out by ourselves and canter sedately. That is a big improvement on the very nervous horse that he was. He is still looky and bendy LOL but is pretty problem free other than that.

Have great week and I hope Linda comes home soon.

K

Ride around the outside track of the arena. Ask for a stop every 20 metres. From trot. Ask with seat, then hand and go to a 10 when the Horse doesn't listen NOW! Keep the hold through halt and to back up for two strides, still keeping it until all resistance goes and the horse lightens to a frame at the halt. If still resisting, keep the hold, regardless of backing 20 metres or more, until the horse gives it's face with self carriage and lightness. Go on and repeat 50 times. At some point you will feel hesitation happen when you slow your own riding. You know then the Horse is starting to listen. A 10 will not be 2 ounces of pressure. :)

*********

Good Morning Mr. HP,



I am really sorry to bother you again.
I just wanted to say a big thank you for taking the time to read my email and give me some extremely useful information.
I have just one other question. What are your opinions/observations on the effects a heavy rider has on a horse?
I weigh over 100kg (I put on a substantial amount of weight since having a baby) but some people assume I am less as I am tall. I have been told that my 16.1h tb will have no problem carrying me, but I assume that it is to make me feel better about myself.
I am in the process of losing weight and have already lost 6kg, but I really want to hear the gods honest truth on whether my weight will cause my horses any pain or problems, and do not want to hear ‘nice comments’ to make me feel better about myself.
I am a very enthusiastic horse person and have been my entire life and only want to do the best for my horses. I have a very open mind and if my weight is an issue for my horses, then I will spend the time losing it doing a lot of ground work until I am in a ‘safer’ weight range to ride my horses again.

Please do not worry about hurting my feelings. Please do not ‘sugar coat’ your thoughts. I am desperate to know the truth.

Kindest Regards

Debbie

Weight versus size and build is all about simply Mathematics and Engineering. I see many 30 year old over weight people these days, lame and with backs giving out. Simply, the Human Body was not designed for the weight of Obesity and the shock absorbers and springs etc cannot handle it. It will simply give out and does. The same as the Heart gives out because it was not designed to carry 100kg when the person was born for 60 kg. The Horse is the same. Your horse, being a Thoroughbred, would be questionable but we must take each on the merits. Saddle, fitting, fitness of the horse, short coupled or not and the ability of the Rider too. Bouncing around riding heavy or over weight and riding light. Checking the back b4 every ride is essential and listening to the Horse always. We had a cut off of 95kg on our Holidays on Horseback, even though we had Clydesdale Crosses, Percheron and Cleveland Bay crosses for the heavy weights. Too many sore backs and when one gets it, it is two weeks off. Once they get it once, they get it easier next time and then get a 'WEAK BACK" . They can then cease to become "Weight Carriers" I once took a 119kg, 6foot6inches Bloke out for 3 days (not my horse) on a 14.3hh Mare. The Horse handled it with ease and did not get sore. Amazing. Bottom line is though, if we really do love them and living on this Planet, diet :) Regards

**********

Hello John,
Firstly ,I am not a squib,having to shoot old or injured dogs and horses when it was the kindest thing to do
BUT BUT BUT
that video of the skinning of those animals alive is the WORST I have ever seen. It compares to a video I saw a few years back when that BREED of people who eat dogs broke the backs or hips, of many dogs so they could not fight or get away and left them in a bare yard till they wanted them. The picture of those dogs dragging their back legs to get around has stayed with me !!!
The same type of people were caught [and possibly still are ] betting on organized dog fights north of Adelaide.
I hope the all end their lives in the cruelest way possible and ROT in hell.
I have sent that video to many of my friends [with an apology ] and to Channel 9 so as many can see it as possible If I offend anyone with my comments I COULD NOT GIVE A SHIT
Brenton Matthews



The mind boggles Brenton. Wouldn't you like to walk in there with one of these?
 

11th November, 2009

Mrs HP is climbing the walls now. She is walking around on crutches again but Hospital Staff seem to be having trouble making decisions. She just wants home and so do I. I am burning the candle at both ends. She sends her thanks to you all.

**********

LETTER OF THE DAY

The station foals turned up from S.A. on Sunday night and are really nice types, both in looks and temperament. We had to get onto one immediately as he had a rather nasty puncture wound on his leg, suffered on the journey over. Fred did the whole halter breaking and handling session off 'Uncle Roy', our fantastic lead horse. h He showed us again that having a good lead horse saves so much work, and also so much stress in these wild horses and it went off without a hitch. This little one is a part Clyde and I think is a cracker!

