Kelsey's Fundamental Horse Training LLC

This week I’d like to give some tips about personality match between horse and rider. Through my professional career I’ve been lucky enough to be involved with... studying people’s behavior patterns as well as my own at a deep level for the purpose of being a better coach. This has fascinated me and it can be used in so many ways to help my students and my own riding. When purchasing a horse, riders usually have a lot of valid criteria they look for in their future partner, such as gaits, age, size, training level, but rarely ask themselves the question: will it be a good match with my own personality, or my character? We as human beings have different personality types. Some of us avoid conflict at all cost, whereas some individuals constantly try to push everyone else boundaries. Some are shy, some are confident, the list is long. And this in fact will have a great impact on your riding. For example, if you are a type of person who won’t yield until you get what you want on a personal or professional level, without going into any compromise...please make yourself a favor and don’t buy a mare Or if you have a personality who doesn’t like conflict, has a hard time to assert your authority, as a rider you may run into problems with horses who need clear boundaries when they take bad decisions. Being aware of your personality type is very important before you consider buying a horse. I’ve interestingly witnessed inexperienced amateur riders do a beautiful job riding some of the sensitive horses I had for sale, while the experienced trainer couldn’t get anything out of them besides resistance and tension. It really shows that there is more to it than just knowing the technique. Being able to get the best out of a horse has to do with very balanced emotions as a rider. When frustration, anger or fear creeps in while riding a horse, it is a reflection of your own issues as a person, and has little to do with the horse. You are projecting on him emotions triggered by the fact that whatever he is doing calls out the aspects of your personality you have put in shadow. And the horse will mirror these emotions back at you. If you are able to detach yourself from the reason of your frustration while riding the horse, and look logically at how this horse needs to be approached, then it makes you capable of riding pretty much any type of horse. But it is a process, and a process involving an introspection of you to start with. Every time you get frustrated about your horse while riding, ask yourself the question: what is the exact source of my frustration? Do I face similar frustrations / patterns at work and in my personal life? What is the real reason why I get frustrated: because I feel powerless on a naughty horse? Because I don’t feel like I’m good enough? Because I am scared to do something wrong or that bad things will happen if I intervene? Because I’m worried the horse won’t love me anymore if I correct him?

To all my wonderful clients, thank you for supporting me. This summer has been everything but easy. Thank you for standing by me and being so patient. I have some news. As you all know I had suffered a significant injury early this summer. This caused me to reflect on my current business plan. Although an incredibly difficult decision I will no longer be accepting new horses to start under saddle. ... In addition, my old lesson horses sat unused while I was recovering so I am unable to offer on site lessons at this time. If they come back into working shape I will notify all prior students. I am sincerely sorry for the inconvenience but I feel this is best at this time. If you need referral for colt starting services or anything else, I’d be more than happy to assist: I will still be offering help with behavior modification and traditional lessons. Thank you all for your understanding.

God bless the school horses

I think I cross most of these off on a daily

I am so proud of this dynamic duo. Robin, it’s been a blessing watching you both grow