AboutD 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 12 years studying the Buckaroo/Vaquero style of horsemanship, this is what the Natural Horsemanship movement is based on. Ray Hunt, Buck Brannaman, Ricky Quinn and Bryan Neubert 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
www.Laurelmountainfarms.com
Experience
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 I have a friend who purchased a Rocky Mountain Saddle horse several months ago. The horse has been by herself most of her life and is now with 6 other horses on my farm. The owner has had a difficult time trying to control her when she is out of the pasture. Any suggestions? Thanks
Answer Hi Stephanie!
Horses are herd animals. The owner is not leader enough for this horse to trust and follow. Simple. The horse feels better, safer and more confident with other horses and will do just about anything to get back to where he feels safe. Yanking on his halter, yelling whoa, no...none of this means anything to a horse. The answer is in the owner! She has to become a leader this horse can trust.
Start by watching the "Ground Work" DVD by Buck Brannaman. This will clearly show you the classical ground work that EVERY horse should know. It will also show you how to get control of the horses FEET in such a way that it gets to the horses MIND. There is no simple one line answer here. You just have to become a better educated horseman. The essential nature of the horse is to preserve itself in MIND, BODY, and SPIRIT. It is this essential nature that the true horseman tries to use and not fight.
As you are doing your homework, start working with your horse right out in the pasture with his herdmates. Take him just to the edge of trouble, just to that point where he starts to feel bothered and work him there. When he lets down and realizes that he can survive being just a bit away from his herd, take him to the edge of trouble again. Keep building on this. If your horse really wants to be right with his buddies, GREAT! GO there! It's just that when you are right with his pals, he really has to go to work, HARD but in a meaningful way, again this is why you are learning the classical ground work...Being with his pals means WORK, the moment he can even face away from the herd, get soft and quiet, rub him, let him know that away from the herd is comfortable,with the herd is work.
Keep working on learning more about the ground work, watch anything and everything by Ray Hunt, Tom Dorrence, Buck Brannaman. Attend a foundation horsemanship clinic with Buck, Ricky Quinn, Tom Curtin, Bryan Neubert, and/or Joe Wolter. This is where you will find all of your answers!
