The importance of grazing

It is a known fact that horses graze throughout the majority of the day, anywhere up to 18 hours are spent eating low-grade grasses.

What I didn't know is that there is an metal factor associated with grazing. In the book 'Horses for Dummies' it is said that the equine brain is designed for grazing and doing so is the equivalent to us working, watching tv or reading.

If horses aren't able to graze they may develop stable vices out of boredom.



Re-reading this reminds me of the slow feeder hay nets and thinking about the EcoNet.

Ground Manners & Road Rage

I just got back from a lesson with Eli, he's coming along and seems to be back to the horse we bought and came to know. I'm sure it's that we had reverted our attention.

As him and I work on our ground manners and I realize how much of it is up to me and will determine how he behaves I am happy to know now that I have been more focused on guidance and discipline and am seeing some great results. He's being much more polite, much like he was on a more consistent basis. I suppose this is why they call the different styles of riding 'disciplines' because it takes work and consistency for both horse and rider.

So, after a nice lesson, cleaning up, doing chores and getting back in the vehicle to head home I hit the highway and start driving. I'm paying attention to the road, in a more relaxed stat and start thinking about the similarities of riding a horse to driving a car. Obviously the car is not a living, breathing being with a mind of its own, but I did come up with a few similarities regardless.

For example, I took two years off driving and although I technically knew how to drive and had a license I was out of practice and rusty. Since then I've become more comfortable and confident in my abilities, this came with practice. But, the latest challenge is highway driving - whether it be at night or on windy days. I realize you drive the same you would in the city, but you do have to compensate for limited visibility and gusts of wind that can push the vehicle. What made me feel comfortable is just getting out there and driving. The more I drove the better I got and the less I had to think about it, the more miles I put behind the wheel, the less I had to think about what I was doing and the more it became a habit or an instinct.

Today, like many other days there were a lot of not so great drivers on the road, this is the exact point where I started to think about horses. I see it all the time, drivers rushing, speeding and crowding. Road Rage, tempers flair because there is no respect for other drivers space (bubbles) and if you get two or three cars with similar drivers together it is a recipe for disaster. When I see this I pass when safe (typically those drivers not paying attention to the road) or reduce my speed and increase the distance between myself and them while giving myself more control over the vehicle. Driving fast you have less time to react. My ability to read other drivers and predict (not always, but sometimes) whether they are going to jet out in front of me cutting me off without a signal, peel out from behind me or just plain hit their brakes because they are not paying attention came with experience.

So with that realization I can apply this to horse back riding. I won't get better or progress if I don't get on the horse and ride, the more miles I put on the horse the better the horse and I will be, the more experience I obtain the better able I will be to read a horse or somewhat predict what it may do and lastly, I need experience and confidence to transition from a walk to trot and trot to canter as the same rule applies - the faster the speed the less reaction time and harder the control will be.

I don't want Eli to be rude on the ground, or under saddle and I certainly am not a driver that doesn't give space or rush and speed.

Lesson's learned in both: patience, take your time, be calm and relaxed and most importantly (this has to do with reaction times and the ability to think clearly) should the unexpected happen, try your absolute best not to panic. Panic causes accidents because you freeze up and stop thinking. Panicking can also be detrimental riding because your body tenses up and you become stiff and ridged increasing your chances of bouncing off as opposed to being loose and relaxed therefore somewhat going with the motion.

Further more to my challenges with Eli, I realized today that although he is a TB and a little more challenging then some other horses he does push me to learn and keeps me on my toes. He certainly doesn't stand idle or allow for me to get into a rut where I am not forced to think and be completely in the moment. Letting your mind wonder, taking things for granted and becoming too comfortable can lead to an accident as well. I trust him, but respect his size and power and I think people need to start doing the same with their vehicles, accidents do happen.. slow down, stay out of peoples bubbles and be respectful - its not only our responsibility, but the safe thing to do for each other and ourselves.

Caesar Millan & Pat Parelli

I watched a lot of episodes of the Dog Whisperer and found it to be very helpful. If not with training our dog, then at least with identifying what it was I was doing wrong to create and condone or enable bad behavior. Caesar believes in learning how to read and communicate with dogs to achieve or be successful in training them.

