The Loading Continues

I’m very excited to report that we made great progress with the butt-bar! Newton fully loaded successfully 3 times including closing the butt-bar, and he was able to load with my helper standing at the side of the trailer and with a hand on his haunches. He remained calm and relaxed throughout, which is huge progress.

I am going for a lesson on Saturday, so the pressure is on a bit to keep up the progress 🙂

Today I added in two new challenges, though in retrospect it may have been better to only introduce one new thing at a time. I practiced loading in a different trailer (still a 2-horse straight load), but I also parked the trailer in a different spot. I had previously been parking next to the barn, creating a visual tunnel, but I set up the trailer in a more open area today.

At first he was a little slow, and he also attempted to “escape” out the left side, where the barn had previously been. After a few tries, however, he was loading fully in. I continued the same process of allowing for breaks after each success and decided not to put up the butt-bar until tomorrow.

I also started to introduce the idea of self-loading. I was very pleased with his response, and he did fully load once this way!

One hitch (no pun intended!) in the self-loading process:
I have been encouraging him to lower his head while loading to promote relaxation, and because he tosses his head when he gets resistant.  When I ask him to self-load, however, the lead rope slides forward because he lowers his head, and I definitely don’t want him to step on it! For those of you who have trained a horse to self-load, have you encountered this problem? What solutions did you find?

I would also love to hear your methods for encouraging a horse to stand in the trailer until asked to back out. I’ve been using treats as Newton is very food-motivated, but I don’t want him to immediately back out after he eats the last treat.

Looking forward to comments!

Horse Show Checklist!

Last weekend, a student and I went to watch the Waterloo Spring Classic dressage show. I am sure many of you feel the same when I say that there is nothing more motivating than going to a show and watching rides! For me, the motivation came in the form of a renewed commitment to trailer loading practice (see previous posts Never a Dull Moment and Progress!) My student came away with a greater appreciation for good geometry (reflected in her lesson this evening)!

Although my first outing won’t be until July, I am more and more excited for show season! I put together a Horse Show Checklist that I’m hoping will help keep you organized when preparing to head out this season. Please feel free to share any additional items you feel should be added.

With all the stresses of showing, not having what you need should be the least of your worries.

Happy show season!

Tip of the Week

Tip of the Week: Word-of-mouth marketing and referrals has always been one of, if not the, most effective marketing tool for businesses. Particularly in the age of social media, word-of-mouth recommendations have a reach that extends further than ever before. Develop great relationships with your current clients and they will be your best marketing tool.

Progress!

This weekend, I went back to the proverbial drawing table with trailer loading.

On Saturday, I gave it a go on my own. My approach was, if Newton is relaxed and respectful, so am I. If he gets rude, I show him that that is not acceptable. It was a long, slow process, but after he loaded fully on and back off calmly three times, I decided it was enough for the day. Between each of the successful loads, I allowed him to take a break and have some grass. This 30 seconds or so seemed to work wonders, so I repeated the same approach today, hoping we could pick up where we left off. Sure enough, he loaded on each time I asked, so my goal became increasing the time he would stand quietly on the trailer as his habit has been to get into the trailer but back off quickly after a moment.

I am thrilled with the progress made this weekend. I plan to load him every day this week with the goal of making it a non-issue. Later in the week I’ll add another person back into the mix, and we will work on desensitizing him to the butt-bar. I am thinking I’ll start with some ground work in the arena, having my helper put the bar up against his hind legs, approaching him from both sides, and more walking forward and backing with someone at his head and hind end.

Thank you for the comments so far. I look forward to other feedback!

Never a Dull Moment

There is always something when it comes to horses. When you hear someone describe a horse, 9 times out of 10 they will list all of the great things about the horse, and then there is a BUT…

With Newton, his biggest “but…” characteristic is that he is difficult to load in the trailer. I was aware of this when I bought him, but that doesn’t make it any less problematic!

I had some slow but successful loads in a 3 horse slant, but the first time I tried a 2 horse straight load resulted in stitches and a hefty vet bill. The next time I tried this type of trailer was slow, but, happily, uneventful. This past summer I traveled in a 4 horse slant, and, although the first few times were hairy, he was loading like a champ by the end of show season!

Fast forward 6 months, and the next trailering attempt was less-than-ideal. The trailer was a 2 horse straight load, but after over an hour of attempts, I called it a day. In this type of situation, it is imperative to keep a cool head, and if that isn’t possible, that’s when you’ve got to take a step back or call it quits for the time being. A continuous escalation of emotions is not a good experience for the horse or the person.

I’ve also noticed that passers-by seem to want to get involved in difficult loading situations.  Unless the person wanting to help is your trainer or someone you specifically asked to assist in the loading process, my best advice is to politely thank the passer-by for the offer, but to decline assistance. This can often be tough or awkward, but you know your horse, and it is best to go with your gut.

