5SS Horsemanship, LLC Ken "Skeeter" Trahan, 41117 18th Ter E, Myakka City, FL (2021)

09/16/2021

I love working with clients, but having my grand babies as students takes the cake! #5sshorsemanship #applythemethod #downunderhorsemanship #naturalhorsemanship

09/14/2021

Little progress update on Epic “Rez” Valentine. He’s got something special…let’s see if we can bring it out of him.

#epictitan
#ApplyTheMethod
#5sshorsemanship

09/07/2021

All horses – no matter how much training they’ve received – will spook from time to time. There’s no getting around that. What you are in control of is how you react to the situation. Having the know-how to safely handle a spook, even if it’s caused by a boogieman only your horse can see, can be the difference between ending up in the ER and using the situation as an opportunity to train your horse and make him a better partner.

More importantly, having a go-to plan to use when your horse spooks gives you something to focus on rather than reacting to your horse’s fear and panicking with him. Your horse is looking for a leader, and when he’s unsure of a situation, it’s more important than ever for you to step up and take charge.

When your horse gets frightened of something, he uses the reactive side of his brain and is full of nervous energy. Rather than letting that nervous energy explode into a dangerous situation, put it to good use.

If you feel like you are not in control of the situation, or if you are unsure of your riding ability, do a One Rein Stop to regain control of your horse. The One Rein Stop is your emergency brake: Anytime you feel out of control, you can slide your hand down one rein and pull it up to your hip and your horse should instantly stop.

In order for the One Rein Stop to work, it has to be an ingrained habit for both you and your horse, which means you have practiced it a lot in a controlled environment. Knowing the theory of a One Rein Stop won’t do you any good on the trail if you haven’t ever taught it and practiced it with your horse.

Once you’re back in control of the situation, put the horse’s feet to work. Using one rein, bend him in a series of serpentines. It’s impossible for a horse to use the reactive side of his brain when he’s constantly stopping and redirecting his feet. When he’s focused on you, put him on a loose rein and head back down the trail. Anytime he gets jumpy, put his feet to work. Soon he’ll be so focused on you he won’t have time to find potential objects to spook at. – Clinton #ApplyTheMethod

08/31/2021

If you want something bad enough you will find a way, if you don't, you will find an excuse! Quote... Ian Francis

So stop what you're doing and go train your horse! Apply the Method! #5SShorsemanship #themethod #downunderambassador #ApplyTheMethod #downunderhorsemanship

08/26/2021

This little lady is proof that looks can be deceiving. This 9 year old pony may be small, but she is mighty and a lot of fun to ride. Her training is well on its way and if I didn't know better, I'd swear she'd make an excellent reigning horse.

08/25/2021

Gettin' some miles in

Here's a video of one of my students putting some miles on her horse that I started...Bells and Whistles to come!

08/16/2021

Yikes!!

🙌 #ApplyTheMethod #motivationmonday

07/31/2021

Fire breathing dragon part 3…confused loping session. Hailey Sagel nicely done!

07/26/2021

yep!

💪 #ApplyTheMethod #motivationmonday

07/24/2021

We had a fun lesson today with a young horsewoman in the making. #5sshorsemanship #themethod #thedownunderhorsemanship

07/20/2021

Fire breathing dragon part 2…this horse was said to be incurable…dangerous…and would eat small children. The Method mic drop…. #5sshorsemanship #themethod #thedownunderhorsemanship

07/20/2021

The method & fire breathing dragons…#5sshorsemanship #themethod #thedownunderhorsemanship

07/12/2021

True dat!!!!

🙌 #ApplyTheMethod #motivationmonday

07/12/2021

Another pretty girl…Ms. “Dixie”…in for training! She's got a lot of ground to cover in 6 weeks. Gonna be awesome!

07/12/2021

Our latest training makeover! This is CJ…AKA Fabio! Lots of heart and try. Gonna be a fun one.

07/07/2021

The foundation isn't anything...it's everything!

One of the most important lessons I've learned from Clinton is that the Fundamentals level of the Method is not exciting. In fact, it’s boring, but it is so needed. That point was never made clearer to me than during the first two weeks of the Academy when we were just putting the foundation on our horses. I got to see firsthand how valuable and important the correct foundation is for a horse. – Method Ambassador Kenneth Trahan

Learn about Ken's passion for horsemanship and how he can help you and your horse on his website ➡ https://www.certifiedclinician.com/clinician/kenneth-trahan/ #ApplyTheMethod

07/04/2021

Happy Independence Day to our great nation.

