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

In this issue you’ll find:

Performance Through Partnership is Evolving

Answers to Your Questions about Horse Behavior and Training:
1. Will the Saddle I Buy Now Fit My Horse Later?
2. How do I Deal With My Horse That Won't Leave Her Buddy Behind?

Listen to My Archived Radio Programs and Learn About Barefoot from My Barefoot Farrier Jim Apple!

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.)

________________________________________________________________________

The Evolution (why do some call it a revolution?) of "Performance Through Partnership."

I've always been a big softy when it comes to animals. Whether it's horses, dogs, cats, and everything in between I think it's our duty as their caretakers to make their lives as fulfilling and happy as possible. Unlike my couch potato cats at home, my horses, and those of my clients, have to work for a living.

I don't have a problem with that because I have to work for a living too, and because if horses didn't serve some useful purpose, such as taking us on trail or performing athletic feats for our enjoyment and during competition, then there would be no logical reason for them to be around at all. So a useful working horse is a very good thing in my book.

The more horses I train, the more I see the benefit of being compassionate and considerate of their physical and emotional well-being. On a daily basis I see horses change in front of my eyes when they are fed properly, housed and cared for in a manner that promotes their health, and handled in a way that instills confidence, creates comfort, and correctly develops their physical condition.

Consequently, I have evolved into a trainer that sings the praises of and promotes the barefoot horse. I have learned that shoeing a horse is detrimental to the horse's health. That knowledge and seeing for myself the difference between a healthy hoof and an unhealthy hoof (sound or unsound) has made the decision to go barefoot an easy one.

No horse owned by myself or by Maverick Horse and Cattle Co. will ever be shod. Whether they go on trail or perform at a show or one of our upcoming events, you will see no glint of hard unyielding metal as the horse strides along.

Some my call this a revolution, but I see it as simply taking on the responsibility of being a compassionate, caring, and considerate horsewoman. If we don't consider our horses first, then who will?

Answers to Your Training Questions

I recently bought a horse that is skinny and hasn’t got much muscle. I need to buy a saddle for him, but I’m afraid that his body is going to change as he gets in better shape and it won’t fit him anymore. Can you make any suggestions about what size saddle I should buy?

You need to consider two things when you buy a saddle for any horse: the width of the bars and the angle of the bars. Most saddles that you’ll find in a store, especially “production” saddles that are about quantity and not quality are made by machine instead of by hand. They don’t use the greatest materials, and they are more often than not built on a narrow and usually poorly constructed tree. These trees are quicker and less expensive to produce, but in the long run they won’t save you any money if it makes your horse back sore and he doesn’t perform well.

The second thing to look for is the shape and angle of the bars. The bars of the tree will vary between different degrees of slope. Their shape varies too. In fact, even the size of the tree varies depending on the manufacturer. The terms semi-quarter, full-quarter-and arab trees, etc., are as unspecific as shoe sizes. If you’re like me, I wear different shoe sizes depending on the brand…and some don’t fit right at all. Saddles vary in exactly the same way.

The saddle needs to fit your horse’s skeleton and be angled and shaped so that it doesn’t restrict his use of his muscles. As your horse’s body develops and change shape, a well made saddle can easily accommodate those changes, because it doesn’t interfere with your horse’s movement in the first place and distributes your weight evenly and correctly across your horse’s back. The saddle also has to fit you and put you in balance with your horse, but we’ll save that for another newsletter.

Finding the right saddle for a horse is never an easy task. In fact, we got so frustrated trying to find saddles for our boarding and training clients at Maverick Horse and Cattle Co. that we have designed our own saddles. They are balanced and comfortable for both horse and rider, made with quality materials, and excellent workmanship. We are offering a ranch/cutter saddle that can be used for roping, trail riding, reining, and cutting. We are also developing a lighter weight saddle on an all-around pleasure tree that will fit you and your horse beautifully. I will be posting more information about these saddles on my website, including how to order your own. If you have any questions in the meantime, you can reach me at 949-337-3269 or send me an email. A saddle is an investment in your horse’s well-being and ability to perform, as well as your enjoyment of him. It should also last you a long long time. So, make sure you purchase the right one.

