Whether it is a visit from the veterinarian, your farrier, a ride on the trailer, or any other important event in your horse's life, he or she needs to be physically, mentally, and emotionally ready. It is your job as your horse's person to help them prepare.

​So what does this mean exactly? Believe it or not, every interaction you have with your horse will do one of two things. Teach them and help them be smarter, braver, and trust in your leadership or the opposite, they stop trusting you and become more fearful, have difficulty doing what is asked of them, and more.  All of this is important because what happens on the ground translates to what happens at liberty which translates to the saddle, and eventually refinement in the saddle.  Everything matters.

In order to teach your horse, you need to remember some key points:

• ​Horses are not humans and are not trying to hurt your feelings - don't anthropomorphize. Merriam-Webster's Definition of anthropomorphism:  an interpretation of what is not human or personal in terms of human or personal characteristics
• Horses are not trying to be so-called bad. If you think in these terms, the human instinct is to punish or conquer. This is not the pathway to success.  Think more in terms of it being interesting that your horse is not willing to do something and then, determine the cause, adjust your plan, and try again. Remember you are partners.
• Never get frustrated.  If you feel frustration, stop, think, "how interesting" or "hmm, I wonder why he did that," compose yourself, and begin again. Anger and frustration are not acceptable, ever.
• Take the time it takes, don't be in a hurry.
• Practice is important and doing it right is the best way.  Slow and right beats fast and wrong.
• Horses are prey animals and humans are predators which makes this the most interesting relationship ever.

Putting theory to practice. Is your horse ready for the farrier?  What about being tangled in a fence? Here are some exercises to help with feet and legs--be creative:

• Work on massaging his legs
• Lift them at different heights and angles
• Pick out and brush his hooves
• Working from either side or just one side to access all four feet, vary the order in which you do so
• Try leading your horse using your savvy string
• Massage your horse's legs with your savvy string and carrot stick
• Remember to use approach and retreat and don't just force your horse to comply. Think in terms of comfort zones.  Go to the comfort zone, past it a little bit, back into it and so forth.  Don't wait until you have an injury and now your horse is ill-prepared for whatever he may experience. You should do this daily if possible or at least a few times a week. 

More to come in future posts. Stay tuned -- and feel free to make requests.

Each FREE ticket is for one person and one dog to enter the obstacle and costume contests. Entrants also need a Winter Carnival button for entry (purchased separately). Buttons will be available on site for $2 each and at other carnival locations.

​REGISTRATION REQUIRED

***PLEASE READ ALL FAQs AND LIABILITY RELEASE BELOW BEFORE ORDERING YOUR TICKET***
Obstacle Course
This event is a no experience required, fun event put together to celebrate the Tri-Town Winter Carnival.  If you'd like to arrive early and warm up, you may do so.  Please arrive no earlier than 12:30pm. After warm-up time, the event will begin promptly at 1:00pm. Each contestant will complete the course while being timed on how fast they can do the course with their canine companion. The fastest contestants in the small, medium, and large categories win a prize! The time limit for the course is 5 minutes. Be sure to bring treats for your dog as a reward for successful obstacles!

• Only two tries for each obstacle.
• The inability to complete an obstacle will result in a 2 second penalty per refusal.
• The course time limit is 5 minutes.  Those exceeding the time will be asked to leave the arena to allow the next contestant to start the competition.
• Dogs must remain on leash at all times. Leashes should not exceed 6' in length.
• The only exception to the leash rule is during the tunnel obstacle.  During that challenge, the dog's leash stays on the dog but the animal can enter and exit the tunnel on their own.  

Costume Contest
This contest will immediately follow the obstacle course competition. Contestants will have 15 minutes to get ready. Dress up your beloved canine in your favorite costume and parade around the arena. The judge's favorite will win a prize. 


FAQs


Are there minimum age requirements to enter the event?
Participants under the age of 18 shoud be accompanied by an adult. 


How many dogs may I bring to the event?
One ticket is for one person with one dog.  People should only bring one dog per person. There will not be additional volunteers to handle extra dogs.


Are there requirements for my dog?
All owners must bring a copy of their dog's written proof of vaccination from the veterinarian indicating that the dog has a current rabies, distemper, and kennel cough vaccination. This document will be kept and filed at NHLF.


Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
Please bring your ticket and Winter Carnival button to the event.  We will have buttons available for purchase ($2) if you do not have one.


Is there anything else I should bring to the event?
Bring dog treats and a chair.