Anyway, love to Linda and I'm glad that awful plate has come out. My leg kept aching thinking of that in her tiny leg. I wish I was a sophisticated dressage rider so I could send her some complicated questions to keep her mind busy. If Fred runs into any trouble I'm sure he would love her opinion! Rachx.

Fred Watkins (The picture of concentration)

 http://www.watkinshorsehandlers.com.au/index.htm

This is the classic example of the difference between Natural Horsemanship and Proper Horsemanship. You all know I am a fan of NH and use it extensively but like all systems in the Horse World, nothing is exclusive. The best Horsemen are those that embrace all.

Hi John, I was drawn to this comment by a Victorian Professional Horseman who frequents Forums. I notice that he basically and exclusively denigrates any of your training methods that get mentioned from time to time. I wondered if you would mind commenting on the following quote by him this week?

"Secondly, a good horseman never ever wants to desensitize a horse to anything. You never want your horse to learn to ignore anything. That's what many owners want, but it is nonsense. What you really want is a horse that feels okay about everything presented to it. A horse that tries to ignore scary stuff and shut it out or just holds it together without feeling okay, will one day become unglued. That's why bagging out a horse is a waste of time and never works in the long term. I would avoid anybody who thinks that they should bag out your horse or bush bash your horse to get it use to things. The answer to having a steady minded horse is teaching them to stay focused and to minimize their anxiety. "

His other half has a blog now and she appears to be pre-occupied with you as well. She too denigrates you flexing Horses and puts three photos of her doing the same thing. I'm confused.

Well, it could be about someone else but I don't think so.

I don't know what the attraction is as I have never met him or her. I reckon if I said it was daylite, he would say it is dark :)

You all know I am a fan of NH and use it extensively but like all systems in the Horse World, nothing is exclusive.

The young Horse in the photo above has just been injured with a bad cut to a leg, on the Horse Truck. The Horse is WILD, not Halter Broken, completely unhandleble, kick the eye out of a needle and needs treatment NOW!!!!!!!! So how do you treat the young Horse and carry out your Animal Welfare responsibilities, without 'desensitizing the Horse? Do what incompetent Horse handlers do, reach for the Drugs and inflict a needle pain?.... but hang on, you can't catch the Horse, you can't lead it you can't restraint it so do we drop a needle into it from a Dart Gun?

On the more broad statement re not introducing a young Horse to the Roads, the Bush or bagging it down, (which is a complete insult to the majority of Horsemen in this Country) The quote warns against anyone who would dare do that as incompetent'. I am therefore 'incompetent'.

I believe that anyone who doesn't do those things to a 'Breaker' is incompetent. Those Horses that are not are more prone to put people in Hospital at the slightest change in colour of the dirt, impossible to get around a Cross County Course and so on. The thousands of people who have been injured would attest to the fact that had their Horse been desensitized to whatever it was that caused the accident, they wouldn't have been hurt. I believe it is responsible Horsemanship to expose Horses to as much as possible so as to equip them better for their lives going forward. Who knows, they may end in the cauldron of the Flemington Mounting yard.

Don't be fooled by the "bagged Down" Term either. It is put in emotive terms to frighten people and to discredit any Horseman who places a bag on a Horse to get them to accept things. Let's examine the BAGGING DOWN by Horse Trainers around the World.

• Pat Parelli bags Horses down in the 7 Games with "flog your Horse with kindness"
• Monty Roberts bags Horses down with his fake hand on a stick
• All the top Hybrid Trainers around this Country bag Horses down with plastic bags on sticks.
• Natural Horse people everywhere have purchased a thing called a 'Carrot Stick" to bag horses down.
• Guy Mclean and plenty of others 'bag horses down' with a Stock Whip and blue plastic tarps that completely cover Horses.
• Ray Hunt and Buck Brannaman the Lasso Rope etc

In so far as "you never want a horse to learn to ignore anything" Roflao. Tell that to the Dressage Queens when they get embarrassed in the Indoor with the Roses :)

I think I know what is triggering the brain of this bloke. He has the "Shut down" word in the back of his mind but he is not saying it. He must be associating it with any Trainer who doesn't wear a Dee Stalker.  Good Horseman are as gentle as any NH Guru on the Planet and sometimes more so. I hope you don't see me with peed off Horses like the Photo of Richard Weiss Horse in the Hoofbeats Magazine this month. You see bright eyed Horses that are Happy and love us. Pee'd Off Horses are in fact associated with over the top Natural Horsemanship Converts who lack judgment as to how far they can go as they have "Oh so much fun' with their new found Toys, the Carrot Stick and Slobber Straps :) We don't have Horses that get 'shut down' They have almost even disappeared from the Territory.

