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Trail Horse Challenge PhotosShanny2018-01-07T20:34:59-06:00
horse push ball challenge
horse walking on bridge
back up barrels horse challenge
barrel go round horse obstacle challenge

horse obstacle block
360 horse board pinwheel challenge
barrel go round horse obstacle challenge
water box pool noodles horse obstacle

horse push ball challenge
horse challenge balloon
water obstacle river crossing on trail
water box floating obstacle horse competition

tunnel pool noodle horse obstacle
jump standard cowboy challenge obstacle
horse entering river on trail
skinny bridge obstacle

trash horse obstacle branches
trash box rails obstacle competition
transfer challenge mailbox horse competition
walk though tires obstacle

teeter totter obstacle horse
stand in box challenge finish run
scary horse obstacle goats
carry slicker horse challenge

water sprinkler horse obstacle
horse challenge dismount horse
trash box pop bottles obstacle
sidepass cowboy challenge pivot turn on haunches

maze horse back up through labrynth challenge
maze back up through barrels challenge
horse walking over jump
straddle wood horse obstacle challenge

stand on horse cowboy challenge
horse jumping over log on trail
walk through horse wash car pool noodles spining barrels obstacle
horse wash car pool noodles jump standard obstacle

horse challenge open close rope gate
horse jump barrel pool noodle spider
walk through horse wash car pool noodles spining barrels obstacle
walk through horse wash car noodle obstacle

horse wash car pool noodle obstacle
horse wash car noodle obstacle
walk down hill on horseback
horse wash car pool noodles spining barrels obstacle

horse challenge open close weighted gate
horse challenge open close weighted gate
flintstone barrel car push obstacle
large elephant stand horse obstacle

bridge hill horse obstacle
drag tarp horse challenge
drag sack horse challenge
horse obstacle challenge course

drag log horse challenge
riding through curtains obstacle on horse trail
horse wash car pool noodles obstacle
horse obstacle curtains
More curtain images below

horse obstacle curtains
horse obstacle curtains
dummy bear horse challenge
bridge on trail

suspension bridge obstacle
suspension bridge obstacle
suspension bridge horse stand challenge
keyhole bridge horse obstacle

keyhole bridge horse obstacle
bridge steps horse obstacle
bridge horse obstacle tarp
bridge horse obstacle

bridge obstacle balloons pylons
horse obstacle tires under bridge
horse obstacle jumping over log
Horseback Rider Carrying Flag

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The Three Phases of Skill Development ("3 Phases")

Related Article: Using Baby Steps to Teach Your Horse New Skills.

More Key Terms

The Old News Theory

“Old News” is any object, situation or task that the horse has had previous experience with, to the point where it does not cause an emotional of physical reaction. For example,

Related Article: Using Baby Steps to Teach Your Horse New Skills.

More Key Terms

The Ignore, Correct or Praise Theory

In reaction to our horse’s behaviour, we have three options: to ignore the behaviour, to correct the behaviour, or to praise the behaviour.

Ignoring behaviour reduces the likelihood that the horse will make unnecessary or undesired emotional attachments to that behaviour.

Correcting behaviour is necessary when the horse exibits behaviour that is undesirable.

Praise is necessary to reward desired behaviour, so that the horse will repeat it.

More About Ignore, Correct or Praise: The Ignore, Correct or Praise Theory

Related Article: Using Baby Steps to Teach Your Horse New Skills.

More Key Terms

Pressure and Release

Pressure is sometimes called “asking” (the horse to do something, or to accept something). You may ask a horse to back up, and you may ask a horse to accept you scratching their ears. You may also ask a horse to accept/learn to be comfortable with something that is new to them, such as a plastic bag tied onto the end of a stick.

Pressure engages the horse’s mind, emotions and body. In most cases the horse will react physically (which may be the goal). An example of an emotional reaction to pressure is fear, such as when a horse moves away from something new that they are being introduced to.

Release is a term used to describe the point at which you cease to put pressure on the horse. Timing of the release is important, because a premature release does not motivate the horse to learn (and neither does “too little” pressure). Releasing pressure too late results in unnecessary (and probably damaging) emotional stress on the horse.

More about Pressure and Release: Using the Pressure and Release Theory to Teach Your Horse

Related Article: Using Baby Steps to Teach Your Horse New Skills.

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Stepping Stones

Accomplishments (solid skills) that can be relied on when teaching a horse a new skill. For example, the ability to carry a tarp without fear can be used when a rider wants to carry a flag, because the horse is already comfortable with the flag’s movement and the sound that it makes.

Related Article: Using Baby Steps to Teach Your Horse New Skills.

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Baby Steps

Mini-goals used to build a horse’s confidence and encourage acceptance of stimuli (sights, smells, touch, sounds). Once reached, the mini-goals then become stepping stones, relied on in future teaching objectives.

Related Article: How to “Read Your Horse” by Observing Her Actions and Appearance

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Fear Index

The level of fear that the horse is experiencing, in response to a stimuli (sight, sound, touch, smell).

The fear index of horse that is relaxed when exposed to fire would be deemed “low” (“a low fear index”). The fear index of a horse that bolts (runs away) from fire would be deemed “high” (“a high fear index”).

Related Article: How to “Read Your Horse” by Observing Her Actions and Appearance.

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Acceptance Level

Level of acceptance by the horse, of an object or person.  If the horse fears an object or will not tolerate it, their acceptance level of the object is low.  If they completely tolerate and accept an object (such as a tarp on their back), their acceptance level is high, or “good.”

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