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  My name is Debra and I am looking for a trainer to break my 3 year old APHA filly. I know that
you mention on your website the combination of breaking a horse and lessons, but I am unsure
if you just break horses.

Thank you,

Debra 

 Hi Debra,

  Thank you for your email. I would love to help you with your horse but I think it would be
better for you to train him yourself. I think training a horse is a very rewarding process, I
would hate to take that from you and develop a relationship with your horse instead of
you. Training horses takes time, weeks, months, years... that can be very expensive if
you are paying someone. Lessons are a lot less money and a much better investment
in your future as a horsewoman.

  I don't think horses can be trained in 30, 60 or 90 days, if they could, there would be a
lot more broke horses out there, so I don't "break" horses. I would rather train you to train
your horse, then you are on the same page working together. And then you will also have
the knowledge to train your other horses or your next horse. I can train your horse, I train
mine but what good does it do you if I can ride your horse?
  
   I just came home last night from an expo where 3 clinicians were together in one
demonstration.The theme of the demo was the differences and similarities in their
training styles. There were alot more differences then similarities, shouldn't be but
there was. So, imagine the poor horse that goes to one of those trainers and then ends
up with another. I stick with thebasics, the timetested classical basic horsemanship that
has been around for thousands of years because it works. That is what I would like to
teach you and your horse together.

  Let me know if you would be interested in doing some training with your horse. I would
love to help either with private lessons or maybe you would be interested in coming to
our clinics wherewe specialize in building relationships with horses and their owners.

  Hope to talk again soon.

Terry

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Hi Terry,

  My horse is really nice on the ground but when I try to ride him he doesn't always go where
I want him to go. Sometimes it is pretty hard to get him away from the other horses at the barn.

  I would also like him to learn how to neck rein.  With my work schedule, I just don't have
time to train him right now. Do you take horses for training?  I would like to send him out
for a month or 2.

Val

Hi Val,

  Thanks for your email.  I would love to help you with your horse but I think it would be
better for you to train him yourself.  I understand it is hard with busy schedules but owning
a horse is a huge commitment.  I think training a horse is a very rewarding process, I would
hate to take that from you and develop a relationship with your horse instead of you.   
Training a horse takes time, weeks, months, years...  that can be very expensive.  Lessons
are a lot less and a much better investment.

  Val, I want you and your horse to be happy.  I want to show you how to communicate with
your horse so you can have that relationship you want.  I want to show you how to turn your
body to turn your horse so that he responds very easily to a little rein layed on his neck.   
I want to show you how to be the leader of the herd so he feels safe leaving the barn with
you in charge.  We can start with some private lessons or better yet, why don't you bring
him to a clinic?  Our kindergarten clinic is full but you are welcome to audit and maybe
then after a couple lessonswe can get you ready for the Level 1 clinic.  
 
Here's the clinic schedule.  Looking forward to meeting you and your horse.

TTYS
Terry

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Hi Terry,

  I have a few questions for you. Your last email really struck something in me - the part
about feed appearing magically and respect - so I made a resolution to really work with
Stuey this year. By the end of 2010 I want him to be a different horse mentally.   Maybe
this is unrealistic given his age (15 or so)?

   I started a few days ago and here's what I'm doing: The horses are fed twice daily. I
can't realistically make the morning feeding as it's still dark as I'm heading to work. But
I'm committing to the evening feeding at 4:30 EVERY day. I put his rope halter on, walk
him a little (the frozen ground is difficult for him right now), tie him to a rail in the
'barnyard' area. I then go in and put feed down for each horse. Cheyenne starts to eat
immediately. I untie Stuey and walk him aroundthe 'barnyard' one loop (as long as he's
acting with sense) and then head for his trough. Even after only a few days, he's starting
to know what's coming and is acting just a bit better. From myriding lessons I'm learning
to recognize the tiniest effort on the horse's part.

Ok, my questions:
Is it worth me making the effort even though he's not getting this 'lesson' in the morning
feeding? My thought is 50% of the time is better than none?

