11.01.2010

FD Horsemanship Demo (Natural Horsemanship)

Part 3 of a recent demo on Integrative Horsemanship and problem solving for common issues. This series covers nervous horses and riders, Calm leadership, and standing and mounting. See more like this at http://fdhorsetraining.com/FDTIinstruction.html
http://fdhorsetraining.com/

10.22.2010

Part two: FD Horsemanship Demo (Natural Horsemanship)

Part two of a recent demo on Integrative Horsemanship and problem solving for common issues. This series covers nervous horses and riders, Calm leadership, and standing and mounting.

10.13.2010

FD Horsemanship Demo (Natural Horsemanship)

Here's Part one of a recent demo on Integrative Horsemanship and problem solving for common issues. This series covers nervous horses and riders, Calm leadership, and standing and mounting. I'll be posting part 2 and 3 in the following weeks.

9.17.2010

Holistic Vet Finder

As a huge proponent and user of Complementary human and Veterinary medicine, I thought it would be helpful to share a Website that helps you find Holistic vets in your region. I get asked about how to locate these vets all the time and this site sorts them by area and specialties. Chiropractic and Acupuncture are two of the my most go to modalities. Homeopathy offers a lot of alternative cures to common ailments that steroids and NSAIDS are used for as well as injuries and trauma. There are also vets that practice herbs, aromatherapy and more. So check out this link to find an AHVMA vet in your area!
Go to American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association Website

8.23.2010

New contest: Win a Virtual Coach call with MP3!

I am offering a new contest to win a *Virtual Coach call with MP3 recording to refer to over and over again! I offer this tech teaching method so I can help people all over the world with their horses. This is also for people who may not have access to the type of instruction that they seek locally.
 Enter the contest by posting a comment on my blog about you and your horse and what you need help with. You may also add comments on Facebook to enter if you see the blog post there. Add to your comment that you wish to enter the contest. I will select a winner from all the comments on 9/20/10. We will work out an appointment time then. Don't miss out on this chance to get help with your horsemanship from yours truly!
*Phone charges may apply for call
FDT

5.19.2010

Liberty Clipping part 5

Here is part 5 in the Liberty Clipping series with my horse Mercury. This horse used to rear and strike at the clippers. I have done extensive work with Carolyn Resnick's Waterhole Rituals and Liberty work. I am also using food association and reward to positively reinforce the experience. It is allowing us to gradually over come the fear and dislike of the clippers without restraint or force. I have been working with him here and there over the course of about 6 months. We have made great progress!

5.11.2010

The Hybrid Sidepull Bridle

Here is a video description of the unique hybrid design Side Pull from Buckaroo leather. I talk about why you might choose it and how it works.
To purchase this bridle and see more bitless options go to http://fdhorsetraining.com/Bridleshop...

4.24.2010

Introduce yourselves!

First of all, I want to thank all of the people who subscribe to my blogs and follow me on twitter, FB and all the other online places I have made friend and followers.

For this weeks blog post I have a request. I would like you to introduce yourselves and tell me a little bit about you and your horses and or other animals companions. I know there are a lot people following the blogs so leave a comment so I can get to know you better. Even ask a question or offer a topic idea for a future blog. Even if I know you already, just say hi or give me an update on your equine activities. I can't wait to hear from you!



FDT

4.18.2010

NHN Radio show tomorrow the 19th!

Join me and DC tomorrow at 7pm EST for another fun informative show on Bitless bridles and options.


4.07.2010

FDT I Instructor weekly exercise: Basic Riding Position

This weeks exercise is geared toward basic riding position for all disciplines. If you ride English or Western, there is no general difference in the basic balanced seat. Small style points to consider are length of stirrup and type of saddle you ride in. Remember ill fitted or unbalanced tack will only cause you to fight for your position which will create unnecessary tension, gripping, and effort so start with a good fitting saddle. If you are unsure about fit, consult with a professional fitter.
As a nice easy guideline sit on your horse in a way which allows you to naturally balance and relax. Align your ear with your shoulder, your shoulder with your hip, and your hip with your ankle or heel depending how your leg falls naturally.
Stirrup length will also dictate correct leg position so as a rule set your stirrup at your ankle bone for general riding and one to two holes lower for dressage or western. These are just guidelines your height may dictate a different variation if you are very tall or short. Happy Riding!
http://fdhorsetraining.com/


3.26.2010

Working with Uberstreichen exercises 4 and 5

This is part of the Uberstreichen series from Carolyn Resnick. They will help with suppleness and your horses understanding of half halts. In this video, you see me working with Uberstreichen exercises 4 and 5. This is great for Mercury as he is rehabbing from an injury and it gives us a nice diversion from just hand walking and I feel it engages his mind as well. The 4th exercise is working on clarifying the halt and stepping softly into the halt by stretching all the way down and holding this position on a slack rope for 7 seconds. The fifth one is teaching Mercury about contact and moving forward into it. These exercises are great for so many different reasons for different types of horses.

