JANUARY 2012 THE RIDER /37


Building A Partnership with Your Young Horse Training Outside the Box, Part 1


By Lynn Palm


This month we are start- ing a new series of articles on “training outside the box.” The “box” refers to those confined areas, such as arenas and pad- docks, where many riders spend winter training time. When the weather is good, it is time to get out of the “box” and learn to train outside in order to have more fun. Remember, however, that safe- ty always comes first!


In 1976, I trained my first National and AQHA World Champion horse, Lecanto


Raider, on the trails surround- ing the Northwood community of Eagle River, Wisconsin. He was trained 85% of the time on the trails, and only 15% in an arena. He was a happy horse in his training because training outside the box: (1) helps maintain a horse’s awareness and attitude because he has new environments to experi- ence; (2) helps keep both the horse’s and rider/trainer’s interest because being outside adds variety to lessons; and (3) usually encourages a horse to go forward, even a horse that


normally is lazy and lethargic. The most common ques- tion I am asked relates to train- ing and trail riding outside the box. Riders are concerned about losing control of their horse and what to do if the horse is disobedient, bucks, or rears. These responses from the horse usually cause the rider to become fearful and apprehen- sive about getting hurt. We need to address these issues in order to avoid them outside so that training and riding outside remains fun and safe.


The best way to avoid Horse Of A Lifetime


Canadians Reveal Their History And Depth As Horse People


Dr. Helen Douglas Hardcover, 341 pages


General Store Publishing House ISBN 978-1-926962-39-9


Respected, veterinarian, Dr. Helen Douglas has released her second book, Horse Of A Lifetime. I describe this as a collection of heartfelt tributes by humans for their closest equine partner. This weighty hard cover book is like a throwback to the days when skilled writers, publishers and printers took pride in creating a fine quality book. As such, they were des- tined to be purchased as a gift or treasured keepsake, read by gener- ation after generation of families. As with any “labour of love”, the extra time, effort and attention to detail with classic embellishments pays off. It’s a beauty. Behind the charming and perfectly appropri- ate front cover, a benevolent tone is set by a lovely dedication to Belgian cross Police Mount “Brigadier” who was tragically killed in the line of action in 2006. The “In Memoriam” and “Acknowledgements” pages also give you a “feeling” of the book. Dr. Douglas makes it clear that this book was very much a team effort and looking at it, I’m sure it was.


Interestingly, the collection begins with a fascinating historic


account of Baron Mannerheim and his little black gelding, Philip who he rode for the Russian Calvary. They spent two years from 1906 and 1908, on a treacherous ride between Russia and Peking. Don’t miss the photo of them climbing stairs made of ice while on their 3,000 mile Asian trek. The balance of the book contains individual stories of sixty Canadian horse people and their beloved equines. Each of them reminisces about how their life was changed by their four legged friend, providing the title, “Horse Of A Lifetime”. Each story fills, not a few paragraphs or a page, but five or six pages including as many as a dozen amazing photos. Many are professionally taken but others are personal candid snapshots, which tell stories all on their own. You can just imagine some- one pouring through dozens or hundreds of photos to find the perfect image to illustrate their story or repre- sent their beloved partner.


“Maile”, Mike Carroll and “Maryfield”, Pat Carter and “Leo Sand”, and so many others. I would imagine that even people who know the subjects personally would learn something about them by reading these personal anecdotes because they come directly from the heart of the horse person, through Douglas.


substance. Once you take a peak and read just a cou- ple of the memoirs, you will be completely drawn in. Douglas does not just give facts and dates but effec- tively tells the inner story of the human/horse relation- ship. The subject’s emotions, motivations, hopes, fears, and inner thoughts reveal the personalities, quirks, and heart of the horse and the person who loved them. A warning to those of you who are the least bit emotional, like this reader - Not everyone survives. Posthumously, two legged and four legged loved ones are immortalized in the telling of their tales. Written with skill and compassion, Dr. Douglas tugs at the heart strings, resulting in a few shed tears - but don’t let that dissuade you. Grab a tissue, just in case, and read on. There are smiles and gasps awaiting you on the following pages. These are stories worth telling and worth hearing.


tion. They participate in pleasure, dressage, jumping, trail riding, driving, racing, eventing, show jumping, barrel racing, trick riding and polo and other activities, even an RCMP mount. The list of names contains horses from grade to olympic level and from ponies to 18 hand giants. Special people describing their incredi- bly special and life changing animals. This heartwarm- ing collection is a tribute to these humans and the indi- vidual horses that impact their lives. But in a larger sense, it is our lives and the relationships we share with our horses that are honoured as well. By basking in the gratitude of others, we feel even more blessed in our own lives. For that we can thank Dr. Helen Dou- glas.


