Connect
with your horse on both sides when leading: Establish leading
a horse from both sides for balance and safety. We often learn
to lean and mount and saddle horses from one side because of convenience.
This is not helpful to the horse and can cause lameness issues
over time. Learn to lead your and work around your horse from
both sides in everything you do.
Massage
the withers to bring down blood pressure: Massage and rub
the horses withers whether you are on the ground or mounted as
a calming influence. When your horse gets nervous while you are
mounted or on the ground with him use wither massage to lower
the blood pressure.
Keeping
the horse's back and neck relaxed when tied: Make sure your
horse's head and neck are relaxed and lowered when tied. I see
many horses in cross-ties and hooked up to trailers with their
heads and necks held tight and high. This only causes a hollow
back, unnecessary tension, poor neck and back muscle development
and is counter to relaxation. I prefer not to use cross-ties,
I've seen too many horrific accidents with them, however, if you
must make sure the lines are long enough to allow the horse to
hang his head at least on a level plane with his back. I do prefer
to tie with a short but loose rope in a safety knot with the horse's
head level or low.
Keep chestnuts
or night eye's tidy: Keep chestnuts neat and trimmed for looks
and health reasons. What horse chestnuts are, where they are on
all four legs and the variety in them per breed. Each horse has
chestnut characteristics which will make them easy or difficult
to peel. Use baby oil, lanolin or a moisturizer to soften the
chestnut and peel off.
Mouth
Massage Techniques: Use mouth massage on your horse before
you bridle them. Horses typically hold a great deal of tension
and stress in their mouths and jaws which can lead to headaches,
biting, head tilting, anger and frustration in training. First
have a master dentist give your horse a complete dental exam.
Ideally after the dental exam you would have your horse chiropractor
come in and give the horse a good going over to make sure his
body is in alignment. I have seen so many mouth and jaw issues
cause neck and back problems. Once the horse is comfortable begin
working in and around the mouth. Start with the nostrils, corners
of the mouth, gums, soft palette and tongue. Place your hand in
the bars of the horse's mouth where there are no teeth. Be careful
with geldings that still have their wolf teeth as these can be
very sharp.
Bubble
Gum Shoulder Exercise: Use the Bubble Gum shoulder exercise
to bring your shoulders into alignment. Demonstration.
Notice
Placement of stirrup bars: Placement of stirrup bars can be
helpful to women's position and balance.
When saddling,
always make a space for the horse's spine: Always lift padding
up to the saddle to allow air and space for the horse's spine.
Blanket
fitting: Tip for the day is to allow plenty of room for movement
under your sheets and blankets.
Types of
blankets and sheets: Tip for the day is to select and change
sheets and blankets with conditions.
Stretching
Exercises on the Ball: Use the ball to stretch at home everyday
and you will notice a significant change in your riding. Your
horse will appreciate your commitment to the stretches.
When there's
a problem always look to the inside of the horse first: Always
look to the internal systems of the horse first when there is
a problem. Some typical problems and issues and how to approach
it differently than with training techniques and gimmicks. Whether
it's a young horse and everything is new, a trained horse that
develops problems, a made horse that begins misbehaving or a horse
that stops performing, always look to the nervous system for answers.
How should
a healthy horse look? My tip for the day is learning to recognize
a healthy horse. Take a few steps back and observe a horse standing
either held or tied. Answer these questions: Does the horse have
a peaceful expression in his/her eye? Is the horse breathing slowly
and without nostril extension? Is there any visible tension in
the body or appearance of this horse? Does the horse look like
one whole package or is he/she broken up into many parts? From
the side, does the horse have muscle definition without bulges?
Is the horse's back lifted to its full potential? Does his coat
shine and is it soft and supple? Are his feet round and trimmed
in proportion with his body? Is his manure soft but formed? Are
his ribs visible? Does he have hollow spots?
Safety
stirrups: Consider riding with safety stirrups.
Check
for body alignment in the saddle: Use a checklist on your
own back for alignment in the saddle.
Women need
to maintain an open knee position for best results: Keep your
knees off the saddle and open for best flexibility and movement
in the saddle.
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