How can I contact the organizer with any questions?
Michelle Young, Owner Natural Horse Lover Farm, LLC.
e-mail: info@naturalhorseloverfarm.com
Call: 315-389-5817
Text: 315-323-7910
Website: http://naturalhorseloverfarm.com
RELEASE OF LIABILITY --  BY REQUESTING A TICKET FOR THIS EVENT AND PARTICIPATING YOU AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING:
I understand that obstacle training (agility) is an activity that is held in the presence of other dogs and their owners/handlers.  I also understand that the participation of my dog and myself in the event will require some physical activity on my part and on the part of my dog.  I also understand that this activity will involve running among obstacles on my part, and running, jumping, and the use of obstacles such as tunnels, scaling planks and walls, teeter totters, jumps, tires, and other obstacles which could result in injury to me, to my dog, or to others.  I agree, represent, and warrant:
1) That I am in good health and can perform the physical activities necessary.
2) That my dog is in good health and can perform the physical activities necessary.
3) That my dog and I are both in physical condition to participate in the sport of dog agility.
4) That I further represent that my dog is friendly and not a hazard to persons or other dogs.  I agree to take any steps requested by my instructor, the class coordinator, or the training/event director if they feel that my dog is a hazard to persons or other dogs.
5) That I further agree to keep my dog under control at all times, to carefully watch him at all times when he is not confined to a crate or other similar device, and not to allow him to interfere with the participation of others in these activities.
6) That I understand that my dog and I are participating at my own risk, and that Natural Horse Lover Farm, LLC. cannot in any way assume any responsibility for the health or safety or myself or my dog(s).
7) That I will not hold Natural Horse Lover Farm, LLC, the Owner(s) of the training sites, the staff, or any other persons or entities associated with this event and business liable for any loss, injury, illness, expense or other incident or hardship that may arise in connection with my participation and/or my dog’s participation in the activity.
8) That I further agree to assume full responsibility and liability for any and all injury or damage caused in any way by my dog(s) or myself.  That I further agree to reimburse any person for any damage that I or my dog does or cause to another person, dog, equipment, or personal or business property.

Okay, so not a beach on water but for us, our arena is like a beautiful beach. We enjoy this zen-filled space year round with our horses and dogs. It has lots of natural light and amazing, professional arena lighting for the evening hours. We maintain this chemical free, caustic free, dust free, masonry sand arena and just love it. So, our "beach" escape is here on the farm. We have all kinds of obstacles and puzzles too making it a creative space! Come visit Natural Horse Lover Farm and experience an entirely new kind of playtime on this beach fantasy. ❤️ We cater to the needs of horse lovers wanting to improve with their horses and horsemanship, people wanting horses to help them heal through horse therapy, and naturopathic healing methods for the mental, emotional , and physics healing of animals and people.
http://naturalhorseloverfarm.com

Here is a task challenge! If you don't know what to do, have little time, or are just feeling stuck, try a task challenge (we post them all of the time) as a way to at least do something with your horse! (It just may motivate you to do more.) Here are some fun ideas from the Parelli Level 3 Assessment (9/18/2007 version)



​ONLINE
Send horse into a horse trailer at the trot or canter and bring back to you.
• Student at least 30 feet away.
• Little or no tension in the rope. The belly of the rope may be dragging.
• Horse enters trailer at the trot as minimum. If it breaks from canter to trot as it reaches the ramp or trailer door, this is acceptable.
• Horse stays in trailer until asked out.

LIBERTY
Lead horse backwards by tail
• Tail only is used for this task (no additional ropes on hocks or halter).
• Horse shows no resistance, but it could be a little slow.
• Tapping horse or ground with Carrot Stick is acceptable.

FREESTYLE
Climb all over horse, rub his rump with your legs and feet, stand on his back.
• Student proves the horse is confident by not sneaking. Climbs around confidently.
• Horse stands still, relaxed.
• Student shows enough balance to be able to stand up.

FINESSE
Ride from a back up into a canter and back down to a back up three times: Canter Yo-Yo.
• Horse goes from back up directly into a canter, no walk or trot steps.
• Reins are in concentrated position throughout exercise.
• Transition to back up is smooth, one or two trot or walk steps permissible.
• Straight lines.
• Vertical flexion an advantage but not essential for a pass.
• Student focuses straight ahead.

*Tasks are based on many different Parelli resources I have studied as well as my own ideas on how to proceed through my journey. Some of the content was copied to make it easier to put up in a timely manner. Please consult http://www.parelli.com for any official instructions or materials.