Horse Riding Training

RHYTHM and Najorka Horsemanship

At Najorka Performance horses, where we teach Natural horsemanship, reining and just good horsemanship rhythm play a big role in our program.

Rhythem is the steady tempo within each gate. A gate is pure when it conforms to a precise footfall pattern that has a regular metronome – like rhythm to it. Rhythm refers to not only the true two – beat time of the trot, the three – beat time of the canter, and the four – beat time of the walk, but also to the precise landing of pairs of legs within those time signatures.  For example, in the trot and canter diagonal pairs of legs are supposed to land together. If they do not, if the front landsfirst, then the rhythm is impure due to the fact that the horse is on the forehand.  The regularity of a horse’s steps is a very important component of riding. Each gait is like a simple musical piece written in its own time.  It is helpful when you are working on recognizing, establishing, and influencing a horse’s rhythm that you train yourself to have a very specific idea in your mind of what rhythm is. A regular rhythm will provide you with a predictable set of movements on which to base the delivery of your aids.  Rhythm is inherent to some degree but can be further developed in both the horse and rider through practice.

Ken Najorka

Najorka Horsemanship

www.centralflareiner.com

www.horse-riding-training.com

Beginner riders and Senior Horses

http://horse-riding-training.com - Sammy and Frenchie 1

Here at Najorka Performance Horses, www.centralflareiner.com, www.horse-riding-training.com, Najorka Horsemanship.  This a great place to learn about Natural Horsemanship, Reining, and Just Good Horsemanship, Ken is the coach of University of Central Florida Western Equestrian Team, Najorka Performance Horse High School Team, Reis Ranch Universal Horsemanship Instructor as seen on RFDTV and we now have the American Ranch Horse Association of Florida

Why do people insist on buying a young horse for there inexperienced rider?  It’s like the blind leading the blind.  It’s amazing, a friend of mine bought a BMW for her 16 year old son, and OOPS CRASH AND BURN totaled the car in a month and almost his life.  WHY do we do this stuff? How about we teach them how to handle the animal first.  There are so many great older horses that make great teachers.  Older horses give confidence to the rider.  In my years of training, the stories of injuries to horses and riders almost always lead back to human error. Lack of education for horse and human.  Horses forgive but they don’t forget. If they get hurt, scared it takes more to help them accept the good thing.  HMMM that the same with us.  You fall off your horse and you get hurt, it is harder to get back on the next time.  You do not want to get hurt again.

Some of the comments I hear in my travels helping horses with people problems:

I do not want to take care of them later:  It’s better than having a horse in you yard you never enjoyed at all because something went wrong.

I want my child to grow up with the horse.  It’s not a dog; it’s a big dangerous horse.  If you get hurt, he will be the lawn ornament you do not like and you never really enjoyed him, just spent money on them.

I don’t want to have to deal with death: That’s called life.  It happens. Oh darn you and the horse had a lot of great time, rather than a young horse you can’t do anything with.

I don’t want to spend money on vet bills:  Horses of all ages have vet bills and pass away.

The older horse might have health problems.  With TLC in this day and age it is amazing how a good Vet and Ferrier can keep an older horse sound.  We have a 23 and 30 year old that still works every day teaching beginners.  Like us if the animal is in shape the do better.  It is amazing, my senior horses and I take the same medicine to keep us going.

I want a horse now:  Learn to be patient now or your horse will teach you patients.

If you do not have patients: Stay away from any horse. (Buy a computer)

this horse is pretty: Pretty is as pretty does.  Just because that horse is pretty does not mean it is a safe horse to ride for a beginner.

He is to old to go on a long trail ride:  I bet your but can’t go on a long ride also.  Be patient and start a fitness program for the human and horse.  Just like going to the gym, you do to much to fast, humans quite and don’t want to go again.  Same in the horse world, if your young horse makes your ride miserable because your are messing them up because you do not know as much as you think you know. You will quite riding also.

In many areas after you learn to ride and acquire some education on horses. Senior horses are passed to the next beginner to teach them.

Senior horses have a lot to share,  they need your love and attention just like we do when we get older.  The seasoned senior horses are worth there weight in gold.

