AboutDenise LaChapelle www.Laurelmountainfarms.com Expertise I am a student of the Horse. How to deal with "problems" and find SOLUTIONS with real QUALITY that RESPECT the HORSE is my goal for this site. It has been my great fortune to be able to focus the last 10 years studying the Buckaroo/Vaquero style of horsemanship, this is what the Natural Horsemanship movement is based on. Ray Hunt, Buck Brannaman, and Ricky Quinn are my teachers and mentors. I continue to study and ride with these great horsemen.
I am happy to offer help in starting colts, re-starting troubled horses, helping you find a "better way" with horses and sharing with you what it means to be a student of the horse. Western show disciplines; Showmanship, Trail, Horsemanship, Western Pleasure, as well as Hunter Under Saddle and Three Day Eventing are my passions. I enjoy sharing my 30+ years of experience with all levels of horse owners; children, amateurs and serious competitors. Please visit me at:
www.Laurelmountainfarms.com
Experience My Equine model to the left is my AQHA gelding and super pal, "Hip Chip". I have been fortunate to learn from some of the top horsemen in the nation over the past 30 years. It is now time to start giving back to those who truly love and appreciate the horse. Laurel Mountain Farms was founded with the purpose of sharing good horsemanship. I have had a broad range of experience from Three-Day-Eventing, to the western show disciplines. I understand the common thread of good horsemanship that runs through all types and styles of riding. My goal is to assist people in better understanding their horses as horses. To build an excellent foundation on which many different disciplines can continue to grow.
Organizations American Quarter Horse Association, USEA
Education/Credentials Learning good horsemanship is an oral tradition passed from master to student. At an early age I started riding with noted clinician Richard Sharake at Horsemanship West. Although I have ridden with many top flight trainers and instructors, Ray Hunt has been the most influential and has had the greatest impact on my horsemanship. To be a student of the horse and to in some small way pass along the gifts Ray has offered to me, is my greatest educational accomplishment.
Awards and Honors I have campaigned horses to many State and Regional titles. My horses and I have earned 14 AQHA High-Point All-Around titles, won multiple AQHA year end high point awards, and have qualified for the AQHA World Show.
Question QUESTION: Hello Denise,
My name is Ashley and I am a 17 year old from a tiny town in Washington State. I have been riding horses on and off since I was a little girl. I have been around them my entire life, and have a great respect for them. After countless hours of begging for a horse, my grandfather (who owns 7 horses, all unbroken) [don’t ask] Finally allowed me to get my favorite 9 year old AQHA Mare names Teakolina broken by a professional trainer.(Named Greg Bowman http://summitstables.homestead.com/ ) there is his website, so you can see the basis of how she was trained if you would like. Before her breaking, she had never been ridden, or broken to ride before in her life. I think this is why she is so headstrong, since we started her out at 9 that is. (Trust me, if it was my decision it would have been done WAY before that)
I have been riding her, slightly inconsistently, I must admit for about 3 years. And let me tell you we have worked through a number of problems. From disrespectful ground manners, to traffic fear, to neck reigning. All of which, I have worked through, using trial and error. She has learned to be able to trust me, and that she can no longer buck me off. Her ground manners are almost flawless, and you can do anything with her. She loads, and shoes like a dream. She’s even safe for children to be around (on the ground). And gives perfect “pony back rides” when I am leading her.
I’d also like to note, that about 60% of my horseback riding throughout my life, has been on her. Other times I would ride with friends, or on the beach, or sometimes our old mare in the hay field, but Teake was and still is the horse that I have been able to call my own.
I have found that I am not an expert, but more along the lines of an intermediate rider. So taking on the challenges of such a green inexperience horse has forced me to be able to problem solve, quickly, and with few errors. I took lessons when I was younger, but not for very long, and the only thing I can consciously remember is "Heels down, Toes up". I know a lot about horses however, and have read books on their psychology, and body language. Not only have I read the books, but I understand it, and observed it and am able to use that information daily. Everything I know about riding I have either taught myself, or a friend has shown me. Anyway that was a bit of background information for you.
My problem is that she’s naughty quite often when I am riding her. On a Normal day, she will give you a generally good ride, aside from a few "turn around" fits here and there. Some days though she’s almost unbearable to ride. She will refuse to yield for traffic, turn around an ungodly amount to times trying to run home, swerve in random directions, walk in to brush for no reason, and refuse to cross/ walk by common obstacles (such as bridges, or mailboxes) we have ridden by/over countless times.
