Riding Instructor magazine Spring 2023

by Mary Gallagher

Spring 2023

Published by: American Riding Instructors Association

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Denny Emerson

Julie I. Fershtman, Esq.

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5 Building Empathetic Riders

By Lydia Fairchok

10 Feature Summer Camps 2023 Valley View Ranch Equestrian Camp Camp Ton-A-Wandah

13 Sport psychology Relieving the Pressure of Performance in Competition with Mental Toughness By Laura King CHt, NLP

17 Legal focus Problems Stables Make With Non-Paying Boarders – and How to Avoid Them

By Julie I. Fershtman, Attorney at Law

19 Business matters

10 Creative Ways to Boost Your Stable’s Income in 2023

By Shya Beth

22 Revisiting the Basics

By Didi Arias

24 Gas Gangrene Up Close And Personal

By Janet Forster

26 Cameo’s cauldron

What Is Your Next Chapter?

By Cameo Miller

27 Sponsor Spotlight

28 Lead the Herd: How to be a Better Leader in (and out) of the Stable By

Shya Beth

30 Riding Instruction for All By Mary

Gallagher

Building Empathetic Riders

By Lydia Fairchok

I used to work at a large barn where over one hundred students churned through the arena weekly, often with multiple instructors and classes running concurrently. To keep everything straight and avoid overusing horses, we maintained a daily schedule on the massive dry erase board in the breezeway. This also served as the unofficial rally point for all incoming classes, where riders eagerly lined up to see their horse of the day. I always looked forward to seeing their reactions. Enthusiasm was the standard response; however, there were occasional accusations of injustice or petitions to trade when a rider had their heart set on a particular

mount. I often imagined the horses reading the list from their stalls and having similar conversations:

“The nine o’ clock is Jingle with Kelly, Rusty with Sam, and Twister with J.J. Ten o’clock is Pico with Kyle and Carraway with Laura.”

“Ooh, I have a private lesson with Deshawna at eleven. Do you think she’ll learn to canter today?”

“Rusty always gets Sam – that’s not fair!”

“Hooray, J.J. so much fun to jump with.”

“Not Laura! She bounces and pulls my mouth.”

“I would trade you Kyle for Laura1. Last week he wiped his nose on me.”

This imaginary conversation may be somewhat silly, but it is a reminder that our horses don’t exactly have a vote in their lesson placement. They cannot surf the web for new career opportunities if they tire of teaching, post their human for sale if they don’t feel like a good match, or even send them off to the trainer for a tune up. The horse-human partnership is, by design, one of inequality. None of these things should

1 Names of all riders changed to protect the guilty.

Izzy Lawson with Diva

make us feel sorry for our horses (unless we are being unfair in their assignments, in which case we should do something about it), but it is a reminder that we must build empathy in our students. Empathy is the equalizer that ensures the horse is treated fairly as a partner.

This begs the question, “But how do we build empathy?” It’s not a muscle group that we can target with exercises and conditioning, or a piece of equipment that can be adjusted. Some of our students come from homes where empathy is not modeled amongst people, let alone towards animals. Others have only a vague concept of the word or how it impacts their riding. A few seem to have natural intuition for the needs of the horse but lack skill in applying it.

Empathy is defined by Oxford as “the ability to understand and share the feelings of another”. In the context of horsemanship, we want our students to understand the actions of the horse and share perspective on its feelings so they can shape the horse’s behavior with fairness and consideration. This leads to a deeply trusting partnership where the horse consistently and cheerfully brings its best to the table. Understanding requires interpretation, and sharing requires imagination. Anthropomorphism, the projection of human qualities onto nonhuman entities, is a powerful tool for interpreting the horse in a way that engages the imagination, thus stimulating empathy.

I Thought We Weren’t Supposed To Do That?

Anthropomorphism tends to have a bad rap—often for good reasons. Have you seen the woman who blankets her horse because she is cold? Or the guy who says his horse is “being a jerk on purpose” and doesn’t even pause to consider underlying pain or training issues? Let’s not forget the person who allows their “affectionate” horse to crowd their space and frisk them for treats, then wonders why they got knocked down or bitten. It’s not exactly a model to strive for, is it?

We really do want to avoid these types of anthropomorphism, but they represent only part of the concept. Oxford defines anthropomorphism as “the attribution of human characteristics or behavior to a god, animal, or object”. The Cambridge University Dictionary expands on this with “the showing or treating of animals, gods, and objects as if they are human in appearance, character, or behavior”, and Merriam-Webster describes “an interpretation of what is not human or personal in terms of human or personal characteristics”. Notice that none of these definitions are inherently negative.

Anthropomorphism has traditionally been regarded as a detrimental thing in animal training because we focus on the projection of strictly human attributes and make false (and often dangerous) assumptions that animals share our thought processes. While this is certainly a risk that comes with the territory, positive anthropomorphism is actually necessary to empathy. It is the window through which we compare and contrast things we can feel ourselves human experiences with things we can only observe equine experiences so we can read the horse and respond appropriately. Coupled with a genuine desire for the horse’s wellbeing, this puts empathy into action.

NARRATION: Behavior + Message = Action

Don’t miss the importance of that word, “action”. It is not enough for a student to recognize what their horse is thinking or feeling, or even to care about treating the horse kindly; they must also know what to do about it. Anthropomorphic narration allows us to combine equine behaviors with relatable human terms to result in appropriate actions. It provides a more impactful learning experience than merely giving an instruction. Consider the following examples:

 “Don’t go near that horse” versus “When she pins her ears and swishes her tail, she feels standoffish. That’s like you scowling and crossing your arms. She is saying ‘Don’t touch me right now. Back off!’”

SPEAKING AS THE HORSE: PERSONIFICATION

Personification is the highly entertaining extreme of anthropomorphic narration. It involves speaking on behalf of the horse as if the horse itself is actually speaking. The instructor adopts this “voice” to convey important feedback from the horse’s perspective. Your acting skills do not need to be great to pull it off, but having a unique voice for each horse adds to the fun. For example, my little Hackney mare has often “said” in her signature raspy squeak, “I’m a pony, not a trampoline. Please stop bouncing!” or “Sorry, I thought you meant ‘stop’ when you pulled the reins”. Students invariably apologize (to the pony, not to me) and work on the problem with more motivation than my mere correction could have produced. Their desire to do better is rooted in their personal relationship with the horse.

 “Don’t brush like that” versus “See him twitch his skin? That means he is feeling sensitive, just like you might if someone touched you with a piece of grass. He is saying ‘Hey, that brush tickles when you use it like that. Can you brush more firmly, please?’”

 “Get his attention!” versus “Notice how your horse’s ears are pricked and his head is high. He is saying “Hey! Look at that interesting thing way over there!” Just like people, horses can get distracted. Turn him in a circle and go over those poles to remind him that he has a job to do right here.”

When you attribute the human ability of speech to the horse, you cause your student to see familiar mental or emotional conditions in the nonverbal communication of their equine partner. This leads the student to follow through on an empathetic response.

The concept is strengthened when you prompt the student to remember their own human experiences:

 “How does your body show other people you don’t want anyone close to you?”

 “What do you do when something tickles?”

 “What kinds of things are distracting to you? What do you do to refocus?”

