An article by Elizabeth Kay McCall on LHH will be featured in the June issue of Cowboys and Indians Magazine.  It will be on the shelf in better grocery, western/equestrian stores and boutiques in late April.  Be sure to pick up your copy. I just saw the proof.... we are very excited. ~Debbie Beth-Halachmy

By Cali Canberra

"A creative blending of John Grisham & Dick Francis..."

"Seabiscuit was just the tip of the iceberg in introducing the high stakes world of the horse business to mainstream audiences. Canberra's tales weave intricate relationships between top breeders and trainers who lure celebrities and Wall Street tycoons eager to spend millions on horses. She keeps you on the edge of your seat in anticipation of what comes next."

"Canberra's novels combine the comfort of familiarity and the tension of surprise as she reveals the behind the scenes inner workings of the exclusive horse industry."

"You don't have to care about horses to enjoy Canberra's books. As someone who doesn't have any interest in horses, I still loved the fast paced plots and intense mysteries."

Cali Canberra brings her books to Light Hands Horsemanship. Each guest at Light Hands Horsemanship will receive a complimentary book, TRADING PAPER at registration. This is the first book of a series of three by Cali. I have read all three and greatly enjoyed them. Cali's other two will be available at the event. Visit:  www.calicanberra.com  for more information on Cali and her books.

The Circle:

The circle is the first step to teach a horse to shift his weight back to the inside hind leg.

Start a circle at the walk.  You will probably want to make a larger 40’circle at first. Keep the horse bent to the shape of the circle. Your horse’s bend should mirror the shape of the circle. The inside rein will direct the horse and will bring the head and neck slightly to the inside of the circle. Your inside leg will push the rib cage to the outside of the bend. Your out side leg will keep the haunches from drifting away from the bend.

While on the circle the horse’s inside hind leg must step deep underneath him self.  As you school in the circle ask the horse to make a smaller circle. As the circle becomes tighter or smaller the horse will become more and more engaged in order to make the circle. During the exercise you can make the circle bigger and smaller as you walk.

REMEMBER in a circle you want to keep your horse straight up and down all the time. If the horse starts leaning into the circle by dropping his inside shoulder, pick up the shoulder with your inside rein and shift your weight towards the outside hind leg of the horse.

Be sure to do this in both directions. A circle sounds easy but to keep the ribcage out, the haunches in, the shoulders up all at the proper bend is multitasking and takes some practice to do it correctly.

The circle exercises the muscle and the mind of the horse.  The engagement you are seeking will become easier with muscle conditioning and the developing muscle memory.

Until next time Happy Trails. 

Read more of "My View From the Manure Pile" Training Tips & Thoughts" by clicking here:   http://www.cowboydressage.com/view.html 

Greetings and Salutations everyone and Happy New Year!

Colt Starting and Horsemanship Clinic Series @ Mission Farrier in Snohomish WA

Colt Starting Clinic, February 25 – 28th, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. daily, $500

This clinic is for unstarted young horses, or an older horse that needs to be restarted.  The first two days of the clinic will center on exercises to get your horses’ respect on the ground and desensitize him to behaviors and things that he will encounter during the first saddling and ride.  During the next two days, we will use these exercises to saddle and ride!  This is four-hour a day, four-day clinic.  We will take frequent breaks as we do not want to push a young horse too fast too soon.  We have found this extended clinic session to be very successful.  It builds trust and respect between horse and human; we feel it is what sets Jon’s clinics apart. 

Horsemanship I, February 26 – 28th, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, $300

This clinic we will refine exercises both from the ground and from horseback to build a softer feel, quicker, more accurate responses and a stronger partnership with your horse.    Bring a good attitude and be prepared to work on your horse and horsemanship.  This is a three-hour a day, three-day clinic.

For those of you interested in either the colt starting or horsemanship clinic, please contact the clinic sponsor, Karen Plumlee, as soon as possible.  Karen’s email is missionfarrierschool@hotmail.com or her cell is (425) 985-8321.  Limited boarding options are available on a first come, first serve basis.

