THE HORSE GAZETTE training to preserve individuality imagine a horse
in the new age of horseman- ship where humane and effective methods are available for horse lovers everywhere either through dedicated self-study or personal exposure to enlightened trainers. Humans benefit greatly from this knowledge but even more, the horses.
are even making available studies and methods for identifying, and training animals with learning deficits and disabilities. There has not been a lot of published in- formation regarding about horses with learning disabilities and we have worked with only a few of them. It is certainly an area of interest to watch as it grows. Visten is a young horse
Animal behaviorists
By Sue De Laurentis and Allen Pogue © Imagine A Horse 2011 We are blessed to live
horses with learning deficits are in- cluded in the very large number of rescue horses in our country. Not all horse trainers (or commercial training programs) are capable of working with or even have the desire to work with learning defi- cit horses. In most under saddle disciplines, horses with learning problems just can’t make it. One of the things that
with what we will call learning variances or disabilities. What becomes of other horses like him and where do they fit in most standard programs? I often think of the words of one of my favorite Jimmy Buffet songs when I think of Visten…”The answers are the easy part, the questions raise the doubt”! Visten is like a gifted child whose brilliance can’t shine through in a normal classroom. We believe that many
of Trick Horse Training is that we use lots of props, like pedestals. Horses can easily understand the association between obstacles and actions and so can people, which helps to clarify the steps involved in the requests. An exercise such as yielding the hindquarters didn’t re- ally make sense to Visten but when his front feet were anchored on a pedestal he was able to understand it. Horses are masters at compen- sating for humans and will usually do what we ask even if they don’t understand the exercise! They are “good little soldiers”. But true bril- liance in performance comes when a horse understands the request from his point of view, and when he loves his work. If brilliance of performance is what you desire, seek out the individuality of the horse!
we love about Trick Horse Train- ing is that we can allow for many variances in the learning capacity of horses. Horses can be evaluated individually and there is not a set time pattern that a trick horse must conform to. Better yet, variations in behavior and preferences of the horse can often be shaped into
Visten to walk up onto a two tiered pedestal. This was a monumental task for him as his balance and coordination are still developing. It seemed at first that it may be more than he was capable of when we had the idea to put the Frisbee (with a pick up tab sewn on it) on the top tier of the pedestal. He loves to retrieve the Frisbee! When we did this, he eagerly walked right up the lower tier with all four feet
shows us what he CAN do which is often drastically different from what we ASK him to do. It is important to understand and bal- ance his abilities with motivation that he responds to. This requires that we know him individually and intimately and not follow rote exercises in training him. It is horses such as Visten that help us become better teachers, not the perfect student horses! We’ve been teaching
novel moves and tricks. This is the reason that many of our horses have signature tricks that only they perform! A signature trick is usu- ally a version of a trick or move that the horse thought of. Another great aspect
Visten emphatically
horse’s lead mean that we don’t expect obedience? No, obedience is not optional. But we DO want student horses to know that their ideas are of value. The exchange of ideas, mutual respect and dis- cipline will result in a willingly obedient equine partner. Lady “C” (TWH) is yet
old Missouri Fox Trotting horse doesn’t like laps in the round liberty pen at any speed. We could easily insist that he do laps as requested but allowing him some freedom of expression resulted in some brilliant work on his part. He demonstrated that he would rather climb the two tier pedestal, spin on the revolving one and rear to yet another one than do meaningless (in his opinion) repetitions. We happily accepted, and helped him to shape his offerings! Does fol lowing a
and (to our surprise) continued on up to place his front feet on the second tier and picked up the Frisbee as he climbed up. His focus was on the Frisbee and not on how tall the second tier of the pedestal was! By changing our strategy to fit Visten’s style we were able to channel his ability. Boullet, our two year
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not for everyone or for every horse. However for many horses it can be a highly motivational and a build- ing block in the foundation of the Ultimate Companion Horse!
