Posted on September 12, 2004
PASSIVE: Riki with the ball hanging in the stall teaches the horse to accept being touched by the ball randomly and desensitizing the horse from panic. This is an example of passive training because the horse does not associate the ball with the trainer and yet learns a very important lesson of accepting movement around him without panicking.
ACTIVE: Active training can be demonstrated by the image of Regal with the whip, he learns that the whip is an extention of the trainers arm and is faster than him so he quickly learns to conserve his energy and stand still whilethe whip moves to either side and above him. This is an important excersise for a horse prior to mounting because he learns to accept movement above his head and to both sides which is where the rider will be.
Posted on September 8, 2004
Rescheduled to Sunday September 12, 2p.m.
Posted on September 6, 2004
Ruben Morales demonstrated several exercises to utilize when loading a difficult horse and how to avoid dangerous situations. The theory is to teach the horse that the trailer is the easiest option, thus he wants to be on the trailer where there is no pressure or work. The horse walked immediately up the ramp from the side as well as the rear showing no signs of resistance.
Another horse was brought out who can be barn sour, always choosing to turn back to the barn. Ruben used the same theory to offer 2 options for the horse, the softer option is to go where the rider asks, the more difficult is when he wants to go to the barn. Eventually, the horse listened to the rider for the softer option.
Photos ©Ona Kiser/Equine Photography
Posted on August 26, 2004
Ruben Morales evaluated a Quarter Horse Mare, Sunshower. Challenges the owner experiences with the mare are bucking under saddle and in the paddock. The owner wants to discover why she is bucking and how to stop it. Ruben performed several initial tests to which the mare did not show signs of a typical bucker. Sunshower conserved her energy, and was not concerned about the pressure applied to her in the various exercises until Ruben placed the cinch on Sunflower. It was clear that she never accepted the cinch in the first days she was started under saddle. The solution is to go back to square one and apply pressure and release until she totally accepts the cinch. The next step would be Bucking Control, the topic of a future clinic.
Images © Ona Kiser Equine Photography.
Posted on August 18, 2004
Ruben Morales worked with the Morgan mare, Dutchess, to improve her confidence and response level and show how quickly resistance, fear and over-excitability can disappear. Dutchess was unmatchable for two years, living in a field in all seasons. Ruben saddle broke her in the August 11th clinic, and in last week’s clinic he boosted her confidence by asking her to walk over strange surfaces such as a tarp, bridge and pole on the ground.
Posted on August 11, 2004
Dutchess is a young Morgan mare who lived outside in a field for two years. Her owners finally decided it was time for her to come in and start her under saddle. In this clinic, Ruben introduces the mare to the saddle and helps her work through her resistance to it and gain confidence.