Intro to Practical Ranch Roping Series @ Paradise Rock Ranch in Duvall, WA

Basic Ranch Roping Techniques and Practice, 2 afternoons available, $100 per day
Tuesday, February 23rd and Tuesday, March 2nd from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Come learn how to build a loop, throw a shot, and refine your delivery techniques.  This group lesson will involve roping on the ground with our roping dummy.  Ropes will be available to use should you need one during the lesson.

For those interested in participating, please contact Dave Clarke at ntfpdwc@aol.com or (206) 920-1909.

Private Lessons

Private lessons will be available February 22, 23, and 24th.  Please call Jon directly at (406) 570-9779 to schedule these appointments.

Early Spring, Mini Ranch Clinic in Bozeman, Montana

Mini 3-day Ranch Clinic, Thursday, April 29th, though Saturday, May 1st, daily $450

Bring your horse out to the stunning Gallatin Valley in Montana for a very unique and amazing clinic. Both horse and rider will develop skills as they work through various aspects of ranch work including gathering and working cows, sorting, penning, roping, and possibly even branding. This mini three day clinic will be a special combination of Jon's horsemanship clinics and having the rare opportunity to truly ride like a cowboy. Be prepared to ride long and hard, through beautiful hills, mountains, meadows and streams. This will be both an unforgettable and demanding experience.

Horse accommodations are available for an additional expense. Deposit and registration form required.  Please contact Denice Thurston at dthurs@yahoo.com or (206) 276-7668 for more information.
 
Beginning Trail Clinic @ Paradise Rock Ranch in Duvall, WA

Beginning Trail Clinic, Friday, June 4 - Sunday, June 6, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. daily, $500

Day 1 Agenda “Preparing your horse for the trail”
Day 1 of the clinic specializes in desensitizing your horse to experiences commonly found on the trails of the Pacific Northwest. Jon will guide us through maneuvering these obstacles in a manner that’s safe for both horse and rider. Day 1 provides riders of any level an opportunity to improve communication with their horse, and establish a solid trail foundation on which to build.

Day 2 Agenda “Trail safety and real world experience”
Day 2 continues to focus on the basics of trail riding with a special emphasis on safety for both horse and rider.  This includes a special sit-down, question and answer session on saddlebag and first aid kit preparation.  The afternoon session will provide participants with their first opportunity to head out on the trails. 

Day 3 Agenda “Where it all comes together”
Day 3 includes an all-day long trail ride on the trails that surround the clinic venue, including the Cherry Valley waterfall.  We will encounter multiple obstacles such as water crossings, metal bridges, steep inclines, muddy paths, hikers, and motorized vehicles, oh my!

Pre-registration and deposit required for reservations.  Limited horse/trailer/participant accommodations are available. For Clinic Registration Forms and more information, please contact Denice Thurston at (206) 276-7668 or dthurs@yahoo.com

Full Week Ranch Clinic in Bozeman, Montana

Announcing the 2010 Ranch Clinic in Montana... Mark your calendars for July 19-23rd.  Bring your horse out to the stunning Gallatin Valley in Montana for a very unique and amazing clinic. Both horse and rider will develop skills as they work through various aspects of ranch work including working cows, sorting, penning, roping, and possibly even branding. This 5-day clinic will be a special combination of Jon's horsemanship clinics and having the rare opportunity to truly ride like a cowboy. Be prepared to ride long and hard, through beautiful hills, mountains, meadows and streams. This will be both an unforgettable and demanding experience.

$1000 for the week.  Horse and people boarding are available for an additional expense. Deposit and registration form required.  Please contact Denice Thurston at dthurs@yahoo.com or (206) 276-7668 for more information.

Hope everyone is doing well!

Jon, Kade, Denice and Dave

HORSE SAFETY: WORKING ON THE GROUND

Did you know that most people are injured by horses not while mounted, but on the ground?  Or that most of these injuries are caused by gentle horses instead of known-to-be-difficult ones? 