Narration and follow-up questions like these are easily tailored to individuals or groups of any age. You can also prompt riders to narrate their own observations using a simple format such as “when my horse does [this behavior], he is communicating [this message], so I should do [this action]”. Riders who learn to think in this way perceive their partner as a relatable being rather than a machine or servant.

Reverse Anthropomorphism: Relatable, But Not Identical

Seeing the horse as a relatable being is the broadest basis for empathy, and the importance of this first step cannot be overstated. However, it is only one side of the equation. Notice I did not say “seeing the horse as a relatable human being”, because that is the kind of anthropomorphic thinking that causes problems. We must never expect the horse to think or act like a human; it doesn’t. While we do share many capacities, the similarities between our species are only helpful insofar as we respect our enormous differences. Therefore, as soon as the rider recognizes that horses have some things in common with humans, we must also incorporate the opposite truth: they have many things not in common. Everyday struggles provide plenty of opportunities to teach reverse anthropomorphism:

 “Remember he can’t imagine a circle like you can. He is depending on you to give him instructions the whole way.”

 “Your horse wants to walk instead of trot because his instincts tell him he should not use up all of his energy. A tired horse might not be able to outrun a predator. Walking is also comfortable, and trotting is harder work. He doesn’t see the point to trotting in circles when he could be walking instead. You are going to have to convince him it’s more work and less comfortable to walk than to trot.”

 “When he canters with his friends in the field, he uses whatever lead feels good to him. He doesn’t think of having a “right” or “wrong” lead. When we want him to take a certain lead, we must prepare his balance so the right lead feels good to him.”

Madelyn Evans with Maggie the “talking” pony

 “If you are worried he will speed up, he doesn’t understand that you are scared of something he might do. He notices how tense and fearful your body is, and he thinks you are scared of something that would also be scary to him because he can’t understand that humans are scared of different things than horses. This makes him nervous, which makes him want to go faster.”

 “Your horse does not care about being more fit, so you are going to have to pay attention to whether or not he is doing these exercises correctly. If you don’t change how he’s doing it, he assumes it’s what you wanted. If you don’t reward him when he changes, he will not have a reason to try that behavior again.”

A rider who (consciously or subconsciously) thinks the horse “knows” certain things about how it “should” be acting can easily fall into the belief that a noncompliant horse is intentionally frustrating its person or withholding a better performance. By contrast, a rider who understands the inner drives of the horse can find fair, creative ways to inspire not force compliance. We impart this kind of intuition when we reverse-engineer anthropomorphism to include the rider thinking like a horse rather than expecting the horse to think like the rider—hippomorphism, if you will!

HONEST “NO”S: Respecting The Horse’s Boundaries

Of course, this intuition takes years to develop, and the gulf between raw beginner and conscientious horseperson is fraught with misapplied cues, environmental bogeymen, and days where the horse simply isn’t on board with the task. How you handle a student’s early struggles shapes their lifelong perspective of equine “disobedience”. Rather than blaming the horse, chastising the rider, or merely giving instructions, we can use all of our anthropomorphic tools to teach the rider to respond to the horse’s honest “no”.

 “I know you really want to canter today, but when I watch your horse, I see he isn’t in the right frame of mind for that. It is windy, his friends are running in the pasture, and it is close to dinnertime. Imagine how you would feel if you were stuck inside and hungry while your friends had recess. Feel how tense his muscles are and notice he wants to look out the arena doors to see his buddies. He’s having a hard time keeping himself together at the trot. We are not going to test his self-control by cantering right now.”

 “Sometimes horses have tired days just like people. I think your horse is having one right now. It’s fair to ask her to do some work, but it’s also fair to give her a break after she works. She needs your help to try her hardest, so get your best position ready!”

 “Even though he did well with that skill last time, he doesn’t seem to be making the connection so far today. We all have days like that. Let’s go all the way back to basics and get him thinking of moving off your leg before we try again.”

 “I’m sorry, but he is not ready to try that. Imagine if your boss gave you an assignment you didn’t understand and wanted you to complete it right away. Wouldn’t you feel stressed out? Your horse’s body is saying he is stressed out right now, so we need to change his assignment. This other exercise will help him feel more prepared for the task.”

Your judgement calls may be unpopular or even unprofitable as you scratch a class, pivot your plans for a ride, or have a serious discussion with someone about whether or not their horse is suited to the sport they wish to pursue. Clients are understandably disappointed when they do not meet their goals or miss out on an activity they enjoy. Empathy is the foundation that allows your students to not only absorb these disappointments, but also to see the wisdom in respecting their horse’s needs.

Building empathy is an intangible challenge but not an impossible one. Through positive anthropomorphism you can connect your students’ human experiences to their horses’ equine perspectives and watch empathy blossom. When riders learn to think like a horse, rather than expecting the horse to think like a human, true partnership occurs and can be enjoyed equally by both parties. Don’t be afraid to engage the imaginations of your students, and always encourage them to be the kind of rider whose horses cheer when they read their name on the lesson board!

About the author:

Lydia Fairchok is certified in Recreational Riding Level 1, and lives and teaches with her three horses in Central Indiana. Lydia segued from a full time instruction career to the field of public safety in 2014 and continues to teach a small number of students while working as a police officer and 9-1-1 dispatcher.

“

Building empathy is an intangible challenge but not an impossible one. ”

SUMMER CAMPS 2023

Summertime is just around the corner! Here are several camps that offer opportunities for riders to experience an “away” camp – perhaps you have students who are looking for this type of camp.

Valley View Ranch Equestrian Camp

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CAMP : Horse-lovers paradise! Since 1954, the purpose of Valley View Ranch has been to help each rancher have the full opportunity of horsemanship through instruction, time in the saddle on trails, and the care and responsibility of having her own horse, a’top Lookout Mountain in Cloudland, Georgia.

We offer several riding programs and encourage each camper to participate in all of them: English and Hunt Seat; Western Stock Seat and Barrels (Gymkhana); Trails and Vaulting. CHA instructors teach beginner to advanced riders. Each girl can spend as much time as she likes with her favorite ranch horse during her stay, or she can bring her own. Ranchers will find the facility comfortable, safe, and spacious. Located on 600 acres of lush pastures, wooded trails, and panoramic

views. Girls from 8-17 years of age are eligible and enrollment is limited to 50. The Jones family are third generation horse lovers, camp administrators, and equine educators making girls dreams come true!

CAMP TON-A-WANDAH

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CAMP :

Ton-A-Wandah’s riding program has been built by strong, committed women over many, many years. Horseback riding has so many wonderful things to offer your camper. The confidence and selfassurance they build while working with horses is second to none. Our stables are a place where beginners can learn the basics and experienced riders can seek out new challenges.

Our program is based on a safe and correct instruction following Hunt Seat Equitation. We have based our classes on a level system ensuring that our students get the best out of their time at Camp TAW. Whether they have never been on a horse or are heavily competing at home, we have something for everyone. Our instructors are hand chosen based on experience and roles in their equestrian community. We love having a diverse staff because being able to provide a wide range of instruction is important and (most importantly!) FUN for our students.

Each girl progresses at her own pace, and there is no pressure to advance beyond basic equestrian skills. However, we follow four levels of instruction and provide different opportunities in how to obtain these levels.

