The best way to tell you who I am is to
tell you who I am not. I am not a roper, barrel racer, cutter or reiner
and I cannot teach you how to win ribbons. But, I can teach you how to
win respect and trust from your horse. I have been around horses all
my life and have just gotten by. I did not make my living on horseback -
I had a real job like most of you. Looking back I realize it is nothing
short of a miracle that I was not seriously injured while working with
horses. I did not understand how horses think or why they react the way
they do. Then I was introduced to a better way of working with horses.
What I have learned - I was once told by a wonderful horseman, "If
you want a better horse, be a better horseman". That has become my goal
and is what I try to help others become.
To become a better horseman you have to start to think like the horse. That can, at times, be very difficult. Humans are predators and that is the way we think. We cannot help it, it is who we are. But all too often we look at our horse and wonder why our horse does not understand us. The reason is he does not think like us - and can not - because horses are prey animals. We are predators, they are prey. So, if we really want our horse to understand us, we are going to have to work hard at understanding them.
Understand the basics: How does your horse act when you are working around him on the ground? Does your horse push on you when you lead him or does your horse nibble on you when you are in the stall with him? We often think that horses are just being affectionate or cute but these are signals that a horse wants to be the dominant horse in the herd. Now, if you and your horse make up the herd, in his mind you are second.
The problem with being second is it is not safe. Not riding and not on the ground. By the way, did you know that almost half of all horse-related accidents happen on the ground? Surprised? Think about it. Most folks that have and love horses do not make their living from horseback. We have jobs, families and other responsibilities that prevent us from spending the time we would like with our horses. We do, however, spend just about every day feeding them, taking care of their stalls, moving them from pasture to pasture, etc. So, although we do not ride every day we do spend a lot of time with our horses. We just do it on the ground.
Safety must be foremost when on or around the horse. A horse will do two things when unsure or frightened. The first is run and the second, if he cannot run, is fight. What I can teach you is how to be a good leader so that when your horse is not sure he will look to you for the answer. If you stay calm, chances are he will too. Let me show you practical exercises to win his respect while keeping you and your horse as safe as possible.
Learn how to be the herd leader. Learn how to gain his respect with exercises that are easy on you physically and nonviolent to the horse. Our clinics focus on groundwork exercises that you will use to communicate with your horse. We will build your confidence and you will earn his trust and respect. Help your horse understand what you are going to teach him from the saddle. Become a better horseman. That is what I have done. That is who I am.
To become a better horseman you have to start to think like the horse. That can, at times, be very difficult. Humans are predators and that is the way we think. We cannot help it, it is who we are. But all too often we look at our horse and wonder why our horse does not understand us. The reason is he does not think like us - and can not - because horses are prey animals. We are predators, they are prey. So, if we really want our horse to understand us, we are going to have to work hard at understanding them.
Understand the basics: How does your horse act when you are working around him on the ground? Does your horse push on you when you lead him or does your horse nibble on you when you are in the stall with him? We often think that horses are just being affectionate or cute but these are signals that a horse wants to be the dominant horse in the herd. Now, if you and your horse make up the herd, in his mind you are second.
The problem with being second is it is not safe. Not riding and not on the ground. By the way, did you know that almost half of all horse-related accidents happen on the ground? Surprised? Think about it. Most folks that have and love horses do not make their living from horseback. We have jobs, families and other responsibilities that prevent us from spending the time we would like with our horses. We do, however, spend just about every day feeding them, taking care of their stalls, moving them from pasture to pasture, etc. So, although we do not ride every day we do spend a lot of time with our horses. We just do it on the ground.
Safety must be foremost when on or around the horse. A horse will do two things when unsure or frightened. The first is run and the second, if he cannot run, is fight. What I can teach you is how to be a good leader so that when your horse is not sure he will look to you for the answer. If you stay calm, chances are he will too. Let me show you practical exercises to win his respect while keeping you and your horse as safe as possible.
Learn how to be the herd leader. Learn how to gain his respect with exercises that are easy on you physically and nonviolent to the horse. Our clinics focus on groundwork exercises that you will use to communicate with your horse. We will build your confidence and you will earn his trust and respect. Help your horse understand what you are going to teach him from the saddle. Become a better horseman. That is what I have done. That is who I am.
