More Horses - Behavior Issues, Breaking and Training Answers
Question Library
Ask a question about Horses - Behavior Issues, Breaking and Training
Volunteer
Experts of the Month
Expert Login
Awards
About Us
Tell friends
Link to Us
Disclaimer
|
| |
|
|
| |
| | | |
About Denise 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.
| | |
| |
You are here: Experts > Recreation/Outdoors > Horses > Horses - Behavior Issues, Breaking and Training > Scared of the rain
Expert: Denise LaChapelle www.Laurelmountainfarms.com
Date: 8/19/2008
Subject: Scared of the rain
Question
I have owned a Welsh section d gelding aged 9 for 4 years who until 6 months ago was a good all rounder performing well and looking happy and healthy. He is now unrideable and basicaly confined to a stable because he can not bear to be out in the rain, if he is out as soon as he feels the first drops he puts his nose to the floor and dashes for cover, it used to be just to get his head under cover and he would relax but now he continues to worry, twitch rub his nose and fret until the rain stops even if he is in the stable but the minute the rain stops he relaxes and is his normal contented self. The vet, dentist and trainer and back specialist have all given him a clean bill of health and are all mystified.
Answer
Hi Sharon!
Sometimes you just have to do your job, no matter what. My daughters first Event horse had a similar reaction to the rain. He would act as if bugs were landing on his nose. He would twitch and shake his head! Not very pretty in your dressage test! He was fine cross country, which proved to me that when he had really important stuff going on he could not pay attention to the rain drops!
You will have to become more important than the rain! Your job will have to be so important that he will just not have time to worry about the rain. This is when a real solid understanding of good quality ground work is very important and being able to translate that ground work to work under saddle. You will have to be a leader your horse belives in and really trusts. And you will have to be busy, very, very busy!
You can't give your gelding time to think of anything but the job you are asking him to do. You will be rolling him over his hind quarters, doing a one rein stop, backing circles, doing walk/trot/halt/back transitions. Do not allow him to put his head down! If he pulls on you with 10 pounds of force, you will use 11 pounds of force and bring his head up. Do not allow him to take over! He has decided that HIS plan is better than yours! Heck, If I couldn't ride out in the rain, I would be barn bound for 9 months out of the year! It is August here in Oregon, and it has been raining for the last week! I just throw on a slicker, and out we go! I want you to do the same thing. Adopt an attitude that this is our JOB and we have something important to do, and it requires that we ride in the rain, period.
I know that this will be difficult for you, so when you feel your attention and concentration is starting to fade, call it good and go inside. Do not avoid the difficult. Change your attitude, be committed and your horse will feel it. I know! We drove for days to get to competitions and rain was not about to stop us! Jupiter had to go. It was his job. He wasn't totally happy about the "rain bugs", that is what my daughter called it! But, he had no choice!
So, Sharon grab your slicker and get out there! When your attitude changes, your horse will follow! If you are unclear about the ground work, look at my website, I have a resource list posted on the training page of books and DVD's that will really help you. Look at Buck's book and DVD first. They are very clear and cover all of the ground work. It is a must have for your equine library!
Give me a shout and let me know how things are going!
Smiles! Denise
PS: We bought Jupiter a rain sheet for long hacks out. He loved his rain coat!
Add to this Answer
Ask a Question
|
|
)