Do you have a dog? Ever want to teach it tricks
and have fun “showing him off” to others?
You’re probably aware of the famous horse trainer
Jesse Beery and how well he understood the
minds and dispositions of horses.
Well, he was also an excellent dog trainer.
People from all over the area would come to
Jesse Beery just to see his dog perform
DOZENS of tricks. He mastered the art of
teaching tricks to dogs.
Fact is – teaching a dog tricks can be a lot of fun
and very rewarding – for both you and the dog!
Jesse Beery, whose course we sell by the dozens,
wrote a short dog trick training book about his
dog, Snow White.
In this book, Jesse details the methods he used to teach
over 40 tricks to his dog. He lays it out with very easy
to read and use directions.
Jesse was a master at figuring out how animals
think and learn. What you may not know is that many
of the same methods used to teach responses or habits
to horses works with dogs as well. It is by “fixing”
a response in their brain to a cue such as a voice
command or a hand signal.
It’s simple yet brilliant.
The name of the book is:
“How I Trained My Trick Dog Snow White”
If you would like to read more about it or get a copy
for yourself then click on the link below:
Groundwork, Cordless Drills and Enjoying Your Horse
You know, when I first started out with horses [many, many years ago…] I heard “Do your groundwork!” from lots of experienced folks. For a while, I didn’t know what that meant. Even worse, I didn’t understand the implications of its importance. I was impatient and wanted to do everything I could as fast I as I could. Thus, I saw groundwork as nice to do but took too much time compared to what I wanted to try and get done. In reality, groundwork is great because it builds YOUR confidence AND the confidence of the HORSE as well. It’s a great way to build a bond between you and horse… not to mention trust, respect, and understanding. What many people don’t know is that from the ground is a great place to watch your horse learn and think. You can watch his feet and see the mechanics of his his thinking, his response and how he moves his body to your handling and commands. Groundwork can be overdone by doing too much of something – such as not enough change or challenging exercises for the horse. Some horse owners drill their horse too much when it’s simply not necessary. You need to mix it up frequently and provide a change of pace to keep the horse’s attention. If you find your horse is not responsive, trusting, respectful, and pleasurable to be with, then you might be reinforcing his behavior that makes him that way. [You might want to re-read that last sentence] After a while it’ll show up while you’re riding him on the trail or arena and it makes riding not near as much fun when you don’t have a responsive, trusting mount. When you seem to be fighting your horse as much as enjoying riding then something needs to change! We have lots of valuable material that shows you how to do groundwork and have professionals with many years of experience show you their tricks and secrets of both “how” and “why” groundwork is so important in the development of both horse and rider. Should you invest in our DVDs or books that teach you these things? Maybe. Maybe not. If you’ve been around for years and have already learned the training foundations and have experience, then perhaps not. But I will be the first to tell you that I learn something from just about everything I read or watch. And by watching these DVDs 2, 3 or 4 times I pick up new things each time that I missed the first time. There’s dozens of “golden nuggets” of training wisdom in each one if you’re willing to take the time to learn. Books, DVDs, clinics, etc. – they’re all valuable because you are investing in you, your horses and your safety. Correct me if I’m wrong – but the primary reason we have these 1,000+ pound bundles of nerve and strength is to enjoy riding and working with them. The thrill of taming and riding these animals, whether it is for pleasure, show or for work as a cowboy on the ranch, is unparalleled. But we must do it safely and in control. That’s why we invest in the training materials to learn how to make them safe and learn to control them properly so we can enjoy them.
Cordless Drills and Drill Bits?
Let me make an analogy that I love to use: I have a cordless drill and box full of drill bits from very small to large. It is a nice drill and a very nice set of drill bits that are extra hard. These bits will drill though wood, plastic or steel. The bits are nice but the only reason I have them is because I want holes the right size. I really don’t care to own the drill bits because what I really want is holes. But I have to have the bits to make the holes. They are just a tool to use to get what I really want: a hole. And that’s the way it is with horse training information. The books and DVDs are just tools. What you really want is a safe, well-mannered horse that responds to your commands. Isn’t it? The books and DVDs help you learn how to do the training so both you and your horse enjoy the time together much more. To help you build the respect, trust and understanding you both want.