The best Judge of Horsemen and Women are the Horses themselves. I have any money to say that the pee'd off Horses with the Faces reside ironically in the NH World. You won't see any of those faces with any Horse that I work with (other than the face they may have brought with them but then only 5 minutes)

So to the Photo of the young injured wild Horse from Clayton Station,  That is the Horseman you want Folks. The one that goes the hard yards for your Horses and sends them back in a state where they won't 'bury you' down the track because........ they were "desensitized"

You may want to ask him about the young Horse that was too mad to break in and was floated up to Brad Weeks who got around it in two days? It was owned by one of those Forums. All publicity is good publicity :)

*************

HelloLinda O\'Leary,

We are trying a new technique to connect with horse people. It's called a web seminar, organised by Caylene Vincent of CONNECTING Horse People. I have been following the various speakers and it has been an interesting experience. You can join by following the link below. You can ask question before the webinar, but please restrict them to riding questions. For any questions about the course please email or phone us direct.

Bert & Marion Hartog-horseridingcoach.com

Hi Folks

Please get connected this Thursday with “The Riding Coach” Bert Hartog and learn secrets from a man who has been teaching many people to ride over 30+ years of riding and competition, and judging.
Its also an opportunity to learn about the courses that Bert and his wife Marion offer for people wishing to further their career in the equine industry.

Regards

Caylene J Vincent

CONNECTING Horse People

LETTERS OF THE DAY

Hi horselovers,

I would like to invite you to my art exhibition at the Adelaide International Horse Trials this weekend.
I have a tent in the trade village, and have some new items for sale this year.

I have done some small framed, watercolour sketches, that would make great christmas gifts!
Also cards, bookmarks & laminated placemat sets showing my artwork of olympic riders, the most recent being Megan Jones & Sonja Johnson!

I am also launching my new "Equine Art" leisure wear range, of polo shirt and cap with my horse logo embroidered on them.
They look very smart, and come in a variety of colours!

Of course I am able to take commissions, and anyone ordering one at this show will receive a cap & shirt for free!
Any purchase at this years event will enable you to go into the draw to win a polo shirt & cap at the end of the competition.

Come & see my new paintings and enjoy the show, I would love to see you there & help you to "Preserve your Memories".

Regards,
Karen Lownds
www.equineart.com.au

***********

G’day John,

Thanks so much for posting the short story on our 3rd re-homed

Ex pacer Standardbred “Chevy”…I applaud you for posting these storys

& along with your own unbelieveable work with the humble “Standie”

I feel the awareness & appreciation of these wonderful horses is at an

all time high.Our family is heavily involved with the Standardbred movement

up here in QLD & are very encouraged by the progress of the breed

towards being “accepted”

Just thought your readers might like looking at the whole video of my

13 yo having her 1st & 2nd paddock ride on her new standie…

This is what can be achieved with a standie…this 7 YO grey was backed in one afternoon

& ridden as good as any horse within 2 months of finishing racing being lightly ridden only

once a week…keep up the great work John,

kind regards James


  Of course they would James. What a lovely Horse indeed. They never cease to amaze me those Horses. I'll post an update on that Horse I started soon. I noticed the non rider owner has entered for the next Dressage Competition here :)

***************

Thanks John,

Just thought I would let you know that my 20 day old foal today cought his leg in the fence and just waited to be saved..... not one hair missing from his leg and I haven't done anything but the halter breaking the foal. Thankyou Thankyou Thanking Thankyou Thankyou !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ARE YOU RELATED TO GOD ?????
How did this work without doing the leg restraint work?
You really are amazing.
Susan

Well it worked Susan because the opposite principals to the Gentleman I refer to above uses. The Foal was properly Halter Broken, true lightness not quick silver lightness and that transferred to the give in the legs because the Foal learnt the principal of 'true give" Well done and thanks

************

Hi John,

The DVD is great, I will have to get the mouthing DVD! I guess I probably should have got that one first.
congratulations to you both on bringing genuine, sensible horsemanship to the 21st century.

