Category: Horse Training Tips

In this category you will find all kinds of horse training and riding tips. This is a great category for amateurs to follow to learn how to improve their riding and their training of their own horses.

Horse Training Tips, Training

How to find a horse trainer near me

aliciaharper

I am sure as a horse owner its a daunting task to try and decipher trainer would be a good fit for you and your equine partner in your local area.

In my opinion, there are first a few questions you have to ask yourself.

Is the horse currently broke or will the horse need to be started?

A horse that is not broke will need to be started first. I recommend finding a good quality colt starter for that part of the job. The type of trainer that is needed to start a horse is a trainer who regularly starts horses. Keep in mind that the trainer that starts a horse may not be the trainer the progresses the horse to the next level.

What discipline do you expect the horse to be trained in?

Horses can be started in either discipline and then change over but I doubt you want to send your reining prospect to dressage trainer. The first 30 days are pretty flexible. Horses don’t seem to care if they are started English or Western but as you progress you should think about which discipline you would like to participate in. As the training progresses you will want a trainer that trains horses specific to your discipline. As an example a reining trainer will use a loose rein but a dressage trainer will not have loops in their reins.

Would you like to participate in the training?

While many trainers don’t usually let you participate in the training, if that is something that you require with enough searching you could probably find a trainer who would. A more realistic approach I think might be to have lessons with that same trainer on your horse or theirs during the length your horse is in training. I find the best way is for trainer to not have the owner there every day as then the trainer will end up explaining everything and just won’t get enough done during training . Instead have the trainer send you short little video clips once a week or every two weeks to show the horses progress.

What training methodology do you follow?

A trainers training methodology is really the core of their training program. Its important that their core values about training and yours are the same if you want to have a successful relationship with your horse. Its even more important if you are sending your horse away to a trainer and won’t be riding the horse until he/she is done at the trainers.

What level of trainer do you need?

It’s true that some good trainers haven’t ridden at the top levels—just like in any other sport. Swimming coaches, for example, aren’t always Olympic gold medalists. That said, you should definitely think about a potential trainer’s experience and how it matches up with yours. 

If you want to ride at the top level in your discipline, you will need a trainer who has experience in competition at that level. If you want to bring on a young horse to be a pleasure horse, you’ll want a trainer who has experience with young horses and turning them into a pleasure horse.

Look for a trainer with experience in what you want to do.

What is your budget for getting your horse trained?

Though it’s every dream to not be worried about money, but that is not always the case. Training is usually something that you pay for what you get. Trainers who work full time at training horses probably have the overhead of an indoor riding arena, tractors and horse trailers. Experienced trainers know that horses who are working full time need quality forage and quality forage does not come cheap.

If you ask yourself these questions as you look at options for a potential trainer, I think you will find a good match.

Horse Training Tips

3 Quick Changes to Improving Your Jumping Position

aliciaharper

The biggest problems I see in the over fences position of riders is folding and looking down. As soon as a rider looks down the eyes and shoulders drop and the lower leg comes back and puts the rider off balance.

Three things to remember when heading to the fence. I call it my Tall, Taller, Tallest exercise. If you have listened to my videos or when I am coaching you will remember me saying, the last 3 strides before the fence belongs to the horse. In those 3 strides I want you to say to yourself, Tall, Taller and Tallest. Now if you are thinking of that what will happen is you will start stretching up and the more you thinking of this the less you will think of folding over the jump. Envision your upper body staying in the same position as it in your rising trot. That’s the first thing.

Now the second thing is focus on a tangent point (a point of focus), it could be a a dot on the wall, a tree ahead of you whatever it is make sure it is in a position that you need to look up for and as you head to the jump STARE at it as you approach, go over and land the jump.

The third thing is to think about making your point of balance lower how you need to drop your heels and bring yourself as close to the horses’ back as you can with your seat without actually sitting on your saddle. What I do is I think about wrapping myself around the horse with my lower body as I approach the jump. Something else that works for many of my student is just thinking there is a large weight hanging off their heels so that they stay down and create a great base of support.

Now try these three things when heading to your next fence and let me know how it works for you. Feel free to leave a comment or send me an email.

 

 

Horse Training Tips, News

Limited time FREE Training Consultation

aliciaharper

problem horse issue fixedIf you are having an issue with your horse and think some training might be beneficial, contact us for a free consultation on a program for your horse.  Consultations include 30 mins of a phone consultation or a consultation at your location. Consultations include discussions on what issues you are having with your horse and possibly demonstrating the issues. Depending on the issue some suggestions can be provided on how to move forward with your horse. Those suggestions may include simply watching a video on how to correct the issue or many other things. Follow up email and mini training plan can be included.

 

Contact us today to book your consultation at not cost to you

 

 

fear and nervous rider in horse back riding
Article, Coaching, Horse Training Tips

Overcoming Fear in Riding

aliciaharper

As I have recently, been dealing with this myself – I thought it a good topic for the blog this week.  Overcoming fear in riding.

