TEAMBUILDING Your Horse and You Would you and your horse like to operate as a team? Effective teamwork requires effective communication Here are some samples of communication issues between you and your horse: Does your farrier have a tired back when he is done with your horse? Does your horse stop without rein pressure when you "quit riding"? Does your horse come to be caught or do you have to go get him? Does your horse stand quietly when you are admiring the view? Will your horse load in a trailer without you leading him in? Can you worm your horse without worming yourself? Are you having problems with flying lead changes? Does your horse move when you are getting on? Does your horse get strong on a line of jumps? Do you lead your horse - or does he lead you? Does your horse lead and back up softly? Does your horse pull back when tied? Does your colt need a first ride? Does your horse respect you? WE CAN HELP! Any one of these symptoms indicate you could use some help with your horse. One on one coaching or will design custom clinics for your group at your site. When we bought our first paint stallion he had an "attitude". It wasn't a good attitude, and in fact, he was becoming dangerous. We successfully took him back out on the show circuit and introduced him to cattle work and pleasure trail riding - not the arena stuff. We can take visitors into his pen and we are hand breeding mares using only a rope halter. Ken is helping him to develop respect, NOT FEAR, for the human using only basic groundwork skills. The horse is a herd animal. They have a keen understanding of leadership and respect. In any team, there is a leader, if you are not the leader, then your horse will be. We can help you understand what it means to be a leader, not a dominator. As you become the leader of your team, you will develop effective communication with your horse. A "Horse Whisperer"? Nope - the horse is a sensitive creature - he doesn't need you to whisper to him. The only part of our body that is as sensitive as the skin of a horse is our fingertips. Horses are so sensitive to body language, your mere thoughts cause you to move in a way your horse can understand. Don't believe me - come and see. Your job is to DO LESS each time until it looks like you are doing nothing. Is your colt ready to start? Do you have control of his hindquarters from the ground? If not, then you are taking your chances. If you don't have control of his hindquarters, then you don't have control of his mind. We can help you to connect your reins to his feet through his mind Ken or Kerri-Lee 780-449-0749 or e-mail horses@rafterdiamondk.com |
We can customize a clinic for your needs at your location or at ours. Check out a past clinic - pics and discussion |
Driving directions to 50542 Range Road 225 From North Edmonton Take Hwy 16 to Hwy 21 and turn south toward Camrose. Just over the hill after the ESSO, turn left on Township Road 510. Go east 2 miles to Range Road 225. Turn right and go south 1/2 mile. Turn right and then left into our driveway. From South Edmonton Take Whitemud Drive or Anthony Henday to Hwy 14 East. At Hwy 21, turn south toward Camrose and follow the above instructions. From Devon area Take Hwy 60 East to Range Road 225 (which is the next cross road AFTER you have crossed over Hwy 21). Turn left on Range Road 225 and go north 1.5 miles. Turn left and then left into our driveway. From Beaumont Take Secondary 625 East to Range Road 225. Turn left and go north 1.5 miles. Turn left and then left into our driveway. OR Take Township Road 510 east to Range Road 225. Turn right and go south 1/2 mile. Turn right and then left into our driveway. From Leduc Take Rollyview Road or Airport Road to Hwy 21. Turn left and go north on Hwy 21 to Secondary 625. Turn right and go east 2 miles to Range Road 225. Turn left and go north 1.5 miles. Turn left and then left into our driveway. |
Rafter Diamond K Livestock Ken and Kerri-Lee Schmuland 50542 Range Road 225 Leduc County AB T0B 3M1 Web presence: www.rafterdiamondk.com horses@rafterdiamondk.com Facebook group - Rafter Diamond K Livestock Telephone contact: Home: 780-449-0749 Fax: 780-449-0761 Ken cell: 780-915-3026 Kerri-Lee cell: 780-915-3027 Tamara cell: 780-221-3028 We are in Leduc County, Alberta, Canada 20 minutes southeast of Edmonton, Alberta 15 minutes south of Sherwood Park, Alberta 12 minutes east of Beaumont, Alberta 30 minutes northeast of Leduc, Alberta 5 minutes west of Northern Bear Golf Course We are two miles east of Highway 21 between Township road 510 to the north and Secondary 625 to the south. |
FROM THE GROUND UP Your horse is learning from you every minute you are with him. Are you aware of what he is learning? What you do with your horse on the ground can really build your relationship with him and translate to a better experience together whether you are riding along the trails or looking to perfect the timing of your requests for advanced precision work. Preparing your horse to be caught before you get to his head. Would you like to be able to do liberty work with your horse? How do you get started. Exercises you can do away from the trailer to prepare your horse to get in the trailer. From just a few minutes together to all your time - there is so much you can do on the ground. Are you taking the time to train your young horse from the ground while he is not yet physically mature? If your horse is under 4 years of age, you should read the following article by Dr. Deb Bennett The Ranger Piece - Maturation of the Horse Saturday Time on the ground is well invested to help you understand what the feet and body are doing. Once you understand feet and body, then you have a better idea of what you are feeling in the saddle and when to ask for things so your horse can give them to you easily. Horse must be manageable on a halter in a group situation. Rope halters with minimum 12 foot lead preferred. We can loan you one if needed. Sunday Simple things you can do to enhance your riding experience. Translating your ground work into skills in the saddle. |
