Newsletter

Issue 50, Nov/Dec.2004.
Published by Cynthia Cooper.

Cynthia’s Say…

Ten weeks ago, Finn severed his superficial flexor tendon and has required fairly intensive care and treatment, and still does. He is now sound at the walk and he has progressed to a bigger yard which I move to fresh grass each day. Its suprising how just a few more square metres of space gives him enough movement to keep his energy levels down a bit. He enjoys playing with toys like a plastic reel, a ball and pieces of wood. He also loves to be taken for walks where he can interact with his former herd mates in a controlled way. I believe its important for him as a colt at the age equivalent to a young teenager, that he maintains some social skills and there's nothing like another horse to put him in his place.

Although the road to recovery is still a long one, I now have more hope that he will make a full recovery and will soon have some photos on this site to show what a beautiful colt he is.

This time of year with all the green grass is great for those horses who can handle the extra feed but for ponies, and previously foundered horses, it can be difficult to find that balance between giving them enough food to fill their bellies, and too much green which can bring on a laminitic attack.
Grass has a higher sugar content during the day so if you are allowing some grazing, its better to do that at night. Rather than just deprive your fat ponies of all food, they should have plenty of roughage to fill their gut and keep their digestive system going otherwise you may end up with a colic case. Poor quality (but not mouldy) hay or even barley or oat straw is a good choice and won't put more weight on them. They should have constant access to this roughage, particularly if they are confined to a yard which isn't ideal as it restricts movement and therefore the feet are more prone to laminitis, especially if they are a bit long.
Its better to fence them into a long, narrow strip with water at one end and hay at the other to encourage movement. If you can't do this, then take them for long walks or ride them if possible.
Another alternative is to roughly plough up their pasture so they really have to search for grass and give them a bossy friend to keep them moving.
Its our responsibility to see that we don't kill our ponies and horses with kindness by relenting and giving them a nice green feed as it only takes one gorging session to cause founder (laminitis). There are many pages of information on the internet about founder and how to prevent it so do some research for your ponies' sake.

Now that daylight savings allows us to spend more time with our horses, its a great time for making progress. If you need some help and can't make it to one of my courses or the January camps, there is always the opportunity to tailor your own 'learning getaway' to Mountainside here at Golden Valley. Accommodation starts at as little as $25 per night, horse accommodation is free and there are some great trails and a top play area for the horses - ideal for a few days or a weekend. You can book private or group lessons, a guided trail ride or help with hoof trimming.

Wishing you all a jolly Christmas and hope to see you at one of the playdays, workshops or camps.
Keep it natural.
Cynthia.

CONGRATULATIONS
To Mitchell Harvey, who at the age of 6 successfully completed his PNH Level 1 on the 14yr old pony, Tommy. The astonishing thing about this is that Mitchell has never had any formal lessons, or instruction. He has simply gained his skills and knowledge by being surrounded by Helen Vagg (his mother) and Ashleigh (his sister), who are both avid natural horsemanship students.

There’s more to Trailer Training than just Loading.

For many people, just getting their horse on the trailer is a struggle and when you finally do, it feels like the battle has been won.
And because we are human and direct line thinkers, all we want to do is get that horse on and go somewhere which is probably the last thing the horse wants to do.
If we look at trailers from the horse’s point of view, we would see a mobile cave that takes them away from their pasture mates and most likely means hard work or frightening new experiences. Horse are naturally claustrophobic so it takes a lot of confidence building to have them feel safe in such a confined space. More importantly and something that we humans don’t often consider, is that horses are herd dependant so asking a horse to go on a trailer on their own is quite a challenge for them. A horse’s instincts tell it that being alone and confined possibly means they will die. Thankfully, horses are naturally inquisitive so once fear is overcome, they are willing to look at new things.
Its only once a horse has become confident about what happens after he gets in the trailer, that he will look forward to and enjoy outings. Once he does, loading will be a breeze and travelling easy with your horse arriving dry and happy.
So how do we train our horse to love trailers?
Its relatively easy actually once you take the pressure off - first of all about getting the horse loaded in just one session and then, go nowhere.
If you think of the trailer as a comfort zone for the horse then it’s your job to convince him that it’s the best place in the world to be. This can be achieved by placing the trailer in his pasture so he/she can spend time checking it out. It’s probably a good idea to cover up the towing connection and wiring so an inquisitive horse doesn’t chew it.
If you’re worried about the paint work being scratched then maybe you need to take up goldfish instead! Be sure to chock the wheels and if you leave the ramp down, ensure there are blocks under the back so if he steps onto the trailer, it doesn’t tip up which will alarm him.
If your horse has had some negative trailer experiences or is very suspicious about it, then feeding him near the trailer or from the ramp will allow him to see it’s a good place to be.