Fear is a feeling I would say the majority of amateurs have. I’m not so sure about the professional riders but like any other humans, I’m sure they do. I do. Not only is there fear of falling but there is fear of failing.

In this post –  let’s tackle the fear of falling. As we get older the fear generally becomes greater. As adults we worry if we get hurt who will go to work and make money for our family, who will pick up the kids, do the dishes etc. To be honest, its real. Getting hurt is a real fear, especially with horses. They are fight or flight animals in other words, prey. Their answer to anything that seems odd is to run (spook in rider’s terms). If a horse spooks and catches you off guard – there is a good chance you are hitting the ground.

The fear can effect our riding in many ways. It may make us more tense our body and thus setting the horse on edge as well. Which certainly won’t made the situation any better.  Let’s get to the nitty gritty though. How is it possible to conquer it?

The truth be told, I’m not sure it is always possible to conquer it. However, I think its definitely possible for everyone to manage it. First, let’s outline that everyone’s fear is different so more extreme and some less extreme.

The Steps to Overcoming Fear in Horse Back Riding

The first step, once you have admitted it,  is to discuss it with your coach. Your coach has a unique view on this as she/he sees how many riders deal with their fear and how it has worked out for them. To be honest, I had one student so nervous she went to the Doctor and he prescribed something. Now, this particular rider felt this way in every day life but her want to ride was so great that she went the extra mile. Note that I am not advocating drugs to conquer your fear of riding but I am advocating speaking to professionals about. That professional could be your coach, your Doctor, your psychologist, whoever you have in your support circle.

In discussion with your coach, discuss what the proper way of falling is. Here at our farm once a year we have a lesson on falling. Where we educate riders in the proper technique to try and fall that way when they know they are falling. It also gives you a bit of confidence that its possible to fall and not get hurt. You certainly don’t hurt yourself every time you fall. Hell, I’ve been falling for decades and the only thing I have done is pull a ligament. Riders then get to practice proper falling technique off the horse. It’s usually a good week for laughs.

The third step is to lower your expectations for each lesson and plan to push yourself just a little bit each lesson. Rome wasn’t built in a day and riders certainly aren’t. Push yourself, discuss with your riding coach this plan, just a little bit. Put yourself just slightly out of your comfort zone and once you have accomplished that, go back to something that isn’t scary. Think of it like building a tower using Lego, each week you will add a new leg but also add a few more blocks on the same level to create stability.

The last step is KEEP TRYING! It won’t be easy but only those who persevere will push through it.

Alicia Harper Horse Trainer for Over Fences
Article, Horse Training Tips

How much does it cost to have my horse trained?

aliciaharper

This too is also a common question. Horses are usually taken in on training on a monthly basis. A monthly rate is usually advertised by a trainer and is dependent on a number of factors including:

  • the qualifications of the trainer
  • the quality of the facility
  • the current market value
  • price of hay, sawdust, feed and land in your area

Our training here is offered for $1000 a month including board of the horse.

 

The amount of time it takes to train the horse varies based on another number of factors including:

  • current training level of the horse
  • level of horse expected
  • experience of the trainer
  • demeanor of the horse

As you can see there are a number of factors which can affect how much it could cost to get your horse trained. Generally speaking there are three instances we see horses come into training. That is to be broke to ride (the horse has never been ridden before), to address a problem in its training (it doesn’t want to pick up its canter lead) or for additional experience. The latter is usually when I see them, mostly because owners are looking to get their horse some experience in the show ring and/or over fences. Perhaps the horse has never jumped before.

 

Although I have seen them thru the entire process and some horses will remain in training for up to one year. Riders also can send them for 30 days, or until the issue is resolved. The best practice for a rider though is to work with the trainer to which you send the horse so you as a rider can follow the same program. Know that it is normal for an amateur rider to send a horse for training when an issue arises simply because trainers do this all day long, for many years. As a comparison – imagine trying to fix your truck yourself without help. For me its much to complicated – I just send it to a professional – there is no shame is asking for help.

 

 

does a horse have toes
Article, Horse Training Tips

A common question: Do horses have toes?

aliciaharper

The quick answer is no, they have hooves but the long answer is that horses actually did have three toes originally and over time, three changed into two and then two turned into one hoof and then a small toe up which grew up the leg through evolution.  Today that toe is called the chestnut as seen in the below picture.

 

does a horse have toes

Horse sales commision
Article, Horse Training Tips

Sales Commission Demystified

aliciaharper

First I have to say the horse sales industry is unregulated. Meaning there are no rules and no laws that outline the way in which people and businesses should operate in relation to sales of horses. Basically it’s a free for all, as long as it doesn’t break any other laws outside of horse sales. Trainers, agents and sellers can do whatever they want. In other industries there are laws that require the professionals involved to disclose conflicts of interest cases. Ie. The horse was previously owned by the agent.