I was hoping you might be able to help with my latest project, a 4 year old ASH mare, who I call black betty.
She was handed to me to break in and then sell on behalf of her owners.
I don't know what has happened in Betty's past, but she is an extremely nervous style of horse, and for no reason at all will rear up and pull back violently when you are leading her.
Strangely Betty ties up very well and does not pull back when she is tied up, she also leads like an old hand off another horse.
I have also noticed that Betty pulls up short in her off side hind leg and may have pulled some muscles or tendons around her hip, she also becomes extremely assertive when you approach her on this side.
I am not sure what I should do with Betty, as I do not want to sell an unsound horse (both mentally and physically), the owners seem less then interested in her problems, and I feel they may have been happy to get Betty off their property.
Any suggestions from your many years of experience would be most greatfully appreciated.
Thanks again,
Kindest regards Dani
 

That Horse is wasted on the rear end Dani so you have a problem. I just love Owners like that. I hear this a lot. Send her back and don't let your hand shake when you do it. Let them be responsible for their own Horse.....or.......if you still want to help (which I know you will), offer to take the Horse for $1 and a receipt for payment. IN WRITING!!!!!!!!!!!! Well done. Regarding the pulling not pulling back Dani, just suddenly run ahead of her by surprise and haul on her head and see what happens. I will wager she will run backwards. Therefore, she is either not Halter Broken properly, doesn't truly tie up when the chips are down or has had a tying up accident (but because she never tied up properly in the first place. Another not desensitized Horse :) Let her drag a rope for a week (when you are present and in safe yard that she cannot hook a rope halter on) Regards

*********

Hi John


Firstly hope that Linda is getting to the end of her bad luck, and is finally on the road to recovery.

My name is Gina,. My husband and I have contacted you a couple of times previously and also met you earlier this year, dealing with a standardbred mare that was beyond our ability.
I am a 42 year old beginner rider, taking lessons with a well known EFA dressage Coach who is working on my balance and seat. I have only been riding for about 5 months and I am getting along really nicely, and now am wanting to learn to canter.
I have a beautiful 10 year old QH gelding who is western trained, ex-polo cross, and been there done that and he is just such a gentleman. According to western trained people who have riding him for me, he is highly educated and very responsive to leg and seat.
I mostly ride him on trails and can trot very confidently on him (both sit and post) and can trot on a completely loose rein either in an arena or on the road for miles. He is a lovely horse and we are very in tune with each other. He has really boosted my confidence and I feel completely safe on him.
I have also started attending a great pony club with him, that has guest expert instructors and have now had two different dressage instructors who once again were just working on brakes, seat and balance with the class.
I have learnt that he is very light to the leg, so he has been great for my balance as I cannot clamp my legs on him for grip. I have also attended a couple of clinics based on western, and have been practicing a lot of bending exercises, one rein stops, flexing and yielding hindquarters (as well as following lessons from Clinton Andersons DVDs, lunging for Respect and riding with confidence). My horse loves to work and is very willing and wants to please. Everyone who has taught me has commented on what a lovely horse he is and how perfect he is for me.
My problem is sometimes I accidentally give my horse aids that I don’t understand and he starts doing his western stuff, ie, rounding his head down and walking backwards if I don’t loosen the reins after halting, spinning in circles or side passing from leg pressure), and my English trained coaches can’t help me because they don’t know what I have done either.
Yesterday, at Pony Club under the instruction of the qualified coach I thought I would try a canter. She told me how to put my legs on and we were able to canter straight from the walk, we did a few beauties up the arena and around the corner (very proud my first canter ever) and it felt great, then I seemed to lose the plot. Easy I was holding the saddle blanket and rein with outside hand and he kept going crooked (worked out later he was probably neck reining), then we did out very spectacular sharp turn and spin like we were barrel racing (he can turn on a sixpence). Anyway stopped him on one rein. However once again coach not sure what I did wrong. I was talking this morning to a friend who is western and she said I probably held inside rein tight and put outside leg on, my hubby was watching at the time and he had said he thought I put my outside leg on.
My question to you is what is the best and safest way for me to learn to canter on him until I can get my balance and not need to hang on to the saddle pad or do stupid things with my legs that I am not aware of. I had this problem when trotting, I used to hang on to the saddle blanket, but the rein kept leaning on his neck caused him to side ways. Once I got my balance and just hold the reins he goes straight as.
My regular EFA coache’s school master is out of action at the moment, otherwise she would be cantering me on the lunge. Should I get her to canter us on the lunge? He lunges well as I have done a lot of the Clinton Anderson lunging for respect exercise with him.
Also could you clarify what contact is best for him. He goes very well on loose rein, but I can use contact on him. 3 different EFA coaches have 3 different ideas and I am really confused about that especially in the trot (and I guess in the canter also). On trails we go on a loose rein. He works just as willingly on a really short rein as he does on a loose one, but I am certainly no expert and don’t know what to do, or what to say to the coaches about how I should ride him.
I am getting confused as to what style to ride him, and need a bit of guidance to be able to say this is the best way to ride this horse. My regular coach is happy to compromise the very English style with him because of his western training, but she doesn’t know anything about western.
He is a great horse, and puts up with all my confusion and is really trying to do his best – I am very lucky.
Would love some advice from someone who knows both sides of the coin.