Here at Najorka Performance Horses, www.centralflareiner.com, www.horse-riding-training.com, Najorka Horsemanship.  This a great place to learn about Natural Horsemanship, Reining, and Just Good Horsemanship, Ken is the coach of University of Central Florida Western Equesterian Team, Najorka Performance Horse High School Team, Reis Ranch Universal Horsemanship Instructor as seen on RFDTV and we now have the American Ranch Horse Association of Florida

http://horse-riding-training.com - Sammy and Frenchie

Here at Najorka Performance Horses, www.centralflareiner.com, www.horse-riding-training.com, Najorka Horsemanship.  This a great place to learn about Natural Horsemanship, Reining, and Just Good Horsemanship, Ken is the coach of University of Central Florida Western Equesterian Team, Najorka Performance Horse High School Team, Reis Ranch Universal Horsemanship Instructor as seen on RFDTV and we now have the American Ranch Horse Association of Florida

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  UCF Western Equestrian Team 2010 finish 4th in Region

• Natural Horsemanship
• Horsemanship Clinics
• Horse Trainer
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• www.dffhorsedog.com
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Najorka Horsemanship , Horse Training, working with your problem horse. When a human and a horse stand facing each other in a training pen,  we do not  want to fight or be frightened.  If we want a long term relationship , then we need to understand a form of communication with our horse. We must watch each other  carefully, listen acutely, and respond honestly.  The trainer needs to make the rules and be in charge. But for a partnership to be successful, the rules should be based on natural instincts and talents of the horse.  For a human to win, It is not important for a horse to loose. We should not take away from the horse  but take the time to train him.

Najorka Horsemanship - Ken and Elle -

Positive and Negative Reinforcement, What is it?

Najorka Performance Horses, www.centralflareiner.com, www.horse-riding-training.com, Najorka Horsemanship.  This a great place to learn about Natural Horsemanship, Reining, and Just Good Horsemanship.

Positive and negative reinforcement are both designed to encourage a particular behavior in the future. Together they can be thought of as reinforcers – actions by a trainer to encourage desired behavior.

Things that a horse inherently perceives as either positive or negative are primary reinforcers. Examples of positive primary reinforcers are food, a scratch on the withers, a rest break; negative primary reinforcers are preasure on the mouth and a spur on the ribs. The horse does not have to be taught to feel good about positive primary reinforcers or bad about negative primary reinforcers  – his reaction to them is intrinsic.

Secondary reinforcers must be learned. Positive secondary reinforcers are much more common in Horse Training than negative secondary reinforcers. Although a gruff warning could be thought of as a negative secondary reinforce because the horse has learned that this sound means that he had better not do something wrong, a verbal scolding after the fact would technically be classified as punishment. Punishment is another discussion.

Positive secondary reinforcers are things which the horse learns to appreciate such as a part of a kind word. To teach a horse to perceive a secondary reinforce as a reward it should be initially linked with a positive primary reinforce. For a horse to respond to the trainer’s voice as a reward, consistent words, tone, and inflection must be used at times when the horse is receiving a primary reinforser. For example, if you were to say” good boy!” in a pleasant, praising voice as you fed your horse a treat or as you released the reins so he could stretch his neck, when you later used the phrase during a training situation, it would tend to elicit a sense of Contentment in the horse and he would likely relax and stretch.

It takes a trainer with good knowledge, a keen sense of feel, and good reactions to reward a horse properly and effectively.

Horses and dogs

Many barns, stables and trail ride areas have strict rules against loose dogs. The reasons for this are valid-often dogs can either be aggressive to horses or accidentally spook them with rambunctious behavior. Either way, dogs and horses often don’t mix well. The reaction you experienced with your horse is not uncommon. In fact, I know of many horse related accidents that were caused by loose dogs getting after horses. I’m glad you were not hurt!

When confronted by dogs, many horses will become frightened and their natural flight response will be triggered. There are a few things you can do to help the situation. First, and most importantly, try to remain calm and relaxed- your apprehension can easily feed the horse’s instinct to flee. Even if you are frightened, you need to ãfakeä courage so your horse will have more confidence. Take deep breaths, keep your back and legs relaxed and try not to choke up on the reins. Sit deep in the saddle. Act like it is no big deal and your horse is less likely to panic.

Turn your horse to face the dogs as they approach. Use simple calming techniques such as stroking his neck, a crest massage or singing. Since what he probably wants to do is whirl and run, you need to give him something else to do. Some simple lateral work or disengagement of the hindquarters is good replacement behavior.

Often dogs will lose interest if the horse doesn’t run, so you need to try to prevent that. If the dogs do not lose interest you will need to get your horse to just quietly walk away. Once you are out of their territory they will probably leave you alone. Try to let the horse just take 2-3 steps at a time and then halt, so that you remain in control at all times.

Something to think about is that horses are herd animals so they generally feel safer in a group. This is one reason it might not be a good idea to ride on the trail by your self. ( I will not go on the trail alone) Always use good trail riding precautions, such as carrying a cell phone for use in emergencies. Some trail riders carry pepper spray- if you ride in an area where dogs are a real problem, you might consider that. Many areas have leash laws for dogs, so if you continue to have problems on certain trails you might look into what the local authorities can do to help you.

Remember, it can be very dangerous to run into aggressive or energetic dogs out on the trail. Be sure to spend the time enhancing the training of your horse and developing the relationship of trust that is so important in difficult situations.