After the troublesome last experience, I’ve taken a step back and tried to get to the root of Newton’s loading problems, which seem to stem from anyone or anything being behind him. The minute the butt-bar goes up, or someone steps close to his side, he panics and backs out. I’ve enlisted the help of a long-time horsey friend and we spent time yesterday acclimating Newton to someone being by his flank and walking around both sides of the ramp while all four of his feet are in the trailer. I think we made some good headway. I want Newton to be loading willingly by the time we go to Ohio on June 13.

I would love to get feedback on any difficult loaders that you’ve encountered, and what techniques you used to overcome the issue, and I’ll be sure to keep you posted on Newton’s progress!

Saddle Fit Series – Tidbits

Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad I’ve taken on the saddle fit series challenge. I think it’s very valuable to know and share all of this information, which can make for happier riders and happier horses!

It is, however, A LOT of research! Not only checking out saddles and talking to fitters, but reading online and watching videos to see what information is already out there and to vet that information against what I’ve learned.

Here is a bit of what I’ve experienced so far on this journey:

I currently have a Marcel Toulouse on trial, with the Genesis Adjustable Gullet system. I love the easy adjustability to change the saddle as the horse changes. With the wooden or synthetic trees, sometimes they are only adjustable up to a certain number of times, or not at all. The Genesis is infinitely adjustable which is great. (But still must be fitted and flocked by a qualified saddle fitter!) The model is new, the Lexi, and the narrow twist fits me quite well, allowing my upper thigh to rest on the saddle. The pommel is well cut back to allow room for high withers, and the panels also have a cut-out for movement of the scapula. The leather does not seems as sturdy as I might like for the price-point ($1,990). One great point about this saddle is my horse being even in both reins and able to come through, when he is typically very empty in the right rein.

The thigh blocks are internal and fully adjustable with velcro (pictured bottom right). I trialed a Schleese Link model which had external blocks that my knees kept slipping over. I did like the shoulder freedom and the fact that I could really “plug in” my seat bones in this saddle. I had the same problem with the external blocks in a Custom Saddlery Wolfgang Solo model that I rode in for quite a while.

Lynnda from Classical Saddlery is the rep I was working with on the Toulouse. In speaking with her about my quest, I mentioned the wither tracings I received during another recent saddle fitting. She shared that the tracings are really only a moment in time, as the horse will look different in a week, a month, or 6 months. Additionally, the horse must be evaluated while moving given that the tracings are taken while the horse is standing still and square. Both valid points! Although I do think the tracings are a useful starting point.

When speaking with Dan Kroetch, owner of DK Saddlery, he said that you should settle into the saddle within the first few seconds of sitting in it. If your body doesn’t immediately fall into the ear, shoulder, hip, heel alignment, you are not sitting in the right saddle. I’ve definitely found this to be true. If you have to fight the saddle to align your body while you are stationary, things won’t get better when you are trying to ride!

A few other quick-check tidbits I’ve picked up:

The billets should fall a hand width from the horse’s shoulder (pictured above).

The girth buckles should be above the horse’s elbows when the girth is tight. This ensures the elbow does not bump into the buckles while the horse is in motion, causing sores. Thinline did a recent blog post about girths and cinches which has quite a bit of information.

I also want to share a few other resources I’ve come across:

http://www.nationalsaddlecentre.co.nz/Saddle+Fitting/Saddle+Fitting+Siz++Fit.html

http://www.schleese.com/9PointCheckList

http://dksaddlery.com/node/44

Today I’ll be watching “Saddle Fitting from A to Z,” a DVD by Dr. Kerry Ridgway, DVM.

Keep checking back for more!

Tip of the Week

Tip of the Week: Create a vision of your ideal client and tailor your marketing materials and communications to that individual.

Tip of the Week

Tip of the Week: To attract new customers, make sure all of the links on your website work and that your social media, if you have it, is updated regularly. A non-functional website or stale social media is worse than not having these tools at all.

Marketing vs. Self-promotion

I thought it would be useful to write a post on marketing versus self-promotion because I often hear “self-promotion” used to negatively describe anyone trying to “promote” their training business.

In the end, it all comes down to tact.

Equine professionals must market themselves to spread the word and build new clientele.  If you are not confident in your abilities and the services you offer, why should anyone work with you?

There is a very fine line between what people interpret as marketing and what they interpret as self-promotion. I thought I would start off with the dictionary definition of self-promotion, but that was harder than you might think! Merriam-Webster does not have a definition for self-promotion.

From The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: n. Promotion, including advertising and publicity, of oneself effected by oneself.

The definition of marketing, from Dictionary.com is: the total of activities involved in the transfer of goods from the producer or seller to the consumer or buyer, including advertising, shipping, storing, and selling.