Kind regards

Gina

Easy Gina. Learn yur Cantering out in your Forest up the gentle long Hill of 2k long and turn the horse loose. Have Company. Don't canter at this stage with English Coaches. Go start Western Lessons with a Western Coach so you know what all the buttons on the Horse are and then, once you know you are not going to confuse the Horse and if he is so good that he will do both, go have fun. Whilst the Horse is obviously a cracker, he is just a bit too tuned for your knowledge base at this time. You must catch up but don't ruin him in while you are. My gut feeling is that you may be better off at Western Clinics for a while. Regards


***************

Yes, you did. And I am still chewing over the info you gave. Ironically, today she was the most happy and relaxed horse I have ever seen her (my friend rode her - she has been riding her every week for a couple of months and I ride her when I can).

Last week she had a tantrum and threw her self down. I managed to get to her in time and stopped her from getting up (til I was ready) and patted her all over. I've done this before when she has thrown herself down but not for about 2 years, but this time she seems like a reformed horse. When I did let her up, I lunged her just with the length of the rein and when I thought she was settled, I hopped on and rode her up and down the driveway and she was fine. She has always jig jogged on every ride but last week (since being on the ground) and this week she was happy to walk when directed. Even after having a full on canter she came back to walk with absolutely no fuss. I've been riding her for 3 years, and she has never done this before.

I was pretty stoked,

Thanks for checking up with me,

Kathy

Fine Kathy. That was quite a smart move, getting to the Horse and restraining it from getting up again. (throws herself down)  Well done.

***********

Hi John & Linda,



I am a big fan of your site,  and regularly have a look at your sites latest info, so thanks, but now I need some advice too!

I have just bought a 4 year old Australian Stock Horse (after owning OTTB’s for a year and a half-now sold them both). He came from north west QLD and just did (a very well broken up) 17hour journey to his new home with me. He was station born and has never been off the station till now except when he was broken in. He is very quiet and has taken everything in his stride really well. He does not seem to be afraid of anything foreign to him either. He has been with me for 5 days now and has settled in well.

But…..

He has made friends with my good friend’s horse who is agisted beside him. I believe,as this horse is older and from their body language,that my friends horse has established himself has the ‘herd leader’. When he goes into his stable at night, my horse who isn’t stabled, frets at the fence for a while – pushing his chest on the fence and pacing up and down. Some times he will canter off and circle around and come straight at the fence, but stop at the last minute. He calms down after a while, but stays in the one spot just looking over the fence at the stable. In the morning he is just in the same spot staring at the stable and does not move till my friends horse is let out. Today she took her horse out for a ride when I was not there and my horse cantered around, started neighing very loudly and tried to push through the fence again. When I came to see him this afternoon (I did not know any of this had happened till I got out there), he had a large slice in the back of his heel – he had obviously put his foot through the fence and got it caught on the bottom wire, pulled back and sliced it open. I am really worried that he is going to hurt himself worse as he seems to be getting worse as the days go by, not better. I currently have his paddock electric fenced in half for rotational grazing. On one side of this he is beside my friends horse, on the other side he does not have any horses beside him, but can still see my friends horse and other horses agisted near by.

I don’t know what to do.


