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Building Rider Confidence

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Building Rider Confidence

Rider confidenceSamantha Shanks-Husbands knows the importance of rider confidence. Once a rider loses confidence, especially an older rider, it is extremely difficult to get it back. Samantha works with equestrians of all ages and skill levels. Her techniques help riders focus on what is important. Breathing is especially important in her program. Samantha feels that proper breathing can lead to a calmer horse as well as relax a nervous rider. Another technique she uses is creative visualization. Seeing the outcome of your ride in your mind’s eye, before the ride even occurs, can improve a rider’s confidence.

Another key to building rider confidence, Samantha believes, is groundwork. Working with your horse from the ground allows you to get to know and build a bond with your horse. Samantha talks about not being in a hurry to get on your horse if you are not a confident rider.

Two of the influences Samantha credits for her interest are Mark Rashid and Philippa Unwin

 

Links Heard on This Episode

Samantha’s Website

Contact Sam via email: sam@preparetowin.co.uk

if you would like to book a free chat: go.preparetowin.co.uk/initial

Samantha’s Facebook Page

Video for the Confident Rider Course

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You are an enormous part of why we do a podcast. We really love getting your feedback. Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show. Email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening.

John & Ranae

Episode #200

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Two Simple Exercises for Gaining Respect

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Two simple ExercisesTwo Simple Exercises

Two simple exercises helped my horsemanship at the very earliest stages of my learning.  My career as a clinician is very, very young.  What I can help teach people are the things I learned about gaining a horses respect and making them safe.  I don’t really strive to be a clinician in the classic sense.  My goal is to blend an adventure riding experience with a learning experience.

Recently, I got to complete my first one-day adventure ride and clinic.  The day began with a little philosophy talk, then moved to dealing with obstacles.  Afterward, we went on a trail ride and let our horses simply walk down the trail.

Preparing for My Clinic

In preparation for the clinic, I wanted my students to come prepared.  In an effort to get everyone thinking about dealing with obstacles, I wanted them to have two simple exercises down pat.  These two exercises can help your horse calm down in difficult situations.  They can help you gain more of your horse’s respect.  Most importantly, these two simple exercises get your horse using the thinking side of his brain.  The more he can use the thinking side, the less he will use the reactive side.

The first of these two exercises is yielding your horse’s hindquarters.  When you get a horse to cross his back feet you take his power away.  It’s that simple.  Once you have control of his power, you can direct his energy.

The second exercise is the sending exercise.  Sending your horse gets him moving forward.  Very little happens in horsemanship without forward movement.  Your horse needs to trust you and think about what you’re asking.  Having control of your horse’s power and being able to direct that power will greatly improve your relationship.

The video below explains these two exercises and how to begin the training process.  It works best if you have a basic, good relationship with your horse.  Be safe.  This is a quick video used to help my students prepare for our obstacle course clinic.  If you don’t think you or your horse is ready, keep working and learning.

Your Horse’s Feet Builds Trust

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Working with Your Horse’s Feetyour horse's feet

Here’s a quick tip when working with your horse’s feet.

Do you pick your horses hooves before you ride or as part of the grooming process?  Do you do each foot in the same order?  Does your horse offer you his feet?  

Try this for a week or two. Each time you ask your horse to pick up his feet, start with the same foot.  I like the front off-side (right front) for some reason.  I tap on the back of the fetlock three times, then pick up the foot.  After cleaning, I set it right back down.  Then, I move to the right rear, again tapping three times on the back of the fetlock.  I repeat the process on the left rear, then the left front.

My horse now picks up her feet right after the tap.  As I move around her, she shifts her weight getting ready to lift the next foot.  By the time I get to the left front, it is usually off the ground.  Then, when I’m finished I’m in good position to do a cinch check (if she’s saddled and we are going riding).

You will find that working on your horse’s feet builds confidence and respect between you and your horse.  Your horse’s feet are essential to his survival.  When you get him to offer you them, he demonstrates trust and willingness.  Build on those characteristics and your relationship will really blossom.

