SERVICES WE OFFER LOCATED IN PORTALES NEW MEXICO, ABRAZOS ADVENTURE IS EASY ACCESS FROM CLOVIS, MELROSE AND CANNON AIR FORCE BASE. WE ARE DEFINITELY AN OUTDOOR HORSEBACK RIDING EXPERIENCE, OPEN YEAR ROUND, AND TRY TO WORK AROUND YOUR SCHEDULE AND THE WEATHER. A GOOD ACTIVITY FOR BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS. YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD. IF YOU JUST WANT TO COME VISIT AND SEE WHAT WE DO, GIVE US A CALL AT 575-760-4444 - WE LOVE TO HAVE VISITORS. If you can't visit in person, maybe I can 'see' you on Facebook - Abrazos Adventure, the horse connection - Photo albums, stories and videos here. |
| LESSONS FOR HORSE OWNERS |
ARE YOU A NEW HORSE OWNER?
Have you gotten your first horse and don't quite know what
to do as far as handling and riding? When a second person
is watching what is happening between the two of you,
he/she can see more of the 'whole' picture and give you
guidance on the appropriate and timely actions you should
take to make your relationship work.
DOES YOU HORSE MAKE ALL THE DECISIONS?
After a horse has been with us a while, it learns what makes
us tick. They seem to always be checking us out to see if
we are in charge and leading properly or if we are falling
down on the job and it is time for the horse to take the
leadership role. When they take over the leadership they
can sometimes intimidate the owner and become what we
consider 'disrespectful'.
When the human begins to gain knowledge and
understanding of what motivates the horse then he/she can
provide the appropriate action (not reaction) in a timely
manner. The human can even begin to anticipate what the
horse will do and redirect the horse's energy into a positive
outcome.
Consistency is something we don't pay attention to so the
horse gets one message today on a behavior such as 'its
not okay' and tomorrow we change and they get the
message 'today, you can do this'. It doesn't take long for life
to become confusing for the horse. When it does, she
figures it will work better if she makes the decisions.
Maybe your horse is really nice when you are riding but
exhibits rather nasty behavior when you are on the ground
and in her space. Possibly she is sweet when you are
together and not riding but turns into a 'wicked witch' when
you step on to ride.
DO YOU LIKE LEARNING NEW THINGS? WANT YOUR
HORSE TO BE THE BEST HE CAN BE?
Sometimes (actually a lot of the time) we are asking the
horse to do things it doesn't like or know how to. When we
get a horse we usually have our own dream of why we want
it and exactly what we want it to do. The horse may not
have the same idea.
If we can learn some 'give and take' - do some things the
horse likes then ask for what we like - that can sometimes
correct the problems.
DO YOU LIKE TO COMPETE?
I have successfully worked with riders preparing for
Western performance competition and timed events
competition. I have also done a little with English on the flat.
I am not set up for jumping.
Creative riding, 'free style', is gaining in popularity and that
is something I enjoy working with.
YOUR FIRST VISIT
I like to watch you and your horse from the time you unload
until you mount. This period tells me a lot about your
relationship and your behaviors on the ground (positive or
negative) influence the ride.
After you and your horse have a lesson, I assign 'homework'
so we can build the foundation of steady improvement. Just
like changing things that we do, we need to develop new
habits in the horse and that takes time.
Sometimes the relationship between you and your horse is
broken to the point that you may need to start with my
horses. They can rebuild your confidence which you can
then take to the interactions with your horse.
Have you gotten your first horse and don't quite know what
to do as far as handling and riding? When a second person
is watching what is happening between the two of you,
he/she can see more of the 'whole' picture and give you
guidance on the appropriate and timely actions you should
take to make your relationship work.
DOES YOU HORSE MAKE ALL THE DECISIONS?
After a horse has been with us a while, it learns what makes
us tick. They seem to always be checking us out to see if
we are in charge and leading properly or if we are falling
down on the job and it is time for the horse to take the
leadership role. When they take over the leadership they
can sometimes intimidate the owner and become what we
consider 'disrespectful'.
When the human begins to gain knowledge and
understanding of what motivates the horse then he/she can
provide the appropriate action (not reaction) in a timely
manner. The human can even begin to anticipate what the
horse will do and redirect the horse's energy into a positive
outcome.
Consistency is something we don't pay attention to so the
horse gets one message today on a behavior such as 'its
not okay' and tomorrow we change and they get the
message 'today, you can do this'. It doesn't take long for life
to become confusing for the horse. When it does, she
figures it will work better if she makes the decisions.
Maybe your horse is really nice when you are riding but
exhibits rather nasty behavior when you are on the ground
and in her space. Possibly she is sweet when you are
together and not riding but turns into a 'wicked witch' when
you step on to ride.
DO YOU LIKE LEARNING NEW THINGS? WANT YOUR
HORSE TO BE THE BEST HE CAN BE?
Sometimes (actually a lot of the time) we are asking the
horse to do things it doesn't like or know how to. When we
get a horse we usually have our own dream of why we want
it and exactly what we want it to do. The horse may not
have the same idea.
If we can learn some 'give and take' - do some things the
horse likes then ask for what we like - that can sometimes
correct the problems.
DO YOU LIKE TO COMPETE?
I have successfully worked with riders preparing for
Western performance competition and timed events
competition. I have also done a little with English on the flat.
I am not set up for jumping.
Creative riding, 'free style', is gaining in popularity and that
is something I enjoy working with.
YOUR FIRST VISIT
I like to watch you and your horse from the time you unload
until you mount. This period tells me a lot about your
relationship and your behaviors on the ground (positive or
negative) influence the ride.
After you and your horse have a lesson, I assign 'homework'
so we can build the foundation of steady improvement. Just
like changing things that we do, we need to develop new
habits in the horse and that takes time.
Sometimes the relationship between you and your horse is
broken to the point that you may need to start with my
horses. They can rebuild your confidence which you can
then take to the interactions with your horse.
