Claudia's Equine Care

11/02/2022

I believe our ego often lets us forget that we are privileged to ride such amazing animals 🌸

Domestication is relatively new to horses, which is why two Italian researchers are urging competitive riders to allow their horses to engage in natural behaviors.

09/02/2022

Better late then never, I would like to announce that we have moved to our own little place of heaven just out of Wallabadah. 40min from Tamworth and looking forward to offering my service up here 🌸

15/01/2021

// Friday Fact - Dentition and Mouth Pain //

The horse's comfort, especially when ridden, can be profoundly affected by its dentition. Put simply, horses have not evolved to accommodate a bit (of whatever volume) in the mouth, so the intra-oral presence of the bit requires the tongue to move into a more-or-less abnormal position. This, and the need in some disciplines to maintain contact, can reduce the horse's own ability to keep its cheek and tongue away from a sharp element of its dental arcade. The result is resistance and a narrowing of the margin that represents neutral contact. Essentially, the horse becomes more difficult to maintain in speed, line and posture.

Mouth pain may also be associated with heavy-handed riding or inappropriate fear. For example, some jointed bits can cause pinching between the second premolar and the labial commissures. Wolf teeth, especially those with loose roots and cusps that are directed towards the seat of the bit, may make the horse reluctant to accept the bit and may trigger it to reef the reins out of the rider's hands. This can rapidly escalate into head-tossing. The reinforcing nature of this activity seems obvious and is likely to be most profound if the rider usually yields.

In the event of a horse fighting the bit, some veterinarians and equine dentists are prepared to remove an appreciable portion of the second premolar to create a 'bit seat' or 'cheek seat', which is supposed to improve comfort in this part of the mouth. While one study reported improved athletic performance in most horses after the creation of bit sseats, an abiding question is whether a simple change of riding technique or bit (e.g. to an unjointed design) would have been equally effective.

(Excerpt from the book 'Equitation Science', p. 225)

03/09/2020

03/07/2020

A lot of behavior issues are conflict behavior, a solid foundation is the key to a successful partnership

// Terminology Tuesday - Pulling Back //

While some horses may trial stepping forward in response to pressure on the head-collar very early in training, others may react strongly and pull against the pressure in the opposite direction. If this backwards reaction results in removal of pressure or by the tether breaking, the reaction is reinforced.

The horse that pulls back when tied should be trained to lead forward correctly and thus step forward when lead pressure is applied to his head collar. Horses that pull back tend to raise their heads as their first reaction to lead pressure, so working thoroughly through the go response at all levels of the shaping scale will be of great importance. Horses that resist leading forward can easily rear, so, in the initial stages of retraining, it is safer to apply the forward pressure sideways at about 45 degrees. This is repeated until the horse leads forward immediately from a light lead signal and without raising his head.

** Please note, this image is used for educational purposes only.**

This is a section on 'Conflict Resolution' from Andrew and Manuela McLean's Academic Horse Training book. Grab a copy online here; http://bit.ly/2InU8v9 🐴

04/06/2020

Earlier this week, my little helper having fun at feed time. Best mornings out with the ponies

26/05/2020

// Terminology Tuesday - The Shaping Scale //

In last week's post, we spoke about Obedience (the second step on the shaping scale when training a new response). Today, we focus on Rhythm.

Rhythm occurs when multiple strides emerge from one light aid, and the horse continues to move in this way.

For the trainer, this means: one light aid should result in multiple strides with a maintained speed.

Applied to a basic response, such as 'go forward': Horse keeps going forward from one light aid, then maintains changes in speed and stride length.

Applied to a transition, such as canter: Horse maintains canter from a single aid, learns to lengthen and shorten canter.

Applied to a movement, such as lengthening: Horse learns to lengthen without quickening from one light aid (transitions begin in slower tempo),

Rhythm and timing of your horse's steps is a key element of shaping, so spend time practicing and learning this response, and let us know if you have any questions.

Now we have rhythm and can make adjustments to the horse's rhythm, we need to train the horse to remain on our line without being held there. This level is called Straightness and we will discuss this next week.

(Excerpt from the book 'Academic Horse Training', p. 42)

23/05/2020

// Friday Fact - Dealing with baulking //

First and foremost, if the horse baulks at obstacles, it should never be punished. The horse is simply showing you that its training is not consolidated at this level and the horse is experiencing fear or confusion.

It's important to rule out any physical problems such as pain before attempting to re-train the horse. Re-training should begin at home over low, non-threatening obstacles (even poles on the ground if the horse shows the behaviour there). When the horse starts to slow/baulk on approach, its head should be maintained facing the obstacle; any turning away steps should be corrected with an opposite turn step signal. The horse must never be turned in the direction in which it veered.

The signal for 'go' should be applied until the horse steps forwards (even one step at this point). The outcome is that the horse goes over the pole/obstacle, but remember that it is simply the 'go' response that is being trained - the pole is incidental - so every correct step must be reinforced with release/reward.

It is important not to let the horse turn away from the obstacle because as this removes the obstacle from the horse's visual field and puts distance between the horse and the obstacle, the horse remembers the turn away as successfully solving the problems. This is classic 'escape learning'.

Don't forget that you are likely dealing with fear, so train slowly and gradually, start at a distance if needed, and reward often. Do not increase the challenge until the horse feels confident and comfortable with the previous level.

**This is a stock photo for attention purposes only.

20/05/2020

Love this write up by my friend and super teacher. Step by step groundwork is the key to a successful partnership under saddle 🐎💕

Trying to do things fast, that, you haven't mastered slowly.

The other day I was watching my sons workout while he was doing handstands.
His goal in the handstand is to be able to perform - push-ups - and stand on one arm.

He used the momentum to get upside down.

I couldn't help it and approached it like horse training -balance slow and steady will give you better results in a long time.
The brutal force will get you only so far.

Amazing to watch when he changed his focus onto balance, stability& elasticity in the movement. He looked more comfortable.

I was nudging him to make the session short and slowly- quit while he was ahead, rather than holding it and working with shaking arms.

So similar to riding it is not just how you enter the movement; it is also how you exit the movement.
A controlled entry of the handstand and a controlled exit. Rather than collapse- Crash 😜

His balanced improved his body worked more evenly -

Of course, I couldn't help writing about it - it is like horse training explaining the concept—one step at the time.
Incredible to watch his or the horse's confidence grow, when their posture improves.

The principles are the same.

18/05/2020

My little helpers ensuring the pony’s get their lunch feed and water 💚

13/05/2020

Came across this one on a friends page love it 🐴💕

To improve your horse’s walk …

Imagine that he moves like a jungle cat rather than an uptight chicken. The movement should be smooth and flowing throughout his whole body from his rear to his nose.
—Lois Yukins

🎨 Illustration by Sandy Rabinowitz