Getting Connected

I just received my Paint Horse Connection in the mail today and of course, I have to change the address on the label.

Isn't it a lot of work to move.... Gosh!

What I am happy to say is that I now have Internet connection at home! Wahoo!

Here's a picture of my barn and one of my round pens.

More pictures to come!

Reinersue

©Copyright KISS Reiners

Making the RIGHT Thing Easy and the WRONG Thing Difficult

Larry Trocha just sent an interesting article on motivating horses. It's a variation to the saying: "Make the RIGHT Thing Easy And the WRONG Thing Difficult" as Clinton Anderson would say. Ray Hunt has a very similar expression as well. All the great horsemanship trainers do.... (I imagine :)

Here's part of the article:

"During this conversation, Mr. X jokingly said, "Do you know how to absolutely get ANY horse to load in a trailer so fast he'll run over the top of you to get in?

Just so I could hear what he had to say, I replied, "No... how"?

 

Here was Mr. X's answer:

"Put the horse in a small corral with tall fences so he can't jump out. Back the trailer up to the corral gate and open the door. Then, drop a MOUNTAIN LION into the corral".

 

Now, in reality, Mr. X wasn't simply joking. He was making a point.

 

He was trying to illustrate that if a horse had to make the choice between facing something really unpleasant (the mountain lion) or jumping into a horse trailer, the horse would choose the trailer every single time. It's the same with crossing water.

No matter how much a horse hates water, he'd jump right in if he thought it'd save him from a mountain lion.

 

What I'm talking about here is... INCENTIVE and MOTIVATION.

 

If the motivation is great enough, horses (as well as people) will do just about anything. Lucky for us, it doesn't take much motivation to get a horse to do what we want.

All we really have to do is make the WRONG thing UNCOMFORTABLE for the horse.

PLUS, make the RIGHT thing, comfortable.

 

Yes, it really is that simple.

 

Good horse training boils down to PRESSURE and the RELEASE of pressure.

Of course, the trick is knowing what kind of pressure to apply and how to apply it.

 

Even more important is... timing the RELEASE.

You have to release the pressure the INSTANT the horse even THINKS about doing the right thing.

If you don't, the horse won't understand what you want. Unfortunately, most riders don't.

They miss the timing and then wonder why the horse isn't responding correctly.

 

I should also add... the "release" will be even more effective if REINFORCED with a soothing word or reassuring touch from the rider."

 

This is definitely a philosophy and training method that I use constantly. Once you get into this habit and act this way by habit, it makes horse training and riding SO much easier!

 

Something to think about..... humm...

 

Questions and comments are always welcome.
Reinersue
©Copyright KISS Reiners

Side Pull - a Halter or Bridle

So Many Uses
The sidepull has been around for many years. (Photo on left courtesy of Buckaroo Leather & Photo on right courtesy About.com)
It looks more like a bitless bridle but has been used as a halter in many cases. A great versatility tool. (Gotta like em! :)

Buckaroo Leather has a great description of sidepull and their use.

As a trainer I like to use it as a pre-bit or pre-bridle headstall. I like to introduce the horse to the idea of flexing laterally and feeling reins pulling the side of their face without the feel of a bit. (That comes next.)

I also like to use it first when I'm retraining a horse that has not been ridden for a long, long time. Reintroduces the 'bridle feel' nicely and the movement of the reins as well. As soon as the horse starts to get too dull or will respond very badly to the reins... then it's time for a bit. (Want to keep my hands light...... :)

There are so many uses that I can't think of them all right now. I will have to update this web page from time to time as I think of other uses. :)

Anyone out there have some nifty uses for the sidepull?

I've seen it used on a team penning horse that would not carry a bit in any circumstances. That's another point... When a horse can't carry a bit for whatever reason... this is a good option. I also like the bitless S bit. I will talk about that sometime shortly.

The sidepull is great for situations where you don't need to use a bit/bridle. So for competition horses, the horse must be further trained to carry a bit/bridle.

I believe it's a must in all rider's tack box!