Should I

a. Take him down to a paddock at the back to the agistment where he would be by himself, no horses on either side. He would be able to see different horses in paddocks from as distance, but would not have any close by. Would this help him to become self reliant and become dependant on me as the ‘herd leader’- I do worry that this will make him worse though.


b. Electric fence his current paddock so that it is a paddock inside the fence line of his current paddock. This way he would not be able to get to any of the fences and hurt himself and he would also not be able to touch my friends horse over the fence. This does not move him away from this other horse though, it will just stop him from hurting himself on the fences when he is on his own.


c. Put him in the other side of his divided paddock for a week or 2 to get him used to being by himself, but still being able to see this other horse.


Or ‘D’ - none of the above and you might have a better suggestion………….


I am a bit lost here as I have not had to deal with fretting this bad before. Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Elese

Such a pain Elese. I would go for option B for a while. You don't want him to be nosing the other Horse as that is where the control gets embeded. You will have cleared him from the fence as far as danger goes and you will then have to wait a while to see if he improves. Being new and off a Station would not have helped and he may have been allowed too near the wrong Horse for that time. I don't think there would be any difference if you went one paddock over. That may be your next option but don't be surprised if he doesn't improve at all. His temperament may be set and go with him forever. I personally would sell that Horse tomorrow, to an environment where he was herded. Regards


*************
 

Hi John

Great site, first up!

I have two thoughbreds, that i trail ride alot in the State forest behind our Property. A 7 year old mare and a 13 year old Gelding. Obviously when we take them both out they are great but when i take only one, the one left behind plays up, the normal pacing up the fences I normally leave the one behind in their small yard so they dont hurt themselves. Other than another paddock buddy is there a trick to this. I was 2 hours from home last weekend by myself at 6 am in the morning when my wife rang and said the Gelding was playing up and calling out ( Loud) Im sure the neighbours love it at that time. All i have found on the subject talks about the horse going out riding plays up with the anxiety, but i dont have this problem its the other way round. The one going out never has a problem. I dont want them working themselves up and being hurt.

Any ideas as i would love to take either horse alone if i want.

Cheers

Syd

Again Syd, that is the personality or past History of the Horse that is not confident enough in it's own company. It can be how they are born, how they are weaned or where owners have fostered this type of behaviour in the past. I see it here with our agistees. They know certain Horses love each other so they make sure they put those two out together every time they go out for the day. I would be doing the opposite. I would put them out with other Horses and never together. They then go to a Show and complain bitterly that the Horse at the Float stuffed up their Dressage Test as it was yelling and digging holes. Well, what do you expect.? I hope you ride the calling Horse out too???? Would it be attempting that if ridden out??? Certain Geldings and Mare situations can be a problem due to a heightened testosterone level in the Gelding, one that the Owners cannot obviously see. The Mare could be a control freak :) .....or the Gelding a wimp :).....sounds like some Marriages I know hahahaha. I hobble the Horse at home or get the other Half to work it and to demand concentration so as to fix the Horse. Regards

***************

Thanks so much for the tips re my ASH gelding. I'll follow your advice and get a video to you with him in halter. There is one on you tube, from the night he went lame (won't go forward etc.) but not sure how much use it is as I certainly didn't push the point with him as I knew he was hurting. Near the end of the video he kicks out his right hind leg, then when we stop that side sort of collapses? The night before he was lovely and soft/round. I'l forward it through youtube facility.
With regards to his breathing when collected...... Yes, he seems to have some trouble. His breathing seems "thick", not puffing, but you can definitely hear it at a walk when you shouldn't.

Cheers
Rache

There you go Rache. He doesn't sound good to me.

**********

Hi John,

In response to Donna about her quarter horse x tb gelding and his behaviour..we have a 4 year old appaloosa gelding that is almost exactely the same in behaviour and temperment..he is a very laid back horse and not much phases him - though we have done a lot of Natural Horsemanship with him and even though he appears not to be concerned on the outside - he is on the inside..he is pretty cruisy though, when we first got him my daughter took him out on a trail ride and he couldnt have cared less..however recentley he has started the odd buck out of excitement and it is exactley like John said - he just can't contain himself any longer - not being an extroverted horse at all whereby he would be all worked up and you know what your dealing with - he just holds it inside until he can't hold it in any longer!

