Fact Friday

Fact Friday: If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.

Theory Thursday

Theory Thursday: Don't put your responsibility with other people, like the judges. Have you done your utmost best, have you done everything? If so, you never lose. - Tjalling Van de Berg/ pertaining to being personally fit and in shape to improve your riding.

Wisdom Wednesday

Wisdom Wednesday: Discipline, is remembering what you want.

Win a Free Anti-Gimmick Training Clinic

Win a FREE Steve Kutie Anti-Gimmick Training Clinic at your Farm or Ranch. All you need to do is send me the most creative(Video, pic, note, etc..) idea of why you and your ranch/friends or group deserve to have an Anti-Gimmick Training Clinic. Post you entry on the Kutie Performance Horses Facebook page. All entries are be due by June 30, 2013. The more creative the idea the better your chance to win, dare to be different. One winner will be picked on July 1, 2013 by our expert panel of experts, consisting of Charissa and Jax. Feel free to share this with anyone that might be interested.
Small print: Winner will be responsible for actual travel costs to get me to the clinic, and make sure that I get feed and have a place to sleep. If you are a club, group, organization or non profit you are able to charge people to attend and use the money to help your cause. The actual cost of hosting the clinic is FREE!

New from ReinersWear and Snaffle Bit Clothing Co.

ReinersWear Slide Baby Slide graphic tee, $19.99 plus shipping.

Sponsor Spotlight: Cutter Classic Saddle Blanket Co.

Try a layer of pure Merino wool fleece between you and your horse and make your life easier by making your horses' lives easier. Quit worrying about sore backs, saddles slipping, shifting, or rocking sideways. Cutter Classic Saddle Blankets feature 100% Merino wool fleece under a wide variety of patterns and solid colored wool blankets in many colors. Add to that leather wear-leathers and a layer of breathable, antimicrobial hospital-bed padding in between. these pads softly mold to your horse's back. They don't soak up sweat and are easily sprayed clean with water. And they last for years. Ask anyone who's been around the cutting pen awhile and you'll likely hear "Oh yeah, I've had one for years and still use it all the time." They've been hard to find of late but we recently bought the company and are making them again.

Teh Tip Tuesday

Tech Tip Tuesday: Knowledge is power; Being able to understand how your horse moves, functions, and thinks is the only true way to improve your riding and training skills. Gimmicks and short cuts will only result in causing yourself frustration and more work in the end, usually never curing the issue or problem. Understanding horses and horsemanship will not only save you money and keep your tack room less cluttered, it will teach you how to use your brain, your most important tool. Remember the more band-aids you apply to a cut will not make it heal faster, they only serve to cover up the problem and make you feel better.

Motivation Monday

Motivation Monday: A great man is hard on himself, a small man is hard on others. - Confucius

Fact Friday

Fact Friday: If your parents never had children, chances are you won't either.

Hanging with Dr. Tobias Funke

Theory Thursday

Theory Thursday:  Always have respect for yourself and your horse.

Wisdom Wednesday

Wisdom Wednesday: Don't criticize; Teach, Share, Learn. Be the cure not the problem. - Steve Kutie

Tech Tip Tuesday

Tech Tip Tuesday: Just remember that no matter how bad you think that you have it, someone has it a bit worse.       
     In the wake of the recent tornado in Oklahoma it is import to keep in mind that no matter your race, religion, or ethnicity that we are all human and sometimes it is best to put our personal feelings and beliefs on the shelf and become a friend or shoulder to lean on. After all we are all here due to someone's LOVE, and LOVE is the one thing transcends all boundaries.

Motivation Monday

Motivation Monday: One mans wrong lead, is another's counter canter.

Fact Friday

Fact Friday: One of my biggest pet peeves is when horse people try to tell me that their horse can't do something, do to the fact they were trained either Western or English. All it really tells me is that their horse is not truly broke enough to do what is ask of him. A properly trained and truly broke horse will obey what is ask of him by his rider. And a properly trained rider will be able to ask and influence the horse to perform the task at hand, no matter the costume he is wearing. Good training will always be good training, period.

Question of the Week

Steve Kutie's, Anti-Gimmick Training Question of the Week: I have heard people say that learning to ride your horse bare back/saddle less is a great way to improve your seat and balance, what are your thoughts?

Stop Kicking The Horse

Too often, riders are determined to make their horses go with a swift kick or two (or three). At best, the horse lurches forward with arched back and raised neck, scrambling to get his legs underneath him despite being thrown to the forehand. At worst, the horse becomes resentful of the leg aid and learns to resist or even demonstrate his discomfort by kicking out, rearing or bucking.
Did you know that leg aids are used for more than just “go”? Leg aids are such an integral part of your ride that you simply can’t do without them!

As you become a better rider, you will discover that the legs have so many messages to communicate other than “go”. (Click here to tweet this if you agree)

Talk to different riders and they’ll tell you the various uses of leg aids. Here are a few examples:

1. Impulsion

The most important result coming from your leg aids is impulsion. Ideally, the lightest calf squeeze should communicate an increase in movement from your horse. Two legs squeezing at the same time ask for a “scoot forward”, causing the horse to tuck his hind under and releas a surge of energy forward. Physiologically, the horse’s hind legs should step deeper underneath the body and allow the horse to begin the process of carrying more weight in the hind end.