Helpful tip(s) to share with other instructors on running a successful camp:

Remember camp is about having fun! We let our campers do relay races on horseback in tutus on Wacky Wednesday and paint the bones on the horses.

One activity that your campers like the most:

Horseback Riding

A fun craft /keepsake that your campers enjoy making:

Shrinky Dinks

CONTACT INFORMATION:

JULIET TAFT

(828) 692- 4251 EXT. 6977

juliet@camptonawandah.com

staff@camptonawandah.com

Your E-Mail Address is important -for us and for you!

ARIA communicates primarily by e-mail with its members. Please make sure we have a working e-mail address for you. If you’re not sure, write to us at aria@riding-instructor.com and let us know your current e-mail address.

Thanks!

Did you know…

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For the greatest potency, choose a fresh equine fish oil, like Wellpride®. It provides a high dose of EPA and DHA for the greatest anti-inflammatory benefits. You’ll see the clear difference in your horses’ breathing, performance, and coat.

To learn more, visit wellpride.com or call 941.485.4400

Relieving the Pressure of Performance in Competition with Mental Toughness

Laura King CHt, NLP, Life & Performance Coach

The stress of competing can build like a pressure cooker (maybe it’s more like an Insta Pot these days!) and it’s your job as a horse trainer to help relieve the pressure and diffuse the steam for yourself, your students, and your staff. Mental toughness positively impacts success in athletes and promotes adaptive mental health functioning and well-being, an increase in the quality of sleep, and helps lower stress levels. As an equestrian coach and trainer, there are a variety of strategies you can use

to help your students (and yourself!) deal with the pressure of competition including providing emotional support and helping them develop some mental skills so they can be mentally tough in the ring.

Emotional Support

As your students’ trainer, they rely on you not only for learning the technical skills they need to succeed, but also to provide emotional support. Here are some ways you can help:

• Being available to listen and uplift your riders can help them feel more confident and less stressed.

• Building team cohesion and creating a positive team environment where athletes feel supported and valued by you and their barn buddies can help them feel more comfortable and confident in competition.

• Helping your students maintain perspective by reminding riders to focus on the

process rather than the outcome and to enjoy the experience and the growth of competing can help them cope with pressure and perform at their personal best.

• Setting unrealistic expectations for your athletes, such as expecting them to perform at an elite level before they are ready or expecting them to perfectly perform every time, can add to stress and possibly lead to a negative performance.

• Avoiding berating them for a less-thanstellar performance in competition, especially in front of others. Not only does it undermine their self-confidence and embarrass them, but the perception others get from the verbal exchange does nothing for your reputation.

• Encouraging physical and mental preparation by stressing physical and mental well-being through exercise, nutrition and self-care can help them feel better equipped to handle pressure. I am a proponent of making sure you and your students include plenty of protein in your diet.

• Helping your clients effectively manage their time when showing can help them avoid feeling overwhelmed. Create a realistic timetable for everything from grooming, braiding, tacking up to visualizing their successful time in the ring.

• Teaching stress management and relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises, mindfulness, or yoga.

For immediate relief when you find yourself in a circumstance that makes you nervous or anxious, focus on your breathing. By concentrating on taking slow, deep breaths, you take your mind off the immediate situation that makes you nervous, you bring necessary oxygen to your organs and muscles, and you slow your heart rate. This is an easy, inconspicuous, and fast-acting way to combat stress.

Remember, these strategies are not mutually exclusive, and a combination often helps athletes perform at their personal best under pressure.

The Mental Game

Helping your athletes develop mental skills to manage the pressure of competition more effectively can include goal setting, visualization, and positive self-talk, relaxation techniques, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, anchoring and more.

• Goal setting: A coach can help athletes set specific, measurable, and realistic goals. This can help riders stay focused and motivated during training and competition.

• Visualization: Teach your riders to visualize themselves performing well in a competition. Imagination is more powerful than knowledge. To explain this concept, I tell my clients to look at me and acknowledge that I have on a red shirt and khaki trousers. Then, I tell them to close their eyes and imagine me in a green shirt, black trousers, and a black hat. Then, I ask them to open their eyes and tell me which one is real. Your mind doesn’t know since it has seen both and doesn’t know the difference.

To apply it to a competitive situation or even in daily training, imagine yourself giving the optimal performance. Make it a rich sensory experience. Imagine what you’re wearing, how your hair is tucked into your helmet, what your horse looks like, how you feel on your horse, what you smell and what you hear. Employ all your senses. The more detailed the image, the better. Note that imagining peak performance and perfection are not the same thing.

• Relaxation techniques: Besides deep breathing, you can also encourage progressive muscle relaxation and meditation to help them manage stress and anxiety.

• Self-talk: Self-talk is that internal dialogue inside your brain, like when you tell yourself you are hungry or that you need to get a haircut soon. The danger for riders is when it takes on a negative connotation and your inner dialogue is more along the lines of “I’ll never be as good as she is,” or “What do I think I’m doing riding at this level?” Practicing empowering self-talk and working on your mind-set is just as important as practicing the technical aspects of your riding.

As a coach, you can teach athletes to use positive self-talk to improve their confidence and performance by helping them focus on their strengths, rather than their weaknesses. What you think is what you get so help transform negative “what-ifs” to positive ones. Change “What if I forget my test?” or “What if I knock down that rail?” or “ What if I don’t qualify for finals?” to “I have memorized this test and I am confident I’ll remember every movement” and “My horse and I are more than capable of performing a clean round” and “I am ready and can clinch the scores I need to go to finals.”

Remember that the two most powerful words you can use are “I am.” Why? Because your subconscious will assume the identity of whatever follows.

“

Practicing empowering self-talk and working on your mind-set is just as important as practicing the technical aspects of your riding. ”

• Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP): NLP seeks to make a connection between neurological processes, language, and behavioral patterns to achieve specific goals in life. The use of NLP can also allow you and your students to model themselves after other successful competitors. NLP seeks to reproduce the thoughts, beliefs and behaviors that create success, thereby reproducing success; success in communication, relationships, work, and riding.

NLP is about examining the clear paths to success and creating similar pathways to recreate that success. NLP uses several techniques to produce and reproduce excellence including modeling and anchoring, which are explained more below. You can learn more about NLP and other NLP techniques in my book, “Power to Win,” available on my website, laurakinghypnosis.com, or on Amazon in hard cover or Audible format.

• Modeling involves imagining yourself as a rider you admire. Visualize that rider who confidently embodies skills you would like to emulate. Visualize your face and your body on that rider as she competes. Your intention is to observe another rider as if she were you.

• Use anchoring technique to reinforce positive self-talk. Anchoring creates a response by association. It’s based on classical behavioral conditioning and involves creating a trigger that is connected to a desired response. Anchors can be just about anything: taking up the reins, seeing the ring you are about to enter, or when you mount your horse. The key is to attach the anchor to a desired emotional response. For example, when you take up the reins you immediately relax. I have found that anchoring is the tool that creates the most powerful, and lasting changes in my clients. I use it multiple times in all my personal sessions and all my MP3s, and I recommend that you get comfortable with it. For more information about how you can download my MP3s, go to laurakinghypnosis.com.

• Up your mental game: All kinds of athletes up their mental game to achieve success. Evan Engram, a football player for the Jacksonville Jaguars, was asked about his success performing at such a high level after a game where he had 11 receptions for 162 yards and two touchdowns.