3.20.2010

Recording from the FDT Tele Class March 20th

Here's a recording on the Intro class from March 20th in case you missed it. Topics covered were my training philosophy, different approaches for different types of horses, Side Pulls and Bitless bridles and even Homeopathy. I will be doing more of these so I'll keep everyone posted on upcoming ones. I'd love to here your comments and suggestions of what classes you'd like to participate in. Also for those of you who don't know about my other blog, check it out and subscribe at FDHorsetraining blog

Tele class 1 Intro to FDT

3.15.2010

FDT Tips: Introducing a Side Pull Bitless Bridle Part 2

As a big believer is setting yourself up for success and not failure, I like to take clear small steps with my horses before moving on to bigger more challenging things. This starts with ground working in my Side Pull to help the horse get accustomed to where and what the communication will feel like. At this point I will be able to evaluate how my horse responds, good or bad, from the relative safety of the ground. Then possibly work with them until we both feel confident. If it works well, and I decide to mount up and try it, I do so in a round pen or arena enclosure.
I always practice the same things I do in any other equipment to make sure my horse and I are in sync. Then if I feel good about that, I will go out in fields or trails depending on the individual horse and our readiness.
I alway ask myself, honestly how confident I feel about going to the next step. Whatever that step may be. And of course never to be in a hurry to get there.
In Part 2 of the Transitioning to a Side Pull video, I attach reins and continue to do some more ground exercises to get my horse and I communicating well before I ride in my Side Pull.

To purchase a Side Pull Bitless bridle go to My Bridle Shop

3.08.2010

FDT tip: Transitioning to a Side Pull or Bitless Bridle




In this video, you will see some simple ground exercises to help you and your horse get comfortable with a Side Pull or Bitless Bridle. As always I will recommend a firm Liberty foundation between you and your horse before doing any exercises.
For more info or to purchase the Buckaroo leather Side Pull I use go to MY Bridle Shop

2.22.2010

How I fit a Side Pull Bitless Bridle

Here's a video showing how I fit a side Pull. I am using my Buckaroo Leather wide leather nose version on my Dutch Warmblood. See all the fine Buckaroo Leather Side Pulls I have to offer in my new Equipment Shop!


1.29.2010

Uberstreichen ground exercise 3 with Mercury

Here is Mercury and I working on Carolyn Resnick’s 3rd UE. If I could critique myself, my body language could have been more showing the movement to him. For example, When I want him to lower his head, I should show the same posture.

1.19.2010

2nd Uberstreichen exercise with Phoenix

This is the 2nd stage of Carolyn Resnick's Uberstreichen exercises. Here we progress to gradually doing the neck release on a circle at the halt.

1.15.2010

First Uberstreichen exercise with Mercury

This video shows working with the first Uberstreichen exercise with another horse. This is Mercury my 6 year old dutch warmblood. It is good to see it with different horses and I feel that it is useful for very different reasons on each horse. This work is helping the horse to release neck and topline muscles. It is also designed to help mentally prepare them for collection abd half halts under saddle so they understand it and what muscles to use.

1.14.2010

Working with Ubersteichen exercises

Part 1 and 2 of working with Carolyn Resnick's Uberstreichen exercises with a percheron. These exercises are designed to help a horse understand how to release his neck and topline muscles. It is a ground preperation exercise for dressage, half halts, and eventually collection under saddle. I am also simultaneously working on standing and halting straight. A Liberty work foundation is strongly recommended before trying this.



1.06.2010

Working on Uberstreichen exercises with Phoenix

Here is a video of Phoenix and I working on the beginning stages of the UE's She is doing really well! Considering she prefers not to stand still and hold her head still! These evercises are based on Carolyn Resnick's work and are a ground exercise for teaching a horse to understand connection and throughness which will eventually help the horse understand collection under saddle.

Find more videos like this on Waterhole Rituals Insider Circle Club