Mostly this is in a group and a lot of the time he will be going fine for an hour or so and then he will let fly with a buck out of the blue..also he doesn't like other horses coming up behind him fast and will double barrell out at them..it is only because he is a young horse and it is all so new and exciting for him..but it is very annoying. We have spoken to a lot of people about what to do and as he is my 11 year old daughters horse it is very difficult. He is not being malicious or trying to get her off in any way he is just having fun and thinks that she should enjoy it too! We are now going back to the groundwork and try and work on more respect - that's what you get when you buy a young horse - it's like dealing with teenagers - they are constantly testing you and you can never lose the battle!! I am happy for you to give my email address to Donna so that we can get our heads together and see if we can come up with a solution together!

Have a great day John and hugs and kisses to Linda..


Sue

For such behaviour Sue, I discipline them. Warnings, then level one, then two so that they know that the rules say no kicking, no leering and no jumping in the air all of a sudden. That is where the one rein stop is so handy as the Rider, who ordinarily could not survive a reactive Horse, can get it's head around and give it a wack behind the leg to discipline it. I can't do the email thing as they all get lost in the system by the time I read them here.:)

********

Hi John



Just wondered what you would charge for foals that are born on our agistment property that the owners want handled from day 1.Halter broken, floating with Mum, feet etc.Basically the foundation stones for the foal from the start.I have your DVD and we do ours like that now.Green under saddle work we charge $70 per day with hay.

Just dont know what to charge????

Thanks and love to Linda XXX

Cheers

Amber WA

Same price Amber or divided by half say if half an hour with a Foal. It is still your time that you should be charging for.  Regards

**********

he's a 4yr old gelding (yes Thoroughbred). When i finish riding/brushing/trimming his feet etc, he just walks off, seeming to have no interest in me except pats. i wormed him yesterday and it was a nightmare-he was very nervous, white in his eyes. sometimes he wont go foreward if scared of an area, so i have to hop off to lead him then get on again. He needs more training. I have taken him on the road 2 times. He's having problems with his hind leg now, the previous owners said it was caught in barbed wire. Do you break horses to sell? Would you be interested in him? im in Molong NSW. i dont know what to do. Thanks for your time, Kelly.

Sorry my love but no. Especially problem horses with a limp :) Excuse my sense of humour :) He may be exhibiting the tension due to the Veterinary problems Kel. Get him checked out properly urgently. Regards

********

Oh and I helped one of my lovely agisters with her OTTTB, we

broke her to leg straps and hobbles and she is now very polite about

holding her legs up for the farrier now. I have a bit of time over the next week

or so we are re-mouthing her befor the girl gets on. The horse has had

a complete change of attitude since being here. She was a PIG to put it nicely,

she had a temper and was free with her hinds and also upwardly mobile. She is

now a smoochy happy pony on the ground and we just want to make sure she's as

safe a possible when the girl throws a leg over (Oh girls and OTTTB's!!). I

talked her into buying a few of your DVD's and she is now convinced that my

"tough love" approach was the way for this horse and with practice, her timing

is improving:o).

It's funny, the Thursday before last I cheufered one of my

other girls to a Manola Mendez (interesting fellow) Clinic whom we had

lunch with, and the owner of this horse tagged along too. Gees I think her

eye's were opened (even I was a little surprised) at how much "tough love" there

is in classical dressage. It was justified though in the cases we watched, WA

has a few too many ignorant and arrogant Adalusians, out of their box

and needing to be put in place!!

Enough for now, Talk soon!


Laraxxxooo

I think it matters not what clinic Lara, you do see horses that are a bit above their owners but as you say, the Professional Horse Trainer, no matter whether English/Western/Spanish or whatever, have the same set of expectations and demands re behaviour. Regards


**************

I truly enjoyed your article on weak hindquarters. I am rehabbing a horse that came off a year of stall rest and wonder if you have a strengthening program I can do to start this horse successfully back to work. I can tell from your article he has a weak hind end. He will not gait anymore, paces, trots, myriad of gaits-- and his canter is disunited and he tends to want to drop into the pace after about 14 strides. I have just been walking this horse on long straight walks up/down hills, but I recently broke my own leg (and doing rehab myself) so I will be rehabbing myself as well (and probably not riding for another 8 weeks or so).

I have all winter to work with him and would like to get started on the right foot with this guy.

Jyl Snyder
Springfield OH

Aha, an Obama Voter :) Now I need to get my wife to write the her second article hahaha. I'll give her your email tomorrow :) You do have a good point because that subject is never taught either. Thanks Jyl and watch