“Once you learn some things mentally that you can apply on the field or in a profession or whatever you do, you kind of learn how to become mentally trained and use it to your advantage,” he said. “It’s a good tool to have. And so, as opportunities came, making plays, getting downfield… that confidence goes up.” He said it’s also important to stay centered and, in the moment, and to focus on your breathing.

• Mindfulness: Mindfulness techniques to help your riders focus on the present moment and not get bogged down by distractions or negative thoughts can help them improve their mental game.

• Coping strategies: Help your riders cope with setbacks and development to develop a growth mindset, where they view challenges and mistakes as opportunities for learning and improvement.

Mental training is a process and working on these techniques consistently with your riders in both training and competition scenarios can help them–and you—face stressful scenarios more confidently.

Need help addressing your challenges or achieving your goals? Sessions available in-person, via Skype, or by phone.

Products: www.summitpress.net

Sessions: www.summithypnosis.com

Email: SummitHypnosis@gmail.com

Phone: 561-841-7603

About the author:

Laura King is the Director and Founder of Summit Hypnosis and Wellness and is a Certified Hypnotist, NLP Practitioner, Life Coach, and Sports Performance Coach. Laura has written and published several books and workbooks, including ”Power To Win” for equestrians and “Perfect Enough,” a guide to help you evaluate your perceptions and experiences around vital areas of your life.

LEARN EDUCATE INSPIRE

Certified Horsemanship Association Clinic

MAY 22-26, 2023 • FROST VALLEY YMCA

Become a CHA certified riding instructor in English and/ or Western disciplines. All meals and lodging are included!

EMAIL: ewester@frostvalley.org

TEL: 845-985-2291 ext. 240

WEB: www.frostvalley.org/cha

Problems Stables Make With Non-Paying Boarders – and How to Avoid Them

Julie I. Fershtman, Attorney at Law

www.equinelaw.net

Virtually every trainer, boarding stable, and breeding farm has encountered the problem of horses left in their care without payment. Unfortunately, these businesses sometimes make wrong assumptions about their rights and legal responsibilities. Wrong assumptions can lead to bad decisions, multiple lawsuits, and even criminal proceedings. This article discusses mistakes stables sometimes make in these situations and offers ideas for avoiding them.

Never Assume You Can Sell The Horse Your Own Way And On Your Own Time

Faced with past-due board problems, stables have been known to sell off horses and pocket the proceeds, without ap-

proval from the non-paying horse owners. Situations like these are ripe for legal trouble for reasons that include:

• Stablemen’s lien laws. Most states have stablemen’s lien laws (sometimes called “agister’s lien laws”) that require stables to follow specific procedures before they can sell off horses belonging to others for unpaid board. Over the years, this author has written about these laws and how they differ around the country. Depending on the law, procedures can be complicated and expensive to pursue. Before selling a horse due to non-payment, stables would be wise to consult with a knowledgeable lawyer to understand the applicable law.

• Civil suits for depriving the non-paying owner’s property rights. Selling off horses without proper advance permission from the owners is an invitation for trouble on a few fronts. Non-paying horse owners might sue the stable, claiming it “stole” or converted their horse without permission. Depending on the law, consequences can be harsh. For example, lawsuits might claim conversion and seek up to three times the value of the horse, plus the non-paying boarder’s legal fees and costs.

• Criminal charges for theft. Potentially, the police and prosecutor’s office might take interest in pursuing criminal charges against a stable or trainer that sold off a boarded horse without permission.

• Lawsuit from the buyer. A hasty sale to relieve a stable of a horse with unpaid board could generate litigation from the buyer. That is, a disgruntled buyer might sue the stable challenging its sale on the basis that the stable lacked clear title. A buyer might also challenge the sale because the breed registry won’t transfer over the registration papers.

Never Assume You Can Tack On Any Rate Of Interest

State laws differ on allowable rates of interest that businesses, including equine-related businesses, can charge. Stables that charge illegally high rates of interest risk violating these laws.

Never assume you can use the horse for your own purposes, such as in your riding lesson program or even your breeding program

Even when board is not paid timely, the law expects stables to give boarded horses “reasonable care.” Placing the horse in the stable’s lesson program might not qualify, unless the horse owner gave proper consent. Because these uses put the horse owner at risk of being sued by an injured rider or handler, horse owners would be wise to seek legal guidance before agreeing.

Never Assume, Without Consulting With A Lawyer, That The Horse In Your Care Was “Abandoned”

A horse with an absent or non-paying owner may seem to be “abandoned,” but the law may say otherwise. Before taking drastic action based on an unfounded assumption of abandonment, know the law and know your rights. You might be surprised to learn that “abandonment,” under your state law, is a legal conclusion that a court of law must make, not you.

Conclusion

Laws regarding non-payment and creditors’ rights can be more complex than you think. When board is past due, stables may have options available to them, such as suing the boarder for collection or pursuing lien foreclosure rights under a stablemen’s lien law. State laws might even allow stables to pursue both. Stables can negotiate payment plans and special arrangements with their nonpaying boarders, as well. Avoid legal disputes by knowing your rights, planning ahead, and seeking legal guidance where appropriate.

This article does not constitute legal advice. When questions arise based on specific situations, direct them to a knowledgeable attorney.

About the Author

One of the nation’s best-known Equine Law practitioners, Julie Fershtman is a Shareholder with the law firm Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC, in Michigan. A lawyer with 36 years of experience, she has handled cases in 20 jurisdictions nationwide and has tried equine cases before juries in 4 states. She is listed in The Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers. Her speaking engagements span 29 states. Her newest book is “Equine Law & Horse Sense,” published in 2019 by the ABA. Written for non-lawyers and lawyers, this book received 4 national book awards. Find it on Amazon and look for the horse on the cover. For more information, visit www.equinelaw.net

Julie I. Fershtman, Attorney at Law

“

Avoid legal disputes by knowing your rights, planning ahead, and seeking legal guidance where appropriate. ”

10 Creative Ways to Boost Your Stable’s Income in 2023

Written By Shya Beth

The last couple of years of economic turmoil have caused upheaval across the country and in virtually every industry, and the horse world has not been excluded from that. It’s no secret that nearly all costs of equine management and stable operating costs keep going up, but besides raising your boarding and lesson rates, what else can you do? Depending on your interests, talent, time, and your property’s layout and design, there are multiple possibilities to maximize revenue. By taking these ideas into account and seeing what could work for your business, you might be surprised at the ways you can expand and create different streams of cash flow.

Masterclass Lesson Series

You’ve most likely ran into the scenario where you would wish there was more time to teach your students on a particular horse topic, but have been unable to dig deeper due to the time constraints of focused riding lessons. What about all the other topics that riders should know about—equine first aid, grooming and horse care, career opportunities, nutrition, and more?

Host a series of educational masterclasses to teach your current students what they

need to know to be well-rounded horsemen or horsewomen. While it would vary on the subject and format, you could explore a single subject over the course of a few weeks and expand your income while helping your students strengthen their horse sense.

Mini Clinics

Similar to the point above, hosting stand along, 2 or 4 hour mini clinics can be a great way to generate a new source of income, and draw new clients and potential students. Scheduling on weekend afternoons or evenings and focusing on having your attendance made up of potential clients rather than current ones can make this both a way to make money now and source new clients.

