Luna is here with me for training after being recently adopted from a rescue.
She has been ridden before, but we’re treating her like she hasn’t for a variety of reasons…
she was super unconfident with me on her back
she braced against pressure/traditional cues and would quickly get tense and inverted
she felt extremely weak and unbalanced which was a safety concern for both of us
One of my all-time favorite skills to teach to horses is body targets.
Body targets are an extension of the nose targeting that we usually start with when teaching our horses to target a target stick. Instead of the nose touching something, we’re now going to ask different body parts to touch the target. I usually use a raised hand with a flat palm as my “target” here, but you can use anything...
Read MoreI’ve been sitting on something BIG for a while….
And the time has finally come to say it out loud.
I’ve spent a lot of time asking myself - how can I help people at a distance while facilitating *real change* in my clients?
When I talk to you guys some big things come up over and over again…
You want to feel confident that you can pick up on subtle lamenesses, soreness, or unbalanced movement EARLY...
IT'S HERE! and IT'S FREE!
I've been getting lots of requests recently for virtual clicker support, and I've been telling you all to hold your horses because I have this great thing coming to get you started - and it's finally ready!
I've created an online course called Clicker Training 101 and it's absolutely 100% FREE.
Read MoreLearning to trim my own horses has been a real adventure. It’s simple and endlessly complex all at the same time.
Even in my PT program, we glossed over the feet because that was “farrier territory” - but I knew it was something I needed to understand more deeply in order to really help the horses in my care.
Read MoreIt’s been the month of stiff low backs so I figured it’s time for a little movement analysis before and after to help train your eyes!
This little mare is a really great example because of her dorsal stripe! It makes it really easy to see what’s going on.
Read MorePause or a moment and try something with me...
I want you to close your eyes, focus your mind on what you love about your horse, and take 10 deep breaths, then come back here.
What do you see?
Read MoreBig news! Two of my online courses are now approved by the National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure and Massage (NBCAAM) for continuing education hours!
The Kissing Spine Masterclass is approved for both skills and general hours
and
The Equine Dental Connection is approved for general hours
Read MoreI’ve heard it time and time again…
“That’s just their conformation”
“Once their back drops that’s just how it is”
“There’s nothing we can do”
I’ve heard it so many times that I started to believe it myself.
Read MoreI probably don’t say this enough…
But the truth is rehab is HARD.
Caregiver burden is real and it’s valid and it can destroy relationships if you don’t make sure to take care of yourself, too.
Your friends are going on a trail ride and you can’t go, so your social life suffers.
The changes are often small and slow, it’s hard to see and feel the progress to stay motivated.
Read More