Most people are hurt when horses respond from fear, rather than malice or anger, so desensitizing horses to as many potentially frightening stimuli as possible is very important. We must also- whether we are a casual rider, novice owner, or seasoned professional- work around horses in a way to minimize intimidation and provocation of fearful reactions.

There are two places we can place ourselves physically in order to be safe from injury from a horse. One is very far away, the other is very close. Think about it: If a horse bucks with us while we’re in the saddle, we don’t get hurt. We get hurt if we leave the saddle. When we work with horses, we want to be close to the horse. Grooming, saddling, bridling, cleaning feet, or treating the horse should all be done while maintaining close body contact. Even a small horse is stronger than we are. They can also move faster, a quality necessary for survival in the wild.

Those of you who are engineers and architects will understand Dr. Miller's "Three Points of Contact” concept. Three points of contact form a triangle; a geometrically stable form.  When working with horses, always try to keep three or more points of contact.  Many people work at arm’s length cleaning feet, taking a horse’s temperature, haltering, or grooming, sometimes to prevent soiling their clothes. It also makes them feel safer, but it’s not. If you’re at arm’s length, you’re within a horse’s kicking range.

Press your body against the horse, so you can feel him, and he can feel you. With your hip, hands, arms, elbows, and shoulders, keep at least three points of contact with the animal. It reassures him, because he worries about what you are doing, and can only see you with the peripheral vision of one eye (an attribute of all prey animals- predators have vision that allows them to look ahead in order to spot prey). 

Close contact also provides you with stability. As a vet, Dr. Miller wants close contact when he is injecting or palpating, doing dentistry or treating an eye. The same principle applies to you for everyday activities such as grooming, foot care, saddling, or worming. Always remember these key points when working with a horse on the ground:        

Winter is just around the corner; click here to watch a clip from Dr. Miller’s Safer Horsemanship DVD on desensitizing your horse to a rain slicker or jacket

To order DVD, click here.

NEWS FLASH!!!Videos and Books will now be available on the Light Hands Horsemanship website. You can now order popular books or videos from www.lighthandshorsemanship.com. Be sure to check the websites of our guest clinicians for more information on their books and videos.

Article #1

COLT STARTING
What Can You Expect in Sixty Days?

This is the time of year when all the colts and fillies are turning two and three. Have you considered when and where you are going to enroll your “youngster” in school?  Many years ago Robert Fulghum wrote a book entitled, “All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten” which became an instant classic. His theory was that the early education of a child is really the foundation of life skills that everything else is built upon. Regardless of your equine discipline, the foundation your colt receives will determine how well they perform, once in advanced training.

Starting horses has almost become a lost art. There are many fine horsemen who train and show horses successfully, yet starting the young horse has become just a necessary evil that must be dealt with prior to the “real” training process. Often this job is relegated to a less experienced assistant or the colt is sent away for a “Horse Breaker” to remove the bucks. If gold buckles were awarded for colt starting, perhaps more attention and care would be administered to the process.

Let’s suppose your colt has been with a reputable trainer for a few weeks. It’s probably time to visit, watch your colt work, and get your trainer's evaluation of his progress. There are some basic maneuvers that the trainer should be able to demonstrate with your horse. Whether you would be able to accomplish these things depends totally on your experience and horsemanship skills. Young horses demand a great deal of direction and support. If your colt does not feel leadership coming from you, you will not get the smooth responses you witnessed with your trainer riding him.

It’s important to know what your trainer's policy is in regard to getting both you and your horse together.  If your colt will be continuing his education with another trainer this is not as important. However, if you are planning to take this horse home, to ride yourself, it would be valuable to spend time with your horse and trainer before leaving his facility.

• Is your trainer willing to spend this time with you?
• Will he or she demonstrate how the colt responds in different situations?
• When the trainer feels the colt is safe enough, will you be given some lessons with your colt, helping the two of you get together?
• Are these lessons included in the monthly training price, or is there an additional fee? 
• You’ll want precise answers to these questions in advance.

