Trainer's Thoughts
Starting
It is imperative that the first training sessions are done properly with patience, kindness, and that they clearly communicate the intent of the trainer. Keeping the equine relaxed and interested will build the foundation you want for the rest of the equine’s life. The trainer must be thoughtful, have the ability to read the equine’s body language, and use the proper feel for each equine. The quality of training is not how fast the equine gets saddled but by how much the equine has personally accomplished. Taking an hour now, to properly communicate your idea to the equine, will save you 10 hours of fixing a problem that surfaces months or even years later. Along with teaching them what is to be asked of them comes teaching the owners the essentials to successfully continue their equine’s education.
Heeding
Is the combination of leading a equine and heeling a dog. Through teaching the owner and equine proper handling and positioning, jobs on the ground will be much safer and easier. It is important that an equine’s daily handling stays consistent with his training and he is always handled correctly so as not to confuse the equine. If you keep it consistent the equine will know what is expected of him on the ground and under the saddle. Heeding is a way to teach owners how to stay safe in any situation by creating an understanding of feel, and how the equine communicates with body language.
Lungeing, Not Circling
Is a skill taught to equines before the saddle is introduced. It is a way to continue ground work past the basic and advanced heeding maneuvers. It is also used to get the horses attention on you before the mounted work, particularly the young equines. As the equine's basic skills improve, the advanced lunging skills are added. This technique keeps the equine interested in his job which in turn does not allow him to become mechanical and robotic looking. Free lunging is the ultimate goal for ground work.
Combined Training of Equine and Owner
Is teaching equine owners safe handling by understanding how their equine thinks and how to “feel” the situation. With the pressure and release system of heeding, which anyone can learn, you can stay active in continuing your equine’s education. This simple base creates clients to become independent thinkers so that they can recognize problems before they arise and fix any existing problems (with little or no help from a professional).
Ask Angela . . .
how you too can have a well-balanced equine, physically and psychologically.
Angela Turner 414.315.3974 travelinghorsetraining@yahoo.com