He's getting hard to catch to get the rope halter on. I started using a treat as 'bait'.  Do
you have any tricks I haven't thought about?

When we start toward his trough he gets VERY anxious and pulls hard. Should I  
  1)undo the ropehalter while walking our loop around the barnyard - just stop randonmly
when he's being good andremove it or  
  2)should I try to get him near his trough?  For 2 I'm thinking if he starts acting up I
should take him back out and loop him again and keep this up til he behaves. Am I asking
too much of him all at once? 

Thanks for your help and stay warm!!!
Theresa

Hi Theresa,

  Thanks for your email!  Really, this is what I live for. My heart is pumping and I am full
of ideas regarding your feeding schedule. I love the resolution to help Stuey improve his
"attitude."   What a great gift idea!

  You know horses are herd animals and it is comforting to them to know that someone
else is in charge of the herd and all they have to do is follow. When you are with your
horse, you are in his herd. Seriously, he will be a lot happier knowing that you (not him)
are the leader of the herd. It takes all the pressure off. All he has to do is follow your
lead. As humans in this day and age, we think that is awful, but horses are not humans.
Their rules of society are different then ours, so believe me when I tell you that showing
your horse that you are the Boss is actually doing him a huge favor. Now, that doesn't
mean beating him or being abusive. I know you knowme better then that but sometimes
when you say "show them who the Boss is" it is interpreted as hitting or jerking. What I
mean is show the horse that you are the leader in his language. Some of the ways that
you can show your horse that you are the leader is with your body language, keeping
your eyes up and forward, using presignals, staying in time with his feet, being
consistent, controlling the food and by praising him. This is exactly what we do at our
1st Level clinics; we learn to communicate with our horses in their own language.

  Just remember, this is your New Years Resolution not Stuey's. He didn't wake up
this morningand say to himself "you know, I think I am going to seriously try to
understand what Theresa wants me to do today" nope, I guarantee he didn't and he's
not going to. If you want to improve Stuey's attitude, you need to learn his language
because he is not going to learn yours.

  First of all, good job! Seriously good for you. And you are right 50% of the time is
definitely farbetter then nothing. I don't think you are asking for too much too fast.
Asking him to be obedientwithout a halter on right now, might be too much. If he pulls
on the halter, you may need to usea halter with a chain for a little while. Everything you
are doing sounds good.

  To answer your question about catching Stuey. Instead of using a treat, I would just
carry the feed bucket in with me. He'll come to it, then put the bucket down on the
ground and put the halter on. Only give him a tiny morsel of grain for letting you
catch him. Take him for a little walk, even if it's right around the stall a few times in
both directions. Of course, you can do more if you want but if he has to work and wait
for his feed he will recognize that you are in control of the food. If he rushes for the
feed, just back him up and/or turn him around. Let him go slowly to the feed. If he
goes faster then you want, back him up, wait 10-15 seconds, rub his neck and then
turnhim loose. At this point I would probably be about 6 feet away from the feed
bucket. It is important that you stick to your routine and keep your rules consistent.

  When I go in the stall with my horse, Nicholas to give him grain, he puts his ears
back. He doesn't  touch me and he backs up, stays out of the way and waits for me to
"release" him toeat but sometimes he puts his ears back. It's ugly so when I go in, I
say "happy ears" and I wait until he puts his ears up, then I put the feed in the bucket.
He is getting quicker and quicker at putting those happy ears on so he can eat. Remind
me to show you the next time you are here. Great questions, thanks!

TTYS
Terry

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Dear Terry,

  Can you give me some ideas of what kind of training I should be doing with our new
born foal?  He is so cute and I want to play with him so badly but our mare won't let
me any where near him.

Teresa

  Congratulations!!  Babies are so cool, enjoy.  You are right there are lots of things
that need tobe done right away.  First of all, catch your mare and play with your baby
as much as possible.  At least twice a day when you feed the mare rub on your baby
and get him started eating grain out of bucket while you hold it.  At first he'll just play
with it which is a good place to start.  He will be learning that you control the food. 
Horses are herd animals and in the herd, the Bosscontrols the food.  You'll be feeling
all warm and fuzzy inside petting your cute little baby and he will be learning a very
big lesson; you are the Boss.  He should have his own feed bucket within a couple
weeks with bars on it to keep the mare out.  