Generally speaking, green horses and green riders are not a very good combination for success. I recommend that experienced riders should handle green horses, and experienced horses are better suited for green riders.

The following is a realistic list of expectations for a sixty day training program.

Your Colt Should:

• Lead and follow respectfully. 
• Be able to be tied and stand tied.
• Be able to pick up all four feet well enough to be trimmed or shod.
• Readily enter and exit a horse trailer. 
• Be able to be saddled without a fight, and bridled without being evasive or pulling away.
• Be able to be lunged both directions and standstill for mounting.
• Be ridden at the walk, trot, and canter in both directions.  Transitions through these gaits should be fairly smooth.
• Be able to stop and back up.
• Be learning to yield away from leg pressure for lateral movement.
• Be able to be ridden outside as well as inside the confines of an arena.

Allow me to stress that I am talking about the majority of horses, most of the time. I recognize that each horse is an individual and there are exceptions to every rule. Some colts will progress faster. Others will need more time. Some colts are naturally quiet and gentle while others are sensitive and high strung. Yet there are some basic principles that most colts should understand at the end of a sixty day foundation.

Finding a trainer who understands young horses and enjoys working with them is the key to success. Do not discount this essential time in their development. Build a proper foundation and it will last a lifetime!

Article #2

I recently walked by a building site which had a picture posted of the projected edifice. As I observed the large mounds of dirt, ditches, culverts, and pipelines, I couldn’t imagine how this chaotic scene would one day resemble the architect’s picture. Yet, experience tells me that it will all come together as envisioned. One step at a time!

I’ve felt the same way when I’ve stepped into the round pen with a new two or three year old colt to start. How will this thousand pounds of skittish, spooky, and wild horse power ever develop into a gentle, willing, and compliant equine partner? Now that I’ve been through this transformation hundreds, if not thousands, of times, I know the answer. One step at a time!

Step one: I need to get their attention. Pressure and Release; I’ll move my colt around the round pen at the trot and lope in both directions. When it’s my idea, I’ll release the pressure and see if the colt will stop and look at me. This is where I establish leadership.

Step two: Dancing Partners; Can I direct his feet on the end of a lead rope? Can I send him left and right in a twenty foot circle? Will he back away when I wiggle the lead? Can I disengage his hind quarters with his inside foot crossing over his outside foot? I need to control his feet. I must be able to direct his movement while handling him on the ground.

Step three: Desensitize; All of my body movement and all of my equipment can easily be seen as a threat to my colt. I need to desensitize him to these things. That means putting my hands all over my colt’s body. I’ll begin to rub with rhythm. This rhythm is critical. The consistency and rhythm we bring in our body language is vital in helping the colt get comfortable and accepting. I’ll swing the end of my lead rope over his back a number of times. I’m careful not to let the end spank him on the other side and I’ll do it all with rhythm.

Now my body. Can I hop up on both sides of my colt? I’ll lay over my colts back and continue rubbing. What if he starts to move away? I’ll simply tip his nose to me and disengage his hindquarters. Now I’ll start again. No, this exercise is not for the inexperienced couch potato! If you’re going to be a colt starter you’d better be mentally and physically up to the challenge.

Step four: Saddling; How can I prepare my colt for this experience? I will often place the lead rope around my colt’s girth, snug it up with my hand, and ask the colt to move his feet. These are little things that will help my colt grasp the “big picture.” Now I’ll rub the saddle pad all over his body as I have previously executed with my hands, rope, and body. Again, everything should be administered on both sides. Next, I’ll set the saddle on his back. This is where you need to have feel, timing, and balance. A colt might spook and your saddle can end up on the ground pretty quick. Now you have a leery colt who is convinced that he shouldn’t have that “dead cow” strapped to his back. I smoothly snug up my cinches. Most of my colts will hump up and buck a little (or a lot) when first saddled. That’s O.K. A puppy would do the same thing if you tied a ribbon to his tail. If the saddle or ribbon stays on, they’ll soon get comfortable and ignore it.

