When it comes to our horses, goals can be motivating and helpful... or not  - if we pursue them without an awareness of what is really happening from our horse’s perspective. I’ve been known in the past to vacillate from one end of the goal spectrum to the other. How about you? 

 2 Kinds of Thinking
Today’s discussion is going to address how we can use the 2 parts of our minds to stay connected to our horses and our hearts when it comes to making progress using goals and intentions. 

From my perspective, we each have 2 parts of our thinking: 

1. The analytical logical side that loves to go after a goal with determination and drive
2. And the intuitive, creative part that craves connection and nurtures relationship 

(HINT: we can use our intentions from number 2 to choose and fulfill number 1)

BALANCE IS THE KEY to Heartfelt Intention and Connection.

It’s an opportunity – to learn how to balance these 2 parts of our minds, one that is simply part of being a human having an equestri...

Have you ever felt impatient with the progress your horse is making or rather the lack of it? I mean who hasn’t felt this way at one point or another?

Despite our very best efforts to do all the things right in our relationship with our horses and to stay positive and be grateful for what is going well, we sometimes find ourselves mourning our never-ending attempts to do things with our horses that seem like they “should” be simple.

Even though we love and appreciate every minute we spend with our horses, it can be easy to fall in the trap of “why can’t we…” and end up in a puddle of disappointment questioning our own abilities and our horse’s potential.  If you feel this way at times, it doesn’t mean that you or your horse are broken. I PROMISE. This is NORMAL. (We know it’s not a fun place to be and empathize with you, you’re not alone.) 

Fortunately, there is a way we can choose to have a different experience when facing this situation.

Interested in one-on-one guidance? Check o...

“How can I make it so that being with me is more reinforcing than snatching grass while leading or riding and how do I prevent my horse from passing me and attempting to drag me towards the grass?” This question was submitted recently a CHC member. See Melissa’s response below taken from the CHC members only forum, and check out the video to learn more about how to do this with your horse.

But first, about the video.... You can use the same technique in the video with your horse. 

Horses can be quick to drag us along with them when lucious grass is nearby. This savvy CHC member and online coaching participant uses the grass as a reinforcer to keep her sensitive mare comfy in challenging contexts and has overcome the huge hurdle of being able to keep the mare's attention when walking by grass and also asking her to leave it. No small feat for this grass grabbing girl!

Melissa's response to the ? above:

                 "This is a common scenario and excellent question. You are smart t...

Whether you are riding out (dream of being able to casual chat with friends or hitting the trail for some alone time with your horse), loading (for weekends away, clinics, shows or vet trips), going to the wash stall (other side of the barn or farm) or leaving the herd in any capacity…

Understand what Separation Anxiety means for your horse and what you can do about it?

Imagine an idyllic scenario…

Your horse readily chooses to be with you no matter what the circumstance. 

They could care less about their friends in the field and you’re heading for a trail, the trailer, riding bridle-less, bareback, at liberty: lunging, free jumping, the other side of the barn/property or leading across grass.

Your horse is all in, willing, engaged and a joy to be around no matter the circumstance or distance from its friends. 

Easy peasy right?

Of course, this can be you, only if separation anxiety isn’t an issue for your horse. (And congratulations, BTW, if that's the case!! If so, you still m...

Exponentially increase the results you experience in your relationship with your horse, training and what you learn when you’re together.  CHC PRIVATE GROUP insider secret REVEALED HERE for the first time outside of the paid community...

Our members find they get twice the value of their course exercises, coaching sessions and at home training and relationship building sessions too, when they be still and reflect to DO this exercise.

It was originally created for online coaching and online course lesson participants, but now we encourage all of our members to use this template to enhance the value of their training and relationship with their horses in every situation. Please let us know if you find this helpful! Meanwhile, use it to jump to the next level in your learning ...

Transform your CHC and positive reinforcement horse training experiences, relationship building and/or clicker training experiences by reflecting and WRITING (shown to improve learning, retention and AHA moments!...