Other Groundwork Resources
We also have other DVDs by other trainers you should look at to learn groundwork, teaching respect, etc. Look at Diana Quintana’s horse training DVD here:
Here’s my 9/11 experience and how it relates to safety and preparation – including with your horses.
[This is a long email – there is a 9/11 special at the end if you don’t have time to read it. I first sent this last year.]
Today I want to share my heart about something – and how 9/11 affected us and strengthened our resolve in many ways.
Don’t worry – I’ll tie it all in with handling your horses. There’s still something to learn here.
I want to take you back to early August, 2001.
I took my entire family (all 7 of us) to Pennsylvania to visit my side of the family. Most of them are scattered around South East PA. My father was raised on a dairy farm (and milked by hand twice a day) and used horses as a kid for all kinds of tasks including pulling their milk wagon on their daily route to customers and stores.
As part of that trip my wife and I wanted to take the kids to New York City to experience the big city. Now – we’re from Nebraska – think rolling hills, corn, soybeans, cattle, etc. So a trip to The Big Apple would be quite a culture shock for us.
I think it was Tuesday morning – we took off early and drove to NYC. We started on the Jersey side of the river and took a ferry trip to Ellis Island, went by the Statue of Liberty, and saw the city skyline from the river. I wanted to do that to prepare my kids for the city.
It was awesome.
We then drove through one of the tunnels (Lincoln?) and right down into lower Manhattan. We parked underground, below one of the financial buildings, immediately next to the World Trade Center towers.
That driving/parking experience alone was quite different than what we’re used to. We did the typical tourist things like ride the subway to Times Square, walked around Broadway, etc.
You might say we were “country Hicks” in the big city :>) and probably stood out like a sore thumb. Not quite like the Beverly Hillbillies, but you get the picture.
Ya know something interesting – for years I had heard that New Yorkers were rude and impolite. What we experienced couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Every cop and every person we talked to were very helpful, engaging and polite. Perhaps even more so than folks in Omaha. We’re not shy and don’t hesitate to walk up to strangers and start a conversation. It was a great experience.
(although a few questionable characters were on the subway that refused to make eye contact.)
We finished that day by going to the observation deck of the World Trade Center South Tower- I believe it was 111 stories high? Just riding the elevators up that many floors was an amazing trip.
But stepping out on that roof and looking down was something to behold. Looking down on all the other buildings, looking down on small airplanes and helicopters flying below us, seeing for miles along the river and all the little specks below. It makes you feel so small.
Well – spin forward about a month to 9/11/2001. We’re back home in Nebraska – Southwest of Omaha.
You know what happened that morning so I don’t have to describe it.
I was in my truck heading to see a client in rural Iowa and my wife called me and gave me the news about the first plane hitting the tower. As soon as I answered I knew something grave had taken place. She stood there
in unbelief – she could hardly talk.
We had just been standing on top of one of those two towers a month earlier. It shook us. It was fresh in our minds. It shook us to the core.
I got to my appointment but everyone was glued to the TV watching the event take place. Just as I got there the second place hit.
I had to head home. I was fearful for what was taking place and I needed to be with my family.
I drove fast to get home, listening on the radio the whole time and talking to my wife off and on. I started making mental plans for preparation – you’ll understand why later.
The other plane hit the Pentagon and the plane in PA hit the ground. What was going on? Is any place safe? Would this happen all over the USA?
A little later President Bush ordered all planes in US airspace to be grounded. He was rushed to Air Force One and was in the air with F16 escorts. They didn’t want him at the Whitehouse or other locations in the event they were targets as well.
We were now in the highest alert ever. Our country was under attack and we didn’t know what to expect.
Our place in the country is in the frequent flight path of Offutt Air Force Base. Offutt is the underground command post for our forces and, in the event of major threat situations – including nuclear war, would direct our nuclear response missiles, planes, ships, etc. around the world from here. It’s a massive, hardened series of bunkers deep underground that is able to survive a nuclear attack.