Simulations and good preparation are the key to easy loading and confidence building.

Some people have success with feeding their horse in the trailer which is fine providing there is nothing he can injure himself on, or get stuck trying to turn around (this can happen if the centre divider is pushed open wide – its better to remove it altogether or keep it secured in the middle).
Once your horse is confident about being around the trailer when you are not demanding anything from him, then its time to add your suggestion to load. But before you do this, consider what’s happening with his pasture mates. If he’s in a place where they can disappear from sight then it may be best to keep one yarded nearby preferably where he can see it from behind.
Better still, if he has a buddy that loads calmly then put him on first and ask your young or frightened horse to join him. You need to be careful here as a particularly assertive horse may be too threatening for a submissive horse to load beside, so choose a gentle friend as a trailer companion.
If you are asking your horse to learn to load on his own, then have a helper hold his friend at the front door so he doesn’t feel like he’s completely on his own.
However you choose to load (by leading or driving in) take small steps and use lots of approach and retreat.
If you can ask your horse to back up after each time he goes a little further in and once he’s relaxed at that point (licking and chewing, head down or willing to eat food), you will be confirming that he will not be forced or trapped in this ‘metal cave’.
When horses know they can come and go if they need to, they feel much safer and therefore will be more willing to stay there longer.
It will be up to you to judge how far to take your horse in any one session but think about the saying ‘Less is More’. If you can finish when the horse has made some small achievements and is relaxed, he will remember this for next time so his confidence levels increase rapidly.
As an example, for the first loading lesson with a young or frightened horse, I would only expect them to feel comfortable putting the front feet on the ramp and being able to back calmly in their first session. In the next one, they might get all 4 feet on the ramp or 2 in the trailer and be able to stay there for a minute or so. Then in the third session, they may go all the way in but not have the back closed which is something I don’t do until the horse can stand calmly on the trailer to eat some food without me holding him there.
Then before doing the back up, see if he can cope with the ramp being lifted a little and put back down. Horses need to become familiar with all the noisy things a trailer does and at first these may cause him to shoot out – allow him to but then ask him straight back in and re-confirm the trailer is the comfort zone. Better still, show him the ramp lifting while he’s outside the trailer along with rattling and banging the chains and dividers so he becomes familiar with the noise before loading.
Once he can handle the back being done up, I would then teach him about a breeching chain by using a breeching rope outside the trailer and asking him to yield forward to the pressure. Then repeat the same thing on the trailer and when you can back him off half way and use the breeching rope to bring him forward again, then you know he will accept a breeching chain.
So, now we have our horse standing calmly on the trailer and you’re thinking – “now we can go to the horse show”! WRONG!!
This is the quickest way to confirm to the horse that the trailer means discomfort instead of comfort. I like to get the horse thinking the trailer is just another version of his stall – where he gets fed really nice things. So, rather than drive him somewhere, feed him in there several times.
He will then look forward to going in the trailer and get used to being separated from his herd mates. Be sure to only allow him off the trailer when he’s relaxed as releasing him from confinement when he’s upset, only leaves him with a negative memory of the trailer.
When you are ready to go for a drive, just go a short way –this will depend on your situation but it may only be a few metres to around the pasture once. Again, when your horse is relaxed, he can be let off the trailer so don’t be in a hurry to get him out when you stop. By all means, check on him and leave the front door open for some fresh air but teach him that he only gets off once he is quiet. The same goes for when you let the ramp down. Wait until he’s quiet before you undo the breeching chain and remember, never undo the back unless he’s untied as a pull back in a float is usually a disaster.
Once your horse copes with short trips, either with a friend or alone, then its time to take him somewhere that you can unload but put no demands on him other than to perhaps enjoy a nice pick on the grass while you have a cuppa with a friend. You could even use the trailer to move your horse to a new pasture – provided he’s not leaving his best friend as then he’s likely to think trailers take him away from familiar things.
A couple of trips like this and your horse will think trailer rides are a good thing. Only then, would I ask a horse to go to a play day or a small event where we could ask them to do things.
When you’re at the event, if you need somewhere secure to leave your horse while buying lunch or walking a course, the trailer is probably the best place as it’s his comfort zone. When you first get to a new place, your horse will feel happier in his comfort zone (the trailer) than outside in unfamiliar surroundings so leave it a while before you unload – once he’s happily eating, you can be sure he’s relaxed enough to get off.
Now your horse is happy to go on and travel to an event, the training needs to be reinforced occasionally. I try to put my horses on for a feed and go nowhere after 3 trips somewhere. This reinforces the trailer as a comfort zone and will keep your horse travel happy for a long time.