Want your horse to be calm/good in its own skin and feel rewarded in the training?

Hay Cubes and other Low Value, Large Volume Rewards are highly correlated to your horse's Emotional State during Training. This is one of Compassionate Horse Click’s private course, coaching and community most treasured training tools! 

One lower value reward that can provide longer chewing time and larger volume which lends to more relaxed horses is hay cubes, but...

Many people are concerned about using hay cubes for rewards and haven’t been able to find a comparable alternative that will help their horse stay in a soft emotional state, promote calm focus and still create a dopamine release that will enhance learning. It can be especially challenging to find a reward that does all of this WITHOUT encouraging the horse to hunt around or push down on your hand during feeding.

Before we can help a horse be in an optimal emotional state for learning, we have to have a type of food that is exactly right for ...

Whether you have a twinge of insecurity or feelings that border something akin to overwhelming fear and anxiety, I want you to know you are NOT ALONE AND YOU ARE NOT BROKEN. It’s a common human response and YOU can OVERCOME these fears and ENJOY the horse you love like never before! (If you don’t experience fear, keep reading because I am sure you know someone who can benefit from this.)

We just need to train fearful amygdales, (part of your brain responsible for fight and flight) especially if you have experienced past trauma.  We use small steps that build CONFIDENCE so your brain doesn’t think it needs to kick into overdrive to keep you both safe! 

If you think about it, that’s exactly how we use positive reinforcement/reward-based training and/or clicker training to help horses overcome severe lifelong traumas PERMANENTLY. We can help horses learn to LOVE things that previously meant certain death in their minds – such as trailers, fireworks, guns, hoses, injections and more. We ...

(We're sending out the before and after +R per popular request.)

I’m showing a small group of horse peeps how to EFFORTLESSLY LOAD their HORSES in a TRANSFORMATIONAL TRAILER LOADING Clinic - online.

Imagine having a horse that

• Loves loading
• Willingly Self-Loads
• Cheerfully makes a beeline for the trailer at liberty
• Quickly, easily and reliably hops on the trailer
• Always allows you to be on time...just like the one in this video.

ENJOY creating STRESS FREE TRAILER LOADING experiences for your horse and Become a TRAILER LOADING GODDESS in 30 days!

Want to join us for a Transformational Trailer Loading Experience?  Drop an email to [email protected] and we’ll give you the details.

Here's to having your horse LOVE LOADING!!!

Scratches as Non Food Reinforcers

Many people ask about using scratches to reinforce horses for desired behaviors. Can scratches be used successfully? YES, and I encourage using as many non food reinforcers as possible when effective. Watch as Sharon, CHC Mastery Course Student, uses them to reinforce Hershey for color discrimination. 

But there are important caveats. Learn when, why, how and when not to use scratches for best results. 

Rules for Reinforcers: The horse must value the reinforcer. 

WHEN: If you horse is itchy from environment, shedding or often they will show you where they liked to be scratched by attempting to do so themselves, then scratches can be a fantastic way to support their behavior and simply to bond and deepen your relationship. This makes summertime a great for introducing scratches as a reinforcer. 

WHY: Horses are very particular about who they choose for mutual grooming and enjoying scratches and grooming from other horses is part of affiliative bondin...

Come, spend a moment with me...

Over the last 10 years, in addition to my passion for liberty, groundwork and dressage, I’ve had the transformational experience of using Positive Reinforcement horse training and clicker training horses while helping humans develop deeper connections with their horses, others and themselves too. 

I invite you to come take a moment and hear how Compassionate Horse Click came to be and how one special red-headed horse (Eclipse) changed my life forever. 

We’d be honored to have you learn more about our heartfelt journey and love for you to reach out and tell us about yours as well. 

... always inspired when I chat with long time horse woman and equestrian media enthusiast, Rose Cushing. I so appreciate the invitation to speak on her podcast, Today's Horsewoman and enjoyed her company as well! It was such a treat to speak with her about my lifelong equestrian journey that started in the Hunters, then to Western and Dressage, Horsemanship and even obstac...