  Take this time to work with your mare too.  Sounds like someone will have to hold
her so you can handle the foal; have that person talk to her and rub her head and neck.
Use a chain over her nose or a twitch if necessary to keep everyone safe.  Once she 
finds out that you are not going to hurt her foal she will be much more accepting. 
Don't give up.  She cannot be allowed to teach your foal not to trust humans.  

  I would also put a halter on your foal and lead him behind the mare everywhere they
go.  I wouldn't let a foal run loose at all.  Every time they go in or out put a halter on
the foal and lead him.  It's a great training opportunity.  If he doesn't have shelter
from the sun during the day thenkeep him in and turn out only in early morning,
evening and then eventually over night in a couple weeks.  

  He can also learn to pick up his feet, load on the trailer and stand for the clippers
right away. The sooner you get started the easier it will be on both of you.

  I am so glad you understand that "training" or "gentling" this foal is something
that needs to be done.  It's a huge responsibility and commitment but very
rewarding, just like having kids.  His future is in your hands.  

TTYS
Terry
  
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Hi Terry,

  A friend's son (middle school age) is wanting to take riding lessons. I checked on
your website and I see all of your lesson horses are booked. Is there somewhere or
someone that you would recommend? Thank you in advance for your help!  Hope to
see you when it gets warmer out.

Diane


Hi Diane,

  Tell your friend to check the American Riding Instructors Association website.
http://www.riding-instructor.com/instructors/pa.php
because I know to be on this list you have to pass a series of pretty tough tests.
These people are professionals, they have been tested and proved themselves worthy. 

  And here's an article that I think is pretty good and might also help your friend. http://www.equiworld.net/uk/training/meredithmanor/instructor.htm

TTYS
Terry


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  Terry my friend and I totally enjoyed auditing your clinic and came away with new
ideas that were well worth the $25 that it cost. I only wished you were a little closer
so we could have us and our horses come there for lessons.

  I do have a question though. Why use a leather halter and chain? I do want to
teach yearling Banjo to use one though because I probably won't be his forever
home (he should outlive me). Have always used CA rope halters on the horses
at the farm and they work well.

Thanks, Kathy


Hi Kathy,

  Thanks for the nice email. Glad you enjoyed the clinic. That's a really good question
about the rope halter.  I like the leather or nylon halters with chains for 3 reasons:

  1. Leading a horse with a chain is easier on the horse then lugging or muscling one
in a leather or nylon halter without a chain. Rope halters have too much bite for some
sensitive horses.

  2. The top of a horse's head is a very sensitive place and if pressure is applied
correctly we can actually release endorphins into the brain. Endorphins are free happy
chemicals in our horses brain that relax and calm him. If we apply too much pressure
the horse will be on edge.

  3. The chain is also an excellent way to develop soft hands. Since our goal is to
develop responsive obedient horses that accept contact, I use the halter and chain.
It very similar to a bridle with a curb bit and chin strap.   Keep in touch.

TTYS
Terry

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Hi Terry,

  I’m not sure if you remember me or not we met at Expo in Harrisburg . I have an
AQHA 2 year old filly that I would like to send out for training. She is very quiet and
well behaved but I just don’t have time to get her started under saddle. What are
your rates and availability?

Erin

Hi Erin,

  Thanks for your email about training for your filly. I would love to work with you
and your filly, but I don’t recommend “sending her out.” First because a horse can’t
be trained in 30, 60 or 90 days. If it was that easy, there would be A LOT more broke
horses out there. Training a young horse is a process, it takes a long long time to
do it right but it is so rewarding to sharethat bonding experience with your horse.
Second because she’s not old enough to ride. She is old enough to lunge, ground
drive, saddle, bridle, sit on maybe walk around a little but that’sit. All of these things
you will need to continue to do with her when she comes back home so I  think that
it would be better for your filly in the long run if you both went to training together.
If she has to be off work for any length of time due to weather or injury, you would
then have the knowledge to get her back where she was before the time off.