Additionally, you could make attendance mandatory for students who plan to lease, or offer a free mini clinic to students who pre-purchase a lesson package.

Tiny Tots Riding Series

Depending on your barns target student ages and skill levels, starting a Tiny Tot lesson program that specializes within that age group could be an additional revenue stream. Growing in popularity, kindergarten-age

children is a niche area that not many barns target. These leadline style lessons would be perfect private lessons or small groups for 20-30 minutes each, but you’ll need to take a different approach to these “glorified pony rides”. More enthusiasm and encouragement, as well as tinier expectations of your little rider's abilities, to start. This can be a great way to introduce the next generation of horse crazy kids, if you are up for the task.

An Oldie but Goodie - Summer Camps

Horse and Pony Summer Camps have been around for ages, and there’s a good reason why. Summer Camps are often cited as a huge moneymaker, but make no mistake –they are quite a lot of work!

While most camps would include riding time and unmounted activities, you can put your own custom spin. From mounted games to equine art focused sessions, put your thinking cap on! Each day could have a theme, such as equine careers, jumpers turned barrel racers, introduction to horse sports and more, as campers are more likely to sign up if they know in advance that each day will be different with the opportunity to experience something new.

Memories in the Making

If you’ve got a charming or chic barn with beautiful surrounding land, why not consider hosting outdoor weddings, anniversaries, parties and more? Perhaps your pavilion by the pond with some decor would be the perfect place to say “I do”, or another pleasant looking area is just the place to host an event or celebration of life gathering. All kinds of events need space to host their guests, and rented essentials and decor can turn barns fields and even forests into spectacular venues. Reach out to event organizers and planners in your area so that when they have a client looking for the perfect venue, they know who to call!

Invite the Photographers

Collaborating with local photographers, reaching out to art/photography schools or photographers who teach classes and offering access to your property and horses for equine themed shoots is another way to add additional revenue. Some photographers might want a simple setting of photographing horses in the field or barn, or use some of your calmer horses in their shoots with clients or in a fantasy/holiday setting. Work out the ground rules and what you and your horses are comfortable doing, and if the photographer has horse experience or not. Make sure to share the photos on your barn’s website and social media!

Rent Outbuildings

Have some unused farm buildings? Perhaps the easiest on this list that requires hardly any work from you would be to rent out space in unused farm buildings. From a lockable shed to an outbuilding that no longer has a purpose, renting space out to other businesses, mechanics and even artists or equine related businesses could be a viable way to increase your land’s income and use.

Sell Branded Items

You don’t need to open up an Amazon shop and become an ecommerce guru in order to make additional income from selling branded items. Have your barn name and logos printed

on everything from sweatshirts, baseball caps, t-shirts and tote bags to coffee mugs that can be printed on demand from online retailers, Walmart or local shops. Encourage clients to purchase, and you can even add their horse’s name to make it more personal. You’ll be able to add this as an additional income stream as well as cultivate a sense of loyalty and community amongst your clients.

There are countless ways you can leverage your business’s income streams while still having training and/or boarding being your business’s aspect. Using some creativity, market research and reaching out to others in your community can help create additional sources of income that fit your properties, skills, and lifestyle. The sky’s the limit!

Revisiting the Basics

By Didi Arias Illustration by author

When it is time to go back to basics with a student, if I say “let´s give attention to the simplest and most important matters”, my summary of the Cambridge Dictionary´s definition, I´m pretty certain that there will be an interest in to what I am going to say

next. But if I say “time to go back to basics”, groans and eye rolls are the frequent reactions as that phrase tends to invoke such a negative response. People prefer to imagine that they are only progressing, and the thought of taking a few steps back

threatens that belief (“But I learned that ages ago, so I´m not good enough now?”). Avoiding any upset, I quickly redirect the conversation to football.

“You´ve heard about Training Camp, right?” I ask.

Sure, they all have; football Training Camp is a well-known back to basics program and accepted as part of what footballers have to do. I shouldn´t think there is anything glamorous or exciting about it, and the work is certainly rigorous and repetitive, but the practice is vital for peak performance; the coaches know it, and the footballers do too. Of course these players are professionals at the top of their sport, but if they do it, the struggling student can too. There is no need to perceive it as an insult or a punishment, nor will it involve going over and over every single skill ever learned. It is really an approach to help them be proactive in addressing whatever issues are at hand with the goal towards finding positive outcomes.

Though revisiting the basics will of course include work on technical skills, the refocus can bring in other key elements, and a few that come immediately to mind follow.

Recognizing Skipped Steps

Buck Brannaman logically stated: “If you miss the beginning, the basics, then you have to go back and visit the basics”. It is as simple as that. However, the rider doesn´t always realize that they may have missed out on some fundamentals, and that may not come to light until they have the Great Revelation or until someone points it out. I still recall realizing there were some things that I hadn´t been taught earlier on that quite honestly, someone should have thought to mention. That kind of came as a blow, especially as I´d been going along, blissfully ignorant, while in fact was little more than a piece of Swiss cheese: full of holes. By going back to basics, those gaps can be assessed and solidly filled in.

Confidence

Self-confidence is a life skill and building on it helps develop resilience, greater motivation and a sense of being capable. Revisiting the basics helps the rider achieve consistent and predictable results, and with improvement of one´s personal effectiveness, the gaining of confidence is the shiny reward.

Patience

Patience, a most certain virtue, contributes to our ability to live happier, more moral lives. If there is anything horse people need, other than deep pockets, it is an abundance of patience. While we practice the art of it in our work, it frequently seems that students are in a state of continual rush, or searching for the quick fix, have easy-to-flare tempers, and need immediate gratification. Not to mentioned that everything is “that stupid horse´s fault”. Time in the Training Camp can help the rider identify triggers and notice emotions that influence their lack of patience while exploring relaxation techniques and perhaps reassess goals.

Technical Skills

Having a good grasp of the “riding language” of communication is similar to having command of a foreign language, and it takes time and practice to become fluent. The vocabulary needs building up, and the shades and layers of meaning explored. When there is a lack of proficiency in a foreign language, communication gets complicated, misunderstandings and frustrations arise. Repeating set exercises is akin to practicing pronunciation and phrase structure, improving the accent and comprehension, making the rider a more fluent communicator.

This is also the place for riders that have fallen in to sloppy ruts of misuse (why use your seat, legs and hand when a good yank on a rein does the trick?). Revisiting technical skills can also help to re-motivate the lazy rider (“I´ll ride better tomorrow, I´m not so focused today”). I honestly hope that they don´t also say “I´ll drive better

tomorrow” when they get behind the wheel. I often wonder that the student who says “I know how to do it, I just didn´t” actually does understand, when in fact, there is a good possibility that there is some basic knowledge missing. Revisiting the aid basics and their uses can improve attitude as well as performance.

The work also serves as a reminder to the student “who forgot” to use a very important aid. I cite the case of student I taught for several years as a youngster who returned to riding as an adult. She found herself in difficulty as she somehow “forgot” that she had eyes, and spent several weeks teaching her horse to dive to the left upon approaching every jump. Turns out she was dropping her head downwards as she rode in to a fence.

“I feel like such a fool” she told me after I pointed to the probable cause of her frustration after viewing a video she e-mailed me. “I think I need Boot Camp or something” she admitted.

