Video "Having Fun" demonstration

The above is a video of James Cooler having a bit of fun with his horse Indigo at the Colt Starting Competition in Virginia.  This was a demonstration during one of the breaks.

And following is a link to a video of James and Kate Cooler at Fiore Farms where they teach and train in North Carolina.  Come join them for a ride on this beautiful property (where I also get to ride and enjoy my horses) by clicking HERE.

I was just informed I received "Blog of the Day" over at "Hay-net".  I urge you to check it out as it is RICH with horse enthusiasts and I believe there is something for every horse lover.

Colt Starting Competition 2011

James Cooler is the trainer of my 3-1/2 year old Friesian sport horse gelding and the manager at the barn where I keep both my horses.  I am also taking lessons from him in ground work and riding my Quarter Horse gelding.

Last weekend I attended the Colt Starting competition at Chatham Hill in Virginia.    James Cooler was one of three natural horsemanship trainers to be selected to participate in this year's competion.

Mary of "Galloping Mind" documented the event quite well, I thought, so for Part I &  for Part II click on the links.  Tom Seay of "America on Horseback" was host and Ken McNabb of RFD-TV show "Discovering the Horseman Within" was lead judge.

And a "just because" photo of Sebastian about a month ago...

Cooler Horsemanship Trail Riding Clinic

My daughter attended a Cooler Horsemanship Trail Riding Clinic last Saturday from 9am - 1pm.  She is a new rider and I liked the idea of her ground working Oberon and preparing him for trail riding with a guided group.  Classes are never large and each individual gets one-on-one time.  James and Kate Cooler walked around and helped with advice and hands-on help if needed.

The horse above, Ben, is one who has not been ridden for a while.  The owner had a fall and is not sure if she will ever mount up again.   But I watch them do ground work and enjoy each other almost every day.  I watched them once in the round pen doing a bit of freedom work... I think that is what it is called - no halter or lead rope and hope to get to that point some day with my horses!

This sweet Haflinger mare is Sonder and I think these two are perfect for each other.  Saunders had issues and her owner has worked patiently with her and since I've been at the barn (a few months) I see a well behaved horse ... and smart!

Everyone said Oberon would be the star of the show as I take him out on the trails by myself all the time.  Well, we were jinxed!  My daughter who is tiny and sweet, was doing cutbacks with him on the ground.  Oberon started shaking his head and showing attitude.  Granted, it was one of the first chilly days and we all know how that can get a horse a bit squirrelly.  Well, Oberon was so squirrelly, he got loose from her grasp and high tailed it all the way back to the barn.  James Cooler rode his 22 year old horse, Moonshine (below - isn't he beautiful?) and worked Oberon's feet ALOT and showed him such behavior wasn't worth the price!

Above:  Moonshine - the young looking "Old Guy".  Jeanette got Oberon back and showed him who was boss.  We did put the bridle on him and I walked next to them holding a lead rope on the trails as she has never been outside the ring before.

Ben enjoying a "rest".  Isn't this a picture perfect spot?  Believe me, I've taken many here :)

I didn't get as many photos of the actual riding part of the clinic as I was dealing with working Oberon on the ground.  We did join up with the trail ride half way through.  The free Cooler Horsemanship newsletter I introduce below will go into further detail, I believe.

Seven students with James and Kate 6 & 7th in line.   There will be a free newsletter HERE from Cooler Horsemanship and I was asked to be a contributing photographer!  :)  Click and signup!   They also have a Facebook page:  HERE. 

For the love of horses - enjoy the video

Gotta love the internet!  I found this video of James & Kate Cooler.  This is what I hope to be able to do with my horses someday.   I see both of these horses almost everyday... and I have heard a bit of the story of Kate's horse - a half Friesian/half Arab (photo above) -it wasn't always such a nice ride as the horse had a lot of issues!  And this horse loves to wink when I take photos of her - one day I will get the perfect shot!  My blog is NOT about promoting Cooler Horsemanship, it just happens to be part of what I'm doing with my horses. You may not be a fan of NH, however, if you are a horse lover, I think you will enjoy the video below.  I believe the Coolers ended up not using this as their promotional video but I love the artistry of it.  This is Fiore Farms, the place where I ride and keep my horse.  I heard someone refer to it as a "horse spa" and I have to agree.  :)

Cooler Horsemanship Promotional Video from Russell A. Ball, MD on Vimeo.

Natural Horsemanship - Our first initial steps

The more I read and study Natural Horsemanship, the more I believe it is the safest approach to handling any horse in any discipline.  There are a number of famous names out there and I have a few of their books, but for day to day learning, I am lucky to have a wonderful trainer (and manager) at my barn by the name of James Cooler of Cooler Horsemanship.  His wife, Kate, is also a partner and a wonderful trainer and another voice of reason as my kids and I start our  journey.

One thing I have come to learn is that horses move easily for the leader, and I suggest that if when one gets on a horses back, the human should be leader!  Watch horses together in a group setting.  It is easy to pick out the leader as everyone moves quickly when "asked".   My girls and I are learning to establish our leadership on the ground before mounting our horse.  How?  By asking him to respond to a very light touch (aka "pressure") from us and move in the direction we ask.  Knowing when to "release" is very important and serves as the horses "reward".

The first one (above) is what will keep us safe if he ever bolts.  To turn his neck to his shoulder.   The one below is to ask him to lower his head at the slightest touch (her hand might be a bit back too far, but he still lowered his head).  The initial sequence was to also put our fingers gently on pressure points on his nose.  But all we had to do this time was press gently between his ears.  (He's a good boy!)

Above we asked him to back up gently by putting our fingers on his nose and pressing alternately as he moved his legs.  One can also "march" in place or even swing the rope a bit to create energy.   Below Oberon is asked to move his hind quarters with a very light touch.

...and again another touch on his cheek and shoulder should swing his front legs around.

1)  Bend his neck
2)  Lower his head
3)  Back up
4)  Move hind quarters
5)  Move front quartes

I believe our next lesson will be with a bit of "lunging".  But it is not the traditional "zoning" out method.  But, maybe our lesson will consist of something else...Stay tuned!

And do you ask who is James Cooler?  Well, a post on Galloping Mind highlights James' standing in our area as a natural horseman as he has been singled out and narrowed down to one of three competitors in the SEFHA (Southeastern Farriers & Horseowners Association) Colt Starting Competiion (click on Galloping Mind to go to the post) which will be taking place in Virginia this November 12th.

Of course, as in all things, there are different approaches to training horses.  If you have other ways, I'd love to hear of them and also love to hear what you think of what I said here.  I welcome your comments and conversation.