Get Real! Today's "half-halt" is on steroids.
And the “beefed-up” half halts get great results for any training discipline.
I’ve always employed the half halt. For a horse trainer, it’s a staple. You’ve got to use the half halt if you want horses that respond lightly and consistently, that round up and slow down, and that are prepared for advanced maneuvers such as the flying change of leads.
But I was taught, and I did teach, that the rider asked for a half halt, and then released the cue instantly upon any response by the horse. Any attempt to comply by the horse was thought to be good enough. The horse was trying so the horse would be rewarded; progress would be made.
I’m learning (from some very accomplished horse trainers) a new way of using something old.
The half halt is just what it sounds as if it should be…a halt that isn’t complete. You ask for a half halt by shortening the reins and establishing a bit barrier that would indicate to the horse a stop might be expected. You do not, however, continue the stopping cues. Instead you apply leg pressure to push the horse into the new shortened frame. You want the horse to continue forward movement at the existing gait.
In order for the horse to fit into the shorter frame, the horse must round up his back and compress his stride so that the foot flight is more elevated.
The horse’s response should be to slow the cadence of his footfall.
Done correctly the horse should be in a state of perfect collection and the cadence should be slower and softer.
Previously, I’d have removed the bit barrier the instant the horse made any attempt to comply with my half halt request. (With a lot of practice and time, the horse will eventually learn to collect and slow his cadence.)
Now I don’t remove the bit barrier, but instead I drive continuously with leg pressure until the horse takes the “perfect” position for the movement that I want. This driving action can last quite some time, and can take quite a bit of effort. Don’t discontinue the driving action just because the horse is trying—the horse has to take the “perfect” position.
Once the horse is in the desired frame, moving at the desired speed, with his body in the desired position, the barrier is released.
For the western rider that means the reins are pitched and draped.
For the English rider it means the hand is relaxed and the horse is on the bit, but without rein restraint.
Now the rider must attempt to ride the horse for as long as possible without the reestablishment of any barrier which dictates body position, speed or collection.
Of course the horse is going to return to the longer frame with less collection because it is less work; horses can’t justify working harder if it is not necessary. (Unfortunately horses can’t project the reasoning that if they carry weight in “collection” they’ll remain sounder longer. They don’t grasp the idea that being in better condition now, means they’ll be in better condition later. Of course, lots of rider can’t project that reasoning either.)
When the horse elongates, increases speed or loses collection, the half halt is again employed.
With the half halt on steroids, you do not make any small corrections to help the horse. If you are going to correct, you use the very strong half halt, put the horse back in the perfect position, then remove the barrier completely.
There is no “half way” in the steroid half halt. It is helping the horse to take the perfect position, and then it is leaving the horse on his own to continue in that position.
If you practice the beefed-up half halt, don’t get frustrated, don’t make tiny adjustments, and don’t abandon the method until you’ve tried it for at least 10 training sessions.
Try it; you might like it!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Those "complain' are most often the cause
It’s time to quit complain’ and start doin’.
AQHA just released the results of a survey the association did on what is termed a “downturn” in the economy. Summary of the survey: all negatives; one complaint after another about the increasing cost of everything related to horses except the “never increasing” selling price.
Well, complainers, thank you very much….you’ve gotten exactly what you’ve asked for.
If the cost of hay has soared, don’t blame the drought. There are always droughts somewhere…just as there is always plenty of rain somewhere else. The cost of hay is up because the cost of transport is up, the cost of land is up, the cost of labor is up, the cost of store rental, taxes and insurance are up.
You can’t ship hay without paying for fuel, and the cost of fuel is up because we are extravagant wasters. The complainers are driving over-powered, over-hyped, over-rated trucks and SUVs. But they aren’t complaining about that; they’re bragging on it. They can’t afford to feed the horse, but they can feed their ego.
Land and home prices are plummeting as the credit crunch catches up to those who thought there was a way to get something for nothing. You have to pay for what you get, so if you can’t pay the price of horse ownership, don’t get a horse. (Unfortunately those who didn’t “over-buy” are going to have to pay for those who did in the form of government bailouts.)
Local tack and feed stores are struggling to make a profit, while the big lot purchasers (who never have in stock what you need) are getting property tax breaks from city, county and federal government….the biggest money wasters of all. But no one is complaining; they’re just asking for more government services.
