Equine Translator Horsemanship

06/01/2026

Portable round pen/temp stalls for horse camping incoming!

Life is good.

Oh- and i got a give $25 get $25 code in case anyone else is looking for corral panels.

Use my personal link to get a discount off your first purchase at Camp Corrals

04/18/2026

A bit is only harsh as the hands only works if the physical machines of the bit itself aren't harsh.

Bitting up is never the answer for poor training. Go back to square one. Find the holes or where training started to wash out/ fade and fill it in.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EusKMSsDX/

04/08/2026

If i was asked what 3 things I want to be known for as a trainer i would say:
1. My patience
2. My ability to read a horse
3. My ability to come up solutions that fit the horse and their needs

02/08/2026

Do you know all the rein aides in riding?

I was always taught there are 4 rein aides.

Opening rein- move your hand away from the horse to create space for the shoulder to move into. When teaching to a new rider it's "point the thumb out" then move your hand in the direction of the thumb.

Direct rein- hand goes back, typically toward the hip creating direct pressure on the bit to ask for the nose to turn.

Bearing rein- aka the neck rein. The rein is beared across the neck asking for the front end of the body to swing away from the pressure.

Indirect rein- aka the pinky swing. on the inside of a bend, you would swing the rein towards the neck to move the shoulder out. This one is not used as commonly and was more of a supportive aide.

Rein aides control the front. Leg aides control the hq. Seats aides control the body.

10/21/2025

Positive does not mean Permissive.

I had to search for a new farrier for my drafts because my usual doesn't do drafts anymore.whwnever i search for a new professional i try to be honest and upfront. "I use positive reinforcement, I don't use punishment unless absolutely necessary, we are a patient barn. I'd rather pay you for extra time or coming out again than escalate things if its not necessary." Kind of disclaimer. I know i'm odd, if they don't like that it's totally understandable, we just aren't a good fit.

This disclaimer being said, safety of the people around is my top priority. I have kids working with my animals all the time, safety has to be top priority. So how do we balance the two? No punishment, all soft squishy positive training, don't the horses just walk all over us?

Nope! The horses learn from the beginning we have strict criteria for safety and manners around us and food, before we even get into the fun training. We don't just stand by while our horses bite and kick us and drag us around and think "i'll just wait until they behave so i can click". We set them up for safety, success, and hold them to high standards. We are kind, almost always, but that doesn't mean we don't have a strong set of rules and expectations for our horses. We teach them what we want them to do, we set them up for success, we build them towards their goals with steady growth so we can see problems before they explode, and we take the time the horse needs to become confident in doing the right behavior.

Of course, we also utilize guides like the humane hierarchy for emergencies. If someones health or safety (human or horse) is at risk, we do whatever is necessary to get the job done and everyone safe. If the horse needs medical care they aren't ready for, we get the job done even if force is required, we'll fix the emotional impact later. If a horse is putting someone in danger we will do whatever is necessary to get that person to safety. Safety is most important, but not everything is an emergency and we can have patience and do the prep work to make sure its a great experience for everyone.

Next post i'll go into those specific techniques to set the horse up for success.

Thanks for all the fabulous art

10/07/2025

09/28/2025

Such beautiful changes

08/22/2025

08/15/2025

Curious about trying food in your horse training?
If elephants, tigers, and even hippos can learn complex husbandry behaviours with food… why not horses?

🐘 African Elephants: The largest land mammal, have been trained to take injections and many other husbandry behaviours through clicker training.

🐻 Bears: With a bite force of over 1,200 PSI, have been trained to have their teeth cleaned and to give hair and blood samples.

🐯 Tigers: With claws 4 inches long, have been trained to back up their tails into their handler for injections and to accept fly spray on their ears.

🦓 Zebras: Who can kill lions with a single kick, have been trained to voluntarily walk onto a scale, stand still, and get weighed.

🦛 Hippos: The world’s deadliest mammal, have been trained to have their teeth brushed and undergo dental checks.

🦧 Chimpanzees: With 5 times the arm strength of a human male, have been taught to get their temperature checked and teeth inspected.

🦒 Giraffes: The tallest mammal in the world, have been trained to have their hooves handled and trimmed.

These behaviours are taught by pairing a specific action with something the animal values, often food. This helps them understand exactly what’s being asked and makes participating in their own care a positive experience. Training begins with small, achievable steps and builds gradually to more complex skills.

In many cases, the first sessions are done in protected contact, where a safe barrier allows the animal to feel comfortable and the trainer to work without risk. This isn’t unique to zoos, most R+ horse trainers also start this way.

We have horses trained for liberty injections (intramuscular or subcutaneous without restraint), taking oral syringes, placing their hooves on stands, showing their teeth and allowing tongue/mouth handling for daily checks, accepting eye care, volunteering for bandage changes and wound treatment, and even asking for fly spray.

If these larger, stronger, and more dangerous animals can be trained safely with food, imagine what’s possible for your horse. 🐴✨

Want to see these behaviours in action? I’ve linked real-life examples in the first comment.

Inspired by Doggie Drawings by Lili Chin.

08/14/2025

Flinching is not the same as spooking.

Flinching says I'm uncomfortable with the touch/ action/ what just happened but I'm behaving appropriately.

Spooking says im over threshold/I was caught unaware/I am mentally done.