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 Hi,
I am a relatively inexperienced rider with a 7 year old Connemara gielding with a great interest in natural horsemanship.My pony and I have come a long way together since May when I first bought him.I school him once a week with a teacher ,ground work him most days,hack out a least twice a week and expose him to as much stimuli as possible.He's kept outdoors with non horse company mostly.I do not give him hard feed.Recently he has begun to display what appears to me to be anxious behaviour when on a hack.A track which did not bother him weeks ago now seems to be a frightening ordeal.He refuses to go forward.I encourage him and eventually he will complete the route.I am not anxious.I could say that I try to give him courage.I do not dismount or turn back but it seems to be taking him a long time to relax into coming along with me.Is it me??????
Noreen
Answer Hi Noreen!
It is always us. The more you learn and study about the principals of good horsemanship, the more tools you will have to help you, help your horse!
It is fine to get off and do your ground work when your horse is having trouble! Never feel you have to stay in the saddle if you can find things on the ground that may help you get over this little difficulty. Your horse is just learning that he has to trust you and that you do have the answers.
Noreen, you really have found the answer! You are doing it! You want to go on a ride, your horse is saying "no", you simply continue! It is his job! It is exactly what I would do. It doesn't sound like this is a huge issue, and I don't think it is heading in that direction. As you work on all aspects of your ground work and horsemanship, this little sticky spot will get better too. I know it is hard to hear "keep doing what you are doing", but that really is the answer. You are on the right path. Keep on going! You are not scared, you have a plan, you are working on your whole horse, you are working on learning more about good horsemanship...keep right on going!
Ricky Quinn visits Ireland and holds a clinic every year. Check out his website and ride with him. Ricky is one of my teachers and a good friend. You will learn so much from him. He will be back in Ireland in March. You can show him first hand what is going on. I'm sure by then you will have this little problem solved and something new will pop up! That is just the way with horses and riders. You always have something to work on!
If I have missed this totally, let me know. Fill in with more information and we will take it from there. If not, RIDE! You sound very game and handy. I think you will make a great saddle horse!
