Ask the Trainer: Horsemanship clinic
with Scott Carmichael
From Rein, September 2010»
Whether a seasoned horse person, or new rider, a
Scott Carmichael clinic can help riders work more confidently and
effectively with their horses.
Scott, an AQHA Professional Horseman and Judge, divides the day into
groundwork ~ to gain respect and control first ~ riding exercises, and a
thorough explanation of bits and spurs.
We’re presenting some of the highlights of Scott’s groundwork exercises
that are a sure fire way to help you and your horse work as a team.
Groundwork Basics
Before getting on a horse’s back, ground work will ensure you’re safe
and your horse understands what you are asking.
Leading ~ Respect begins on the ground. Create a bubble around
you. Your horse should never enter that ‘bubble’ without your
invitation. You may enter his, but he cannot decide to enter yours. When
leading a horse should stay to the side and back and don’t look at their
eye as you lead. “Never let your horse lead you; his throat latch should
not pass your shoulder.” Scott demonstrates that as soon as your horse
passes your shoulder he is leading you, and you must take action. With
the end of the rope, or your foot if you’re agile, correct the horse by
thumping his chest. Back the horse to the place you began. Every time
you lead your horse, use that opportunity to train.
A good leading horse will also be a good horse to trailer load. Scott
recommends using a war bridle to teach a horse to come to pressure.
“Better than a chain that can hurt a horse’s nose, a simple looped war
bridle or even a long, soft lead can teach a horse to come toward you.”
Scott warns that many horses jump into the forward, but with a long
lead, such as a soft lariat, you can be out of their way. Remember to
release pressure the moment they move forward.
Getting a horse to lower head ~ It’s important to have a horse
willing to lower his head for you. Scott demonstrates applying pressure
to a horse’s poll until it gives. “Stop as soon as there is some
movement downward,” Scott explains, “in a short time you can have a
horse that will bend nearly to the ground.”
Sacking out ~ Even an older horse can benefit from sacking out
exercises. Scott likes to use an empty feed bag, puffed out and
duct-taped close making its neck a handle. “Leave a bit of grain in it
to make noise,” he suggests.
Introduce the bag to the horse slowly. Let him sniff it, rub it slowly
and gently on his neck. “Increase the intensity of your movements
gradually, and whatever you do on one side, you must do on the other as
we all know the bag coming from the other side is a whole new experience
to a horse.”
Eventually build till the point you are swatting the horse all over his
body. If an area gives him a particular problem, keep at it until he
learns it’s no big deal. If you stop after a reaction, you’ve taught the
horse that was the appropriate response.
Keep control of your horse’s body, keep a horse’s feet moving when they
are worried. You don’t want them locking up. Scott suggests sacking out
with different objects, too, in order to introduce your horse to as many
things and situations as possible while you are on the ground.
Sacking out will help your horse deal with ‘scary’ movements and help
you have a more enjoyable relationship.
Ground tie ~ “Ground tying is the ultimate show of respect by a
horse.” Scott demonstrates how to teach a horse to ground tie by
allowing the lead to touch the ground and then backing away from the
animal. “As soon as he moves, return him to the same position you
started.” Repeat until he stands and reward.
Picking up feet ~ Farriers will appreciate your working on making
your horse give his foot easily.
Start slowly by working your hand down your horse’s leg
moving toward the hoof. “Stand close to them; wait for them to give to
you, do not forcefully grab their foot.
If you have a kicker, or a horse that would be dangerous to work closely
with, wrap a soft lead around their ankle and pull until you get
movement. Let go as reward, increasing gradually until they pick up
their foot readily.
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Top Tips
“If you think it will happen, it probably will.” Scott suggests thinking
positively about your riding even before you get to the barn to help
allay fear. We can choose to build either fear or confidence in our
minds.
We make our horses one-sided. “Many horses are actually more muscled
on the left side due to our habit. Then we ask them to be centered when
we work them and it’s no surprise they are not.” Work both sides; learn
to mount and dismount from both sides.
“A horse looks for ways to get out of pressure. A horse will try many
different ways to get out of a situation, so it’s up to us to continue
to correct until they do what we’re asking ~ it’s only after they do it
correctly that we reward with release.”
“Give a horse a job to do when he is behaving poorly. Keep his feet
moving. Teach a horse to think, not just react.”
“Read your horse. Don’t let your horse make decisions for you.”
“It’s as easy to teach a horse to be bad as it is to be good; they learn
from release, so be careful you’re not reinforcing the wrong behavior.”
Rein will present more of Scott Carmichael’s training tips in the next
issues. Scott will be offering more clinics, and is always available for
training and lessons.
~Susan Pennell-Sebekos
Scott Carmichael is an AQHA Professional Horseman and AQHA Novice Judge. He has trained multiple futurity champions and placed in the top five in almost all the major NSBA futurities. Scott trains Western Pleasure and all-around horses at his farm in Fenwick, Ontario. Prior to starting his own operation, he spent several years working under some of the top trainers in the Western Pleasure industry while living in Texas. Always eager to learn more, last winter Scott travelled to Australia and worked on a large Thoroughbred breeding farm.
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