Now this article is not intended to be a comprehensive “how to” manual for you to follow. I’ve simply described the steps (in very general and abbreviated terms) I take in preparing my colts for their first ride.

Sometimes I’ll accomplish all of this in thirty minutes. With other colts it might take days. This is not a speed event. Like the old horseman said, “Take the time it takes and it will take less time!”

It’s a lot for them to digest and we’ve a long way to go. Yet, we’ll get there, “One step at a time!”

Next month – Mounting Up and Riding Off
 

Last month, I discussed the preparation necessary before you climb aboard your colt for the first time. Before mounting, I need to have my colt comfortable wearing the saddle and moving out through the full range of motion with it on.

Free lunging in the round pen is great preparation. You could also pony your colt off of another horse, or turn him loose in a larger pen or arena and move him around. Just remember, the saddle feels different at the walk, trot, and lope. Your colt needs to experience these transitions multiple times before mounting.

I ride my colts two or three times in a halter and lead initially. Then I transition into a snaffle bit. In these first few rides I really don’t care where they go and I’m not trying to steer them very much. Also, if my colt gets scared and starts to buck, I don’t want to pull back on the reins and a bit in an effort to survive the wreck. This would probably scare my colt even more.

Before climbing all the way on, I’ll step up half way, rub my colt on his neck and rump and then step down. I’ll do this on both sides (left and right). Now I’ll step half way up, tip his nose toward me, chirp or cluck and encourage this colt to step his hind quarters over. I want my colt to realize he can move his feet with me on top. I’m also teaching him the concept of lateral flexion (with his head and neck) and disengagement of the hind quarters. This will be a good “emergency brake” if things start to fall apart; I’ll do this multiple times on both sides. I’m preparing my colt for what I’ll do when I’m all the way up. Once in the saddle I’ll encourage my colt to take one or two forward steps directly after moving his hindquarters out of the way. This is my goal at this stage of the game, forward momentum.

When people think of riding a colt for the first time, they’re concerned about how they will be able to control and stop the colt. My biggest concern is; how can I get him to move. I need forward impulsion and I need to start getting it right away. That’s where an assistant in the pen can really be helpful. Not just anyone will do. Don’t ask uncle Charlie to come help just because he’s available yet doesn’t know anything about young horses. Uncle Charlie might end up getting you killed! You’ll need someone who can free lunge you and your colt safely.

As my helper is moving the colt around the pen, I’ll try to rub my colt all over and get him really comfortable with the whole experience. Remember the full range of motion concept? The quicker my colt learns to walk, trot, and lope with me on his back, the less of a big deal it will be.

The biggest confusion that riders face with their colts is the idea of pushing on the brake and the gas peddle at the same time. If you try to steer and guide them too much at this early stage, you’ll hinder the colt’s ability to get comfortable moving forward. I tell my students, “I don’t care where they go. I just need them to go!” If you start “micro-managing” and trying to direct your colt too much too soon, you’ll run into problems and probably create confusion and a bad attitude in your colt. Following someone on a saddle horse can be a big help once you leave the round pen. Horses are natural followers. You’ll be surprised how your colt will move forward and “line out” when he has someone else to follow. This technique can become a crutch if over used. Your colt needs to venture out on his own flight path before long.

During these early rides you’ll not see me pulling back on both reins at the same time to either slow down or stop my colt. Using one rein at a time and doing a lot of bending exercises will help create suppleness and not allow my colt to get bracy and still. I’m also careful to not use too much leg early on. A lot of squeezing and kicking can create a cranky, sullen colt with pinned back ears and a ringing tail. Rather, I’ll slap my leg or spank behind to encourage forward motion. I’ll create some kind of energy with my voice and body and then get soft when my colt moves forward.