AQHA, an association established to preserve the breed, is now so focused on sponsorships, big events, merchandise and image, that it forces horse owners to “join” in order to “transfer ownership records.” A service fee for the administrative costs is one thing…forced membership is another.
Has the cost of horse ownership gone up more than the costs of other things?
Has the cost of horse ownership soared with housing prices, truck and car prices, gasoline and diesel prices, cell phones and flat screen HD television?
Face the facts…if you’re complaining about the cost of horse ownership, you can do something about it. Don’t own a horse…that’s an option.
Now according to some who responded to AQHA’s survey, horses are being sold for as little as $5 per head, or being turned loose on government owned land, which is supposed to prove there are a lot of unwanted horses.
Well, there are unwanted horses, but it’s the complainers who caused it, breeding low quality stock, approving AI and shipped semen, registering and encouraging the breeding of anything and everything, closing slaughter plants and having no plan for the care and future of the horse.
Horse rescue operations are even a contributor to the unwanted horse problem. Once a charity is started, it will be overrun by “welfare” cases. Horse rescues are going to have to change their thinking--remove the emotion, and add responsibility--if they are going to help horses.
And the price of horses isn’t down…it’s the same as it always is.
I just attended two major horse auctions. Good horses sold for good prices and the purchasers were not complaining about the cost of horse ownership.
The horses that sold cheap, were cheap, and will probably suffer at the hands of the complainers who are creating just what they are complaining about.
If you really want to help horses, it’s time to stop complain’ and start doin’.
AQHA just released the results of a survey the association did on what is termed a “downturn” in the economy. Summary of the survey: all negatives; one complaint after another about the increasing cost of everything related to horses except the “never increasing” selling price.
Well, complainers, thank you very much….you’ve gotten exactly what you’ve asked for.
If the cost of hay has soared, don’t blame the drought. There are always droughts somewhere…just as there is always plenty of rain somewhere else. The cost of hay is up because the cost of transport is up, the cost of land is up, the cost of labor is up, the cost of store rental, taxes and insurance are up.
You can’t ship hay without paying for fuel, and the cost of fuel is up because we are extravagant wasters. The complainers are driving over-powered, over-hyped, over-rated trucks and SUVs. But they aren’t complaining about that; they’re bragging on it. They can’t afford to feed the horse, but they can feed their ego.
Land and home prices are plummeting as the credit crunch catches up to those who thought there was a way to get something for nothing. You have to pay for what you get, so if you can’t pay the price of horse ownership, don’t get a horse. (Unfortunately those who didn’t “over-buy” are going to have to pay for those who did in the form of government bailouts.)
Local tack and feed stores are struggling to make a profit, while the big lot purchasers (who never have in stock what you need) are getting property tax breaks from city, county and federal government….the biggest money wasters of all. But no one is complaining; they’re just asking for more government services.
AQHA, an association established to preserve the breed, is now so focused on sponsorships, big events, merchandise and image, that it forces horse owners to “join” in order to “transfer ownership records.” A service fee for the administrative costs is one thing…forced membership is another.
Has the cost of horse ownership gone up more than the costs of other things?
Has the cost of horse ownership soared with housing prices, truck and car prices, gasoline and diesel prices, cell phones and flat screen HD television?
Face the facts…if you’re complaining about the cost of horse ownership, you can do something about it. Don’t own a horse…that’s an option.
Now according to some who responded to AQHA’s survey, horses are being sold for as little as $5 per head, or being turned loose on government owned land, which is supposed to prove there are a lot of unwanted horses.
Well, there are unwanted horses, but it’s the complainers who caused it, breeding low quality stock, approving AI and shipped semen, registering and encouraging the breeding of anything and everything, closing slaughter plants and having no plan for the care and future of the horse.
Horse rescue operations are even a contributor to the unwanted horse problem. Once a charity is started, it will be overrun by “welfare” cases. Horse rescues are going to have to change their thinking--remove the emotion, and add responsibility--if they are going to help horses.
And the price of horses isn’t down…it’s the same as it always is.
I just attended two major horse auctions. Good horses sold for good prices and the purchasers were not complaining about the cost of horse ownership.
The horses that sold cheap, were cheap, and will probably suffer at the hands of the complainers who are creating just what they are complaining about.
If you really want to help horses, it’s time to stop complain’ and start doin’.
