Open Water Farms Horse Kindergarten and Training

Happy Holidays from Open Water farms Horse kindergarten and training!

Happy Holidays from Open Water farms Horse kindergarten and training!

This is a great way to look at it

This is a great way to look at it

The spoiled horse... These are the toughest horses to work on. Why? ... Because it's so unfair for the animal. It's unfair to the animal because they don't have the capacity to know right from wrong. They simply know what works for them and they act according to what they've learned or how they feel. The spoiled horse often goes through the emotional roller coaster when they have to be sent to "boot camp", as some call it. The process of correcting old behavior and trying to add new behavior can be ugly, especially with the ones who have learned how to intimidate. A spoiled horse is something as simple as a horse that hasn't had clear training and clear boundaries which puts both behavior and emotions out of balance. These horses often retaliate when the boundaries get firm. I hate having to be bold with spoiled horses because it's just not their fault, but in order to help the horse, help the owner and stay safe, you gotta do what you gotta do. The trouble a lot of times with horses and their owners is the owners lack the congruence. You see the owner be demanding, bossy, loud, etc. to get the horse to do something, but it's not congruent with who they are as a person. If that makes sense? So a person with energy matching their intention, can use their tools with moderation with a tough horse. They can get a change without needing to be violent. But someone who lacks congruence will need big, loud and use painful tools and yet the horse still walks all over them. A horse can see a liar from a mile away. "They know when you know, and they know when you don't" ;) My favorite tool for spoiled horses is the 3 second rule. I ask, allow 3 seconds to pass and then I follow through with whatever tool I need. Granted, I'm in an area where I can stay out of harms way, like a round pen. My energy matches my intention, if I have the confidence to do the work laid out in front of me, then the horse has no confusing messages. If you don't feel confident, don't do it! Especially on a tough horse because that's how horses end up in bad places. They learn what works, they learn how to fight, they learn how to win and once they win once or twice, they know they can win so they'll put a lot of effort into it. To avoid spoiling your horse, set boundaries. Don't accept pushy, nosy, needy horses as "that's just who he/she is". Be consistent in how you handle your horse, learn to manage your emotions and not take behavior personally. Emotions and horses rarely work out well. Horses in a herd aren't rude, belligerent and lacking boundaries. Why? Because horses are really good at keeping a balance of friendship and boundaries. When a new horse lacks the skills of being a balanced horse, they will be reprimanded and "schooled" until they can be a productive member of the herd. If horses can do it, so can we :)

Horse show outings for everyone! From the two and three year olds to the seven year olds! Yippee!!!

Horse show outings for everyone! From the two and three year olds to the seven year olds! Yippee!!!