Tough Going

     Sometimes you go to a horse show and nothing seems to go right.  To make matters worse, the judge isn't placing you well, or even worse you can't even get a ribbon!  You get discouraged and maybe just quit trying so hard.  Believe it or not, sometimes this isn't a bad thing because when you start to relax, your horse gives a big sigh, so to speak too, and the two of you may just start working better together.
     Often, that's when things begin to turn around.  Horses start showing better, riders ride a little better, and maybe the other horses in the ring start to tire and suddenly you're back in the game.
     My advice is not to get upset or angry when the equine gods throw you a tough show.  Just keep showing and see how things turn out.  Worse comes to worse: you can have a great schooling experience. 
     When a show is going against you, use your time in the ring to practice being relaxed and not trying "too hard".  Wait for the transitions just a little longer, work on making your horse life his shoulders and collect up a little more and work deeper in the corners than you might have and, ride a longer route into the line-up.
     I believe that staying positive (but realistic) is the key to success.  If you need a new horse, move on!  If you and your horse just need to improve though. then get to work - whenever an opportunity presents itself. 
     If you have a good horse, don't lose confidence in him or yourself just because the equine gods aren't smiling on a particular performance.  Take things in stride (pun intended!) and soon things will improve.  It may take a show or two but it does turn around!  Talk to you next week, JD.

Is it Really Fear or Just Faking it?

       We all think we know what an honest-to-gosh spook looks like but sometimes looks - just like spooks - can be deceiving.  
     Remember that healthy horses feel incredibly good, better than you or I will probably ever feel, so all that energy and joy of life has to go somewhere.  Thus, "the spook that really isn't".  It's a playfulness that I love to see but personally don't enjoy riding.  What to do?
     Turn-out and longeing and consistent work are easy answers.  Look too at what you're feeding your horse - horses don't need a high carb diet (period!).  Also, too much protein can be a problem.  Some horses just can't tolerate alfalfa and, excessively sweet feed is not good either (though I do feed some horses a little grass chop which does have crude molasses in it).  Sometimes altering diet alone can really change a horse's behavior. 
     I always let my playful horses really play on the longe line before I put them to work.  I see people who don't want to take their own time to longe or if they do, may be reluctant to let their horses kick up their heels and shake their necks and really play before they get down to work.  Some people have the mistaken belief that a horse who "broncs" on the longe line will by "bronc-y" when ridden.  That is definitely not the case. 
     Horses that have too much energy are just not going to listen to their rider, their minds will be on everything and anything else.  They'll "spook" and "scoot" and no amount of trying on your part will change that situation.  They cannot focus until you let them get that energy out of their system.
     Sometimes too, "fake spooking" is actually a horse's way of trying to evade their rider and evade their work.  This is a very learned behavior so it's best to put these guys right back to work after a spook - no coddling!  I definitely will get after them for this using my spurs or crop for discipline.  I like to work these horses more in each single session.  I want to put them away a little tired - not exhausted because that can cause a horse to "hate" their work but I definitely want them worn down.  If they have the stamina and I have the time, I may even work these horses in the morning then again for a shorter period in the afternoon - I'll definitely work them at least twice a day at a show to make sure they're able to focus when I need them to.
     So, management is again the key.  These playful horses take more time but often they learn to enjoy working and their energy can be used in a positive manner.  Many of these horses go on to become really good show horses or whatever their job will be!  Hope this helps you deal with your playful horse!  Talk to you next week, JD.

Connecting

     To truly "connect" with your horse, you must be a team.  By that, I mean the two of you have a "job" to do and it is done in partnership. 
     Whether you do Western show discipline or jumping or ranch work doesn't matter, the point is that you and your horse do something together that requires you to "depend" on one another.  Your horse needs to be trained to a level that he knows his job and knows what's expected of him.  The horse then learns that you - his rider - will stay out of his way and help him do that job. In other words, you trust your horse and your horse trusts you, it's a two way street.  Both horse and rider rely on each other.
     Now, this doesn't happen overnight.  Just because you "fell in love" with your equine purchase doesn't mean you just suddenly become partners.  Nor does admiring your horse do it.  You must become a working unit together.  It takes time for horse and rider to get to know one another and trust one another.  The process can be challenging at times but stick to it because the rewards are really worth it!  One last note - partners must each do their part, your part includes making sure your horse is suitable for the discipline you choose.  Talk to you next week!  JD