2. Stride Length

Ideally, a deeper reach should mean a rounder back and an increase in stride length. Paired with half-halts, the energy obtained can be redirected in many ways – to a longitudinal stretch over the back, to a higher head and neck elevation or to more animated action through the entire body.
One leg can be used to create a deeper hind leg stride on that side of the horse. Theoretically, you could influence just one hind leg with the corresponding leg aid.

3. Bend

Use of one leg aid should encourage your horse to move away from that pressure. True bend (i.e. not a neck bend) should always begin at the seat, be reinforced by the leg, and then be contained with the reins.

4. Hind end position

Using your leg behind the girth should indicate that the hind end steps away from that pressure. Use of your outside leg behind the girth encourages the horse to work into a haunches in (“travers”) position. Using your inside leg behind the girth is the key to the renvers, when the horse bends to the outside of the direction of movement.

5. Keep Moving

Two legs used at the same time mean “keep doing what you were doing”. This understanding is essential for movement such as the back-up, where the reins should be the last factor in the movement, and the legs (and seat) the first. Ideally, the horse should continue backing up without increased rein pressure until your legs soften and your seat asks for a halt.

6. Lift the Back

A gentle heel or spur lifting action underneath the rib cage should encourage the horse to lift his back. Of course, this aid is used in conjunction with the seat and hands but the legs can be an effective motivator for the horse to lift his rib cage and “round” in the movement.

7. Lateral Movement

The positioning of your inside leg at the girth and outside leg behind the girth should combine to indicate a lateral movement. Where your seat goes and how your hands finish the movement will differentiate the shoulder-fore from the shoulder-in from the leg yield from the half-pass. With the exception of the leg yield, your legs position in a way that encourages inside bend and catch the outside hind end (from swinging out). Finally, the horse will proceed to step in the direction of movement if that is required.

Give Up On Kicking!

Kicking your horse only stuns, disturbs, imbalances, and hurts. Although kicking might be a useful way to start out for a beginning rider, once you have better balance in your seat and a more consistent contact with the bit, aim toward using your legs with more purpose.
Learn how to use your legs in the rhythm of the movement. Working against the movement only serves to irritate the horse because he simply cannot respond if the timing is out of sync with the footfalls. Good, effective leg aids work within the movement and are generally not noticeable. Great legs look like they are doing nothing at all.
In all cases, the essential thing you need to do is to keep soft, loose legs draped gently on your horse’s side. In this manner, the legs are kind, responsive, clear and secure. The horse knows he can rely on the communication he is receiving from the leg aids, and with repetition, will know just what to do when!

Theory Thursday

Theory Thursday: In good training, you never see the rider doing anything. Yanking, spurring and kicking on a horse only goes to show the inexperience/ignorance of the rider. - Steve Kutie

Weekly Bonus Tip: How to survive and ride in the extreme heat

How to survive and ride in the extreme heat

Well if you happen to live in the south during the summer you know that it can get a tad on the warm side. With Texas experiencing the hottest year on record since the early 80’s, trying to find creative ways to keep your horse safe and cool in the heat become a priority. I have compiled a list of safety do’s and don’ts. Common sense in the most valuable piece of info I can offer, if it is way to hot for you to be out, it’s way to hot for you to be out riding your horse.

1. Know the signs of heat exhaustion. In horses, symptoms include weakness, stumbling, increased temperature (higher than 102 F) and elevated pulse or respiration. In serious cases, a horse may stop sweating (anhidrosis).

2. Remember that you need to scrape off the excess water from your horse after he is hosed off. Water works as a layer of insulation holding in the heat causing the horse to over-heat faster than just plan sweating.

3. Work your horse in shorter training sessions giving him plenty of time to air back up and cool off. Look for a shady spot to let him recover.

4. If you are planning to ride for a longer period of time offer your horse a small drink of water through out the training session. REMEMBER that you also need to drink.

5. If you horse is over weight work him as little as possible in the extreme heat since layers of fat increase that amount of time it takes for the blood to make it to the surface for cooling.

6. Provide electrolytes. Add electrolytes to your horse's water when you know he'll be working hard in the heat. Begin a few days ahead of time--electrolytes leach water from his system, and he'll need time to adjust his water intake to compensate. Offer him non-supplemented water as well, since he might not like the taste of electrolytes.

7. If possible allow your horse to cool down in front of a fan. Air moving across a wet body will evaporate and cool your horse. A cheap box fan from the local store will do the job.

8. Be smart and try to schedule your ride times early in the morning or late in the evening when the temperatures are at their coolest. The sun and heat levels are at their most dangerous levels from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

9. A 50/50 mixture of rubbing alcohol and water in a spray bottle will help to cool your horse do to the evaporative nature of the alcohol.