They decided to fly Pres. Bush to Offutt and put him underground until they figured out what all was going on across the country.
Keep in mind – there were NO planes in the sky. It was eerie – no sounds of jets, no contrails. I told my kids to come out and look and listen – they may never experience this again in their lifetime.
There was a hint in the local news that Pres. Bush might come to Offutt and go underground until things settled down.
I was outside and here comes Air Force One heading to Offutt – he flew right over my place. My immediate response was to say a prayer for our President, our armed forces and all those who will be responsible for carrying out our response to this tragedy. I prayed for the families of the victims in NYC, PA and DC.
While I was shook – I also trusted that our forces around the world would respond appropriately and we would use our intelligence services to our benefit.
What’s all this have to do with horses?
Hang on – we’re almost there…..
If you’ve read my emails for very long you know I’m all about safety. Train your horses to respect your space, you be in control and have them respond to your commands. Wear a helmet. Don’t let your horse decide when he wants move or where – he looks to YOU for direction. He is trained not to spook under normal conditions. And on and on….
Well, what you probably don’t know about me is that I am into preparation and planning.
If you looked into my truck you’d see tire chains, water, jumper cables, tow straps, tools, non-perishable food, spare V-Belts, etc. I like to be prepared in all areas that I have control over.
I am also an Amateur Radio Operator (ham radio) and used to be actively involved in emergency communications for the various groups such as the Red Cross, National Weather Service and providing structured communications for mass-casualty drills, etc.
I have also taught survival skills, wilderness camping, and related stuff. I like to be ready.
I could go on and on but you get the idea.
So for me – that mindset carries right over into anything I do – including when it comes to horse training and maintaining control.
I do my best to NOT be surprised. I want horses to KNOW what to expect and RESPOND when
you direct them.
I urge you to take control of your horses as well. If you have a horse you’re handling and are fearful or are putting yourself in danger because you know you don’t have control – then there’s no better time than right now to start changing that.
If you don’t – you may get hurt, broken or paralyzed. [Did you know horseback riding is 20 times more dangerous than riding a motorcycle?]
If you need help getting control of your horse then it all starts with knowledge. You need to learn first and then go out and convey what you’ve learned by applying that knowledge in your handling and training your horses.
There is no such thing as a horse that is 100% safe.
All horses are wired to respond to threats. However, if you take time to learn and control you horse, even in spooky situations for him, and take the time to build that trust relationship with him – then he will look to YOU for direction when things go bonkers. That, my friends, is where you want to be.
I don’t want to find myself on top of a 1,200 pound bundle of muscle and trigger-happy nerves and have him go off under me
when confronted by everyday threats. It’s a serious accident looking for a place to happen.
Our Jesse Beery course book is a great way to learn how to solve those pesky and dangerous problems with your horse. You can get one free as part of the offer below.
Also – look over our selection of professional training DVDs. There’s decades of training wisdom there you can take advantage of. Again – our 9/11 special lets you get one free.
I might suggest something on groundwork and related stuff like Sue Robertson or Diana Quintana. Or Vickie Weigel’s
“How To Get rid of the Horse Eating Monster” DVD.
So there you go – if you read all that you can perhaps understand our sensitivity to 9/11 and the real threat we face in today’s world.
Be ready, learn to think and apply knowledge and adjust as conditions change.
That is a good position to be in whether you are talking about national security, personal defense or riding horses.
For our family it’s all about placing our Trust in the Lord, be ready to meet Him, prepare and help others.
We base our lives individually and as a family around those foundations.
And now you (and a few thousand others) know a bit more about us. Thanks for reading.
Sincerely,
Charlie Hicks
P.S. One more thing – my father dropped out of college after his 3rd year to join the new Air Force and he flew fighters and bombers in Korea, WW II, and other theaters around the world. He then went into the missile program and ended up at Offutt working on the planning for the famous SR-71 Blackbird deployment. (He did get his college degree later in life.)
But I had those country genes in me – and I got a double major in agriculture and later went into computers and networks. But I stayed close to the farm over the years and combined computers/networks with with serving ag-related businesses. Now you know the REST of the story!
