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Tag Archives: natural horse
Horse Training Tips Contest
“Horse Training Success” is running a training tips contest. We just submitted this entry:
I love all the posts that include training with treats! Do you know they actually funded a study in France which “scientifically proved” that horses learn faster when they receive food rewards? Hahaha, horsemen since the dawn of time could have told them that!
My tip brings even more impact to the power of treats. When a new horse first comes to the farm, we teach them a “bridge signal.” They learn to associate a clicking sound with a treat. More importantly they learn that whatever they are doing at the exact moment of the click is what they are getting rewarded for. This way, we can reward them “in the moment” no matter how far out of carrot range they are (great for liberty training or speed work.)
This has infinite applications! We have taught a horse who hated having his feet handled to stand in a bucket of warm water and epsom salts to soak out an abcess. We have taught rowdy youngster to quietly hold their hooves on a hoof stand so one person can trim their feet without needing a second handler. We made horses who refused to be dewormed look forward to the dewormer. We have taught flying lead changes to an off the track TB who would only take one lead, and curiosity and courage to a “chicken-heart” who spooked at anything and everything. The list is endless!
The photo shows a recent– and FUN–success. The mare in the photo is an off the track TB. We brought her to a medieval equestrian reenactment. In no time she accepted the flowing, jingling costumes, the swords and lances swinging around her head, the loud cracks of impact and flying targets–all through the power of associating the click for the right behavior with the treat that says “well done!”
Check out the contest and vote for our tip!
Posted in clicker training, Just For Fun
Tagged advice, clicker training horses, equestrian, equine, horse, horse whisperer, horsemanship, horses, natural, natural horse, natural horse training, natural horse training methods, natural horsemanship, naturally, principle, principles, tip, tips, training
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Welcome Diego!
Our horse family has grown by one! We welcome Diego to the farm. Diego (until he reveals his REAL name) is a 16 month old Friesian Percheron Paint cross. He was raised by a small breeder in upstate New York. Her care for her horses shines through in his amazing disposition. That alone gives him a huge jump-start in our horse training program!
He lay dozing his first morning here as “Uncle” Pete, the wise Appaloosa, kept watch. Diego watched me slowly approach, but remained reclining, relaxed in his trust in humans.
As I cuddled with him, I looked down:
I consider that four-leaf clover a good sign 
Diego settled right in. He is now out with the geldings learning about life and appropriate horse behavior from the herd. He will grow strong running our rolling pastures. He’ll learn partnership with humans through natural horsemanship principles. Eventually he’ll be started with classical dressage and go on to eventing, medieval reenacting, and horse shows… with lots of trail riding thrown in!
We can’t wait to share his development… naturally!
Posted in clicker training, Diego
Tagged dressage, equestrian, equine, eventing, for sale, horse, horse boarding, horse for lease, horse for sale, horse sales, horse show, horse training, horseback riding, horses, hunter, hunter jumper, jumper, medieval equestrian, medieval horsemanship, medieval reenactment, natural, natural horse, natural horse training methods, natural horsemanship, ponies, pony, ride, riding, riding instructor, riding lesson, riding lessons, trail horse, trail ride, trainer, training, west virginia, west virginia horse boarding, west virginia horse trainer, west virginia horse training, wv, wv horse boarding, wv horse trainer, wv horse training
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Welcome to the Family
We have a new member of the family! “Diego,” as we are calling him until he tells us his permanent name, is a 16-month old Friesian Percheron Paint cross.
 After I greeted him, I looked down in the grass:
We take that as a very good sign!
Diego is out with the geldings now learning the ropes. He will grow up in our green fields. He’ll be started using natural horsemanship principles. He’ll most likely enjoy the variety of dressage, eventing, trail riding, and medieval reenactments, with some horse shows thrown in. We look forward to posting his progress!
Posted in clicker training, Farm Updates
Tagged dressage, equestrian, equine, eventing, for sale, horse, horse boarding, horse for lease, horse for sale, horse sales, horse show, horse training, horseback riding, horses, hunter, hunter jumper, jumper, medieval equestrian, medieval horsemanship, medieval reenactment, natural, natural horse, natural horse training methods, natural horsemanship, ponies, pony, ride, riding, riding instructor, riding lesson, riding lessons, trail horse, trail ride, trainer, training, west virginia, west virginia horse boarding, west virginia horse trainer, west virginia horse training, wv, wv horse boarding, wv horse trainer, wv horse training
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Congratulations, New Horse Owner!
Congratulations are in order to Cappy from Albany, NY. Cappy is Zydeco Boogaloo’s proud new owner.
Boogie traveled “like a lady” to her new home. Her new name will be “Adrianna.” We can’t wait to hear updates!