Bingo, there you go!

Focus – From time to time riders can find themselves feeling blocked and not progressing. This “stuck in a rut” state can have so many origins, from tiredness and disappointment, to not having goals. Riders who always ride alone can lack creativity and input; it can feel a little lonely sometimes, unlike football, where players train in company. The good news is that the guided and structured work of going back to basics has a refocusing benefit. Many think it will be dreary and boring, but on the contrary, new inspiration and feedback, through the exercises and drills, can illuminate a way out of a funk and allow for a welcoming reset.

nightmare, there is something wonderful in imagining that we could go off to some organized Horse Rider Training Camp each year like the footballers do. But we make our own “training camps” at home when we take the time to take our students back to revisit those essential body/mind and technical skills. There are so many eyeopening moments and countless little wins, both personal and competitive, to be had.

If a student is only ever brought back to basics again and again, the impact would be detrimental as they would not be allowed to see progress and experience the benefits of the work. They might even give up the sport altogether because that “I´ll never get good enough” mind set can happen. Likewise, it would be a disservice to our students to not move them forward due to our own limitations, and the same would be if we only dwelled on what went wrong during the ride. We cannot keep our students in a perpetual state of never really moving on to our satisfaction, to hold them back until they are “perfect”. I´ve said time and again that perfection doesn´t exist, and though we may at times take steps backwards in order to move forward, it should be exactly about that: the path forward.

I can only see the pluses for riders to periodically revisit and strengthen simple tasks; it just makes a whole lot of sense. Though it would most likely be a logistical

About the author:

Didi Arias is a Level 3 ARIA Certified Instructor and national dressage judge and teacher, who resides in Almeria, Spain.

Gas Gangrene Up Close And Personal

By Janet Forster

Gas gangrene, or clostridial myonecrosis, is a rare and serious bacterial infection of anaerobic (without oxygen) muscle tissue. The bacterium produces gas and releases toxins that destroy the surrounding muscle and other tissues. It is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment, and the outcome is often fatal.

The bacteria responsible for the infection usually live in soil, but can also be found in wounds, infected surgical sites, or other areas affected by trauma. They likely arrive there via external contamination. In horses, Clostridium perfringens type A is the commonest gas gangrene causing bacteria, although several others have also been known to cause it.

Equine Gas Gangrene

Equines most commonly develop gas gangrene after an intramuscular (IM) injection of a tissue irritating substance. Flunixin meglumine AKA Banamine® or Finadyne® is the most common culprit because it is not specifically designed for IM administration. However, IM injections of phenylbutazone, ivermectin, vaccines, vitamins, antihistamines, and prostaglandins have also been known to bring on gas gangrene.

It’s not known exactly how the bacteria spores reach the infection site. Intestinal populations of Clostridium perfringens type A are reasonably common in humans and other mammals, including horses. Thus, the spores may already be present in the intestinal system of the horse and reach the injection site via the blood stream, or they may be introduced into the muscle by the needle. There also appears to be no correlation between cleaning and not cleaning the skin prior to injection.

Symptoms of gas gangrene include severe pain, swelling, and discoloration of the infected area, along with a smelly discharge. If not treated promptly, the infection can spread to other parts of the body, leading to tissue death and organ failure.

My Experience With Gas Gangrene

I was unfortunate enough to have a run-in with gas gangrene with one of my horses in 2015. It started, sure enough, with an IM Finadyne® injection in the chest muscle late one afternoon. Within 12 hours, his entire off fore leg was swollen [photo 1]. I called the vet, suspecting a broken leg. It turned out it wasn’t so the next likely scenario was an abscess from the injection.

He was started on penicillin and gentamicin, which in hindsight almost certainly saved his life. Also in hindsight, it was probably lucky we didn’t realise at the time what

we were dealing with!! In fact, it wasn’t until several years later when I read an article about gas gangrene that the penny dropped. Lucky certainly was one very lucky lad. In 2015, though, gas gangrene in horses was rare enough that it obviously didn’t occur to the vet either.

Treatment Begins

Alongside the antibiotics and pain relief, I hosed his leg down several times a day to reduce the swelling. Surprisingly (in hindsight), it came down within a day or 2.

Around day 3 or 4 the ‘abscess’ ruptured so I could now keep it flushed it out. The small patch of black skin to the right of the rupture hole is the site of the original injection. It subsequently blew open as well. The yellow is discharge.

One Week Later

About day 7, the skin over the infection site broke away to expose a gaping hole in his chest muscles. Between weeks 2 and 3, the hanging skin flap dried out and fell off. Incidentally, the pink around the edges of the wound is a hospital grade antiseptic antibacterial product (not Centrigen!). He was also still getting his penicillin and gentamicin jabs plus I was hosing it out 3 or 4 times a day, and pumping antibiotic powder in there.

At Two Weeks

I noted much of his muscle tissue had disappeared. The hole towards the middle of his chest was particularly deep and the infection by now had almost completely ‘dissolved’ his nearside chest muscles.

The yellow paste I used was made from natural healing oils and various other antibacterial botanicals mixed with sulphur powder. I started using it when it became apparent a bulk product that could literally be ‘shovelled’ into the hole was in order! One that would keep the flies out at the same time because it was the middle of summer in the fly capital of Australia! Did it work? I’ll let you be the judge of that!

By Three Weeks

Between weeks 2 and 3, some pretty amazing healing happened. It is incredible how fast the offside muscle tissue grew back once the infection was knocked on the head. The proud flesh also disappeared of its own accord as everything healed over. His skin also grew back at a phenomenal rate.

One Month And Counting

A month after it happened and it’s around a third of the original size. The muscles on the offside chest have grown back nicely but you can still see a large gap where they’re meant to be on the nearside!

At 5 ½ weeks [photo 8] it’s down to about an eighth of the original size and the nearside muscles have finally begun regenerating. The following photos were taken at weekly or fortnightly intervals after that [photos 9 – 12].

Three Years And Eight Years

And finally, just on 3 years later – [photos 14] there’s only a small indent and insignificant

looking scar to tell the tale. Eight years later (2022) and there is just a tiny scar and a small depression when viewed at certain angles [photos 16]. Interestingly he did develop a slight swing in his off fore leg afterwards.

Clostridium perfringens type A And Other Gas Gangrene Causing Bacteria

One of the most important things to consider when dealing with gas gangrene is that these bacterial spores attack anaerobic muscle. They don’t like oxygen at all because exposure to it kills them! Therefore, standard treatment protocol for gas gangrene includes allowing oxygen to get into the site.

Most horses unfortunately develop gas gangrene in the neck muscles because that’s a common injection site. The infection then rapidly travels up and down the major muscles there, requiring multiple surgical incisions to let oxygen in. It’s also often fatal because it’s just too hard to control the spread.

In Lucky’s case, the location in his chest allowed for easy drainage so infected tissue wasn’t sitting there festering away and spreading. The infection site also completely opened up, allowing plenty of oxygen to get in. These factors plus the regular hosing and aggressive antibiotic treatment, almost certainly are what saved him. I also believe the oxygen in the water (it is after all made from 2 hydrogen molecules plus an oxygen molecule i.e. H2O) helped too.