His saying is something along the lines of: 

1. Dog
2. Breed
3. Pet

When you acknowledge that a dog is a dog first, not a person you are already better off and at least can then recognize that two species communicate differently. Secondly, if you acknowledge the breed this will help identify the needs of that particular dog as different breeds have different needs. Lastly, if you accept your pet for the dog and breed it is you will have a better relationship. 

I believe this to be true with horses as well. I was fortunate enough to have caught an episode on the Dog Whisperer where Caesar Millan did a show with Pat Parelli, it was a very interesting show and you were able to see how Pat had a similar approach to horses and therefore was better able to communicate and understand them. 

Caesar Millan has a horse on his ranch with his dog's, his horses name is Conquistador, below I have included a couple of pictures.

photo from: www.dailymail.com.uk 

photo from: www.dailymail.com.uk

Here is a clip of the show: 

Now that I seen Pat Parelli on tv I am interested in learning more about him. I have come across what I believe is his website and a learning tool called 'Pat Parellis Seven Games' through reading the website and games I came across something that sounds about right for what Eli and I are experiencing  here it is: 

Too Much of A Good Thing? 

kindness without control spells disaster. There are many incidences where people pet and feed their horses, offer lots of kindness but get no respect from the horse. 

These horses have learned that people are not dangerous because they have had plenty of Friendly Game in their lives. So they try to dominate, push, nip, chase or drag people around because in horse society, the pecking order is very important. After helping your horse overcome his innate fears, if you don't show yourself to be the leader, then the horse will take his role. This is where games #2 through #7 of the Seven Games become valuable. 

Don't neglect the Friendly Game even if your horse seems gentle enough. Don't rush through it either, thinking that all you need to do is get your horse to stand still. The Friendly Game is the savvy secret that horsemen use to gain a horse's trust and to continually reinforce that trust and love. Once you earn the trust, you can begin to ask your horse to yield to pressure, bringing us to Game #2... the Porcupine Game. 

more can be learned by reading the website: Pat Parellis Seven Games

Or, you can visit his website by clicking the link: Pat Parelli Natural Horse Training

Here's some quotes from Caesar Millan where I will leave out 'Dog' leaving it open for interpretation: 

"Discipline isn't about showing an animal who's boss; it's about taking responsibility for a living creature you have brought into your world"

"Denial, they say, stands for "Don't even notice I am lying" Human beings are the only animals who are happily lied to by our own minds about what is actually happening around us" 

"Don't bother yelling at them, it's the energy and scent they pay attention to not your words"

"You cannot "love" an animal out of bad behaviour, just as you can't "love" a criminal into stopping crimes" 

"Mother Nature's ruthless to the weak, but isn't arbitrary cruel or negative. Mother Nature saves aggression for extreme situations and instead uses consistent leadership to help keep things running smoothly. Mother Nature doesn't rule by fear and anger, but by calm strength and assertiveness" 

"If you give only 80% leadership, your pet will give you 80% following. And the other 20% of the time will run the show. If you give your pet any opportunity for him to lead you,he will take it" 

Hot.To.Trot 1988 - party animals ( I like this moment )

In the Horse's Eye..

Am I a FOLLOWER, or am I a LEADER? am I a PASSENGER, or am I a RIDER?

Last Saturday's training has left me stumped. Thinking. A lot of thinking. Our focus was on Eli and although I was aware we were in need of some help with ground work and needed to catch up for lost time (3 months)  I didn't realize how bad it had gotten.

I feel responsible and am disappointed that I took things for granted. I am learning so many lesson's not just from instructor's and people with a good horse background or equine foundation but also from the horses themselves.

I had a dilemma recently with Ella as well, as to whether or not I should be riding her and when to stop and start again. I received some good advice and in that came to the conclusion that Ella will be able to answer more of my questions or concerns herself. Such as when I should stop riding her as she's uncomfortable and when would be an OK time to resume. Eli is now teaching me that even a well broke horse of 9 years old can get out of hand for a green rider/owner if not ridden consistently for 3 months. The biggest message was received this past Saturday when he was out of hand or disobedient for the instructor giving her a hard time and challenging everything. Knowing he is familiar with what is being asked of him and is well trained I know this is more about me and how I handle him then him.