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Brandi Lyons Horses Horsemanship Life

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Brandi Lyons Horses and Horsemanship

Brandi LyonsYou could say Brandi Lyons has been learning about horsemanship all her life.  My wife had told be about John Lyons and what he could do with a horse nearly twenty years ago.  I was unimpressed simply because I wasn’t into horses.  When I began working with horses, I quickly found out that anyone who could get something consistent from a horse was impressive.  When a listener, Leo Van Sistine, recommended I interview Brandi Lyons, I jumped at the chance.

Maria Liverett, organizer for Brandi Lyons

Maria Liverett

When a listener, Leo Van Sistine, recommended I interview Brandi Lyons, I jumped at the chance.  It all happened quickly because Brandi is one of several clinicians hosting a weekend of horsemanship.  Now, a little note.  Even though this event was scheduled just 14 days from my interview with Brandi Lyons, there has been so much rain in California that the event had to be moved.  Maria Liverett has been busy helping to organize this event. Please visit this Facebook Event Site for the latest details.

Brandi Lyons knows how fear can limit your horsemanship goals.  That’s one reason why she calls her website Lyons No Limits.  Brandi works in all disciplines.  In this conversation, we talk about problems the average riders faces and what they can do to improve their relationship with their horse.

We also get to hear from Brandi what it was like growing up with an icon of the natural horsemanship movement.

Links for Places Mentioned in this Episode

Lyons No Limits Horsemanship

Ria’s Ranch Home of Maria Liverett

Facebook Event Page for Lyons Event February 2017

Facebook Page of Ria’s Ranch

Email Maria Liverett

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We have well over 100 episodes up now and you can find them all for free on iTunes, with our Android App in the Amazon store, and now Stitcher, or wherever podcasts are distributed.  Get the Stitcher app and let us know how it works.  We are on Google Play too!  You can also find every episode and more about the show at whoapodcast.com.  Please take a moment and join our email list. Get in on the conversation with Facebook and Twitter – just look for WhoaPodcast.

You are a big part of why we do this podcast.  We really love getting your feedback.  Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show.  You can email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #87

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Andy Johnson Horsemanship

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Andy Johnson Horsemanship

Andy JohnsonAndy Johnson lives in Missouri.  While operating a feedlot, he noticed the cows moved easier when he used low-stress cattle handling.  Andy could even use it while on horseback.  Once he had the cows working well, he started working with horses.  Andy Johnson quickly found out how much he didn’t know.  He signed up for a three-day clinic at Downunder Horsemanship in Texas.  At the end of the clinic, Clinton Anderson asked Andy if he would like to join his Academy of elite trainers.  Two years later Andy graduated from the Academy.

Unfortunately, life has twists and turns and Andy had to leave Downunder Horsemanship.  He’s hung out his horse training shingle at his ranch in Missouri with his wife Chrissy.  Andy Johnson travels the country giving clinics, hosts them at his ranch, and brings in outside horses to train.  It’s a family affair with Chrissy who is a CHA certified instructor.

Andy Johnson has a great story to tell.  He also has some wonderful horse training tips which he shares on this show.  I hope you will give it a listen.

Links Heard on this Episode

Andy Johnson Horsemanship Webpage

Facebook Group AJH Unlimited

Facebook Page Andy Johnson Horsemanship

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About Us

Welcome to the Whoa Podcast about Horses and Horsemanship.   My name is  John Harrer.  I began the podcast in 2012 because I wanted to learn more about horses and horsemanship.  Talking with great horseman and women about their lives with horses and the history of horsemanship is my passion.

Contact Us

We have well over 100 episodes up now and you can find them all for free on iTunes, with our Android App in the Amazon store, and now Stitcher, or wherever podcasts are distributed.  Get the Stitcher app and let us know how it works.  We are on Google Play too!  You can also find every episode and more about the show at whoapodcast.com.  Please take a moment and join our email list. Get in on the conversation with Facebook and Twitter – just look for WhoaPodcast.

You are a big part of why we do this podcast.  We really love getting your feedback.  Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show.  You can email us at: John@WhoaPodcast.com

I blog at TrainingJessie.blogspot.com  and if you want to know even more – and I can’t imagine why – it’s all at JohnHarrer.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #86