Bonus Tip; Proper Hand Position.

Project 346...Day 31

A bit of trot work for Cosmo, owned by Lynda Ovaert

Theory Thursday

Theory Thursday: Ain't no man can avoid being born average, but there ain't no man got to be common. - Satchel Page

Mick Parker Project; Learning the Buttons

Wisdom Wednesday

Wisdom Wednesday: The hardest part of training is being focused and patient enough to ask/show the horse what we want in the same manner over and over and over and over without either one of you getting confused.

Project 346...Day 30

Susanna stopping Ichibon DMF

Project 346...Day 29

Our horses, Doll and Red Man

Project 346...Day 28

Riding Mick at an Extreme Trail Horse Challenge Event

Project 346...Day 27

Me being cold.

Great Horseman, Great Video; Jorge Gabrial

Project 346...Day 26

Steve Kutie riding A Royal Busy Bee for owner Roberta Johnston during the Trail portion of the Junior Horse All-Around in Ardmore, OK.

Fact Friday

Fact Friday: Anytime you work with your horse, either you are training the horse, or the horse is training you.

Project 346...Day 25

Foggy morning at the KPH Ranch

KPH Training Boot Camp

We have been messing around with the idea of having a week long hands on KPH Boot Camp where you can come and stay at the ranch, ride, learn and see how and what goes into training horses. You would be able to bring your horse as well get the opportunity to ride some of ours. What suggestions or ideas do you have to make the Boot Camp a fun learning experience, what would you be willing to pay and what features or services would you like to see offered?

Bonus Tip

I've received a lot of calls over the past month with questions on how to measure a horse for a blanket... A good guideline is to measure from the center of the horse's chest around his side to the middle of his tail. American blankets ...are usually sized in two inch increments. So, typically, if your horse measures 72", that is the size blanket you will need to order. If your horse falls in-between sizes, I suggest ordering the next size up. Remember, depending on how a blanket is cut, you may have to go up or down a size to get a perfect fit for your horse:) Thanks to our friends at The Horse Depot.

Project 346...Day 24

Snaffle Bit Clothing Company/ ReinersWear photo shoot at Kutie Performance Horses with Charissa Kutie, Steve Kutie, Demi Roberson

Theory Thursday

Theory Thursday: Handling emotions is the hardest part of training. People get frustrated and get rough on their horses instead of realizing that they haven't taught their horse.

The Mick Parker Project

The Mick Parker Project: Well Mick is going to be headed back to his true home in Nampa, Idaho with his loving mom, Janet Lee-Parker after finishing a couple of years in finishing school here at Kutie Performance Horses. So Janet and I deci...ded to work on a blog series on www.KutiePerformanceHorses.blogspot.com and Facebook posts discussing problems and training success's that will happen when a customer that lives half way accross the country gets to ride her multiple National Champion gelding (I.F. Michaelangelo aka Mick) that has been at the trainers for the past two years. We will show video clips as well as training articles and questions that will help to guide you through the ups and downs of taking over the reins, while being candid and honest on both sides. We hope that the Mick Parker Project will show that with a good training foundation and a willingness to communicate most training issues or problems can be corrected and the horse will continue to impove. The Start.... I’ve never been the kind of rider with the confidence to get on any strange horse and ride like the wind. That’s why I compete on those I know well, and I instruct. No trainer’s shingle for me. If you really want, I can explain sometime why (as I was close to IHOP handing me a senior menu) I decided to buy a young Lusitano (1/4 Friesian) with a short back and the athleticism to leap tall mounting blocks in a sideways bound. After a 90-day start with another pro, and several months plinking around, I shipped Mick off to Steve Kutie for training in earnest. It’s been nearly 2 years since my buckskin beauty left and 15 months since I last laid eyes on him at the 2011 IALHA Nationals (where he and Steve cleaned up). Obviously I spent all that time and money to end up with a very special horse. And, Steve put his best voodoo on Mick because he wanted the same. Now he’s finally coming home. But after all this time, Mick’s going to be a stranger to me again. The good news, I’m getting back an exceptionally “feely,” light, uber-responsive and highly-trained horse that will move off the leg at a whisper of pressure, move forward with huge impulsion, and can execute trademark-worthy performances. That’s also the challenging news. Before my trip, Steve and I spent quite a bit of time talking about how he as a trainer could impart the knowledge I’m going to need to ride this horse…successfully. The first part of the plan was for me to fly down and ride Mick in Texas with Steve. It would have been great if I’d had 2 years to spend. But, I was only able to squeeze in 2 days (48-hours on the ground) between 8-1/2 hours and 3 flights (each way). As I sit here on the plane on the first leg home, I’m replaying my rides and video clips, trying to assimilate terrabytes of equine info Steve attempted to download to me via verbal firewire and demonstration. It was an awesome experience. In my next segment I’ll begin with the challenges we face, and our first steps in reaching my goals with Mick (which, frankly, are rather lofty). I hope those who read along will enjoy the experience.

Wisdom Wednesday

Wisdom Wednesday: Nobody ever rises to low expectations.

Project 346...Day 23

Project 346...Day 22

Tech Tip Tuesday

Tech Tip Tuesday: Your horse will follow where ever your body looks, think of having eyes in your chest and rotate your upper body in the direction of travel, this will put your seat, hands and legs in the proper position.

Project 346...Day 21

Project 346 Day 20

Motivation Monday

Motivation Monday: Doing nothing is very hard to do, you never know when your finished.

Bonus Tip

The Benefits of Setting Goals 2013 is now upon us and it’s time to start making a list of short and long term goals to aim for in the new year. I believe that our list of goals needs to be written down on a piece of paper and hung on the wall or fridge, so that we have to see them everyday. In setting goals for ourselves the only person that we need to answer to is ourselves, it is not our job to let others impose their will upon us. I think that every person has the will to thrive and to be a success, but some seem to get lost on their journey when influenced by others. “It’s not what people are willing to do to achieve their goals that keep them from achieving their goals. It is that they are not clear in defining what they are willing to give up.”- Earl Nightingale Sometimes I think that we put too much stock in what our peers think or say; not everyone you meet knows what you have been going through in your personal life, or what hurdles you have crossed to get that young colt into the show pen for the first time. Everyone loves to feel good about themselves and their accomplishments, even if it comes at the expense of others. I’m a firm believer that the more we tell ourselves something, whether good or bad, it will directly affect the actions that we take. I also believe that people can worry themselves sick, or think themselves well. So if we set goals in small steps and achieve them it lends itself to us accomplishing our larger goals. If you are a novice rider with aspirations of winning a World Championship title, list that as your large goal and break the large goal into smaller, more manageable and attainable, steps. Determine the pieces that are necessary to achieve success every step of the way. Being able to compete with success at a lower level will serve as a stepping stone, while preparing you for the demands of competing at a higher level. It is impossible to think that you will be successful in achieving your larger goal of winning a World title if you are unable to win at a local level. Don’t set yourself up for failure; there is no set timeline for how long it takes to be successful. Very few people have become an overnight success; achieving your goals comes from hard work and dedication. Every person and horse has a set amount of ability. If you have the skills as a rider, do you need to find a better horse to attain your goal? Do you need to acquire the help of a professional to keep you on track? The people that surround you also help to determine how quickly you reach your goals. Find people that are positive and have your best interests in mind. Most goals fail due to being set to high to reach, allowing the person to become discouraged. Remember sometimes we don’t always see the forest for the trees. All of our goals need to be set so that we are happy; and our happiness truly only depends on our on actions and thoughts. I try to look at it that if I fail, it only shows me what areas I need to improve on to achieve my goal. As always; Ride Hard, Be Safe, and Have Fun. – Steve Kutie

Project 346 Day 19

You are probably asking what is Project 346? Project 346 is going to be my attempt to post one new picture to the blog as well as our facebook page eveyday pertaining to our life around the ranch. Normally it would be a 365 day project but I was a bit slow at getting started and don't really feel like posting an extra 18 pictures with my blazing fast 28.8 dial-up connection. Soooo... everyone in cyber space will just have to imagine what it was like around here for the first 18 days, just picture the Ringling Brother Circus being performed during a Mexican rodeo with Opera music being played in the background at full volume, this will get you pretty close.

Fact Friday

Fact Friday: Whe it comes to being a horse trainer, it's not important what others think of you or even what you think of yourself. All that really matters is what your horse thinks of you.

Theory Thursday

Countless, unseen details are often the difference between mediocre and nagnificent.

Wisdom Wednesday

Wisdom Wednesday: Your hands are the most important piece of training equipment that you own. - Steve Kutie

Tech Tip Tuesday

Tech Tip Tuesday: To expect disipline from your horse, you must first be disiplined.

Motivation Monday

Motivation Monday: Don't be the next of them, be the first of you.

Confidence

Baby Lesson #16

Babies will steal your thunder, and your heart. I have always been pretty big and important in my own small world, the world that only exists in my Einstien like mind, and figured that the few freinds that I do have liked me for me. Now, I love Jax more than anything in this world, which those of you who know me understand that those few words about a kid rolling out of my mouth could cause the world to shift on its axis. It's funny how kids change your way of thinking and how people perceive you. My world, where it was all about Steve for 37 years, hit a small pothole when I married my lovely, and cosidered by some to be my better half, Charissa. All of a sudden I had to split the billing on the marque with someone that I love and respect, which isn't a bad thing since it made be a better person. I figured that I can live a pretty sweet life having co-headlining role. THEN... we decided to shake things up and start a little family, and I'm not just talking in size either! It took me a while to sort thru having to provide and look after another person that was solely relying on me for their every need. I also learned pretty quick that babies are super needy. I have been on sort of a roller coaster ride just trying to figure my way through the horse business and life keeping food in my belly and the bills mostly paid without the thought of providing for any others. So on January 6, 2012 we were blessed with a super precious little thunder stealer. Now it seemed that not only did I have to split headlining duties, I fell even farther down the ladder. I found out that no matter how important you are, or think you are, you will never, and I MEAN NEVER, be able to compete with a baby and an awesome wife. All of a sudden my friends, family and random strangers only wanted to talk about Jax, no matter how much I tried to change the topic, I had been delegated to a supporting role. We had planned on eventually having a couple of kids and I was cool with the idea thinking that I would have some time to figure things out with the first one and be able to change any problems that I created, in turn making the second one better (kinda like a starter wife). But as fate would have it, Charissa turned out to be fertile as a stray cat and we managed to stack another baby on top of the first only 14 months apart. I guess it has its benefits since we are having another boy and we currently have a pretty good supply of hand me down clothes, and we will be able to raise them like twins. Now if are are looking somewhere down the road and wondering what happened to good ol' Steve, don't look too hard. I will be somewhere in the background carrying the diaper bag on one shoulder and Charissa's purse on the other, pushing a crew cab dually stroller loaded with one kid and a ton of toys, coupled with Jax clawing on my neck like a spider monkey tripping on Mountian Dew, playing the best role ever, Dad.

Warm Up Arena Etiquette and Saftey

WARM UP ARENA ETIQUETTE AND SAFTEY With show season upon us the warm up pen can be a pretty dangerous place when every rider is concentrating on his or her own program and getting ready for their classes. I will give you some general rules to follow that will make navigating the warm up arena easier and safer for you and your horse. • Always go with the flow of traffic. If the warm up arena is large enough to allow for two sets of circles, one circle should be loping to the left and one loping to the right, they should pass left hand to right hand in the center of the arena. If the warm up pen has only enough space to lope one circle, ask when you want to change direction, as most people will want to go both directions before they show. • Stay to the inside of the circle if you want to go slow, and to the outside of the circle if you want to go fast. • Don’t use your cell phone, Ipad, or personal computer in the arena. It can wait until your at the trailer or back at your house. • NEVER, NEVER, NEVER stop your horse in traffic. If you are at a reining event, there will be time to work on fencing and stopping your horse so that you will not have to avoid other riders that are circling. • If you need to school your horse, work on spins, or adjust equipment, move to the middle of a circle so that you’re not in the flow of traffic. • Do not pony horses in the warm up pen. • Always look where you are going, and watch out for other riders. You don’t drive your car while looking at the hood ornament and you shouldn’t ride your horse looking at his head, eyes up. • Don’t exercise young or green horses in the warm up pen while it is crowded; wait until later in the evening or early in the morning. Safety first. • Yield to the tractor, and always listen to the arena announcer and ring steward. They are there for your safety and to keep the show running smoothly. Remember, every minute you waste when asked to leave the arena is just another minute longer that the show will last. • Don’t tie your horses in the warm up arena. No one wants to dodge a kicking or loose horse while they are getting ready to show. • If you have a question, ask. The only dumb questions are the ones that are never asked. • Always try to maintain a good sense of humor. People may be tired and nervous. Be patient with newcomers and try to help them learn by referring them to these guidelines. It is our job as riders to ensure the safety of ourselves, horses and others. Remember that some people don’t know that they don’t know, so take the time to explain to them the proper rules, I would rather them be mad at me for trying to keep them safe than to have them hurt one of my customers or family. As always Ride Hard, Be Safe, Have Fun – Steve Kutie

Fact Friday

Fact Friday: Horses cannot give us the wrong answer, either we asked the question wrong or we did not ask the question correctly.

Bonus Tip

Bonus Tip: Go ride with someone better than yourself.- You still have a lot to learn. Riders: Steve Kutie of Kutie Performance Horses, Susanna Schuh of Sue Horse Training (Germany), Craig Johnson of Craig Johnson Reining Horses.

Theory Thursday

Theory Thursday: Focus on YOUR horses needs in the warm up pen before you show, this is where your run is won or lost. Remember, what everyone else is doing has nothing to do with you.

Wisdom Wednesday

Wisdom Wednesday: Wisdom is knowing what to do next, Skill is knowing how to do it, and Virtue is doing it.

Tech Tip Tuesday

Tech Tip Tuesday: After you finish your training session, leave your horse tied out for awhile rather than putting them directly back in their stall, this will help to teach them patience, as well as keep your stalls cleaner. If I were a horse I would rather be tied outside, in the sunshine, and fresh air watching the world go by, than standing in a stall staring at the walls.

Motivation Monday

Motivation Monday: Don't let someone dim your light, simply because it's shining in their eyes.