“Ten Tips To A Happier Horse”
(Listeners’ Choice)
By Popular Demand we have re-published this episode. Each weekend we are choosing the most listened to and commented on episodes for you to enjoy.
This interview was previously published in 2018 Amanda Hocking 2 (294)
About Amanda
– If you would like to know more about Amanda then have a look at her
First interview (041) http://horsechats.com/amandahocking
Listeners’ Choice Interview (212) http://horsechats.com/amandahockinglc
About This Episode
“Ten Tips to a Happier Horse”
I have rehabilitated many horses in my career, racehorses and performance horses, whilst each horse taught me something new there are some fundamental qualities that tell you a horse is happy in its world.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF A HORSE IS HAPPY?
A happy horse is relaxed when it needs to be and is energised when it has to be.
It eats and drinks well.
It is obliging and friendly
It understands what it is required of it
It is neither dominant or dominated
As horse owners we appreciate a horse that exhibits these qualities.
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“Ten Tips to have a Happier Horse”
1 -Training on the ground
– Whatever the discipline you partake in, from the moment you take over as carer for that horse your role is that of a benign dictator.
– Ground work sets the precedence for a workable relationship that is based on mutual respect.
– You teach the horse patterns of behaviour that will keep you and your horse safe.
– You communicate in a language that the horse understands and will feel relaxed and affable in your company
– The exercises available through groundwork are natural for the horse yet often alien to humans.
– When you are short on time you can often achieve more in 10 minutes on the ground than 30 minutes under saddle.
– Align yourself with a trainer who can teach you effective ground control .eg Steve Brady, David Simons, Cody Rawson Harris, Ken Faulkner, AEBC and Andrew McLean
2 – Training from the saddle/drivers’ seat
– The Universal or German training Scale is the “go to” place for a life time of guidance. Also all great horsemen and women have mentors.
– Find yourself a great coach ” A good coach takes you where you want to go, a great coach takes you where you don’t necessarily want to go but should”
– Ask good questions
– Master the art of learning.
– Become very familiar about how your horse learns.
– Give your horse time to think.
– Have multiple resources in your team. e.g. internet, videos, eyes on the ground.
3 – Comfort
– Horses share our love of comfort, they can actually learn a lot by just working out how to not to be uncomfortable! As the carer we are responsible for the comfort of the horse.
– Equipment – well fitting saddlery is paramount. If you are not experienced ask your coach, saddle fitter etc to show you how to fit equipment correctly.
– Look for the kindest bit that gets the job done, (Tom Roberts books, oldies but goodies. Horse control and the bit)
– Your personal equipment – a stable and independent seat, quiet and feeling hands, steady and encouraging legs and a voice that is quick to reward. Again a good coach can lunge you on a horse until you acquire these qualities.
– Floats and trucks that allow for good ventilation and a quiet, solid and safe journey
– Safe and solid paddocks, yards, tie up places and stables.
4 – Companionship
– Horses thrive when they are a part of a herd and we have to respect that this is a part of their nature.
– Suitable companions within sight. The number one cause of illness or death with stallions is stress from lack of companionship.
– Housing – sharing facilities, either paddock together (or with two fences between them for safety) Allow touching and/or mutual grooming whenever it is safe
– Travelling – Again sharing. Very rarely do horses hurt one another.
5 – Routines
– Horses love routines and knowing what is expected of them. In the past their survival relied on their ability to follow leadership and to recognise a safe situation from dangerous one.
6 – Feeding
– Google 10 Golden rules of feeding and use the KISS method.
7 – Fitness
– This is rather obvious, we always feel so much better when we are fit, we have more ability to problem solve, we bounce back from physical stress better and horses are no different.
– If you are not experienced at getting horses fit speak with a coach, preferably someone with an eventing back ground to help you work out a fitness program.
8 – Wholistic Health
– Care of feet
– Internal health – gut health (ulcers) parasites, teeth, respiratory.
– External health – skin, Eyes
– Mental health – as discussed previously
9 – Set SMART Goals
– Horses live in the now and goal seeting is not really on their agenda. However we humans do seem to operate better when we set clear and realistic goals. Just remember that they are OUR goals and not the horses, he is just obligingly coming along for the ride.
– The acronym SMART = Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely
– Make sure your horse related goals (SMART) and without an attachment to outcome.
10 – Practice Mindful Horsemanship
– Mindfulness is an ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we are doing and not overly reactive or overwhelmed to what is going on around us. So how can we achieve that?
– Create a physical and mental routine that separates our worldly problems from our horse time. E.g. I write my daily to do list early every morning, then by the time I have put on my stable boots on what’s on the list is out of my mind and I am free to BE with my horse.
– Horses live in the present, the now. If we really want to be in tune with our horse then we should join them there.
– Keep past “baggage” where it belongs….in the past.
Time Stamps
00:59 – Background
01:10 – How do you know if a horse is happy?
06:15 – How we can help our horses to be happier
06:40 – 1 -Training on the ground
12:50 – 2 – Training from the saddle/drivers’ seat
23:37 – 3 – Comfort
28:52 – 4 – Companionship
34:55 – 5 – Routines
37:50 – 6 – Feeding
43:05 – 7 – Fitness
45:51 – 8 – Wholistic Health
49:05 – 9 – Set SMART Goals
52:5 – 10 – Practice Mindful Horsemanship
59:15 – Summary
Contact: see details below
Amanda’s Contact Details
Phone: 0419 361 996 or +61 419 361 996
Email: jaanda11@bigpond.com
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/Jaanda-Equestrian-Centre-251748748217419
Music
BenSound.com
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