In Eli's Eye I've become a passenger and lower on the totem pole or on the hierarchy chain. I should have known better, this was shown to me out at pasture when he started refusing to come in. I thought it was more about him being herd bound (wanting to stay with the herd) and less about him or I being the dominant one. Know I realize that regardless of whether or not he wants to stay with the herd, if I am the dominant one then he will come with me and feel safe and protected. If I am passive and submissive therefore lower on the totem pole he won't feel safe and protected, will want to stay with the herd and will tell me 'no way, I'm staying here thanks' being the dominant one.

I think that all of this has resulted from my inexperience and him being a naturally dominant horse. My idea was that I would gain knowledge, experience, training and progress to a level suitable to maintain his training but have quickly learned that I'm too slow and cannot wait anymore for my confidence to be built on my riding ability or training/experience. If my confidence is low and I'm not assertive then he is going to take the charge and a 1200 lb horse is hard to argue with and to it isn't safe.

If I can't do this, then I have to be honest and admit that I got in over my head as a Thoroughbred is a different breed and not recommended for a beginner. He is a great horse with an experienced person, someone to keep him fit and inline, but all my little mistakes or my inability to communicate are making for a challenge that no one should have to fix, or deal with from a horse that's had quite a few years of consistent riding and training.

Here is a quote from the  lesson's book I have from when I took riding lesson's at Copall Equestrian Centre back in Manitoba (book written in cooperation between Darlene Dolinski, Owner and Manager of Copall and Sadie Turko, Program Cooridnator and Head Instructor) I think the Training Manuals can be purchased by contacting D&S Publishers 1-204-878-2061, printed by Derksen Printers Ltd.

With regards to removing the horse from the herd, pasture or paddock "if it's the follower, it will be in its nature to test the leader to see if it can become the leader. The horse will test in little ways, much like a child will test the parents. If your answer to the horse is a firm one, then the horse will usually accept it and not query you on it again. If you are indecisive about your answer, if your answer is weak, or if you don't hear the question, the horse will continue to test and may conclude that you are the follower not the leader"

I have to become the leader, I have to stop being intimidated, afraid or nervous as all these traits make me weak in the horses eyes and lead to nervousness and being skiddish or dominance.


First step is to identify what I have been doing wrong, here is what I can identify: 

• being nervous
• hesitating
• not following through due to lack of confidence
• not correcting behavior like pulling, walking in front and not stopping

What am I going to change to correct this behavior:

• stop being nervous
• don't hesitate - be CONFIDENT
• follow through with authority, I am the leader not the follower, if need be - do so with trainer
• pulling, walking in front and not stopping will result in backing up and standing still 

What do I have to REMEMBER: 

• LEADERSHIP
• CONFIDENCE
• CONSISTENCY
• REPETITION 
• TIMING 
• PRESSURE SYSTEM (scale 1-10, release = reward, match the energy level) 
• Most importantly PATIENCE!!! 

No bull dozing, turn him around, stop him and back him up. Make him stand, don't let him be RUDE! These are the words running through my head now. 

My own thoughts, it is NOT a game, it is NOT cute when a 1200 lb horse is being RUDE and disrespectful and most of all it is NOT SAFE! 

It's not safe for humans and it is not safe for the horse. It is my job and responsibility to condition and maintain Eli and Ella. If I don't I have failed them in the end, I've seen this time and time again with Pit Bull dogs, why would I be any different? People breed them for whatever reason, then they (the cute little puppies) grow up to be strong dogs. It's not their fault their breed was bred to be muscular and strong and with little fear. They are energetic, athletic and require a lot of exercise and a dominant leader as their owner so they are trained and obedient. They are not little dogs and generally don't have passive or meek temperaments but are rather adventurous and brave. They are not a dog meant to be owned by someone who isn't familiar with their high energy level or strength and they require work or can be intimidating and dangerous when full grown if not handled properly and socialized. 

Just like the Pit Bull or any large breed dog Great Dane, Newfoundlander etc. Thoroughbreds were bred to be tall, long, muscular, fast and athletic and also with little fear. They too are not recommended for the inexperienced or green owners.

But I understand there is an exception to every rule and you can't stereotype based on breed, so I thought and people do the same thing I did with Eli - because you feel responsible, or bad based on what you've read and come to learn and you want to help. 

