Horse Wise

Many times, riders feel frustrated and behind schedule with their horse. It can be tempting to rush and try to catch up as fast as possible. But ironically this approach will have the opposite effect — and will create more setbacks. In this episode, I discuss why the hurry and catch up mentality works against both you and your horse. I also examine the classically negative (if unintentional) motivation behind this mindset— and how to ask yourself a key question to avoid this pitfall. The bottom line is that it isn’t about getting more things done with your horse (as fast as possible). Instead, it’s about how to get the right things done with your horse. The little things that help him become balanced, straight and supple —and that mean the most to the horse. Those are the things that we never “catch up” on — but instead are the focus of each ride, slowly and steadily building a consistency and compound effect over time.

At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team. It’s a fun process that shows you how build a good partnership with your horse (in a practical, straightforward way). If you’d like more information on mindset practices, audio coaching or general Horse Services, please visit our website for more information:  http://horsewisecoach.com/ And if you’d like to keep up with our news and updates, please join our email list or follow us on social media: https://www.facebook.com/HorseWiseCoach/ https://www.instagram.com/horse_wise/1

No one will be surprised to learn that my favorite way to coach involves talking. I’m known for my colorful teaching style — lots of vivid metaphors, humorous stories and (of course) laughter. My regular clients will recognize serious curriculum concepts like “giant stripper boobs” and “50 lbs of queso in your pockets.” While I’m not exactly the Spanish Riding School in terms of presentation, I love to coach — and my favorite way to do is through audio coaching. In this episode, I describe what’s unique about my customized audio coaching services (besides references to strippers and queso). I also include a real audio coaching segment I did for a special client and her horse. Best of all, I include a super fun offer to my listeners to email me any issues with their horses or horsemanship that they would like assistance with. I will be selecting one or two each week — and will do a customized audio coaching segment for them on the podcast! My email is [email protected] 1

At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team. It’s a fun process that shows you how build a good partnership with your horse (in a practical, straightforward way). If you’d like more information on mindset practices, audio coaching or general Horse Services, please visit our website for more information:  http://horsewisecoach.com/ And if you’d like to keep up with our news and updates, please join our email list or follow us on social media: https://www.facebook.com/HorseWiseCoach/ https://www.instagram.com/horse_wise/

“Horse trainers train horses. Horsemen work on themselves.” -Tom Dorrance

Linda’s work speaks to the foundation and refinement of skills that allows ANY horse, regardless of discipline, to be a more willing and prepared partner. For her, the art of horsemanship is a personal journey to discover the grace, harmony and partnership that can exist between horse and rider. Linda has been teaching and training professionally since 1980. She has helped horses and riders in nearly every discipline — from stock horse to dressage to cutting horse to eventing. Linda has worked with many “Masters” of the art of horsemanship, including Buck Brannaman, Tom Curtin and Ray Hunt. In 2008, she attended the first of many symposiums taught by Dr. Gerd Heuschmann, world renowned expert of equine biomechanics and the author of Tug of Way - Classical versus “Modern” Dressage. In addition, Linda has received certification through the Western Dressage Association of America (WDAA) Train the Trainers Program. For more information on Linda’s top notch clinics and training options, please visit her website at www.lindahoover.com or her FB page page at https://www.facebook.com/LindaHooverRefinedHorsemanship/

At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team. It’s a fun process that shows you how build a good partnership with your horse (in a practical, straightforward way). If you’d like more information on mindset practices, audio coaching or general Horse Services, please visit our website for more information:  http://horsewisecoach.com/ And if you’d like to keep up with our news and updates, please join our email list or follow us on social media: https://www.facebook.com/HorseWiseCoach/ https://www.instagram.com/horse_wise/1

“Horse trainers train horses. Horsemen work on themselves.” -Tom Dorrance

Linda’s work speaks to the foundation and refinement of skills that allows ANY horse, regardless of discipline, to be a more willing and prepared partner. For her, the art of horsemanship is a personal journey to discover the grace, harmony and partnership that can exist between horse and rider. Linda has been teaching and training professionally since 1980. She has helped horses and riders in nearly every discipline — from stock horse to dressage to cutting horse to eventing. Linda has worked with many “Masters” of the art of horsemanship, including Buck Brannaman, Tom Curtin and Ray Hunt. In 2008, she attended the first of many symposiums taught by Dr. Gerd Heuschmann, world renowned expert of equine biomechanics and the author of Tug of Way - Classical versus “Modern” Dressage. In addition, Linda has received certification through the Western Dressage Association of America (WDAA) Train the Trainers Program. For more information on Linda’s top notch clinics and training options, please visit her website at www.lindahoover.com or her FB page page at https://www.facebook.com/LindaHooverRefinedHorsemanship/

At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team. It’s a fun process that shows you how build a good partnership with your horse (in a practical, straightforward way). If you’d like more information on mindset practices, audio coaching or general Horse Services, please visit our website for more information:  http://horsewisecoach.com/ And if you’d like to keep up with our news and updates, please join our email list or follow us on social media: https://www.facebook.com/HorseWiseCoach/ https://www.instagram.com/horse_wise/

The concept of turning loose is very important in horsemanship. When a horse “turns loose” and trusts a person, it is such a key moment. The horse essentially allows the person to guide him fully — even into unknown situations and circumstances. It is not exactly submission (in my opinion) — it’s more of a voluntary surrender to allow the person to fully direct his feet, mind and body. It’s an honor and privilege when a horse lets down his guard and allows himself to trust a person. In this episode, I share the story of Ellie, a fierce little mare who could not turn loose — even when it was a life or death situation.