In the sales market it is expected to pay 10-30% commission on a sale. This price is generally included in the sales price to the buyer and is then paid by the seller. BUT do not make the mistake of not asking when taking an agent or trainer with you to buy a horse. Ensure that you have outlined the expectations from you and what the agent expects from you. There are cases in which a buyer will pay commission to his or her agent. You are effectively asking an agent/coach/trainer to represent you and your best interests using their knowledge and experience in the horse industry.

Sometimes in these arrangements a number of people involved. A seller’s agent, a buyer’s agent, trainer and listing agent. Let’s break down what each of these people’s jobs should be. A seller’s agent or a sales agent should have the horses listed with them, bring people to see the horse, show the horse and should know quite a bit about the horse. The seller’s agent should/may also video the horse for the seller and take good photographs. This person’s ultimate job is to show and represent the horse to the best of their ability. They can also negotiate on behalf of the seller.

A trainer will usually represent the buyer. They are effectively the buyers coach. We use the word trainer but coach might be a more appropriate word.  Their job is to use the knowledge they know about the buyer to find a suitable match, negotiate terms of the agreement and price.

One thing that happens here in B.C. is we have both listing agents and sales agents. Its important to know the difference. A listing agent is simply that – they list the horse for sale on sales sites and send people to the seller or sellers agent. There are listing agents who ask for 10% on the sales price.

The best advice I can give someone looking for a horse is take an agent if you don’t have a coach with you or take your coach. Don’t expect them to do it for free but their experience and knowledge is invaluable to finding the right match. And lastly – buy the horse you need now not the horse you want to ride.

Alicia Harper

Sales Agent at Hylee Training

www.hyleetraining.com

what do i do if I cant afford lessons
Article, Coaching, Horse Training Tips

When a trainer isn’t an option

aliciaharper

As a rider, sometimes having a weekly lesson or a boarding at the trainer’s barn is not always an option. In this article, we are going to discuss what other avenues are out there to help continue your learning and keep your horse education moving forward. I must admit. I don’t have time to ride in a weekly lesson. I have a regular trainer who doesn’t even do jumping, coach me whenever she isn’t gallivanting around North America judging horse shows. If we are lucky I see her once a month. I believe education –simply said you should constantly be learning and challenging yourself if you plan on continuing to improve.

#1 Take a clinic

Clinicians have a way of pushing you because their job is to get results within the span of the clinic. They don’t generally get to know you enough to chit chat at the beginning of your lesson or consider some of your downfalls. They just get it done.

Recently, I was lucky to be able to attend the Lucinda Greene clinic here in Maple Ridge. I was riding horse who I had ridden once before the clinic and wasn’t exactly what I would say experienced over fences but was talented. Lucinda wasn’t gentle about what our downfalls were but her great ability to tell us when we sucked without saying it. She also had us do ditches, angles I had never done again, in Hunterland and she challenged us riders. She gave me information, exercises, and the guts to get my students to also do those things. I had material for 3 weeks for our more advanced riders in our program to keep challenging them.

 

#2 Try a new discipline

If you are in a remote area or don’t have time for weekly lessons trying signing up for a clinic even if its in a different discipline, then you are currently participating in. Different disciplines have a way of making changes in yourself and your horse by pushing you out of your comfort zone. A few months ago I wasn’t really sure where I wanted to go with my riding so I tried a few different disciplines. One of them was cattle penning. Yep me the hunter rider in a western saddle and the only one with a helmet on. I was very awkward in that group to say the least. But funny enough, I learned a different way to teach and explain the spin. Although we certainly aren’t teaching our horses to spin on the haunches in Hunterland we do need to control the shoulders and I found when I used this exercise the horses and riders seemed to understand it better than the method we had used in the past. I also learned that chasing a cow around was quite fun! And gave my students a break from jumping and for the next couple of weeks we spent our lessons sharping our skills while chasing cows (FYI I lost about 20 lbs being a pretend cow!)

#3 Go to a show without your horse

Yep head to the show! Watch riders in the warm up ring – with their trainers – listen and watch to see what they have them do in the warm up ring to prepare for their class. Watch riders at your own level and see what they are doing and what their coaches are saying to them. Then head to a higher level and see what those riders are doing. Park yourself where you can hear what the coaches are saying. Just last week I was out a local schooling show and I was warming my students up and one of coaches said something that just resonated with me to explain to my students or a different way to think about it.  I heard once a show someone say the difference between a good rider and a great rider is reaction time. The rider’s reaction to the horse’s movement. It could also me whether the rider gets over the fence or not. It’s not like I did realize that yes riders get better reaction time with practice but rather better results are achieved as the riders get quicker. It was mainly just a different way to think about and outlay it to my students.

 

The truth is I have 20 years of horse experience. I’ve broke hundreds of horses, ridden hundreds of horses and owned probably close to a hundred horses and every day in my life I am learning something new whether that is just talking to other horse professionals, auditing a clinic, watching a YouTube video, lunging a horse or listening to another coach. I am always looking for learning opportunities and they are everywhere so if I can keep finding them, then so can you.