Bridle Horse Development Every Second Sunday Call 780-449-0749 to confirm which Sunday we are on Developing skills from the ground and from the saddle that will prepare you and your horse to ride "Straight Up" in a spade bit - if that is your desire This work will allow you to finesse your relationship with your horse, regardless of your actual equine discipline We ride from 9 am through 12 am and then head to the house for lunch and conversation regarding the session. Cost is $150 for the session for riders. $40 for auditors - we often hand you a horse to try some of the ground exercises. Dress for the weather. We have a covered arena, but it is not heated. Room for living quarters trailers. There is also a nice little bed and breakfast just around the corner from us. Call us at 780-449-0749 to book your spot. Bring your lunch. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, water will be available. Please bring buckets for your horses. Hay and/or hay cubes and fresh water are available. |
TRANSITIONS WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO ASK FOR A TRANSITION? Failing to prepare is preparing to fail – BENJAMIN FRANKLIN When we ask our horses for a transition we need to “prepare them to the position for the transition - ”.the transition will take care of itself. Our job is the preparation – then get out of the way – so the horse can take care of the transition. Sometimes the mind might be ready, but the feet are not and sometimes the feet might be ready but the mind is not. This is fun to develop because you feel an incredible sense of accomplishment when you get it. It really puts you in tune with your horse, whether you are trail riding, working, showing for pleasure or just enjoying time To develop a good walk/trot transition, start with the back up. You need to be able to back your horse up for at least 4 steps on only one rein, with a little float in the rein and you should be able to do the one rein backup for 4 steps with either rein. When this is working for you ride your horse forward for 5 strides at the walk, then slow down the left front and stop the right front at the height of its’ flight and put it in reverse. When you can go from forward to reverse with no hesitation, you may have already figured out that you are essentially trotting in reverse. A correct backup is a diagonal gait in reverse with the right front and left hind and the left front and right hind moving together. So how does this affect a walk to trot transition – When the horse is walking, after the right front moves, the left hind moves. To take the transition, stop the right front in mid-flight. When the left hind catches up release the front and move into the right diagonal trot with your body as your horse takes the transition you set him up for. Simple as that. All of this takes practice, feel and timing. It won’t be perfect and it won’t be immediate – but as long as you keep thinking, feeling and trying you and your horse can be consistent in getting correct diagonals every time. Ken says be patient, hang in there. Rome wasn’t built in a day. But if you want some help - come on out and let's play. The day will start at 9 am and go until the last question has been asked. Cost is $150 plus GST per day. Come for one or come for both. $25 per day for auditors. Dress for the weather. We have a covered arena, but it is not heated. Room for living quarters trailers. There is also a nice little bed and breakfast just around the corner from us. Call us at 780-449-0749 to book your spot. Bring your lunch. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, water will be available. Please bring buckets for your horses. Hay and/or hay cubes and fresh water are available. Pens/outdoor stalls can be made available if you wish with advance notice. |
FOUNDATIONAL HORSEMANSHIP "I've been taking lessons for years. How come nobody ever told me that before?" Now is your chance. MAY 25 & 26, 2019 Ever wonder why your horse is better on one lead than the other? Have you thought about when is best to ask for a gait transition? Does your horse resist the back up? Is your horse refusing jumps? Does your horse get uptight when other horses leave the arena? What about creeks or puddles? Is there anything else that is bothering you or your horse? Using Evidence Based Horsemanship ideas Ken will present coping strategies. Each day starts at 9 am and will go until the last question has been asked. Cost is $150 plus GST per day. You will get the most out of being here for the weekend, but if you can only make it for one day, you are welcome. $30 per day for auditors or $50 for the weekend plus GST. Dress for the weather. We have a covered arena, but it is not heated. Room and power for living quarters trailers. There is also a nice little bed and breakfast just around the corner from us. Call us at 780-449-0749 to book your spot. Bring your lunch. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, water will be available. Please bring buckets for your horses. Hay and/or hay cubes and fresh water are available. Pens/outdoor stalls can be made available if you wish with advance notice. |
SOME PAST CLINIC TOPICS CAN BE CUSTOM DESIGNED FOR YOUR GROUP |