There are some approaches to horses and horse training that are not only idiotic, but cruel as well. I hear and see things every day that make me cringe. Here are a couple of recent beauties: From my Facebook page: “We have a girl in our barn who has been taught to scare her horse, … Read more
Your attitude and how you think about horses, is the most important part of horse training. Your ability to handle horses isn’t worth a dime if your underlying thinking is flawed. Here are a few examples: 1. If you think your horse is being bad or naughty on purpose, you’ll punish him for reasons that … Read more
Lots of trainers tie a plastic bag or a flag on the end of a stick and call it a ‘training tool’. When the stick is used, the plastic bag/flag makes a whooshing noise that frightens horses every time it’s waved near them. If a horse is already worried or frightened when you approach, you … Read more
A horse is a very sensitive creature. He can feel the lightest touch of your hand and the slightest squeeze of your leg. He can hear the slightest rustle in the bushes and feel the smallest fly land on his back. This is how a horse is made. There’s nothing you or anyone else can … Read more
Whenever you work with an unhandled horse or foal, the first thing you must do is get a rope around his neck. Without a rope, the horse can run away at any time. And the more frightened the horse is, the more he’ll run. Some horses will run to the point of exhaustion rather than … Read more
Next time you see a horse being chased in a round pen, please ask yourself: What’s the answer for the horse and how can he get out of being chased? What does the trainer actually want the horse to do? If the trainer wants the horse to face him or follow him, why not show … Read more
Imagine putting your beloved pet dog on a long lead and chasing him round and round with a flag on a stick. Imagine chasing your dog away from you every time he tries to come to you. Imagine flapping a tarp or flag at your dog until the only thing left for him to do … Read more
CONSIDER YOUR HORSE By Neil Davies Do you think your horse enjoys it When you tie him up to fight Do you really think he’s happy As he pulls with all his might Do you think your horse is having fun When you chase him from the ground Do you really think he loves it … Read more
Here are some old wives’ tales from the horse world. I’ve heard them over and over, all my life. 1. One white foot, buy him. Two white feet, try him. Three white feet, be on the sly. Four white feet, pass him by. The best horse I’ve ever ridden had four white feet. 2. Chestnut … Read more