While neither is inherently negative, the difference in the two definitions comes down to the word “self.” While the best marketing is always word of mouth referrals made by others, you must also be prepared to talk to anyone you encounter about your business.

When speaking with potential clients, they do not want to hear that you did this, or you did that, or you did XYZ other thing. Clients want to hear about what you can do for them. You must show interest in their training, their goals, their horse. You should engage in a conversation, not talk “at” someone.

All of the top trainers I’ve known over nearly 20 years have had an air of confidence about them. They don’t feel the need to tout their accomplishments because they’re good and they know it. Outwardly, this projects a very different sense to others than someone who is full of himself. Again, it circles back to the I/me versus you/us.

If I’m a potential client, I don’t want to hear about when you rode with Steffen Peters and how you are friends with John Lyons. I want to hear about how you can help me reach my goals. If I tell you about a training issue, I want you to say, “‘we’ could try X, Y, or Z,” or “a horse I have in training had the same problem and we did X to work through it.” Be a resource to those around you and business will follow.

I think this is part of the reason why certifications, accreditation, and Equine Science degrees get a mixed response in the horse industry. I often hear that “those people” come to a farm and “think they know everything.”

Be willing to admit you don’t know everything. Keep an open mind. Lifetimes can be spent learning everything there is to know about horses and refining the aids. Remember that your business is not about you. If you don’t have clients, you don’t have a business.

I’d love to hear about your experiences with this issue, and if you’ve encountered similar scenarios with trainers being labeled “self-promoters.”

Saddle Fit Series – The Basics

Saddle fit can be one of the most challenging obstacles we face as horse owners. It is both an art and a science, and if you talk to 7 saddle fitters and you will get 7 opinions. Not only does the saddle need to fit the horse, it needs to fit the rider, and finding a marriage of the two can be a frustrating, expensive, and lengthy process.

In this series I will address some of the main issues I’ve encountered in my own saddle search in an attempt to help others enter into the process more informed.

So how do we know what is right when it come to saddle fit?

Step 1 – Find a Saddle Fitter

A qualified saddle fitter should be a member of your inner-circle, along with your vet and farrier.  It is important to have your saddle looked at by a saddle fitter at least once a year.

To find a fitter that works for you, word of mouth referrals go a long way. Ask several people in your area who’s opinion you value to see if a common name emerges. Saddle fitters typically represent a specific saddle maker, so if you have a saddle you like and want to keep, it may be beneficial to work with a rep from that company who will know the ins-and-outs of that saddle.

Once you’ve selected the fitter you want to come out, here are a few questions you should ask before making the appointment:

• What is the cost of an evaluation? (Some fitters charge for an evaluation, and others only charge if you have a service performed (flocking, repairs, etc.))
• What saddlemaker do you represent? Do you work on other brands of saddles? If so, which?
• How long have you been a saddle fitter?
• Do you have references I can contact?
• Do you have used saddles in your inventory?
• Are saddles available for trials?
• What can I expect during the evaluation? How much time does it take?

If you currently have a saddle that is working, you don’t want to feel like the fitter is trying to sell you a new saddle. Ask for an objective opinion. If it doesn’t seem like you are getting one, you might want to try another fitter.

During the appointment, ask TONS of questions. I’ve learned a great deal during evaluations simply by asking questions every step of the way. Ideally, the fitter will be asking you questions as well, such as:

• Are you having any performance issues?
• What level of work are you doing?
• How many days per week do you ride?
• What are your likes and dislikes of your current saddle?

After the initial evaluation, the fitter will ideally bring out several saddles to try, and he or she should watch you ride in each. It is virtually impossible to determine if you and your horse truly like a saddle after a 10 minute ride during an evaluation, so I will not purchase a saddle I cannot try for at least a week. You and your horse are different everyday, so it is important to ride in a saddle several times before making a decision.

I recently had an evaluation done by a Schleese saddle fitter, which I found to be the most comprehensive evaluation I’ve had to date. Measurements and wither tracings were taken, and I was able to keep those for my records. There is a cost (approx. $140), but I found the evaluation to be well worth it. When it come to saddle fitting, the more information, the better!

Before finishing up this post, I want to stress that your saddle fitter should also be looking at the fit of the saddle for YOU.

• Where does the saddle put your leg?
• Do you feel strapped in or can you move around?
• Can you feel your seat bones?
• Can you get your upper thigh on the saddle?
• Are you pitched forward onto your pubic bone?

Keep these things in mind while you are trying a saddle.

Moving forward in the series, I’ll address fit for the horse, fit for the rider, saddle pads, and how we as riders can regularly assess saddle fit to determine when to call the fitter! I’d love comments on your experiences with saddle fitters positive or negative.

Also, in the interest of full disclosure, I should let you know that I still have not found a saddle.

Stay tuned!