Posted in clicker training, Farm Updates
Tagged dressage, equestrian, equine, eventing, for sale, horse, horse boarding, horse for lease, horse for sale, horse sales, horse show, horse training, horseback riding, horses, hunter, hunter jumper, jumper, medieval equestrian, medieval horsemanship, medieval reenactment, natural, natural horse, natural horse training methods, natural horsemanship, ponies, pony, ride, riding, riding instructor, riding lesson, riding lessons, trail horse, trail ride, trainer, training, west virginia, west virginia horse boarding, west virginia horse trainer, west virginia horse training, wv, wv horse boarding, wv horse trainer, wv horse training
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Horseback Trip Cost Calculator
Nothing beats trailering to off-the-farm field trips for increasing a horse’s confidence and competencies… and nothing is more fun!
We just discovered this trip cost calculator. How cool! Our F350 didn’t show up in their automatic fields, but they allow you to enter your own information.
Before you hitch up your horse trailer and load your tack and your horse for a clinic, horse show, or trail ride, plug in your stats. You’ll find out how much fuel you’ll use, how much it’ll cost, and even where to find cheap gas and diesel along the way!
What’s big horsey adventures are YOU planning? Share your plans in our comments!
Posted in Competition...Naturally!, Natural Trainer On The Road!
Tagged cheap diesel, cheap fuel, cheap gas, clicker trained horse, clicker training horses, clickerhorse, competencies, confidence, cost calculator, dressage, equestrian, equine, eventing, f350, farm field, field trips, for sale, fuel planner, horse, horse for sale, horse sales, horse show, horse trailer, horse training, horses, Horses for Sale, hunter, hunter jumper, jumper, medieval, natural, natural horse, natural horse training methods, natural horsemanship, ponies, pony, ride, riding, trail horse, trail ride, trainer, training, traveling with horses, trip budget, trip planner, west virginia, wv
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A New World on Horseback
I am juiced to start the day after a phone call with Kathy. She called to touch base on today’s training sessions. Christa wanted to add Ebony to the list, to develop her canter transitions. We agreed it was too windy to practice trailer loading, which is the next hurdle to their updated goal of trail riding in new places. The last thing in the world an unconfident horse new to trailer loading needs is swinging gates and banging doors!
“This is so cool!” I exclaimed while we were plotting strategy. “Your world just keeps getting bigger and bigger!”
The Knock horsewomen have been dedicated to growing their natural horsemanship skills. Over the past few years they have built a solid foundation for enjoying their horses in limitless situations. Instead of hitting the glass ceiling of reaching a goal only to find there’s no place new to go, the Knocks realize that the world of horsemanship is infinite. Yes they can horse show… and they can trail ride, and perform dressage tests and quadrilles (drill team), and three day event and dress up for medieval reenactments, and endurance race, and play polo and polocrosse, and show jump, and team pen… the possibilities pile up!
What a great world to explore in partnership!
What have been some of YOUR a-ha moments? What skill opened a door for you and your horse that expanded YOUR world?
Click “Comments” below and share with our community!
Posted in clicker training, Natural Horsemanship
Tagged dressage, dressage tests, drill team, endurance, endurance race, equestrian, equine, eventing, glass ceiling, horse, horse training, horseback riding, horsemanship skills, horses, horsewomen, hunter, hunter jumper, hurdle, jumper, medieval reenactments, natural, natural horse, natural horse training methods, natural horsemanship, partnership, phone call, polo, polocrosse, quadrille, ride, riding, riding instructor, riding lesson, riding lessons, solid foundation, team penning, trail horse, trail ride, trailer loading, trainer, training, west virginia, west virginia horse boarding, west virginia horse trainer, west virginia horse training, wv, wv horse boarding, wv horse trainer, wv horse training
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Recent Anne 340 Photos
Tonia, Gracie’s breeder, is a wonderful correspondent! These photos of Grace’s sire Anne 340 greeted me from my inbox this morning.
Tonia bred Hillie, Grace’s mom, back to Anne 340 last spring. We agree it is a wonderful cross!
Anne 340 Friesian Stallion
Anne 340 Trotting Loose
Anne 340 Spanish Walk In Hand
Anne 340 Spanish Walk Bareback
Posted in clicker training, Friesian Horse Pictures
Tagged anne 340, clicker trained horse, clicker training horses, dressage, equestrian, equine, freisian, freisian photography, freisian stallion, Friesian, friesian picture, Friesian stallion, frisian, Frisian photo, frisian photography, Frisian stallion, horse, horse show, horse training, horses, in hand, medieval, natural, natural horse, natural horse training methods, natural horsemanship, ride, riding, spanish walk, trail horse, trail ride, trainer, training, west virginia, wv
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Natural Horse for Sale Sites
While updating our resource of “Horse for Sale” websites over at wvhorsetrainer.com, we found a new site showcasing classified ads of naturally trained horses.
We’ve thought about hosting free classified ads for the natural horsemanship community here at Horses…Naturally! I’m always reluctant to feature anything I haven’t seen “with my own eyes,” and this includes thousands of strangers’ horses!