Monday, December 7, 2009
The Right "Stretch"
HorseCoursesOnline.com instructor Betty Lindquist will have a special feature article on "horse stretching exercises" in the Certified Horseman's Association magazine, The Instructor, winter issue which comes out in January.
Lindquist, who teaches Equine Massage, says that many of the exercises being taught are "really conter-productive." You simply do not want to use an exercise which actually "tightens" the muscles. Lindquist explains the correct way to "stretch your horses" for maximum benefit to the horse.
Lindquist, who teaches Equine Massage, says that many of the exercises being taught are "really conter-productive." You simply do not want to use an exercise which actually "tightens" the muscles. Lindquist explains the correct way to "stretch your horses" for maximum benefit to the horse.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
EIA "threat" is a myth for money
If your veterinarian tells you EIA is a serious threat to your horse’s health, either he/she doesn’t know the facts, or wants to continue to rake in a steady stream of income based on inaccurate “scare” information. (About $36 million is spent annually for Coggins tests.)
The EIA threat to your horse’s health is nothing compared to the “mandatory slaughter of your Coggins positive horse by many state laws.”
If you want to take your horse to a public facility, cross state lines, or even board at some stables, you’ll need a current Coggins test and that test is going to cost you while putting money in the pockets of veterinarians, testing laboratories and state agencies. If the horse tests negatively, it just costs money. But if the horse tests positive, the most common result is that your horse will be euthanized and there is virtually nothing you can do about it.
I’m not against the Coggins test…it is just a test. What I’m against is the state laws, supported by veterinarians, which slaughter happy, healthy, useful horses which are of no danger to other horses, but which happen to be “in-apparent” carriers. (If you want to protect horses in public places make it mandatory the horse’s temperature is taken daily.)
To support laws that needlessly slaughter useful horses is inexcusable.
Both Bayer Animal Health and the American Association of Equine Practitioners have claimed “Equine Infectious Anemia is a fatal disease that threatens the world’s horse population.”
There are no facts, figures or even light data to support their claim.
There is no national record of how many horses die of EIA in the US each year. Ask your vet how many EIA fatal cases he or she has seen and the most common answer will be “none”. Check with your state veterinary office and ask how many deaths in the state due to EIA each year and the answer will be “none” or “we don’t know.”
I asked Bayer to support its claim and Dr. Kenton Morgan said it gets its information from AAEP. Asked if he or anyone at Bayer questions such statements and he replied, “We don’t edit the stuff, we just post it.”
Posting such stuff keeps the myth alive and my cost your horse his or her life.
I have tried and tried to get a response from the AAEP education committee, but no response is ever made. I’ve challenge several AAEP members to debate the EIA issues on a radio program, and the challenge has always been ignored.
If EIA was such a threat to horses wouldn’t you think horses would be dying from the disease, and don’t you think there would be an effort to eradicate it?
Dr. Don O’Connor, Wisconsin epidemiologist (a person who investigates epidemics and causes) says Wisconsin’s policy is to “control, not eradicate.”
Asked if EIA is an epidemic in Wisconsin, Dr. O’Connor says, “No.” Asked how many EIA deaths were recorded in Wisconsin for a three year period, Dr. O’Connor said, “None.”
While EIA did not kill a single horse during that three year period, Marjorie Pommerening had to have her two horses euthanized (slaughtered) because they tested positive even though they showed no symptoms and where happy, hearty, useful horses. So, statistically, while EIA has not killed a horse in recent memory in Wisconsin, the state’s control policy has officially killed at least two.
The number of new Coggins positive cases (not deaths or even sickness) found each year amounts to .0002857% of the 7 million horses in the US.
If that’s a threat to the world’s horse population, I’m at a loss to know how.
Keep the Coggins test; brand a “positive” horse if you wish, and simply require the horse’s temperature to be taken daily if it is to travel or be housed in a public horse facility. Get your veterinarian and state legislator to support that and save the life of a lot of wonderful horses.
Unless you and horse organizations demand new laws nothing is going to change.
The EIA threat to your horse’s health is nothing compared to the “mandatory slaughter of your Coggins positive horse by many state laws.”
If you want to take your horse to a public facility, cross state lines, or even board at some stables, you’ll need a current Coggins test and that test is going to cost you while putting money in the pockets of veterinarians, testing laboratories and state agencies. If the horse tests negatively, it just costs money. But if the horse tests positive, the most common result is that your horse will be euthanized and there is virtually nothing you can do about it.
