Blog Video 5

Hello!

I know we promised you a new video each Monday - but the Youtube

servers were down last night... so here it is!

This is Session 2 with Dulche - the second time Caroline has worked

with her. We show you 10 consecutive minutes of this training

session, and will show you more next week.

For those of you learning Caroline's Round Penning Approach,

there are so many subtle nuances to this way of being and working

with horses. We hope you enjoy!

Don't forget to comment on our blog, and ask your questions for

Caroline's answers and future blog videos!

Have a great day with your horse,

from all of us at Rider Horsemanship!

Blog Video 4

In this video, Caroline works with a horse that has had minimal handling

for the last 6 months. Caroline works with her for the first time in this

video, demonstrating her round penning approach.

For those of you who have her Round Penning DVDs, this may fill in some

gaps, and answer some of your questions.

You can ask Caroline your questions here by leaving a comment to this blog
post, or send questions to us at info@RiderHorsemanship.com.

Leading and The Send - How to inspire a "stubborn" horse

This video continues the discussion about leading. This week's

question is about how to inspire movement in a "stubborn" horse.

Leading Part 2

This video is part 2, in the discussion about leading. We hope you enjoy it!

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Below is a related question that Caroline received, and her answer:

You guys haven't met the newest addition, Dusty. She is the polar opposite of Kala. She's bold, dominate, in-your-face, food oriented and stubborn! These type of horses have always been a real challenge for me. This question is related to the last blog of Leading Part I. When I use rhythmic driving (twirling the end of the rope for her to step back), she takes it as me challenging her. She'll begin to hold her head high, kick out and stand her ground instead of stepping back or not coming into my space as I originally intended. It becomes ego vs. ego at that point. What can I do so her and I are working together instead of against each other?

Hope all is well!

Amber

Hi Amber,

Happy New Year!

Great question!

This is typical behavior for more dominant horses. Asking them to respect your space puts you in the "driver's" seat or position of power. Naturally, they will challenge that. I'd like to start off with my round penning (rp) approach first for acceptance and trust before I get into specific techniques that will help. The round penning allows you to establish both partnership and leadership. This is most important to our way of training as we want the horse to want to be with us, choosing to partner while accepting our leadership. In the end, the answer is "intention." You will learn the power of it through our rp approach. The power comes with careful observation, identifying and reading our horses so that we can "match" intention. Matching intention follows the mind, heart and body of a horse. Example, some horses may be moving quickly but their mind is soft and relaxed. Some may not move, with their feet planted, not scared of anything yet difficult to motivate.

This is most challenging as everyone's perspective is unique to themselves. I don't feel comfortable asking you to come on stronger as I don't know the dynamic between you. She may feel misunderstood, confused and if so, that is how she is going to respond and let you know. You would be surprised how much a horse can "change" when understood. Stronger personalities just can't take too much either. They are very assertive. That is why I don't like to label horses, dominant, passive.

As I mention briefly in Leading, Part I, you can get stronger with your rhythmic energy and move into your horse if necessary. Don't get stuck trying to achieve the desired goal of backing your horse up right now. I would practice moving the shoulder. Accept the slightest try and reward. I would love to show how we would match our horse's intent but we don't have any horses here that will challenge us that way.

Thanks and I hope to see you again in the New Year!

Caroline

Leading Part 1

In this video Caroline answers a question about her method and position for leading a horse with safety asked by Sharon.

Each week we will be answering your questions.  You can send your questions to info@riderhorsemanship.com, or ask them here as a response to the blog.

Hi there!
As we started up this blog, it was our intention to do a short video each week in response to people's questions, but it has been hovering around 32 degrees and windy for the last two weeks!  Brrrrr!  So no videos right now!  


We do however want to post 1 - 3 answers to questions every Monday, whether in written or video form.


Here is Caroline's response to Anna's question from last week:


Hi Anna,
The round penning approach will help you build deep levels of acceptance and trust. This way of mindfully working with our horses enables us to forge a level of awareness when reading and listening to our horses. It also begins the foundation for deep connection of the heart, mind and body. The better you become at reading what your horses tells you, and then knowing what to do with that information and feedback, the deeper your relationship will be. Once he accepts and trusts you he will try and partner up. This is when you show him the halter and ask, not force, him to trust you as you gently, slowly present the halter.

My 2nd dvd, online ground exercises goes through the haltering, leading etc. I have developed sequels to the first 3 and they specifically delve into problem solving.

Good luck and keep me posted!
My best,
Caroline

A forum for Questions and Answers!

Hello!  We'd like to open up this blog to be a forum for your questions and answers.  While there unfortunately aren't enough hours in the day for Caroline to get to each of your questions personally, she will be picking at least one question a week to answer here.  We will answer some of them with a video too!

So please post us your questions here!


These answers will have to be somewhat general, because without seeing you with your horse, we can't know exactly what is going on.  If you would like a tailored and specific answer to your question that is just for you and your horse, please go to this link to learn more about assessments and evaluations, both in person, and via video!

http://www.riderhorsemanship.com/assessments-evaluations.htm



Here is a question we got from Anna from CT:

Hey, my name is Anna. I'm 18 from CT. I saw you at the Equine Affaire in MA and now you are my idol. I love the way you work with your horses. I got your round penning dvd but my horse isn't responding to it well, probably because I'm not sure what I'm doing. I just got a wild Mustang and hope to have the same relationship with him as you have with your horses. Right now I'm working on getting a halter on him. He's ok with the nose band but scared of the strap going over his head. Do you have any suggestions on how I should go about doing this? And what should I do about training him to lead. Any input would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Anna