People adopt grown dogs to rescue them but sometimes their lack of knowledge makes things worse. That's how I feel in this case, I knew that ex-race horses were re-homed just like grey hounds and I knew that a lot of them went to the meat plant, I also thought that a lot of people wouldn't want them as they are a lot of work, but what I didn't know for sure is if I am capable of the work without the knowledge or the experience? And this I am learning I am not, not without help and giving my head a shake and stepping up. A Thoroughbred requires a owner who is confident and aware of their high energy and need for consistent exercise and routine. The confident part is the need to be the leader and exhibit authority when needed, this is were the work comes in. Imagine a 3 - 5 year old dog pent up in the house all day, left unattended and neglected, not taken out for a walk or job -  you can expect your couch to be eaten. Who's fault is that the dogs, or the owners?  

The LESSON'S horse certainly is teaching me some lessons. 

Patience, TIME WILL TELL, I am taking this seriously, but I am not giving up yet! 

Website

Creating a website, the blog will be linked under the blog tab on the web. Not sure if it will be easier than a blog or what the difference will be, but thought I would try it anyhow. It's basically under construction

Everything Equine

Longitudinal Stretch

Not too long ago Eli started lowering his head while lunging. He always kept it moderately low or at a respectful level, but as of late he's been dropping it right down to the ground where it appears he is sniffing the dirt. It even looks as though at times he can kick himself in the head with his front hoof if he's not careful. He does this more so when transitioning into a trot, at a trot he maintains this low to the ground head position for I would say 3 to 4 circles before bringing it back up and lowering it again.

Example of body position for Eli 

I wasn't sure what to think of it, being Green it doesn't come natural to me reading horses. My concern was that it was a sign of disrespect that I should be correcting (if so how to properly correct?) or if there was something wrong like a foot causing him pain etc.

So I asked our trainer Robyn, mentioned it to a few people and didn't really get a negative response or bad feed back. Our stable owner had suggested turning out Eli in the arena during the winter to allow him the opportunity to stretch and burn off steam, which we have done. Prior to this we mainly lunged or rode him, now we unclasp the lead line and let him go. Our Trainer's explanation was that he is stretching out his back.

Come to think of it, putting all the small changes together this is what I think. He's been taking Glucosamine for a little over two months now, I haven't heard his joints cranking and snapping the way they had, barely hear anything from them at all and on top of that he doesn't seem nearly as stiff as he had either. He's still a bit stocked up at times but even than has subsided a bit as well. With his acting out a bit lately, being hot and neighing a lot etc I spoke with our trainer and admitted that we have neglected him in our hopes to bring Ella up to speed in her training, this I think has also lead to a small or minimal amount of muscle wastage on his top line (across the top part of his back) he isn't nearly as even lined or muscular as he used to be.

So, when I started researching his head position while lunging I came across a lot of Dressage sites, aides, techniques, assistance and what not where the goal or aim was to have the horse perform this on the lunge line. According to what I read there is a particular stretch called the 'Longitudinal Stretch' where the goal is for the horse to drop it's head as low to the ground as possible. As quoted from the Happy Horse Training website (link below):

"The Longitudinal Stretch is the perpetual goal of all work in the lunge, because it is this that strengthens the horse in the right way to carry a rider" 

I attached some pictures I found via the web, Happy Horse Training being once resource and Google images being the other.

My conclusion is that what Eli is doing isn't disrespectful it is actually beneficial to his well being and seeing as how I am not keeping up my end by working him and maintaining his fitness, mainly throughout his back and top line he is taking it upon himself to stretch out the probably sore muscles that are slowing wasting without use and working on strengthening up his back. I am lucky that he is independently focused on this as I wasn't aware and apparently when asking a horse to do the Longitudinal Stretch it isn't an easy goal to achieve, especially without the assistance of tack made particularly for this purpose. Maybe Eli is interested in learning Dressage?

The Glucosamine has to be helping him feel better and coupled with the lack of exercise he has all this energy to burn off. It makes sense, he's been extra active when being turned out in the arena, doing laps at a gallop, turning, bucking bouncing and then rolling in the dirt. Thoroughbreds clearly are Very Athletic, Active Horses! 

If we focus more on Eli and help build up his topline again and strenghten and make bigger his back muscles his predominant wither won't be such an issue either.

Happy Horse Training web link