When your horse loads and travels confidently, you can extend the challenges involving a trailer - Liz and Nara show a backwards liberty load.

In this issue:

January Camps
Survey Results
Foal Pics from Students
More to Trailer Training than Loading
Calendar & Classifieds

Newsletter Update December

January 2005 Camps

Just a reminder that if you haven’t booked your place for the Beginners/Kids Camp or the Intermediate/Advanced Camp then now is the time to send in your deposit to secure a spot.
Here is a great opportunity to start developing or building on your Natural Horsemanship Skills for 2005 in a lovely location. The Mountainside horse paddocks have lots of natural challenges, shady trees and a huge dam for summer fun. The accommodation is cosy and not costly, and the food will be great.
You will also benefit from input from not only myself but trainee instructors and a variety of topics including Qui Gong for horse riders, natural Hoof care and saddle fit will be included.
The Beginners/Kids camp starts with arrival on the afternoon of Thurs. 20th of Jan. and finishes on the afternoon of Sunday the 23rd.
Your investment is just $264 which includes 3 nights of shared accommodation, lunch, dinner (BYO breakfast) and all instruction and activities.
In a small, personalised group environment, you will learn how to communicate with your horse for trust, confidence and respect; how to be safe with your horse; how to play leadership games; how to understand horse behaviour so you can think like a horse. and how to have a lot of fun with your horse…naturally.
Hurry and book now by phone or email as there are only 5 places left. Send a $100 deposit by the 31st of December to secure your position.

The Intermediate/Advanced camp starts with arrival on the afternoon of the 26th of Jan. and finishes on the afternoon of Sunday the 30th with an investment of $435 which includes 4 nights of shared accommodation, lunch, dinner (BYO breakfast) and instruction.
This camp will develop and advance your natural skills even further, teaching you use and expand them for a purpose as well as improving your communication abilities while riding. In the lovely natural surroundings of ‘Mountainside’, you and your horse will enjoy doing more together, even swimming if you want! Each day will be full of education, hands on skill building, playing and fun followed by relaxing evenings around the campfire or watching those videos you haven’t yet seen.
Don’t miss out – book your position now by phone or email and follow that with a $100 deposit by the 31st of December.
Can’t bring a horse to the camps? Come anyway to observe and absorb for $33 a day (lunch included with pre-booked positions) otherwise, byo lunch and drinks for $22 a day. Accommodation and evening meals also be available – please enquire about the options.

Happy campers from January 2004 L-R: Jen, Denise and Lisa.

If you have some news you would like to share, or wish to subscribe for free, please email me.

Student's Foal Pics

It must have been a colt year!

Denise Sawards's part arab colt - Yarra Kahn.

Lisa Dolbel's part arabian colt.

Liz Stanfield's Appaloosa Colt - Odakota.

Sam Goss' Appaloosa Colt - Odin or Eachon Stud Nazareth.