Blog : Equus Education

Horsenality – Determining Your Horse’s Personality

January 25, 2017 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

I have recently read two non-fiction horse books that have referenced their horse’s personality. This is carried out through a behavioural test and is commonly known as their horsenality. Did you know that your horse can be a:

Left brain extrovert
Right brain extrovert
Right brain introvert or a
Left brain introvert?

Having read through horsenality training do’s and don’ts, I love that there are guidelines for horse owners on what is acceptable, based on their horse’s personality! Not every horse can be trained the same way.

Horsenality

Have you noticed how some horses are more reactive, whilst others appear calm, almost lazy and even non responsive? When you observe horse behaviour, do you see those that are dominant and those that are not? This is an indication of their individual personality. For those who want to know more, you can read about the different personalities here. Reading over this article, I can determine immediately that my first gelding was a right brained extrovert. What about you?

As it says on the Parelli site:

Why is this important? Well, knowing whether your horse is confident or fearful, extroverted or introverted, or motivated by food vs. play can make all the difference in the world. An exercise that makes one horse literally jump for joy could be absolutely terrifying for another horse. Knowing what makes your horse tick can be the difference between a lifelong partnership and a constant struggle.

If you want to be able to take the test on behalf of a particular horse, then you can purchase the report in digital copy.

For those who love horse behaviour and training, have you considered creating products to assist other horse owners and trainers? Another form of equine passive income! This is a great example of a tool that has been created and can also be utilised by any horse owner or handler. Why not check it out?

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The Infinite Magic of Horses by Candida Baker

January 23, 2017 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

It seems to be a time for non fiction horse books for me! I recently finished reading The Infinite Magic of Horses by Candida Baker. This was a book I was gifted back in 2009 but have only now taken the time to sit down and read! I love the cover – it’s gorgeous.

Perhaps half of the chapters within the book are written by Candida herself. The chapters may be as short as a couple of pages, or half a dozen or so pages long. Each chapter is a separate story about horses and how they have impacted someone’s life for the better. The lessons learned from each contributor in the book work together to provide a great collection of short stories for the horse enthusiast.

In between the stories, a collection of beautiful photos can be found on the pages. Many of these horse photos are also accompanied by a horse quote on the following page. This is a nice touch and breaks up the book really well.

The Infinite Magic of Horses by Candida Baker

Some of the stories are by well known horse people or trainers – such as Frank Bell – and others by humble horse owners. The Infinite Magic of Horses book is a really interesting read with some truly touching stories. Each story explores different breeds and disciplines that can be found with horses. It even shows how the equine species has lifted people up out of depression and other threatening situations.

This was a great gift from a friend. It is also one I am sure would be a blessing to anyone else it is purchased for.

Author – Candida Baker
Non Fiction – adult
In my library – That it is! As a paperback.
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

Horse Sense Business Sense

January 20, 2017 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

I have recently posted about the Horse Sense – Running with Mustangs program. This was the first time I was made aware of the Horse Sense Business Sense website and all that they offer. For those who are interested in Equine Assisted Practices, then this website will be of use to you, I am sure!

I first became aware of equine assisted practices through a friend who wanted to get into this field. It was back in 2008 or so. She was already a qualified occupational therapist and she had passion for horses. It was her desire to somehow combine her passion with therapy to assist others.

The Horse Sense Business Sense website has been set us as an aid to professionals in various fields across Equine Assisted Learning. The Horse Sense OTC Family works to provide workshops, training, conferences, various programs and curriculums as well as a working student program.

Horse Sense Business Sense Assists Equine Assisted Learning Setups

Horse Sense Business Sense Assistance

I love this! It’s perhaps your one stop shop to learning how to get into the equine assisted learning field. Or maybe you’re ready to set up your own facility or business – why not gain resources and assistance? Perhaps you want to offer a place for working students in your local area – why not offer your property as part of their program?

As it says on their website:

“We are eager to help other Therapeutic Horsemanship, Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine Assisted Learning programs make it, and make a difference, in their community.”

They also have a Horse Sense Vets-for-Vets certification that is being set up for release in 2017. This will be taught over a 12 month period, by leaders in the field of therapeutic horsemanship – how exciting!

‘Why give a horse to a man who cannot ride?’ ― George R.R. Martin

7 Step Safety System by Frank Bell

January 18, 2017 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

Whilst reading the Infinite Magic of Horses by Candida Baker, I read a short piece by Frank Bell. In this, he details how he came to create the 7 Step Safety System for horse riders, trainers, farriers and all other horse handlers.

It was really interesting to learn how going through a ‘traumatic’ event with a horse can cause others to stop and reflect. Upon experience this, Frank set up a system that can help any horse and handler. It allows them to establish ground work so that they are safer when working together. This is a wonderful thing!