Questions and comments are always welcome.
Reinersue
©copyright KISS Reiners

Easy Stop - Special Training Equipment

Stopping Made Easy
In keeping with the series of articles on speciality training equipment, Larry Trocha has a good explanation and use of the Easy Stop. That is where I first heard of it myself. (Photo on right courtesy Larry Trocha).

Here is Larry's description on the Easy Stop:
"Using this “Easy Stop” is a great way to teach your horse to really stop, without getting into his mouth.
If you are training reining, cutting or working cow horses, the Easy Stop can greatly improve your horse's performance.
When used correctly, this piece of training equipment will produce good results in a very short period of time.
Many horses will improve significantly within just a few rides."

My Experience With The Easy Stop
Now that I was convinced that some 'gimmicks' can actually be used well as training tools and not just a crutch.... I decided to try the Easy Stop on my reining mare to improve her stopping.

I have very light, small hands.... the size of a small teenager.... so the Easy Stop was great for me to teach my mare to really stop without having to really pull on her face. Or change to a more severe bit.

I wanted to communicate with her the idea of stopping better without causing any problems in her mouth or training session.

In other words, I wanted to make communication easier.

And it worked! I really liked the results. :)

I would recommend this for anyone who has an event that requires a good, quick stop.

Next article I will talk about the sidepull and it's uses.

And I'm hoping to have internet connection at home soon! Thanks everyone for being patient.

Questions and comments are always welcome.
If you have any questions about speciality equipment, please contact me.
Reinersue
©Copyright KISS Reiners

A New Kind of Whip - Special Training Equipment

Rick Lamb just sent me an interesting article about an Endo-stick (designed and used by J.P. Giacomini). Here's the information:

"Tapping a Horse
Modern horsemanship has brought with it some new applications for traditional tools like the whip.
Just the name conjures up images of brutality. But even in days past, the whip wasn't always used to inflict pain upon a horse; it could also be a more subtle communication device. French trainer J.P. Giacomini.

"Touch somebody with a whip with any kind of energy, it's sharp. It stings. And if it stings it gives adrenaline. Somebody comes behind you by surprise and gives you two or three little friendly taps, you're not going turn around ready to punch them. You're going to say, 'Oh. Who is that? What do you want?' The horse does the same thing."

J.P. uses a device he has named the Endo-Stick, which has a handle like a whip, but a foam rubber ball instead of a lash on the end. He rhythmically taps the horse with his Endo-Stick to calm the horse and put it in a learning frame of mind."

I found it very interesting. Has anyone used this?

I'm all for better training tools!
Reinersue
©Copyright KISS Reiners

Headsetter - Special Training Equipment

Trendsetter or Headsetter?
Unlike the german martingale, I use the headsetter only on occasion. I don't use it as much as the german martingale because it has a more specific use. (photo courtesy Larry Trocha)
Here's is Larry Trocha's information on the headsetter:
"Many trainers use this piece of equipment to teach their horse good head position while stopping, rolling back, working cattle etc. Especially useful when the horse is in the process of learning to work in a curb bit.

It’s designed to help lower the horse's poll. When used properly, the Headsetter encourages the horse to work with a low head and level top-line.

Unlike a tie-down, this Headsetter works mainly on the horse's poll. A horse can comfortably carry his head in a "natural" position."

Advanced Skills

I used it on my reining mare when I was working on advancing her stops and spins. I was getting her ready for showing and I wanted to really concentrate on her maneuvers and not have to think about her head position. Of course, it's very important so I used the headsetter.

 

Training Tool Not For Regular Use

You can tell that it's definitely a training tool and not a regular piece of equipment like a running martingale or tie down. I want my mare to be able to do the advanced maneuvers without the headsetter of course.

It also reinforces where I want her head position to be during all maneuvers so it keeps things consistent for my mare. It makes it easy for my horse to know where to keep their head during all training.

 

It can be a bit much sometimes for a horse to be constantly corrected for a proper headset at the same time as learning the advanced maneuvers. For a trainer too! :)

The horse can all too easily start to raise their head in anticipation or stress of learning more advanced skills so it's easy to keep things in position.