  At our Level 1 clinics, we work with the horses on the ground all morning and
then at lunchtime we do individual work. Everything we do on the ground is getting
them ready to ride. And/or I would recommend bringing her over for a few lessons
and I will give you some homework of things that you can be doing with her until
she is old enough to ride. When the time comes, I can help you with that too. 
 
  Looking forward to meeting you and your filly.

TTYS
Terry

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Hi Terry,

  I am at my wit's end here. I have a mare that was never really taught to ride - the
people just rode her on trails and fast. 

  She varies from being very good to being a downright snit - which she was last
night. I boughther for me but I am afraid of her so hubby rides her. Last time he
rode she was absolutely perfect. Last night she was absolutely awful. She was balky
and would go fine to where she is unsaddled, but he turned turn her around and she
would balk again. She was ridden about an hour last night and never really settled down.

  Hubby finally agreed she needs some training - he does too as he can get her just
so far andbecomes afraid and tense and, well you know the rest, she is the same.
Can you give me info on your clinics? Would that be the way to go with them or
should you work her first? How muchis it to have her trained at your place? I hate
putting money into her if she is never going to work,but selling her would end up
with her on the meat truck. She has come a long way since I got her, but neither of
us can take her any farther.

Thanks, Kathy

Hi Kathy,

  Thanks for your email. I can feel your frustration. First remember that at certain
time of themonth it can be extremely uncomfortable for a mare to have a saddle and
a rider on her back so if she's good sometimes, it could be that she was in heat yesterday.

  One of our clinics would definitely help you to understand what she is feeling and how to
communicate to her what you want in a way that she easily understands. We also consider
the horses personality, conformation ect in helping us to decide if the horse is suited for the
type of riding we are expecting.

  Sounds like she's a little barn sour so typically we work with them at the barn area and
tiethem for a little while in their stall after riding. Also, I would make sure I lead her away
from the barn to tighten the saddle (not as tight as possible only as tight as it needs
to be) and dismount and loosen the girth away from the barn.

  I would rather help Hubby work things out with his horse then take her into training.
She needs to have some of the basics again and it would be good for Hubby and
horse to review them together in case she forgets again or you get another horse.
Remember you can't train a horse once a week or in 30 or 60 days.  Looking forward
to working with you at one of our fall clinics.  Thanks Kathy,

TTYS
Terry

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Hi there,
 
  Last night I was lunging Boone before we rode and all he wanted to do was trot or canter...
he got a little 'bucky' a few times too, and I tried quieting my body language etc to make him
walk but that didn't help. then I would give him a tug on the line to slow him down and then
he would go back to the trot...I stopped him a few times and had him start again..but only to
trot or get fast and silly... how do I get him to listen when I want him to walk?

Heidi

Hi Heidi,

  You are definitely on the right track. Keep your body language quiet, eyes down,
arms and hands down, whip down behind your back, talk gently to him say easy and
walk, That's step 1, remember the process first we ask or suggest very nicely, then
we tell them. You can tell him to walk on the lunge line be pulling and releasing.
That's step 2. If all that doesn't work just start realing him in. He's not allowed to trot
or be silly when you asked him to walk. Period. Just real him in until he is so small
that he starts to walk or stop. That's step 3. Then ask him to walk again by moving
your feet, walking towards him picking up your hands. 

  He was probably allowed to do this silly play stuff by his previous owner and doesn't
realize that it is not what you are looking for. Be consistent. He will figure it out. 

  I am so glad that you are enforcing the walk first rule on the lunge line. GOOD JOB !!
Remember whatever a horse does on the lunge line he will do under saddle. You are
right on track letting him know that when you take him out to the arena it is not his play
time but that he must behave like a gentlemen.

TTYS
Terry


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