As I mentioned last month, these few paragraphs are not meant to be comprehensive and complete. This is simply a small window into the colt starting process that I follow. If you are up to the challenge of colt starting, great! If not, find a competent trainer to lay a proper foundation on your youngster. It will be a relatively small investment in the twenty plus year relationship you can enjoy with your equine partner.

Please visit Richard's website for videos
www.wintersranch.com

One of the highlights of my year is emceeing the Light Hands Horsemanship Clinic each May in Santa Ynez, California. It’s always a learning experience for me and it renews my dedication to being light with my horse. Now, I’ll admit right up front that I’m just a pup in all this compared to the great horsemen who teach at Light Hands. But I’m learning, and I can tell my horse is grateful for the effort.

What is so good about being light in how you cue your horse? Well, it’s more humane, for one thing and that means it’s more worthy of a human being. It’s also more just in the sense of being fairer to the horse, allowing him to respond to the smallest amount of pressure possible. But here’s the real kicker: it works better! I’ve been experimenting with this, being as light as I can with the reins and legs. It means being really tuned in to the horse because the response may be just as light as the cue. But when you feel that and reward it and are able to build on it, well that’s one of life’s really special moments.

The other thing about getting light in the hands is that it requires you to be light throughout your whole body, even your mind. For us humans, the hands are so special. I mean, think of what is done with the hands. Everything from a piano concerto to brain surgery. The eyes may be windows to the soul but the hands are hardwired to the heart. You can’t be impatient or angry or aggressive and still have light hands. Conversely, when you consciously and deliberately lighten your hands, your heart, your entire being must follow. It has no choice. Exquisite prey animals that they are, horses respond to that.

So here’s my parting suggestion, which can be applied with horses and with people: the next time you are inclined to turn up the pressure, first try turning it down. You just might be surprised at the result.

Rick Lamb
www.TheHorseShow.com

Road to the Horse

Eitan will be judging the World Colt Starting Championship, Road to the Horse in Murfreesboro, TN. This event will take place March 6-7, 2010. If you have not been to this event it on your “must do” list.  It has a great deal of horsemanship education and edge of your seat entertainment all in one… and yes, there is incredible shopping too!  Visit www.roadtothehorse.com. Tickets sell out so get yours now!

World Equestrian Games

Eitan and Santa Fe Renegade will be doing clinics and entertainment a the World Equestrian Games, Kentucky Horse Park, Equine Village Sept. 27- Oct 8, 2010. Visit www.worldequestriangames.com / www.alltechfeigames.com

Light Hands Horsemanship 2010

Light Hands Horsemanship 2010 promises to be the best yet! Don’t miss out. Register early and save. Richard Winters, Jack Brainard and Rick Lamb as guest clinicians. Visit www.lighthandshorsemanship.com.

Light Hands Horsemanship has the opportunity to go to PA in Sept of 2011. Please let us know if you would be interested in attending. Email: eitan@foothill.net

We are on our way home from Las Vegas, Nevada, the 10th round of the National Finals Rodeo will be held tonight. Somehow they’ll have to determine who the new World Champions are without our presence. Cheryl and I had a great time meeting with the Light Hand’s Horsemanship Team for a planning session for the 2010 event.

Now, I am more excited than ever about being a guest clinician at this 5 Star gathering. Jon Ensign and I worked out the details of how we will share the stage at Light Hand’s Horsemanship. Between the two of us we’ll attempt to fill in the gaps and show the progression of starting a young horse under saddle all the way through the expectations of 60 to 90 days training. Jon’s a great horseman and I’m looking forward to working with him this next spring.

Cheryl and I wore out a lot of boot leather while walking through the vast shopping area of Cowboy Christmas. We were proud of our self-restraint - we spent a grand total of $20 to have my hat reshaped. I suppose we really didn’t do our fair share in helping the economy.

We are enjoying a few weeks at home during this Christmas season and from our home to yours we wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and God Bless!

Sincerely,

Richard and Cheryl Winters

By clicking on this link, you will be taken to
Video interview with Dr. Robert M. Miller brought to you by
Rick Lamb & The Horse Show on RFD-TV