 

Other Uses

I can see people who normally use a tie down to try the headsetter. It looks very much like a tie down only the noseband will slip and act similar to a gag bit in the idea that the noseband will slip on the horse's face.

Next article I will touch on the 'easy stop'. It is for working on a 'stop' on a horse. I will then go back and talk about more generalized, basic specialty equipment that everyone can use like the sidepull.
Questions and comments are always welcome.
If you have any questions about any speciality equipment, please contact me.Reinersue
©Copyright KISS Reiners

German Martingale -Special Training Equipment

A Tool vs. A Crutch

A trainer sometimes needs or can use equipment that will make their job easier when it comes to training horses. It can also make it easier for a rider to cue a horse while they are learning. 
I believe in using speciality equipment like the German martingale or any other piece of speciality equipment as long as it makes it easier for the horse to understand what it is you want them to learn.

That is a tool to me. (see photo on right of german martingale supplied by Larry Trocha. I highly recommend it.)
When the speciality equipment is left on too long to the point where the trainer or the rider becomes dependent on it for the horse to do something then it's a crutch. So, for example, when a rider or trainer were to leave something like a running martingale on all the time... the horse and rider get used to it being on and it becomes part of the rider or trainer's standard equipment. It's no longer special or for special use. It's becomes part of the bridle (in this case).
And riders/trainers cannot ride without it. Not a good idea, in my opinion. 

A Lack of Training
I see quite a few riders who always ride with a running martingale to keep the horses head down, for example. I believe this is either because they don't know how to train their horse to keep their head down and/or they don't want to send their horse to a trainer to get that remedied.

It can also be a status thing as well. Some events have a standard 'look and feel' and some equipment is used that way. A tie-down is used a lot in rope horses and barrel horses for example. There are many other examples.

Some Examples On Using the German Martingale
Training Young Horses
I use the german martingale after a horse is familiar with basic steering & collection and I am ready to start to teach the horse how to set their head (ie. break at the poll) and use collection with other lessons.
I also use it anytime I am working on something complex like the spin or lead changes or anything where I have to really concentrate on leg, seat and other cues and need my hands for other things. I don't want to have to think about collecting the horse, getting them to flex at the poll and...... everything else all at the same time. I can do that when they are familiar with the more advanced skills and I can remove the martingale.

The Key
The german martingale will set the horse's head where you want them to learn to keep it while you are teaching other things.
It also teaches the horse where to position their head at the start and during the new skill I am teaching them. It makes it easier for them to learn the new skill when the martingale shows them where to position their head.
Retraining Other Horses
I also use the german martingale when I have a horse in for a retraining of the basics and the horse either doesn't know how to break at the poll and collect and/or is always riding with their head up in the air..... 'watching the faeries' (as Clinton Anderson would say! :)

If I am teaching anything and the horse is really evading or resisting than I will use the martingale to help me with removing resistance (ie. the head always being in the air).

Helping Students
I also have students use the german martingale when they are having trouble with their horse resisting and the student is unable to learn something and try to get the horse to keep their head down as well. It's easier for the student to use the german martingale to position the horse's head while they are working on other things.

Again, it's not a crutch so when the student is able to remove the resistance before, during and after the lesson being taught.... the martingale will come off.
So the german martingale makes is easy for the horse to understand where we want them to keep their head (ie. break at the poll) when we are riding them and doing all these great things!
Please read Larry Trocha's information on the german martingale. He highly praises it.
Next few articles I will talk about other specialty equipment that I use.
Questions and comments are always welcome.
If you have any questions on the german martingale, please contact me. I've used it for many years.
Reinersue
©Copyright KISS Reiners

New & Improved

Hello everyone! Well I made it! I'm in my new place.

The horses were moved on Sat. My round pens and riding pen were moved Sunday. I still have a lot to setup still but at least it's all moved.

GOSH! It's a lot of work. I didn't know painting the whole house would be so much work.
A special thanks to all my dear friends and students who came and helped me to move.

I hope to be fully functional by June. I am doing lessons etc... but training can't start till June.

I won't have internet connection until the end of May so I'm writing this from the public library. What a great idea for the library to have computers available.

Upward & onward!
Reinersue