Welcome to this issue of the “Performance Through Partnership”™ Newsletter!

In this issue you’ll find:

My Exclusive Newsletter Tip: Who's the Leader?

What's New at Maverick Horse & Cattle Co.!!

Information About my Next Internet Radio Program and New Online Video Evaluation Blog

Upcoming Clinics and Events

Answers to Your Questions about Horse Behavior and Training:
1. Why Doesn't my Horse Behave When She's Not Home
2. What's the Difference Between Riding English or Western When it Comes to Developing a Relationship with Your Horse?

Do you have a question for me? Please, send it in! I'll choose at least two to answer in each issue. This is only available to newsletter subscribers like you, so ask away!! Go to the “ask questions” page at http://www.dale-rudin-horse-training.com/ask-questions.html and type in your password.

Also, newsletter back issues are posted on the archive page. You can find them at http://www.dale-rudin-horse-training.com/performance-through-partnership-newsletter.html and click on "newsletter back issues." Type in your password, and enjoy!

(If the above links don't work, please copy and paste them into your web browser.)

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Today's Tip: Who's the Leader?

Who's the leader in your horse-human herd?

In the equine world, subordinate horses don't pass the leaders. They don't approach the leaders head on but from the side, and don't come into their space without an invitation.

The subs show respect to their leaders by following them when they walk away and moving away when they are asked.

If a subordinate horse doesn't show respect to his leader, the leader will assert his authority immediately and with whatever means necessary. That can be anything from a sideways glance to a full blown chase with biting and kicking.

Think about this when you're working with your horse. Better yet, observe horse's in a herd environment, especially at feeding time. You'll quickly learn who's on the top of the pecking order and who's at the bottom.

You always need to be your horse's leader. If you're not leading, you are following!

In the next "PTP" newsletter, I'll tell you how to help your horse understand that you are his herd leader.

Be good to your horses and enjoy the ride!
Dale

What's New at Maverick Horse and Cattle Company?

Snow! We've had lots of rain this week and there's been snow on the ground for two days! It's been absolutely gorgeous at the ranch, albeit it's a bit muddy!

However, the new arena is holding up great. It's so nice to be able to ride even after 7 inches of rain in two days!

There are new horses at Maverick, too. We were lucky enough to adopt some beautiful horses that had been rescued here in Tennessee. I'll get some photos on the website asap.

With so many unwanted horses these days, I and Maverick Horse and Cattle Co. want to do what we can to help. So, we're adopting horses that I will be training to lease out, use for lessons, and make available for sale.

Maverick Horse & Cattle Co. offers a safe and natural environment for your horses and a beautiful and relaxing for you to enjoy. We are committed to providing the best possible care for your horse. All breeds and disciplines are welcome!

Training, lessons, clinics, and horses for sale and lease are available. Please stop by if you're in the area. We'd love to give you a tour!

Check out the Maverick Horse & Cattle Co. page on my website for more information. http://www.dale-rudin-horse-training.com/maverick-horse-and-cattle-company.html

You can find information about rates and services here: http://www.dale-rudin-horse-training.com/maverick-horse-and-cattle-company-rates-and-services.html

You are invited to come out and visit anytime. Contact the ranch owner and manager, Brian Driggers, at 615-636-3046. His email is brianmdriggers@yahoo.com. Or, send me an email.


Internet Radio - "Training with Dale Rudin"

December 19th at 5 pm Mountain time.

This month's program is Evaluating Your Horse's Comfort. Learn how to check your horse for lameness, dental problems, emotional distress, and muscle pain. Discomfort affects performance and partnership! Please go to Natural Horse Network Talk Radio. to listen to the show! If you want to ask a question, you can call in during the show or send it in by email. You can also register to join us via live chat.

If you missed any of my previous shows, Trailer Loading, Catching a Horse that Doesn't Want to be Caught, or Choosing the Right Bit, etc., click here to listen to my archived programs.

Also go to the Natural Horse Network website for information about my next online video blog. If you'd like to submit a video for an upcoming show, send me and email. I'll evaluate you and your horse through live blogging!


Upcoming Clinics

February 21st & 22nd - Leadership and Connection Clinic

This clinic is at the heart of my "Performance Through Partnership" program. Learn how compassion, connection, calmness, and communication can create an incredible horse-human partnership. This clinic is a must if your horse is anything other than respectful, relaxed, or confident in any situation. You will build your confidence as a leader, too. Being a calm and confident leader that your horse trusts and is willing to follow anywhere is what successful horsemanship is all about!

March 8th - Round Pen Training Clinic

Watch Your Tense, Anxious, Rebellious, or Resistant Horse Transform Before Your Eyes!

I Want Your Problem Horse!! The round pen is an essential piece of horse training equipment. At this clinic you'll learn why.

Bring your difficult horse that would benefit from being more confident, relaxed, and trusting. Bring your horse that's hard to catch, aggressive, spooky, timid, nervous, or disrespectful and I will show you low-stress confidence building round pen techniques that will change your relationship with your horse forever!

March 28th & 29th - Reining Horse Clinic

If you're new to reining or want to learn more about this exciting equine sport, you need to come to this clinic. It is all about building on the basics of balance, softness, and responsiveness. teaching you how to gain precision control of your horse's body and develop his balance and responsiveness to your cues. Of course, you will also learn how to do this while keeping him in a relaxed and receptive state of mind! Go to my my clinic's page to learn more about these clinics. You can also contact me by email or call me at 949-337-3269 to ask questions, make a reservation, or learn how to sponsor a clinic in your area so that you and your horse can attend for free!



Horse Training and Behavior Questions and Answers

My Horse Gets Really Nervous When I Take Him Away From Home. Why Does He Act So Differently?

Horses are insecure creatures by nature. It's in their best interest to feel worried, because complacency gets you eaten if you're a prey animal!

However, the familiarity of the daily routine at home creates a sense of safety. The same horses, the same view, and the same people and no sign of danger are comforting to the equine mind.

Take away the routine and familiarity by hauling out to a strange location away, and away from the home herd, and many horses can become quite panicky.

That's why it's so important to take the time to build your horse's confidence and connection to you at home. If he looks to you as his undeniable leader and as a source of comfort and relaxation, he'll be less likely to loose his cool when he's in unfamiliar territory. You'll also have the necessary tools to help him work through his fear and insecurity and help him return to a relaxed and respectful state-of-mind.

Besides the saddle, what is the difference in english riding and western riding if you are just riding for the relationship between you and your horse?

It really doesn't matter which saddle you use as long as it fits your horse properly and his balanced.

That said I think a good dressage saddle or a well-made western saddle with a balanced seat are the best choices. They are built upon the same principles of putting the rider in the center of the horse's motion and allowing the rider to sit with proper ear-shoulder-hip-heel alignment. Don't get me wrong though. That alignment isn't as easy as choosing the right saddle. It's going to take some work to develop your strength and muscle too!

Any poorly designed saddle, will make it difficult for you to sit correctly and in balance with your horse. If you find it challenging to sit up with your legs positioned underneath your body and your heels slightly lower than your toes, you might need to try a different saddle.

In regard to the relationship aspect of riding, the saddle itself has little impact. However, if the saddle doesn't fit and is causing back pain or any other form of distraction or discomfort, or if you're riding is throwing your horse off balance, then you horse's state-of-mind will definitely be affected.

Choose a saddle based on your horse's comfort, your comfort, and the practicality of the design for the type of riding you're doing.

Build the relationship on calm confident leadership, clear communication, softness, and physical and emotional balance and you and your horse will enjoy every ride.