Now I know all horses have good and bad days, and on her usual naughtiest day I am normally able to control her, basically with a little elbow grease and some circles. And an occasional swat here and there.
Recently however, I was riding her, and she was refusing to do circles for some reason. By circles I mean grabbing the inside reign and asking her to walk in a circle) [This was what her trainer instructed me to do, with a horse that is not cooperating] not trotting her or anything at all like that. Just a simple circle. She was rebelling by rearing. Normally I can handle this, as I have dealt with it a few other times, and I forced her to the ground, and calmly let her know that that was not appreciated by sending her in another circle. The second time she reared; She lunged forward afterward and rammed my head in to a tree branch. After this one, I was getting a little tired of the chaos, so I dismounted (which I know you ideally don't want to do, or so I've been told, but I felt it was safer for me) gave her a few swats, and made her go in a circle, with me on the ground.
After this incident she seemed fine. So I rode her for about a half hour just at a steady walk. When I thought she had calmed down enough to do another circle I tried again. I know this may sound stupid of me, but at the time, I was thinking that if I didn't check to see if she would do it(turn in a circle), she would forever give me problems when I tried to use this method of calming her down, since I felt she may have decided me getting off the last time it was a positive reaction to her naughty behavior. This time however, when I pulled her head and asked for the circle, she reared up and over on top of me so fast I had no time to get out of the way. As I write to you I am sitting on the couch with a knee injury, which I am unable to walk on. It is possible that it is a torn MCL that could require surgery. (Sorry I suppose that was irrelevant).
Also I would like to note, that we use a Bozel. The “Happy Horse” Bozel, that Greg Bowman has for sale on his website.
Anyway, needless to say, my parents (who hate horses), and grandparents (who still own the horse) do not want me to ride her again. After all the time and effort I’ve put in to her thus far though, I’d hate to have to give up on her, as I feel we have at least somewhat of a bond. If you can help me with this, it’d be greatly appreciated also… How can I explain to them, that she was not intentionally trying to hurt me, but rather rebelling like a child would when it throws a tantrum? I tried this but they do not understand.
So the main question is… What is a safe way that you can teach your horse not to rear using limited means? Meaning, we have no arena readily available to us, and I don't really have the money to seek the help from a professional trainer.
I have been asking around, and reading various magazine articles on the subject as I want to be very educated on it before I try anything.
Here are some suggestions I have received so far...
You can rule them in or out if you’d like :)
#1.) Try a bit. (Which I intend on doing unless you say otherwise, but I haven’t yet. A snaffle is what I would use.) I realize that this will take some time for her to get used to, and require ground work with the bit prior to riding.
#2.) Try a tie down.
I have heard that tie downs work wonders, and I have also heard that they are very bad for horses, and sometimes even CAUSE them to rear. So I need a professional opinion on that one.
#3.) Try hitting them between the ears while they’re rearing.
I have also read articles that say that this will hurt rather than help though, and I hate to strike her unless there is absolutely no other option, as it upsets her most of the time.
#4.) Smash a sponge/egg/water balloon over their head while they are in the air to make them think they have hit their head, and that they are bleeding.
I have heard that this can cause a GREAT deal of panic in the animal though. Also, when I am riding, I can’t exactly bring a wet sponge and carry it with me the entire time.
Can you think of anything else? And if not, which one (or more) of those would be most effective and safe for me and her. My main concern is her well being, and then my own.
Sorry this is so long and drawn out. I have just read so many articles, and asked so many people. I thought it would be a dream come true, to ask a real professional, who knew my entire history.
Thank you more than so much for your time. I realize I asked quite a few things from you, and if you don’t want to answer them, don’t feel obligated.
Thanks again!
Ashley
ANSWER: Hi Ashley!
I'm more than happy to answer all of your questions and help you work through these issues! No worries!
One thing pops right out at me and that is the comment you made about getting off. You did just the right thing for you and your horse. Never feel bad about getting off. I'd rather get off than get bucked off! If you feel something bad coming and you do not feel like you can get through it from the saddle, get off and get right to your ground work. Don't try and go through something bad and come out good, stop and start over! So, spot on for you Ashley! Always, always trust your instincts. When your gut says bail, listen!
