Have Humans Lost Their Senses?

Civilization has developed in a way that has upset the balance of how humans are taught and encouraged to communicate. People have come to rely primarily on the written and spoken word to interact. That leaves many of the natural instincts or tools in the human communication toolbox to collect dust.

This lack of balance can be a real detriment to a human who is attempting to lead and work with a species (horse) that finds little use for the spoken word and even less for the written one. Horses, unlike humans have managed to keep their instincts intact. Many people, on the other hand do not have the sense(s) they were born with. For more on this subject call Katelyn for an appointment 303-601-7797 or email her kate@katelynkent.net

Had it up to here with winter? Try Slow Motion Training

You don't have to give up riding with winter weather. You just have to be willing to think outside the box a bit.

First of all, I am not a proponent of shoeing a horse unless it is necessary for optimum health and well being. Consequently, I ride outdoors in the winter. But even then, there are times when it is too muddy (Colorado clay turns to grease), or the snow is too crusty or slick. These are the days that I take advantage of less than optimal weather conditions and practice slow motion training. Many people, trainers included, forget that controlling the feet leads to tapping into the mind. If you can get very precise movements at a walk or a standstill, it will greatly improve your working relationship with your horse.

Try this exercise:

While mounted, see how little it takes for you to ask your horse to take one foot and move it forward and stop. Now, can you get him to bring that same foot back to a square stop? Can you get your horse rock forward, but not take a step? How about backward? Now ask your horse to move one foot backward or one foot sideways. What you are working on here is very important stuff. It may sound easy or even boring, but try it first before you scoff. This is a great exercise in feel. Jack Brainard, master that he is, asked me if I could get my horse to swing only his back end back and forth in a swaying motion. I worked on that for the better part of an hour before I figured out what needed to happen to get my horse to do what Jack calls, "The Hula". It took days to perfect it, and I still mess it up. I will give you the same hint he gave me. The key is to find a way to get the horse to separate his front feet to a place that is wider than his shoulders and keep them there. Have a nice Hawaiian vacation! Let me know how it turns out.

For more information and training tips call or email kate.