10. Look out for your own safety; Wear light weight and light colored clothing, drink plenty of water, apply sunscreen.

Always remember. Be Safe, Ride Hard, Have Fun - Steve Kutie

Wisdom Wednesday

Wisdom Wednesday: Remember less is more when asking a horse to perform, as riders we tend to stand in the way of our own progress.

Tech Tip Tuesday

Tech Tip Tuesday: Worry less about how high or low your horses head is, and start worrying about leaving your horse alone. His head and neck will relax when you stop picking at him.

Anti-Gimmick Trail Clinic Burnet, Texas

Steve Kutie Anti-Gimmick Trail Clinic
Where: Blue Bonnet Arena Burnet, Texas
When: May24-26

Private lessons focusing on your individual needs for yourself & your horse are available by appointment on Friday afternoon beginning @ 2 p.m.The private lesson cost is $60. Email bluebonnet.arena@yahoo.com or call Thelma 979-299-5210. The Ranch Versatility Clinic will refine your riding skills as you gain insight into problems you may be experiencing with your horse. It begins @ 9 a.m. on Saturday. Enrollment is limited to 20 riders. Pre-register on our website > bluebonnetarena.com for a special clinic fee of $100. On Saturday, fee is the full price of $125. The emphasis on TRAIL will earn points for you in competition & you will have a great time working traditional TRAIL obstacles in the arena followed by a ride through more natural elements in the Bluebonnet pasture.

Motivation Monday

Motivation Monday: You see in life, lots of people know what to do, but few people actually do what they know. Knowing is not enough! You must take action. - Anthony Robbins

Morning Gate Crew

Fact Friday

Fact Friday: The difference between stupidity and genius, is that genius has it's limits. - Albert Einstein

Theory Thursday

Theory Thursday: Great minds have purpose, others have wishes. - Washington Earving

Successful Living

Successful Living

Up early in the morning

Long before the sun

Squinting through your tired eyes

There's lots of work to be done

 

The horses all need feeding

It's time to check the cows

Flip on the arena lights

It's time to eat some chow

Others are still sleeping

As you pull your cinch up tight

This crazy life your living

Never seems quite right

The work is never ending

And most won't understand

The simple life your leading

Chasing your grand plan

Their eyes are always on you

As you pull your hat down tight

Your working for a living

Trying to do what's right

The horses are all worked

And your pant legs soaked with sweat

As you sit there thinking to yourself

How much better could this get

While others shuffle papers

Sitting at their desks

Your sitting saddled on your horse

Watching that pretty ol' sunset

Now your day is finished

As you stumble back through the door

You have that funny feeling

That you've done this all before

All the hours baking in the sun

You know what they were for

When you see those smiling faces

Waiting for you at the door

Their always glad to see you

They don't care about the score

You're number one in their book

It's daddy they adore

You'll do it again tomorrow

That crazy life you lead

To put food on the table

For your loving family

Now success is real subjective

And money's not the score

But a loving wife and family

Is something I adore.

- Steve Kutie

Sponsor Spotlight; Jerry Shaw Custom Saddles

As a CUSTOM SADDLE MAKER from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, we build high quality handcrafted custom saddles and tack for everything you can do “western” on a horse. Whether you are a cowboy or cowgirl at heart or one who earns a living horseback, you’ll enjoy visiting our SADDLE GALLERIES of uniquely beautiful but undeniably serviceable tools of the cowboy trade. Whatever your chosen discipline or riding style, you’ll find the saddle of your dreams from one of our galleries.

Hopefully, you didn’t come to the Jerry Shaw Custom Saddles web site expecting to find the typical, ordinary, hum-drum saddles so common in today’s market place. As you will soon see, there is nothing ordinary about our extraordinary works of art. Each saddle is carefully designed, skillfully assembled, and masterfully finished using only the finest and highest quality materials available. Each of our saddles is individually handcrafted with one type of buyer in mind. . . the discriminating horseman or horsewoman who demands the very best for themselves and insists on the very best of equipment for their horses.

To visit with Jerry and check out more of his AWESOME Custom Creations head to www.jshawsaddles.com

Wisdom Wednesday

Wisdom Wednesday: Always ride with a game plan in mind. I believe that I teach a horse more in the warm-up/cool down than during the actual "training" session. Reason being, that if my game plan was to work on lead changes and while warming up I noticed that my horse was not moving his shoulder over, I can pretty much bet that I will have trouble getting my horse to properly change leads. I don't want to set myself or my horse up for failure so I will work on freeing up the shoulders more during the warm up and skip the lead changes for the day. Remember that a soft, supple, relaxed and willing horse will always be trainable. When you fix a problem and your horse understands QUIT! There is no rule in the horse world that states you must ride your horse at least 1 hour per day, always try work smarter not harder.

Tech Tip Tuesday

Tech Tip Tuesday: The horse is the best judge of a good rider, not the spectator. If a horse has a high opinion of the rider, he will let himself be guided, if not he will resist. - Nuno Oliveria

Motivation Monday

Motivation Monday: Wake Up, Kick Ass, Repeat!