The main issue you are having with your mare is that her feet are stuck. Not having control of her hind feet and not having the feet free is the cause of the rearing. She has a major brace and a lot of fear issues. When you are turning her in circles, it does nothing for her. You are not getting to the feet. If you are not getting to the feet you are not getting to the mind. It is just how the horse works. It seems to me that whoever taught you and your horse this "circle" stuff just misunderstood where the roots of this exercise came from and they just mixed it up. It is not pulling your horse into a circle, what you are supposed to be doing is yielding the hind quarters and getting control of the feet and for a rearing horse, the hind feet. What is meant to happen here is that you comb down your inside rein and bend your horse deeply keeping the muzzle perpendicular to the ground and her ears level, while at the same time your inside leg slides back toward the flank and you begin bumping so the the horses inside hind leg reaches up and under the body in front of the outside hind leg thus yielding the hind quarters. With a deep bend and bumping only with your inside leg you elevate the horses inside shoulder so that it continues to step forward but in a very small circle. The hind should be traveling a greater distance than the fronts causing a pseudo forehand turn. You never allow the fronts to come still however and pivot. This creates a brace that can cause real trouble when yielding the hind quarters. Your inside rein hand come up and into the area of the front pocket of your jeans. If you are having trouble with the front feet getting sticky, lift a bit straight up being careful not to over bend and tip the jaw up. You want your horse to be following a soft feel here. You don't want to pull him like a barge, it needs to be soft with the feet always moving so long as you are bumping. Release your leg first, this means stop bumping. Keeping your horse bent, wait for her feet to come still. When she is still and softly holding the bend, rub her, pet her and release the rein. This is yielding the hind quarters to a one rein stop. This is now your emergency brake as well as your no more rearing button. BUT, you MUST get to the feet. Everything, every last thing that people call a problem with a horse in some way or another goes right back to the feet. Get your mare really, really good and soft and yielding the hind quarters, coming to a stop in one rein. Be able to send the hinds to the right and to the left with just a shift from your leg. You can do this anywhere. You don't need an arena. As a matter of fact your horses will be better just being ridden out. You just have to be more of a leader to her. You have to be someone she can trust. When you just start to FEEL her getting stuck and starting to shape up to rear, get to the feet, get the hind quarters kicked out of gear. You may have to stay here for a while until you feel her mind change. When she let's down and becomes soft, carry on.
Ashley, NONE of the suggestions are of quality and they just don't make sense, EXCEPT, using a snaffle bit. I would go back to a plain D-ring snaffle and toss the bosal. The bosal is a more advanced tool for a more experienced horse. Everything you ever want to do with your horse, soft and smooth can be done with exceptional quality from the snaffle. If you are not careful and if your horses feet are not free you can end up with some really strange braces by using the bosal without having some real quality communication going on with your horse. All of the rest of these suggestions are just silly. They are wives tails that I can't believe are still being passed around. YIKES!!! The tie down is just plain dangerous! It will leave your horse feeling more trapped and scared and will get her bolting down the road as well as creating a huge brace. You will have NO bend in a tie-down and is a piece of equipment developed for lazy, silly hacks that want a short cut. This "thing" will create so many problems for the horse it still amazes me that people still use this stuff. Sigh!
I would love for you to watch the ground work DVD by Buck Brannaman and read the book as well. I have a feeling your horse is missing so much of her "grade school" education and so are you. This is just about the best resource I can point you to. If you are lucky you may be able to find it to rent at your local feed store or vet's office. I know several of my local feed stores that carry them to rent and one vet's office. Beg, borrow, mow lawns do what it takes to see this information. It will really help you. Also, for $25.00 you can attend one of Buck, Ricky or Rays clinics and ask them questions all day long. These guys are my teachers and they are the best.
Try these things out and let me know how things are going. We will just keep stepping through the process here. This will be fun! I love your attitude. You can make it through this with quality and not only will it be great for you, and you horse it will benefit the rest of your family as well. Buck says: "Horses and life it is all the same". I believe him.
Smiles! Denise
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hey Denise :)
I guess the injuries I sustained are going to require ACL re constructive surgery and will be unable to ride for quite awhile. As long as 8 months, and at least 6 months afterward. Sooo... I guess training will have to continue on a little later. And I'm assuming by that time, we will have some more problems. haha. So you may be hearing from me again :)
On the bright side, I have plenty of time to study up on the reading materials and videos you have suggested.
Thanks again :)
Ashley
Answer Hi Ashley!
I'm SO sorry! I hope your surgery goes well and you recover quickly. The nice thing is that your horse will be just fine hanging out in the pasture. So long as no one is trying to do anything with her, she will just be there waiting for you. It is the best thing.
You are spot on to use this time to read, watch DVD's and learn. It will be time well spent. Try and get out and watch one of Buck, Ricky, or Ray's clinics. You can learn so much by watching.
