Clinton Anderson's Walkabout Tour!! .... finally!

Mom, Joshua, Levi, Lilliana, and I learned a lot at the Topeka, Kansas Downunder Horsemanship Walkabout Tour (well okay the little boys and Lilli didn't really, but Mom and I did)! Clinton Anderson is the best when it comes to excellent horsemanship! He teaches how to gain your horse's respect on the ground, which will then carry on when in the saddle. His methods ensure safety for both you and your horse. He's dedicated his life to teaching people what they need to know to become skilled horsemen and how to train their horses to be consistent, trusting, and willing partners.

Check out the Downunder Horsemanship website by clicking here!

On his horse, Diez!

I was able to buy a t shirt and a little book called "That Winning Attitude" full of inspiring quotes. Here are a few of my favorites:

"Don't be so open-minded that your brains fall out."

"If you don't have all the things you want, be grateful for all the things you don't have that you didn't want."

"If you really want to do something, you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll find an excuse."

Loading horses into trailers...can sometimes take HOURS! Almost all horse people know the struggle, from pulling, shoving, leading with grain, to finally actually lifting their hooves by hand and placing them in the trailer if you get really desperate! :/ 

Well...if you do it Clinton's way, you will soon have a horse craving to get into that trailer!! :)

The point is to work your horse right outside the trailer. Lunge your horse on each side of the trailer, between yourself and the side. Then stand at the back of the trailer and send them back and forth to both sides. Finally lunge them at the back of the trailer between yourself and the back. Keep those feet moving unless if they stop and investigate at the opening of the inside of the trailer. That is the only time through this that they get a rest. Once they start stepping into the trailer, give them a break, then back them out of that trailer and work them again. Even after the horse is fully in the trailer (and I know, everyone is usually yelling, "shut the doors!" at this point, right? :)) back that horse outta there after a short break. The horse learns that outside the trailer he has to work, inside the trailer he gets to rest. Make sure the horse is totally comfortable inside the trailer before shutting the doors.

The children's ball toss. =D Joshua and Levi loved this!

Any of you doing any horse training lately?