horse tips Archives ⋆ The Whoa Podcast

Jonathan Field Horsemanship Revisits

November 26, 2019 by John Leave a Comment

Jonathan Field Horsemanship Revisits

I first interviewed Jonathan Field over four years ago. Earlier this year I had heard he performed a TEDex talk in San Juan. It was one of those deals where you tell yourself, “I’ve got to listen to that sometime.” Time kept getting away from me and I put it off a couple of times. Finally, I had some extra time and did a Google search and found it. It was an inspiring talk, You can listen to it here: Jonathan Field Finding Your Sweet Spot in Life.

Jonathan Fields holds clinics all across the country and just released his 2020 schedule. There are five different levels of Jonathan’s courses and I wanted to learn about the difference between. Through this conversation, we learn what’s important about Jonathan Field Horsemanship. He talks about philosophy and provides insight on what he focuses on during the camps and clinics.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a conversation with a trainer if I didn’t ask for some free advice. Jonathan gives us some exercises we can do with our horses over the colder months to build our relationship with our horses. It’s very simple. If it’s too cold to get out and work their body, you can always work their mind. Jonathan offers some simple ways to accomplish this. And, talking about free stuff, Jonathan Field has a program he calls 31 in 13. If you sign up for this free program, you get 31 free videos over 13 months. They are 3-4 minute videos that talk about different training bits, It’s a great way to build your horsemanship skills.

Join Us on this Journey

We want you to be a part of the show. Tell us about your horse. Share your challenges, triumphs, or just everyday items that make horse ownership unique. Create an audio file using the memo app on your phone. Or, contact me and we’ll set up a time to talk by Skype or phone. Perhaps what you have to share can help someone in THEIR horse journey.

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. Email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #160

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Safety on the Trail – Learning the Ropes

September 3, 2019 by John Leave a Comment

Safety on the Trail – Learning the Ropes

It’s a bit of a shame that we even have to talk about safety on the trail. Once upon a time, it was you, your horse, and the countryside. If you did a good job with your horse, you were safe. Nowadays, there are outside factors. Besides the usual dogs, as the open areas get gobbled up with developments, it forces many of us to ride in more urban areas. That puts us into contact with more people who don’t know or care about horses. As homelessness increases, we encounter tents and encampments. People come out begging for money. Or as we ride along the river, they are along the bank bathing or doing dishes. The site of someone splashing around in the water unsettles many horses.

Thinking About Safety on the Trail

I’ve found that a little preparation goes along way from preventing disaster. Having a few basic tools at your fingertips can solve many problems. Pepper Spray is a powerful deterrent for unwanted advances from both people and dogs. Carrying a $2 whistle helps you alert others nearby that you may need help. Ensure that your cell phone is on your person and NOT in a saddlebag in case you get unseated from your horse. And, there are many more “little” things you can do to improve your safety on the trail.

Local Boarding Stable Gets Proactive

Our local boarding stable, Rancho Rio Equestrian Center, is being proactive about safety on the trail. They’ve hired trainer Elmo Sheeran. Elmo is a retired Sheriff Deputy who has trained many mounted police forces. Teaching civilian rider is quite different. The main difference, according to Elmo, is civilians need training in moving away from danger. Law enforcement moves carefully toward danger. Elmo will teach a class on Safety on the Trail at the equestrian center later this year.

Join Us on this Journey

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. Email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #154

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Get to the Horse Show Advice from Kim Kelly

June 18, 2019 by John 2 Comments

Show Your Horse – Advice from Kim Kelly

Whoa Podcast listeners are great! I asked you to share your experiences and you come through again and again. A few weeks back, I got an email from listener Kim Kelly. Kim had always wanted to enter a horse show, but fear and insecurity held her back. She kept chipping away at her goal, however, taking little steps and this year entered her first horse show. It was a challenge she overcame, and she has some tips for those with similar aspirations.

Tips from Kim

Find the right horse. Kim worked with the horse she had. The stress of training and conditioning revealed the horse had a navicular problem. In her search for another horse, Kim enlisted the help of her trainer. Together they found the right horse for Kim to take to her first horse show.

Get yourself in shape. Training takes physical effort from both horse and rider. By her own admission, Kim was 30 lbs. overweight. Over the winter to prepare for the show season, she shed those 30 lbs. making it easier for both her and her horse.