The 7 Step Safety Program by Frank Bell Helps Horses and Humans

For those who love the idea of residual income, you may be interested to know that he has created this training in DVD form. Once again, this is an example of creating a product once and selling it potentially many times other. You can order this from the above link to his website.

For those who are interested in Frank’s approach on horse training, it may also interest you to know that he has an accreditation program and a list of accredited instructors. For those trainers who are making an impact in the horse world, it is nice to know you can take on their training and help to impart this to others. I know the likes of Monty Roberts and Pat Parelli have done similar things.

The 7 Step Safety System by Frank Bell

Anything we can learn about being safer when working with horses is a good thing. If it interests you, why not check out Frank’s 7 Step Safety System? You can also check out Frank’s blog, other products and recommended links.

“But there is one rule inviolably observed above all others; that is, never approach a horse in a passion; for anger never thinks of consequences, and forces us to do what we afterwards repent.” – Xenophon

Profile On: Alyssa Knee, Brunette in Breeches

January 16, 2017 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

Alyssa Knee has recently had a book published about her lordotic horse, Spike. You can read a review here. Alyssa kindly took the time to answer some questions about her life and involvement with horses.

Alyssa Knee, Brunette in Breeches

How much of your day/week is related to horses?
A decent chunk of my day is related to horses, both directly and indirectly. I’m lucky in that my horse Spike is agisted just a few minutes from my house so I am out with him every day. A lot of my day is also taken up writing for my equestrian blog, Brunette in Breeches. This details Spike’s life and our journey.

What is it exactly that you do?
I am an administrative assistant for local government during the day but I am also a writer. I’ve been writing for my blog, Brunette in Breeches, for a little over 12 months and during that time have been lucky enough to work with some major publications like Hoofbeats, Horsewyse, Horse Nation and Horse Network. I’ve also recently
released my first novel about my horse, Spike. Spike has a rare congenital condition called equine Lordosis which causes his back to have a swayed appearance, our hope is that via our blog and other equestrian related media outlets that we can educate the equine community about the condition and the effect it has on the horses who have it.

Alyssa Knee with her Lordotic Horse, Spike

In this field of work, is it possible to be a full time professional and
earning a liveable income?
When I figure that out I will let you know! Right now I am juggling a full time job and writing on the side. Although I would love to be able to make my blog my main source of income – that is the end goal.

What are the general steps taken to be employed in such a role?
I don’t think there’s any one particular pathway to becoming an equestrian blogger. I started with little to no knowledge of blogging. But I have learnt about how to be a blogger and what it takes to maintain a blog over the last 12 months (and I’m still learning!). My biggest piece of advice for anyone who wants to start an equestrian blog is to just throw yourself into it.

Favourite horse memory?
My favourite memory with Spike would be from the day that I got him. To get to the house we were living in at the time you had to go about a kilometre down a dirt driveway and cross an old wooden bridge over a narrow creek. The bridge was an old rickety thing. It had no side rails, there were small gaps between the planks and it creaked because most of the planks were loose.

I had asked my partner to walk Spike up the driveway while a friend and I followed behind in the car, but when they got to the bridge Spike stopped and despite all the persisting in the world he simply refused to cross. We stopped the car behind them and I got out.

I walked over and took the lead rope from my partner and stood with Spike for a few minutes. Then I gave him a rub on the face and the neck and simply spoke to him. I don’t remember exactly what I said, I’m sure it was a lot of nothing but it felt right. We must’ve stood like that for a good 10 minutes or so before I asked him if he’d cross the bridge with me. I took the first step, Spike followed and we crossed the bridge together. He didn’t hesitate, he didn’t spook, he wasn’t afraid. He just crossed, like it was nothing. Like he just trusted that I wouldn’t ask anything of him that he couldn’t do or that would put him in danger.

Future goals?
My current professional goals are to continue growing the blog and educating the equestrian community about equine Lordosis. As far as my riding goals, I would really like to bring Spike back in to more regular work and try our hand at show jumping. He was originally bred to be a jumper. So it’d be interesting to see whether it’s something he would enjoy or excel at.

Best thing about your sport/profession?
The best thing about the equestrian community is the people. Since I started my journey with Spike and writing for Brunette in Breeches I have been very fortunate to meet so many wonderful people who support Spike despite his differences and who regularly cheer him on via the blog and social media, even though they don’t know us in real life. It’s lovely to have that kind of support!

Horsenality – Determining Your Horse’s Personality

Horsenality

The Infinite Magic of Horses by Candida Baker

The Infinite Magic of Horses by Candida Baker

Horse Sense Business Sense

Horse Sense Business Sense Assistance

7 Step Safety System by Frank Bell

The 7 Step Safety System by Frank Bell

Profile On: Alyssa Knee, Brunette in Breeches

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