About the author:

Janet Forster hails from sunny Perth in Western Australia. During a lifetime spent with horses, she has bred, competed, loved and written about them. She owns a collection of high percentage Tb crossbreds, most of which are palominos and registered Australian Stock Horses.

What Is Your Next Chapter?

By Cameo Miller

Illustration by Bethany Caskey

The article this time is about what you might do if you can no longer be a riding instructor/ trainer. Some of you will be inclined to quit reading right now thinking that you are just beginning your career, or that the need for this is a long ways off. And I am well aware that the vast majority of us continue to do this, literally, until the day we die. And, yes, I know of many of us who have continued to be successful even with rather severe physical limitations. But if the last few years have taught us anything, it is that things can change in an instant. As we get older our abilities change too. One of the things we are all taught from the beginning of setting up a business, is to begin planning towards a different future. Usually this is in terms of finances (setting aside money, investing

any money we can) or planning out a course of learning for ourselves to get us to future goals. Changing directions or adding in extracurricular activities is not something we usually are told to think about as part of our business plan. But, perhaps, we need to at least give it passing attention.

Many things other than age can derail us. There are an infinite number of reasons why what we are currently doing, or what we have planned for the future, may not continue as we have envisioned. Moving, death, serious illness (ours or someone close to us) natural disasters, divorce—the list is long. Sometimes these disruptions put a serious crimp in what we are doing as well as what we had planned to do. This is true for any profession, so we should not be surprised that it may effect ours too.

Most of us are truly dedicated to our profession. The horses, our students, teaching, training—it isn’t what we do, it is an integral part of who we are. And the other things which require our time and attention—family, (immediate and extended), a job outside of our profession, etc.—leave us little time to add in things which we might just enjoy. These are all things which require that we GIVE of ourselves. We are happy to do this for a wide range of reasons. And we get satisfaction and enjoyment from this giving or we would not be so invested in our work.

As much as we love what we do, we are not JUST this. You have never been JUST a riding instructor and/or trainer. It has clearly been part of what defined who you are, but it is not the sum total of you. Nor does no longer being able to do it to the same degree or in the same fashion cause you to be less than. It is just the next chapter in your life.

What other things make you happy, give you a sense of peace? What things did you wish you had time to indulge in? These are the things that can give your life meaning if you can no longer practice your chosen profession. These are the things you can whole heartedly claim in your life during this next chapter. If you are

one of those just beginning or in the middle of your career, these are the things you can start working towards. It is easiest to switch gears if there are already pathways started. So think of what little pavers for this pathway that you can incorporate now so it will be even more available to you in the future when you may need or want it. Even if you never need this new pathway, the bits of it that you have incorporated into your life will bring you bits of joy along the way since they are things you have defined as important to you. And all of those bits of joy give TO you rather than being something you give to others. They can be part of the balance between giving to and the receiving of.

A new chapter is an opportunity to blossom in a whole new way. It is not ‘since I can no longer…’, it is ‘now I get to become…’. Adding in parts of this when younger is not ‘in case I can’t’, it’s ‘when I get a chance to’. Your attitude towards a new direction is not about the actual choices you make, but about how you perceive the choices you make. Whether you view change as a step towards something new and exciting, or as a forced retreat. Even if you are one of those who continue to teach and train your entire life, how much you are able to do it may change so that you will be glad to be able to add in other things which bring you joy in the doing. And having those sparks of joy all along the way will only enrich your life. Life is an ever changing, ever unfolding experience. We make decisions about the paths through it that we choose all along the way. If, at some point, we choose a divergent path, there can still be great fulfillment and joys to discover. A new path you are on does not mean you are less than. Just like the one you would have left, it is only what you make of it. Savor the path you are on, enjoy the new one if you chose one, but revel in the ability to choose. You get to write your own story.

About the Author:

Cameo Miller is a Masters-level clinical psychologist and a Level IV ARIA Certified Instructor based in Michigan. She is a member of the ARIA Evaluation Panel and an ARIA National Test Center Administrator.

… in which Cameo Miller stirs her thoughts and ideas to see what rises to the top.

Cameo’s cauldron

Sponsor Spotlight

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Wellpride

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Did You Know?

When it comes to omega-3s, the adage “the more, the merrier” holds true! Omega-3s – particularly the EPA and DHA fatty acids found in fish – have potent anti-inflammatory effects. But those anti-inflammatory benefits depend on your horse getting an adequate dose. How much that is depends on factors like weight, age, your horse’s diet, and also how much inflammation

they’re experiencing. Horses that are older, weigh more, or struggle with inflammation issues like EIPH or allergies usually need higher doses. As a general rule, we at Wellpride recommend 1 - 2 oz of fish oil daily for a 1000 pound horse (7.5 g - 15 g EPA/DHA). That's an effective daily boost for stronger health all around!

Lead the Herd

How to be a Better Leader in (and out) of the Stable

Written By: Shya Beth

Whether you are running a large training business or a local barn, good leadership is something that can make or break your operation’s success. From day to day challenges to larger issues like managing employees, finances, maintaining and finding new clients is an ongoing responsibility. More often than not, riding instructors admit their horse skills are much better than their people skills, and that’s easy to understand. In order to mange a successful equestrian business, however, being a good

“people person” and successful leader does not require a personality change, or any other drastic measures—it’s easier than you think.

The Biggest Asset

The biggest asset to any stable is—employees! Employees not only help you manage your current workload and free up your time to focus on other aspects of the business, but help expand your business with more clients and training opportunities.

Hiring the right person can be your biggest asset…but hiring the wrong person can be a costly mistake. The position you need to fill – from grooms to barn manager or a trainer will obviously require particular skill sets. One of the main goals is to hire someone who is skilled or can grow into the role, and learn and be interested in their work and hopefully staying on long term.

Staff turnover can be one of the most costly parts of running any business, and it’s

important to do all you can to minimize this aspect of managing employees. Simple things like thoroughly explaining all job requirements and having realistic conversations to make sure the potential hires have the ability to take on the role, having an honest conversation about their own career goals and making sure they line up with what you are looking for in a new employee are crucial. Checking all references and having a trial period before hiring for the long term are the next logical steps.

Probation periods are a smart move for employers and employees alike. Just like a horse coming to your barn on trial, you’ll be able to see if there is a good fit with this potential employee before signing on for the long term.

Be the Leader you Would Want to Follow

Be the leader you would want to follow! Always be respectful towards your employees and address any issues in a civil, private conversation if you determine there is an issue. If that situation arises, be sure to acknowledge the things they are doing well or are doing right. Then explain the areas they need to improve on, ending with assuring them that you are here to answer questions or if they need help—you are on the same team.

In the same vein, take a moment to reflect and take responsibility if the error is unconsciously caused by you. Did you make sure beforehand that the employee was capable of successfully completing the task, and make sure that they are aware you are open to help answer questions and guide them if needed? Making sure your staff is trained for everything they will need to handle will help set up a successful result.

Above all, open and clear communication is key for maintaining working relationships with new and current staff. They need to know they can go to you with a problem,

and you will help them resolve it in a timely fashion. Letting staff grievances fester without being remedied as soon as possible, can often times will leave a negative atmosphere and contaminate the barn for other employees, and depending on the severity, clients as well.

