Deb MacCallum Equine Trainer and Coach

Deb MacCallum Equine Trainer and Coach Coaching and training based on the principles of Cowboy Dressage, soft feel, harmony and partnership

22/07/2022

Advice for everyone who wants to ride and train well, from Master Trainer, George Morris:“Feel the hindleg in your hand, a steady hand. Today we have this fashion for hand riding, don’t copy fashion, what is important, is correctness. You must have elasticity from your shoulder to the horse’s mouth, a straight line, a steady connection and elasticity of hand. https://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2019/05/more-wisdom-from-master-george-morris/

30/01/2022

So I thought that would put up a video of me working with Fergus, now I want you to tell me what you see, and what do you think that my primary focus is on in this video. 😁

A follow up post on Fergus's progress, these pics were taken a week after the last lot of pics. Now in the last post I ...
30/01/2022

A follow up post on Fergus's progress, these pics were taken a week after the last lot of pics. Now in the last post I said that I don't judge a horse that is not doing what I want as them being naughty, but understanding that they are speaking the only that they know how to, by their behaviour.

I believe that it is up to us to understand what the behaviour means and only then can we help show the horse a better way of expressing themselves.

Working with a horse is about the relationship, it is a conversation, you won't always like what the other says, and sometimes you may need to compromise so that you do not turn your session into a win, lose situation, that is in fact a no win for either of you.

A great horseman by the name of Ray Hunt had a saying that I love " First I go with you , then you go with me, and then we go together"

Working with horses isn't all pretty, there can be some messy stuff that pops up, and that can happen at any time. Something that I have always said, is that it doesn't matter what your horse is doing, but how you react to what your horse is doing that really matters. Are you helping your horse feel better by finding a solution , or are you stuck in doing the same thing over and over but expecting a different result. 😁

Here are a few pics from me working with my daughters new horse. Now some people will look at these and think that this ...
27/01/2022

Here are a few pics from me working with my daughters new horse. Now some people will look at these and think that this horse is being naughty, and that he is scary and dangerous.

This horse is just showing me how he feels, so I see a horse being expressive, and I look on in admiration at the balance in his rear, and wow look how high he can kick up.

I am not looking to dominate a horse and create an obedient robot, I never want a horse to feel that he can't talk to me and show me how he feels, there are plenty of shutdown , obedient horses out there, but they are not happy horses.

I want to create a connection, have a conversation, ask how I can help you. If you never ask anything from your horse, sure you might stay under a false security blanket and believe that your horse is fine, but then when you take him out of his comfort zone, you may very well have a kite at the end of your lead, not the sweet puppy that you have at home.

So in a safe environment, I like to help the horse to realise that he doesn't need to fight me, be scared of me, that he is allowed to express himself, that he is allowed to make mistakes, and I will just reset and calmly ask again, and I always have a gold star ready for the little tries that he gives.

They soon begin to look for the rewards, and I am not talking about treats, but a rub and a well done boy, good job sort of reward. That is when they will begin to look for the answer, and be confident to try new things, and they realise that they will not be in trouble if they get it wrong. Then the partnership can move forward and that is where the magic begins.

So when I am faced with a horse like in these pics, I celebrate that he is showing me how he feels, and then we can begin our journey to peace and partnership. All of this leads to a confident , well balanced and well adjusted horse under saddle, it is all connected.😁

P.S please excuse my attire 😆

It is time for Scooter to go home , he has been with me for quite awhile now, so has become part of my herd, and my fam...
14/01/2022

It is time for Scooter to go home , he has been with me for quite awhile now, so has become part of my herd, and my family.

This horse has plenty of character, and is not shy about using it. Like a lot of talented horses, he has his quirks, and needs guidance, not much is safe if left around him, he will chew it, throw it, chase it or just destroy it.

Here are some pics from this mornings ride, good luck in your future Scooter and try and be nice to your mummy, look forward to hearing about your adventures. 😁

On the bit is about the whole horse moving freely forward without resistance , the head carriage is what comes naturally...
08/03/2020

On the bit is about the whole horse moving freely forward without resistance , the head carriage is what comes naturally after the body is in balance.

Separation anxiety is a hard thing for a lot of horses and their owners. Some people keep their horses separate from oth...
08/03/2020

Separation anxiety is a hard thing for a lot of horses and their owners. Some people keep their horses separate from other horses thinking that if they don't form friendships then they won't have a problem.

Horses are herd animals, if you watch a herd of horses out in a paddock you will at times see them scattered out on their own, but if something causes concern, you will see them come back and form a close herd again, safety in numbers.

Something that we need to understand is that a horses instinct of survival will kick in at moments of stress. We can help them with consistant groundwork to begin to learn to think their way through a problem, and not panic, the other benefit is that we form a close partnership with our horse through time on the ground.

This partnership and trust then carries on into the saddle, it also helps the horse feel confident in situations that before may have sent the horse into a anxiety wreck.

We are not with our horses 24/7 so when we are not their our horses need to be with others of their kind, friends , forage and freedom are the foundation needed for your horse to remain healthy happy and to feel safe. Seeing another horse over the fence is not enough, they need to touch, to scratch each other , and to play.

Even if it is only for a few hours a day, please allow your to horse to be a horse and not isolate him from other horses, you will have a lot less behaviour problems as well.

Happy horse, Happy owner 😁 Deb MacCallum

When working with your horse What is the outcome that you want? How do you want your horse to feel about you?Are you a t...
25/02/2020

When working with your horse

What is the outcome that you want?

How do you want your horse to feel about you?

Are you a teacher or a dictator?

If you are learning something new or struggling with something, how would you like someone to help you?

Then be that person for your horse.

He isn't born knowing what to do, every interaction you have with him is teaching him something, he is a product of his environment, make it a healthy and fair environment , so that he can learn , and you will create the partner that most people only dream of. 😁

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