THE HORSE GAZETTE
training
a horse, of course
focus on the positive
Serving Texans’ Hay Needs Since 1995
By Don Blazer, © 2009
Horse Quality Coastal Hay
“The best way to “I’m sure even it, I practice something he
assure your success is to do you’ll agree it’s smart to doesn’t do so well.”
what you do best,” Walter put a horse to work at a job Then Walter
We strive to harvest
said as he munched on his he’s good at…a job he’s quickly jumped in with the
our hay every 32
hay. built to do.” Walter went admonishment, “don’t even
days with 400 lbs.
“And the next best on to explain. “If you are think about trying it again
of fertilizer to the
way is to set your goals low,” going to race a horse, then until after you’ve worked on
acre, every cutting,
he said as he took a sip of the find one with the bloodlines his side passing some more…
to keep the quality
fresh water I’d just finished and conformation to be fast. remember work on what he
high. Tedding the
delivering. Don’t hitch that kind of horse does well.”
hay allows faster
“How’s that for to a milk wagon or you’ll “And set the goal
drying to keep more
thinking outside the box?” soon have a milk shake.” low,” he said. “Ask for 90
he asked. “Very funny,” I degree pivots, not 180, or 270
protien rich leaves
I could see he said without acknowledging or 360. No, no no…just work
intact.
was waiting for me to be the analogy was pretty good. on the 90 degree pivot. You
State of the art pivot
impressed. Walter is a horse, “And what about can ask for a 180 when he
system allows us to keep
of course and thinks he has a setting the goals low?” I does a 90 degree pivot really,
the quality high, with
good deal of horse sense. asked. “Surely you don’t really well every time you
efficient use of natural
“That isn’t out of want to tell people they can’t ask.”
the box thinking,” I replied. dream big?” And there you
resources.
“Those are old ideas.” “It’s perfectly all are, I admitted, working on
“Horse feathers!” right to dream big,” Walter something he does well and
We have 1,000 acres
said Walter. admitted. “But, dream it; not working on something he
of Coastal Bermuda...
Walter looked me don’t set it as a goal. Make doesn’t do well.
we farm year round.
in the eye and said, “You are your goal to be a little bit Walter wrinkled
constantly being told to work better each day at what you his upper lip: “focus on the
on your short comings, to do best.” Walter went back positive,” he said, “never the
improve yourself, to practice, to his hay. negative. And always set
practice, and practice until So, I said to Walter, your goals low; you don’t
you master a thing. “if I was training a horse I need to make a lot of progress
When you need hay,
“Have your dreams, shouldn’t work on the things in training today when a little
we have it.
set your sights on the moon, he has trouble with, but I progress will do the trick.”
and think big, Walter,” I should concentrate on the “Great advice,” I
We are capable of
said. things he does best; is that admitted to Walter.
storing 40,000 bales in
“Well, I say, horse what you are saying?” “So,” he said, “from
4 weatherproof
feathers!” said Walter. “Absolutely!” said now on let’s just work on
storage facilities.
He turned his Walter. what I do well.”
considerable Quarter Horse “Okay, then how “You’re eating, and
rump toward me and went to do I get him to improve at that’s what you do well…and
Conveniently sized
the window at the back of his his pivots?” I said. soon you’ll want to nap, and
square bales.
stall while I just stood there “You work on the that’s what you also do well,
waiting for what I knew was part he does best,” Walter so I think I’ll slip in a little
You can pick up hay
coming. replied smugly. “He sides loping while you are still
from us, or we can
A perfect pivot to passes pretty good…so work thinking about napping.”
deliver it to you.
the right on his hindquarters on side passes and when he Walter just
and he was facing me. “If isn’t thinking about anything yawned...”whatever”!
Roy Mello, Owner
you want a horse to be but side passing, slip in
successful, then you put him the request for a 90 degree To learn more
to work at what he does best, pivot.” about Equine Behavior
right?” said Walter. “And “Pretty sneaky,” Modification, visit www.
then you set the goals low I replied. “I’m working HorseCoursesOnline.com
Devine, Texas
so you’re sure he’ll succeed, on what he does well, and
right? without him thinking about
Private and Group Instruction Available
Weekly in Boerne/Fair Oaks area.
Contact Anne Stone at 830-755-547 or
Jackie Kelly at 830-98-9795
Clinics Nationwide by Arrangement.
Call or email Mary Rose.
MARY ROSE, FBHS
Cell: 512-589-3796 • Home: 512-894-4536
Website: www.maryrosedressage.com
Training - Boarding
Coaching - Sales
Offering full service
boarding!
Get the experienced care and supervision
that you and your horse deserve!
Barn Manager: Megann Schultz
Assistants:
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Owners:
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425 FM 978, San Marcos, TX
Call (512) 567-5526 or
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www.NelsonTrainingCenter.com
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