07/04/2021

I was honored to teach a 2 day clinic in Texarkana, TX before heading back to FL. It’s always a privilege to help others continue to build upon their foundation of the method. What a great group of horsemen!

06/29/2021

2021 C**t Starting Clinic

Gettin C**t Starting Certified!!

06/29/2021

Week 2 of Downunder Horsemanship C**t Starting Certification has begun at Clinton’s new facility. Thanks for the pics Ron Renard.

06/17/2021

TRUTH!!!!!!

If you're a trail rider, ride offensively to head off problems from developing. Don’t put your horse on autopilot for hours at a time and wait for him to develop a problem. Even if he’s behaving well, every once in a while put his feet to work. Remind him that his job out on the trail is to listen and pay attention to you. Then put him back on a loose rein and ask him to walk. I want my horses to think that walking on a loose rein is a reward and I want it to be something that they appreciate. But if all you ever do is walk your horse down the trail while you gab to your friends, he’ll get bored with it and look for more interesting things to do. In most cases, you can bet that what he finds interesting won't be something positive for you! - Clinton #ApplyTheMethod

06/14/2021

Why should we teach our horses to soften and flex laterally?
Flexing the Head and Neck sets the foundation for teaching your horse to be soft and supple on the ground as well as in the saddle. It’s also the key to vertical flexion which leads to true collection. #5sshorsemanship #themethod #downunderambassedor

06/04/2021

A little video of Lucy and her owner on presentation day. #5sshorsemanship #downunderambassador #themethod

06/02/2021

Thank you for the privilege of trusting your horse with me Loren Ann Mayo. 🙂

06/02/2021

Lucy and her happy owner on presentation day! Lucy came to 5 SS with a good fundamental foundation on the ground but was stiff, a bit “lookie” and had a tendency to travel faster than the owner would like under saddle. We took care of those challenges by adding long rides, wet saddle pads and concentrated training. She left us a soft, confident compliant partner that appreciates a nice slow canter. Well done Lucy! #5sshorsemanship #themethod #downunderambassador

06/01/2021

Today and every day, we honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for a cause they deemed greater than themselves. We are forever grateful.

05/28/2021

It’s so gratifying to see horses transform into partners. Here’s a quick video of one of my clients enjoying her newly finished horse in her own backyard. This is how the method will shape a young horse...this is a 2 year old. #5sshorsemanship #themethod #downunderambassador

05/25/2021

Presentation day! Rhyne completed my training program & went back home to his family this past Saturday. Solid breeding makes my job easy! This guy now has a great foundation for his owner to continue building on. A soft, compliant partner with a great mind.
I have to say it was another fun one.

05/25/2021

Hard to believe this stud c**t was born a little over 2 years ago...the first born & bred under the 5SS brand. Out of Blue Gin Valentine & Epic Titan. He's got a little "X" factor for sure. Let's see how his reining training goes...

#epictitan

05/23/2021

The way to a horse’s mind is through his feet, especially when introducing new sights and sounds. If a horse doesn’t prefer the water, make the wrong thing hard and the right thing easy by moving his feet out of the water and allowing him to rest in the water.
#5sshorsemanship #themethod #downunderambassador

05/21/2021

It was a beautiful morning for a photo session with Bobbi Rattai. Thanks so much for coming out!

05/19/2021

Gaining control and respect always starts on the ground.

05/16/2021

I...love...Lucy.

From the “Lucy Lopin Sessions”

Long rides...Wet saddle pads...Concentrated training.

05/14/2021

“Pick me, pick me.”

When you train your horse regularly, there should be no chasing them around a paddock. They’ll come to you, almost asking to be worked.

Inconsistency is your greatest enemy and Consistency is your greatest ally...

05/12/2021

Sometimes you have to pause...and fix the arena footing...with a little help from Lucas and DK!

05/07/2021

Pretty lady “Lucy” in for training! I know this horse...another one that I will really enjoy. Elegant...great mind...a real mover.

05/05/2021

Is that a Roo I see?!

Why should you send your horse to an Ambassador for training? I couldn’t say it any better. This is Mark located in Colorado.

05/03/2021

A nice freshly started 2 year old in for some polishing! Mr Rhyne...good minded but thinks he’s still a stud. Hope he likes going backwards.....we will fix him.