Understanding – Connection – Partnership

Year: 2017

  • 3 Steps to Help Build Confidence With Your Horse

    For me as a horse trainer, confidence is an issue I deal with every day. Hopping on horses that I don’t know, and ones that have known issues can really play on your confidence and it is so important to me that I keep my confidence right up there, not only to keep myself safe,…

  • Mel’s Horsemanship Tip #9

    If you never give your horse a choice, they never get the chance to choose to be with you. It’s a wonderful feeling when you take the halter and lead rope off your horse and he chooses to stay with you….It can be heartbreaking if they choose to leave….but then if they decide to come…

  • Why You Lose Confidence With Your Horse

    Today I want to share with you some insights as to why we tend to lose confidence with our horses as we get older. If you are one of those ladies who used to hoon around as a kid and do all sorts of crazy things on your horse and you are feeling frustrated these…

  • 3 Steps to Saving Your Skin!

    You are out on a ride with your horse. All is going well until suddenly your horses head goes up and he slams on the breaks. He becomes completely rigid and you start to hear his heart thumping. And you think to yourself….Uh Oh! Which is all you have time for because the next split…

  • Mel’s Horsemanship Tip #8

    It is the release that teaches the horse and it is the offer that gives them the choice. Giving your horse the chance to make a decision in everything you ask him to do will exercise the logical part of his brain, creating a calm, thinking horse. Make sure you are giving your horse clear…

  • Mel’s Horsemanship Tip #7

    The one who does the least amount of work is the one who is in charge. Our horses are very good at making it look like they are doing what we are asking of them, but if you find that you are doing more work than your horse to get the task done, then it…

  • Mel’s Horsemanship Tip #6

    Make sure your horse is going forward in their downward transitions A horse going freely forward is just as important as a horse that easily stops. Make sure your horse is thinking about going forward rather than stopping after each downward transition to help your horse keep his weight back and give you those nice…

  • Mel’s Horsemanship Tip #5

    Our horses can be very good at re-positioning us. Try using a marker on the ground when handling your horse to help you keep track of where you are and see who is moving who.