Go to a horse show. Before she competed, Kim went to two horse shows. She got the feel of the show arena, watched the competitors, and felt the energy generated at a horse show.

Know the rules. Kim read the rules for the classes she was competing in. This prevented her from making “silly” mistakes such as petting your horse during the competition. There are basic patterns she would see in the show pen and, by reading the rules, she could practice those patterns.

Give yourself plenty of time to fill out paperwork. Face it. We all hate to fill out paperwork. But, it has to be done to enter a horse show. Kim suggests getting your paperwork and membership applications in early. There is nothing like the panic of not knowing whether you are qualified to compete.

Ranch Horse Associations

To learn more about Ranch Horse Shows check out:

American Ranch Horse Association

To hear about our experience with Working Equitation Working Equitation Training

Join Us on this Journey

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. Email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #147

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Get Your Horse Legged Up with Sam Finden

June 4, 2019 by John Leave a Comment

Leg Up Your Horse with Sam Finden

Recently I asked listeners how they get their horse in condition, or legged up, after a winter’s layoff. It’s been a long, cold, and wet winter in much of the country. Here in California, we had snow in the nearby mountains and, as I write this, it’s Memorial Day weekend. We have only used our horses a few times in the last several months. With peak riding time around the corner, it’s time to get your horse “legged up”.

Sam Finden lives in Townsend, Montana working, riding horses, and writing novels. I asked listeners how they get their horse in condition, or legged up, after a winter’s layoff. An avid hunter, Sam uses his horses to ride and pack in on his hunting trips. He starts with short trips at the beginning of the season. Sam works his horses up to peak condition for rifle season in the fall.

Sam Finden’s Advice to Legging Up Your Horse

Keep it a positive experience. Your horse would rather sleep in instead of work.
Start with groundwork 15-20 minutes to get their bodies and mind back thinking about you.
After groundwork use short rides at the walk and trot to help both horse and rider get in shape.
Pay attention to your tack. Your horse’s weight and body condition may have changed over the winter. Make sure your tack is in good conditions and still fits properly.

Check Out Sam’s Books

We’ve invited Sam on the show twice before. He knows how to tell a story. After he published his first novel, Saddle My Good Horse, we talked about Sam’s journey to Montana. We caught up to Sam a few years later and talked about his horses and his writing. You can see more of Sam’s work at Samfinden.com

Join Us on this Journey

I’m not the best community builder. I need your help for that. I’m not the best at conversation. Let’s change it up together. I hope you will join me.

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. Email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #145

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The Medicine Bucket

May 24, 2019 by John Leave a Comment

The Medicine Bucket

We have three horses. Occasionally, they have to take medicine by mouth. Sometimes that medicine is bitter. That’s where the medicine bucket come in handy.

One supplement we regularly give our horses is a mineral product designed to fill in the deficiencies of the alfalfa hay grown in our area. Our vet recommends it. Each horse gets 2 cups a day in pellet form mixed with a bit of water to soften it up. The minerals are not overwhelming. The consistency is like straight alfalfa pellets. All three horses enjoy getting it in the afternoon. As a matter of fact, when I am mixing up the medicine buckets, they hear me stirring the mixture and nicker.

Different Horses, Different Reactions

Scratch, the mustang, had to learn about the medicine bucket. Being out in the wild, he had no knowledge a bucket of goodies existed. He learned quickly. If there is a flake of alfalfa in his stall and the bucket on the fence, Scratch will start with the alfalfa. If I add medicine to the bucket, I better add some sugar or salt to improve the flavor, or he will ignore it.

Dusty is the most skeptical. If there is a hint of anything else in his bucket, he’ll hold out for his alfalfa. Bute, an anti-inflammatory, must taste bitter. For dusty, I have to start off with a low dose and gradually work my way up to the prescribed dose. He is the toughest of the three.

Jessie is the easiest. She lives for food. Jessie doesn’t think of treats as treats, she believes them to be essential. And necessary to her survival. And she better get them every day or she has a tantrum. Yeah, I spoil her. But, giving her medicine is a snap. If a medication is extremely bitter, adding a tablespoon of sugar is all that is necessary.

I made a short video of my bucket procedure with jessie. You can watch it below.