The hundreds of pages contained here contain many names you will recognize, each interviewed by Dr. Helen Douglas as she travelled from one end of our country to the other. Here in Ontario, she met with the likes of Peter Gray and discussed his “Newport”, Dr. Mary Bell and “Witch Moon”, Janie Greenburg and “Three-B Rasheik++”, Susan Cressy and “Freck- les”, Akaash Maharaj and “Chance”, Kirsten Bruner and “Beaverwoods Freckles”, Lauren Barwick and


One of the most impres- sive aspects to me is the wide variety of people and horses. The breeds are too numerous to men-


Not just beautiful, Horse of a Lifetime also has


these problems before they arise is to exercise the horse before going outside in order to release what I call the horse’s “inner energy.” When a rider takes his/her horse into a new environ- ment, the horse will almost always become overly sensitive and be higher strung in the new surroundings. Riders tend to expect that the horse will work and perform outside in the same way as he does at home. This is not the reality, especially for horses that have not been “sea- soned” by going different places and traveling many miles over many years.


Any fit and healthy horse will have some level of “inner energy” that must be released before he can concentrate on the task at hand. The level of “inner energy” can vary in different horses, but it is always there in high strung or sensitive horses, and some lazy horses as well. When a horse has not released his “inner energy,” he will be thinking “fast.” Remember, you will be safe and able to teach a horse only if the horse is thinking “slow.” You can recognize when a horse is thinking “fast” if he is turning his head and moving his ears quickly and if his move- ments are fast.


One of the best ways to help


the horse release this inner ener- gy is through what is called “forced exercise.” There are three types of forced exercise: (1) longeing, (2) liberty work, and (3) ponying. Of these three, the most important to master is longeing. Personally, I feel longeing is the most important form of forced exercise because you can use it anytime and any- where. All you need is a good fit- ting halter, a cotton longe line, and a lunge whip. The lunge whip should have a minimum length of three feet with a tassel that is one to two feet longer than the whip part. The tassel should end with a little “snapper.” This strong woven material makes a snapping/popping noise to encourage the horse to move away from it and to move for- ward.


There are a few rules to fol- low when longeing. If the horse is already bridled and needs to be longed, simply fit the halter over the bridle. Attach the longe line either over the nose (for more response) or under the chin. A longe line that ends in a chain will be more severe than a simple cotton line with a snap end. Before longeing with a bri- dle on, it is very important to secure the reins so that the horse cannot get them over his head,


step on them, or get a leg between them. To do this, place the halter on over the bridle. Attach the longe line, with or without chain end, to the horse’s halter either by threading it over the nose or under the chin. If you are riding in Western tack, bring the reins under the pommel and through the hole under the pom- mel, and tie them in a knot. Loop the knotted end over the saddle horn. Make sure that the reins are not so loose that the horse could put his nose down on the ground or get a leg through them. Be equally careful not to tie the reins too short either as it will restrict the horse’s head carriage. If you are riding in English tack, the easiest way to handle the issue of reins is simply to take them off. In the next article, I will explain how to “read your horse” to avoid problems before they happen.


My E-Book, Training Out- side the Box, is an excellent resource on this subject. Part 5 of my Longevity Training Series provides you with detailed instruction on the art of longeing. For more information on these and other Palm Partnership Training™ resources and schools, visit our website at www.lynnpalm.com or call us at 800-503-2824.


“Come from Away” to St. John’s


Newfoundland for the 2012 Equine Canada Annual Convention!


The 2012 Equine Canada Annual Convention is set for February 1–6, 2012 in St. John’s, Newfoundland.


Members of the equestrian community from across Canada are invited to participate in a selection of meetings and clinics tailored to address the unique needs of participants involved in equestrian sport, recreation and industry.


rock” for its rugged terrain, Newfoundland is home to some of Canada’s friendliest souls, and of course, the Newfoundland pony! With a perfect blend of rustic scenery, eastern coast hospitality, rich his- tory and small town feel, convention atten- dees will have the opportunity to benefit from their convention participation while discovering this special piece of Canada.


Although known as “the


The convention will also play host to the 2012 Equine Canada Awards Gala which consists of an evening of fine dining and entertainment in honour of the success- es of 2011. Awards presented include Equine Canada’s coveted Equestrian of the Year, Junior Equestrian of the Year, Volun- teer of the Year and Equine Canada Media Award to name a few.


Earlier, I stated that Horse Of A Lifetime is designed as a gift or keepsake but I also suggest that if Santa forgot to leave this book under your tree, you splurge and buy an extra copy for yourself. Add a nice hot beverage and a cozy comforter, hunker down for the winter and enjoy every aspect of this treasure. Later, after repetitive readings, it can be considered a keepsake for your family.


Available online at www.amazon.com and www.chap- ters.indigo.ca - By email: order.hol@gmail.com and your local tack store. Visit www.Dr.HelenDouglas.ca and check out Helen’s first book “William’s Gift”.


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