I’m not against the Coggins test…it is just a test. What I’m against is the state laws, supported by veterinarians, which slaughter happy, healthy, useful horses which are of no danger to other horses, but which happen to be “in-apparent” carriers. (If you want to protect horses in public places make it mandatory the horse’s temperature is taken daily.)
To support laws that needlessly slaughter useful horses is inexcusable.
Both Bayer Animal Health and the American Association of Equine Practitioners have claimed “Equine Infectious Anemia is a fatal disease that threatens the world’s horse population.”
There are no facts, figures or even light data to support their claim.
There is no national record of how many horses die of EIA in the US each year. Ask your vet how many EIA fatal cases he or she has seen and the most common answer will be “none”. Check with your state veterinary office and ask how many deaths in the state due to EIA each year and the answer will be “none” or “we don’t know.”
I asked Bayer to support its claim and Dr. Kenton Morgan said it gets its information from AAEP. Asked if he or anyone at Bayer questions such statements and he replied, “We don’t edit the stuff, we just post it.”
Posting such stuff keeps the myth alive and my cost your horse his or her life.
I have tried and tried to get a response from the AAEP education committee, but no response is ever made. I’ve challenge several AAEP members to debate the EIA issues on a radio program, and the challenge has always been ignored.
If EIA was such a threat to horses wouldn’t you think horses would be dying from the disease, and don’t you think there would be an effort to eradicate it?
Dr. Don O’Connor, Wisconsin epidemiologist (a person who investigates epidemics and causes) says Wisconsin’s policy is to “control, not eradicate.”
Asked if EIA is an epidemic in Wisconsin, Dr. O’Connor says, “No.” Asked how many EIA deaths were recorded in Wisconsin for a three year period, Dr. O’Connor said, “None.”
While EIA did not kill a single horse during that three year period, Marjorie Pommerening had to have her two horses euthanized (slaughtered) because they tested positive even though they showed no symptoms and where happy, hearty, useful horses. So, statistically, while EIA has not killed a horse in recent memory in Wisconsin, the state’s control policy has officially killed at least two.
The number of new Coggins positive cases (not deaths or even sickness) found each year amounts to .0002857% of the 7 million horses in the US.
If that’s a threat to the world’s horse population, I’m at a loss to know how.
Keep the Coggins test; brand a “positive” horse if you wish, and simply require the horse’s temperature to be taken daily if it is to travel or be housed in a public horse facility. Get your veterinarian and state legislator to support that and save the life of a lot of wonderful horses.
Unless you and horse organizations demand new laws nothing is going to change.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
6 "musts" for horse business success
There are six things you absolutely, positively must do if you want your horse business to be a financial success!
First you must focus…that means you must be able to explain exactly what you do or sell within 10 words or less. Can you do it?
For your FREE report on the six steps to business success, visit www.horsecoursesonline.com and click on “FREE REPORT” in the menu on the left side of the page.
First you must focus…that means you must be able to explain exactly what you do or sell within 10 words or less. Can you do it?
For your FREE report on the six steps to business success, visit www.horsecoursesonline.com and click on “FREE REPORT” in the menu on the left side of the page.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Playing games with horses is playing dangerous
"Horse" comments on "natural horsemanship" by saying that playing games provides a systematic approach for "newbies." One of the major problems with playing games with horses (also one of the major problems with early foal "imprinting").....is the horse begins to think you are equals, and therefore entering your space is perfectly acceptable.
If you want to get along with horses you are not equals and never will be...either you are the leader and dominate the horse (and that's a natural situation) of the horse dominates you, which is the most common result for those who "play games with horses."
If you want to get along with horses you are not equals and never will be...either you are the leader and dominate the horse (and that's a natural situation) of the horse dominates you, which is the most common result for those who "play games with horses."
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
5 Equine Nutrition "Don'ts"
Most horse owners know one of the five things you do not do when it comes to equine nutrition is make sudden changes in forage or diet.
But do you know the other four “do not dos”?
For your FREE report on the five do not dos of equine nutrition, visit www.horsecoursesonline.com and click on “FREE REPORT” in the menu on the left side of the page.
But do you know the other four “do not dos”?
For your FREE report on the five do not dos of equine nutrition, visit www.horsecoursesonline.com and click on “FREE REPORT” in the menu on the left side of the page.
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