Regardless of how wonderfully the saddle fits the horse, a saddle pad with therapeutic benefits will ensure that your horse’s back is well protected. Most saddle pads on the market today aren’t what they are cracked up to be. I know. I’ve tried most of them with mixed results. This is another topic for a future newsletter, but I will tell you that I now use Equipedic saddle pads exclusively on my horses. I would never suggest that you compromise on saddle fit, but this pad can actually resolve some minor saddle fit issues. It’s that good. You can find more information about them on my website at… You can purchase them there, too. I believe in them so much that I became a dealer. They work so great that I sell them now. You can read more about how beneficial they are for you and your horse and purchase them on my website. Click on my saddle pads page for more information.

I'm 11 years old and just started riding let’s see.... about one year ago. I live in TN on a farm and we have a HUGE field, also a pony and a horse. Every time I go out and ride my horse she looks back across the field and whinnies for the other horse, and she gets a jittery and wants to run back to the pony. It’s getting dangerous because she tries to run off while I'm mounting and when I want to walk her across the field she rears and bucks because she not with the pony. PLEASE help me!!!! What if I let somebody else ride her and she took off with them? I am at my wits end here! It’s not fun to ride anymore because she tries to buck me off every time I go to the end of the field. HELP!!!!

Horses and ponies are very very smart. They know that when they are in a group, they are safer than they are when they are alone. As a prey animal, they worry about being attacked by predators. It’s much more difficult to attack a whole herd, but a single horse is an easy target. That’s why your horse gets so nervous when she’s away from her buddy. She feels unsafe and vulnerable to attack. What she needs from you is the understanding that you can and will protect her from harm. To do that, start by working with her on the ground. Put a sturdy and stiff nylon halter on her with a long lead rope. Take her away from the other horse just to the point where she starts to look back over her shoulder. As soon as she does, straighten her head and back her up. Put downward and rearward pressure on the leadrope until your horse backs up softly and lowers her head. When she does that, praise her and pet her. If there is some grass, let her graze and relax. If she tries to look back at the other horse again, back her up again. Keep doing that over and over again. Why does this work? Because you are redirecting her nervous energy by putting her into a state of relaxation and you are establishing yourself as a competent herd leader. You’re doing that by repeatedly moving your horse out of your space. When she’s able to relax, walk her back toward her friend as a reward and to let her know that she’s going to get to be with her again. Spend some time practicing moving farther and farther away, a little more each day. However, never go farther than your horse can handle. Once she’s doing well on the ground, try riding her again. She will feel less secure with you on her back because she won’t be able to see you standing there next to her. Be prepared for that. When she reaches the end of her comfort zone and starts to look back, stop her, back her up several steps until she backs up softly and lowers her head (just like she did from the ground) and then walk her forward in a tight bend. Keep bending her through a series of changes of direction and circles until she is focused on you and relaxed. Then let her walk back toward her friend, or stand quietly if she can do that. You can also continue to work her by traveling a line that keeps her parallel to her buddy’s location. In other words, move her side to side without getting closer or further away from her friend. If you are consistent, patient, and understanding of your horse’s fears, you will be able to help her work through them. It will take as long as it takes, but it will get better if you do the work and give your horse what she needs to feel safe and secure.

Internet Radio Program

I will let you know the date of my next internet radio program as soon as it's scheduled. In the meantime, on April 10th my barefoot farrier, Jim Apple (www.barefootfarrier.com), will be on the radio to discuss and share his vast knowledge about barefoot trimming and the healthy hoof. To hear Jim's program and to listen to my archived shows click here to listen to my archived programs.

Also go to the Natural Horse Network where you can join a community of like minded horse people who want the best for their equine friends.


New and exciting clinics and much much more are in the works. I will be getting the information to you as soon as possible so that you and your horse can participate and enjoy the benefits. 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!