On the other hand, it could be a valuable resource to connect natural horsemen and women with their equine partners-to-be, and to help good horses find homes fluent in natural horsemanship.
So, dear readers, sound off! Would you like to see a corner of our site dedicated to naturally trained horses for sale? We could We love to hear your opinions!
Posted in Site News
Tagged clicker trained horse, clicker training horses, clickerhorse, dressage, equestrian, equine, eventing, for sale, horse, horse for sale, horse sales, horse show, horse training, horses, Horses for Sale, hunter, hunter jumper, jumper, medieval, natural, natural horse, natural horse training methods, natural horsemanship, ponies, pony, ride, riding, trail horse, trail ride, trainer, training, west virginia, wv
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Indian Summer- Warm Weather Natural Horse Care
Indian summer weaves its way between cold snaps here in wild, wonderful West Virginia. I welcome the warm sunshine which glows through the foliage. I can take off my winter coat, but the horses can’t.
As I wait for the wash bucket to fill to sponge off a very sweaty Bogey, I think about the challenges Indian summer presents to horses, and the ways a natural horseman can meet those needs.
Provide plenty of clean water. Even if he doesn’t appear sweaty, your horse is struggling to keep his temperature down under all that winter wool.
Make sure your horse has access to the electrolytes and minerals that he needs. Whether you use a traditional salt block or, as we prefer at Natural Horse Training Methods, free choice loose minerals, be sure your horse is provided for. If your horse is in heavy training, this may be a good time to supplement with additional electrolytes. Beware of formulas with lots of sugar and artificial flavors and colors.
Be aware of your horse’s exertion level during work. A natural horsemanship exercise which may be easy under normal circumstances may cause more stress on a warm day to a horse with a thick winter coat. Adjust rest periods accordingly.
Rethink your routine. If heat is going to stress your horse unduly, plan on a slower workout. Practice perfecting tough exercises at walk. The precision you gain will enhance those same movements at faster gaits when the heat wave breaks.
Sponge your horse off well after a training session. Slosh him with cool water then immediately scrape him, several times over. Body heat transferred to the water will be removed when you use your sweat scraper. If you do not sweat scrape, the layer of water on the horse will have the same effect as a thermal blanket! Sloshing and scraping over and over will help pull heat out quickly.
For a more comprehensive list of suggestions, check out our free article, Natural Horse Care in the Heat. Do you have any tips and tricks you’d like to share with our community? Sound off in the ‘Comments’ section of this blog post.
Natural horse trainers–these suggestions also apply to you! Often we get so caught up in caring for our horses that we forget our bodies need the same care and nutrition we give our horses. Drink more water than you think you need, sample some new flavors of Gatorade, and remember your sunscreen!
Posted in clicker training, Natural Horse Care
Tagged artificial flavors, body heat, cool water, dressage, electrolytes, equestrian, equine, eventing, for sale, free article, gaits, heat wave, horse, horse boarding, horse care, horse for sale, horse sales, horse show, horse training, horses, hunter, hunter jumper, indian summer, jumper, loose minerals, natural, natural horse, natural horse care, natural horse training methods, natural horseman, natural horsemanship, ponies, pony, rest periods, ride, riding, salt block, seasonal horse care, thermal blanket, thick winter coat, trail horse, trail ride, trainer, training, warm sunshine, warm weather horse care, wave breaks, west virginia, west virginia horse boarding, west virginia horse trainer, west virginia horse training, wild wonderful west virginia, Winter Horse Care, wv, wv horse boarding, wv horse trainer, wv horse training
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Video Play, Medieval Jousting
We’re exploring our beloved SmugMug as an alternative to YouTube. SmugMug already hosts our Laughing Gypsy Photography and TerraWolf Photography. We’ve been thrilled with the sites–and with the print quality of the photos they produce!
Now they support video… happy dance!
Here is a jousting pass from the Maryland Renaissance Fair on Labor Day Weekend. Let us know if you agree that the video quality is waaay beyond YouTube! We welcome your comments!
Posted in clicker training, Equine Art and Inspiration, horse video, Natural Trainer On The Road!, Reenacting... Naturally!
Tagged dressage, equestrian, equine, eventing, for sale, horse, horse boarding, horse for lease, horse for sale, horse sales, horse show, horse training, horseback riding, horses, hunter, hunter jumper, joust, jousting, jumper, Maryland renaissance fair, medieval equestrian, medieval horsemanship, medieval reenactment, natural, natural horse, natural horse training methods, natural horsemanship, ponies, pony, quintain, renaissance horsemanship, ride, riding, riding instructor, riding lesson, riding lessons, sca, society for creative anachronism, trainer, training, west virginia, west virginia horse boarding, west virginia horse trainer, west virginia horse training, wv, wv horse boarding, wv horse trainer, wv horse training
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