At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team. It’s a fun process that shows you how build a good partnership with your horse (in a practical, straightforward way). If you’d like more information on mindset practices, audio coaching or general Horse Services, please visit our website for more information:  http://horsewisecoach.com/ And if you’d like to keep up with our news and updates, please join our email list or follow us on social media: https://www.facebook.com/HorseWiseCoach/ https://www.instagram.com/horse_wise/

When horses are in a state of learned helplessness, they are shut down and in a form of cocoon. Over time, they have learned not to try — to always stay within their comfort zone. Sometimes this can show in a horse as a stoic form of behavior (on the surface). The horse seems unflappable — mostly because he isn’t entirely present. But — once you ask him to go outside his normal routine or habits, that same horse will often become very emotional and troubled. People also can learn not to try. In this episode, I discuss the difference between a horse and a person who both displayed learned helplessness during key sessions with teachers.

At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team. It’s a fun process that shows you how build a good partnership with your horse (in a practical, straightforward way). If you’d like more information on mindset practices, audio coaching or general Horse Services, please visit our website for more information:  http://horsewisecoach.com/ And if you’d like to keep up with our news and updates, please join our email list or follow us on social media: https://www.facebook.com/HorseWiseCoach/ https://www.instagram.com/horse_wise/

One of my favorite books is Turning Pro by Stephen Pressfield. It describes the importance of taking ownership in your work (and your life). The book is short, direct and full of humor. When I finished the book, I sat back and thought about a particular mare long ago. She was injured, frightened and needed to be transported asap from a busy fairground facility. Due to unforeseen circumstances, my usual mentors weren’t available — and I had to figure out a way to safely load her on the trailer. While well-meaning spectators offered advice and tools ranging from ropes to brooms to holistic solutions. It was quite an experience for both me and the mare!

At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team. It’s a fun process that shows you how build a good partnership with your horse (in a practical, straightforward way). If you’d like more information on mindset practices, audio coaching or general Horse Services, please visit our website for more information:  http://horsewisecoach.com/ And if you’d like to keep up with our news and updates, please join our email list or follow us on social media: https://www.facebook.com/HorseWiseCoach/ https://www.instagram.com/horse_wise/

Most of us dread the idea of doing things wrong. But the only way to learn how to do something right is to do it wrong at first. Or many times. When it comes to riding and horsemanship, we have to learn (and feel) for ourselves what the right things are. A good teacher will help set it up so you can discover what the right thing is on your own — rather than just being told to do something a certain way. And of course the same is true for horses!

At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team. It’s a fun process that shows you how build a good partnership with your horse (in a practical, straightforward way). If you’d like more information on mindset practices, audio coaching or general Horse Services, please visit our website for more information:  http://horsewisecoach.com/ 

And if you’d like to keep up with our news and updates, please join our email list or follow us on social media: 

https://www.facebook.com/HorseWiseCoach/ 

https://www.instagram.com/horse_wise/

“Have the courage to do nothing.” I’ve seen this quote used in many different ways. While I’m not sure who said it first (or why), I can see how it might apply to good horsemanship (and to certain circumstances in life). I first learned this from a wise horse named Dan. Many years ago, I met Dan at Park Police training barn. I was a volunteer exercise rider there. Dan was often my assigned mount — and his quirky personality (and impressive athleticism) made him the perfect schoolmaster. In this episode, I share Dan’s lessons — and how they are perfect for coping with the unexpected pandemic of 2020.

At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team. It’s a fun process that shows you how build a good partnership with your horse (in a practical, straightforward way). If you’d like more information on mindset practices, audio coaching or general Horse Services, please visit our website for more information:  http://horsewisecoach.com/ And if you’d like to keep up with our news and updates, please join our email list or follow us on social media: https://www.facebook.com/HorseWiseCoach/ https://www.instagram.com/horse_wise/ )

"I often tell people that I truly want the horse to be my feet and legs. I want to be an extension of the horse and him to be an extension of me. That's what I'm always working toward when I'm on a horse.” -Buck Brannaman

If you’re like me, you probably are getting a little tired of COVID-19. It often seems like everything is on hold (literally) because of it. But there are advantages to this coronavirus spring — and I’d like to help you enjoy the benefits of every silver lining it brings. One of the best benefits of this time is that many of your usual patterns (with or without your horse) are interrupted. This gives a wonderful opportunity to see things from a new perspective! In this episode, I share two exercises that helped me improve my body awareness and riding posture. They are fun, easy and can be done at home without your horse (if you are in self-quarantine or shelter in place order). I also mention a terrific article about the concept of “Hangerman” from the Eclectic Horseman. Here’s a link to it: http://www.jackyoungclinics.com/gettingfeet.html

At Horse Wise, I teach people tools -- so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team. It’s a fun process that shows you how build a good partnership with your horse (in a practical, straightforward way). If you’d like more information on mindset practices, audio coaching or general Horse Services, please visit our website for more information:  http://horsewisecoach.com/ And if you’d like to keep up with our news and updates, please join our email list or follow us on social media: https://www.facebook.com/HorseWiseCoach/ https://www.instagram.com/horse_wise/ )