Keep all Aspects Scheduled & Organized

One of the main keys to being a good leader is being someone your employees can count on and trust, as well as being someone who does their best to minimize friction and keep the whole operation running smoothly. In the office or tack room, consider keeping a blackboard time schedule, keeping everyone on the same page of rotational staff shifts (if they apply), as well as overall the daily chore list. Having employees check off when each task is completed and by who will help keep you on top of things and not having to personally check where your help is currently at, and what still needs to be done that day or week.

Additionally, keeping each horse’s schedules on their stall door will help make sure they receive the correct amount of turn out, exercise, feed, as well as any supplements or medical attention required. This information being kept right there on the stall will help eliminate any mistakes when it comes to horse health care.

In the tack room, the same way of organizing applies. Bridles, saddles, halters and other horse specific tools should be tagged to eliminate making mistakes - no one likes bringing a horse out to the ring only to realize that they’re accidentally using the wrong equipment.

Last but not least, keeping a designated text message group with all employees will help you notify everyone if an emergency or unexpected situation comes up. Communication is key!

Final Review

It's essential to make any workplace the best environment it can be. You and your staff will be spending a lot of time in each other’s spaces and working closely together to make sure the stable is well run and that the horses receive the utmost care. Many successful riding instructors, barn managers and the like did not go to school to learn how to manage employees, and that’s okay. But enabling these practices and treating others how you yourself would like to be treated, you’ll make working with others at the barn a stress-free environment and become a great leader of your horsey tribe.

If you make sure your employees are well taken care of, they will in turn work harder to make sure their work is up to par—it’s a win-win for all.

About the author:

Shya Beth is a rider, artist writer and all around horse lover based in New Jersey, USA. Whether creating horses in art, riding in the fields on her farm or writing about horses, horses are a huge aspect of her life and inspire her every day.

Riding Instruction for All

Mary Gallagher

Owner, Freedom Farm Natural Horsemanship

How to make Safety, Fun!

Horses are marvelous creatures and friends but are powerful, presenting a certain risk to the inexperienced. Over the course of my 40+ years as a riding instructor, I have developed a wide variety of exercises and games to help riders of any level cultivate the necessary skills and fitness, before and after they get on a horse. I have spent years crafting and editing these exercises into a comprehensive instructors manual. There is still work left to be done but I wish to share with you a sneak peek into the information and style that my manual is going to embody.

Many of these activities are easy to set up and fun to play. Some of my games, such as the one I am sharing here, are geared towards youth, but do not make the mistake in thinking these games or “exercises” would not be beneficial for any beginning rider. So here is a set of fun exercises I call the The Barrel Horse Games. There are 4 basic mini games:

• Mounting Barrel Relay

• Dismounting Relay

• Around the World

• Vaulting Poses

It takes a brave person to swing their leg over the back of a horse. This basic maneuver can seem daunting to new riders, and many never take that first step in fear of the unknown. The confidence of the beginner rider can be fragile. These barrel games get both kids and adults thinking about how it might feel to swing a leg over a horse, then performing the action while feeling safe. Each game helps grow the rider’s body awareness, a crucial step toward self-confidence.

Mounting and Dismounting Barrel Relay

This game is designed to get riders used to swinging their leg in the proper mounting motion without the fear of the horse as a factor. We use 50 gallon barrels to simulate the back of the horse while keeping the rider close to the ground and their confidence high. However you may use any implement that may correctly train balance and simulate the experience of sitting on a horse.

Start by demonstrating the proper mounting and dismounting motion yourself. You may take barrels (or any other implement your trainee can balance on while sitting) and line

Proper Mounting and Dismounting

• Place hand on the front of the barrel

• Swing leg over back of the barrel

• Sit and settle your weight using your abdomen to balance

• Swing other leg off the back of the barrel for dismount

them up in a straight line. They must move through the barrels mounting and dismounting repeatedly. This exercise builds the rider’s core while getting them used to the idea of swinging their legs over the back of a horse, building confidence, body awareness, hip flexibility, and balance. The Mounting and Dismounting Relay games can be broken into two separate games or not. The point is to get the rider used to swinging both their legs over the horse and building that hip mobility and core strength regardless of the rider’s dominant side. The dismounting game can even include the riders swinging their leg over the front of the barrel to further the exercise so long as they know the proper technique when the time comes to mount the Horse.

Around the World

In this game, the rider’s core muscles are the focus because they are the key component to balancing while the horse is in motion. When the beginner rider mounts the horse for the first time, they are likely to hang on with their hands and grip tight with their legs rather than engage their core muscles for balance.

In Around the World, the rider tips back on the seat bones and swings one leg in front of them over the barrel, putting them sitting sideways on the barrel. The rider continues in this manner, swinging that same leg over again until they are sitting backwards. With another swing of the leg the rider is sitting sideways on the other side, and with the final swing the rider is sitting facing forward again. Each time the rider swings a leg over the barrel, they are rocking back on their seat bones and engaging their core muscles.

Vaulting Poses

This is a great confidence-building game that focuses on balance and stability. With the barrel being so close to the ground, even timid riders are willing to try it. Successful balancing on the barrel builds confidence that transfers easily to balancing on the horse.

I have found that my own riders have the most creativity with this game. Riders may want to start out with a spotter holding the barrel still and their hands on the front to build their confidence, however as they progress this will drastically change.

Eventually riders will be sitting, kneeling and eventually standing with no help.

If a rider struggles or is clumsy while mounting or dismounting, the horse can become concerned and move their feet, making the whole process awkward and potentially unsafe. These games prepare new riders for the process by helping open the hips and challenge the rider’s balance prior to the actual riding. With practice, riders can learn to mount and dismount smoothly and fluidly, as well as simply move around while on a horse’s back.

Be Safe, Have fun

Always let your riders have fun with your exercises. There is a time for focus when on the back of a horse but at its core, riding is supposed to be an enjoyable experience full of wonder and passion. Why should your training exercises be any different? These games are designed to prepare beginner riders for the real thing but they are also meant to banish the nervous energy and apprehension that comes with sitting on the back of a large, powerful animal, while emphasizing safety and confidence in that safety.

I have dedicated my life to developing my horsemanship, carrying that focus into my approach to instruction. I have worked with some of the most renowned instructors in the world, and pay forward that privilege with every student. At the end of the day I find that fun and passion need to be present in training, not only for the riders but the

horses as well. I incorporate this idea into my methodology and training regardless of age, skill, or other defining factors. Whether the rider is a beginner who has never sat on a horse, or an expert trying to expand their skillset, my training is designed to push away the fear and reservations and bring out the joy and wonder that got us all into riding in the first place.

Who is Mary Gallagher?

Mary is a versatile trainer and clinician, wellknown for combining her knowledge of show jumping and natural horsemanship to reach new dimensions of balance and communication between rider and horse. Mary has ridden for world renowned instructors, trained with Olympic riders, and personally hosted A rated shows in Washington State, all while adopting and developing principles of natural horsemanship. She has a lifetime of knowledge, experience, and passion for horses and horsemanship. Her personal instruction and clinics emphasize connection, communication, and cooperation.

Mary is a strong believer that health, fitness, and body awareness play a big part in how we relate to our horses. In her teaching, Mary integrates her knowledge of traditional and natural horsemanship with personal health and fitness, conveying the many elements of balance and communication to her students.

Her students compete throughout the Pacific Northwest, showcasing Mary’s elite instruction.

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