a completely different personality than either Visten or Boullet. She is exhuberent and expressive in everything that she does. Ask for a little and she will always give you a lot! She is an over achiever and she is very quick about it. Explain a task to her in a way that she can understand and it is forever etched in her mind. Visten and Boullet are both highly motivated by food treats and Lady “C” is not. She performs for the sheer enjoyment of playing with us. To her, per- forming IS her reward. Trick Horse Training is
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a special thank you from michael richardson
Dear Friends, Family, Fellow Horse- men, and Silent Supporters, It is with a joyful and
inspired heart that I extend to you this thank you. It seems that this letter and the expression of my thankfulness will never approximate the outpouring of affection that I feel from you now and especially during the Benefit at the Cowtown Coli- seum on January 9th
women that set aside important sched- ules to be at the event and at my side
talent and treasure that the organiz- ers invested in this benefit • The horsemen and
own special way have contributed to my recovery and continue to be an inspiration to me, frankly because you care, in ways that I could not have imagined. It is hard for me to imagine that each of you would elect to set aside your priorities for a day and in some cases weeks to work on my behalf, and even now in this writing I am moved beyond words. I was and am still awestruck by: • The investment of time,
Each of you in your of this year.
women who offered wonderful treasures at the live auction and providing so many attendees with invaluable insights and knowl- edge
tributed generously in providing auction items and those who bid unsparingly for the wonderful items that were displayed. • The management of
hoping that I could deliver these words to all of you in person. I had arranged to use my thirty minutes of sitting time to wheel across the street say a few words and then
the Hyatt hotel, Cowtown Coli- seum, Cattlemen’s and all of the other venues in the area that sup- ported this event. I must admit that I was
braved terrible weather to take part in this event • The folks who con-
• The attendees who
their wives who were quick to step up and assist with working the tables at the silent auction • The horsemen and
• The horsemen and
come back to the hotel. As you all know, the weather would not permit me to do that. But even then, you were there for me, you came across the street to say hello, to share a few stories. I am still deeply touched by these wonderful memories. These are the moments that make life a beautiful journey. To all of you, my eternal thanks. But before I close, I
cannot help but thank God who has so graciously blessed me and thank the horse. I thank all horses and those closest to me. Because if it were not for the horse we all would not be here, in this time and place together sharing and understanding and experience that is unique and quite unfathomable. - Sincerely, Michael Richardson If you would like to
make a contribution to the Michael Richardson Benefit you may still do so through a private PayPal ac- count by sending funds to The Mi- chael Richardson Benefit through
michael@brokenrranch.com.
10302 IH-35 North, San Antonio, TX Hitches • Service • Financing WAC
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26-equine study courses leading to a Bachelor of Science Degree, Professional Horse Trainer or Riding Instructor Certification, or any single course for your personal enrichment.
WWW.HORSECOURSESONLINE.COM
Don Blazer teaches Conformation and Selection for Performance, Training Performance Horses, Bits and Shoeing and The Business of Making Money with Horses. Nancy Cahill teaches Perfect Lead Changes. Norma Fay teaches Fit to Ride. Tammy Fifer teaches Dressage: Foundation for All Riding Disciplines. Cathy Hanson teaches Preparation for Competition and Showmanship In Hand. Ruth E. Kochard teaches Legal Aspects of Horse Management. Betty Lindquist teaches Equine Massage. Todd Martin teaches Train for Rein- ing. Holly Mason teaches Flexibility by Design. Dr. Jim & Lynda McCall teaches Behavior Modification Techniques and Coat Color Genetics. Eleanor Richards teaches Nutrition for Maximum Performance and Stable Management. Dr. Jack Sales teaches Equine Health and Disease Management and Equine Reproduction. R.E. Smith teaches Traditional Vaquero Hackamore Training. Cherie Vonada teaches Riding Instructor Role and Responsibility and Teaching Techniques and Hunter Under Saddle.
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Indoor Stalls - Outdoor Pens (30’x30’) - Covered Stalls with Runs - 150’x300’ Lighted Arena Dressage Arena - Jumping Area - Two Round Pens Two Hot Walkers - Full Care - Feeding Twice Daily Daily Turnout (Except Weekends) Lighted Wash Area Lighted BBQ & Picnic Area - 24-Hr Surveil- lance Riding Lessons - Horse Training
Located approx. 5 minutes from Loop 410 at 13901 Hwy 90 West - just outside San Antonio. Visit us at:
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Call 210-677-0502
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