Alternative Horsemanship with Samantha Harvey is based on more than three decades of equine-related experiences as an equestrian student, equine competitor, horse instructor, mentor, equine business consultant, and offering horsemanship clinics worldwide.
Sam offers many services including starting colts and rehabilitating "difficult" horses, working with various breeds, ages, and disciplines at both a local and national level. She teaches horsemanship clinics, groundwork, horseback riding lessons, and more. Her Alternative Horsemanship training approach helps both competitive and pleasure riders of all levels and backgrounds. She teaches Horsemanship groundwork and riding lessons to help riders interpret and understand horse behavior and to refine their communication, and build trust with their horses.
She has lectured, presented, and offered demos at equine symposiums and expos. Sam has taught horsemanship skills and equine behavior to pre-veterinary students, been a featured speaker on nationally syndicated radio programs, and regularly posts to her award-winning horse blog. She also has a regular Horse Trainer column and has contributed to several published horsemanship books.
Samantha Harvey offers specialized horsemanship clinics worldwide working in South America, the Caribbean, the South Pacific, and most recently in Asia. She also offers several intensive Equine Retreats each season teaching horseback riders how to refine their mental, emotional, and physical approach to improve their partnership with the horse.
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"It" has been called a variety of names, has multiple different styles, and in the name of imitation without understanding, so many good intentioned horse people are using "it" in a destructive, aggressive, critical manner teaching the horse fear, flee, containment, and defensiveness.
There are far too many examples of the "big names" showing fast, strong, and unrelenting use of it with a horse. The unknowing public then tries to imitate what they've seen as an example on their unsuspecting horse.
No one talks about how many people get hurt because they, "don't know what they don't know," as a client once said.
So when the mis or un-educated, or inexperienced horse person adds in a potentially destructive "tool" presented in a "making the horse comply" manner, at some point it becomes mental and emotional overload for the equine, causing him to literally take out, run over, or potentially hurt the human as he is trying to defend himself.
If Quality is the goal, there should not be a...
Patience
I've had many comments over the years about how I seem to never lose patience with the horse during moments that for most people would trigger a rollercoaster of emotions... such as in the scenarios of when a horse resists:
Being caught
Trailer Loading
Bolts when Led
Won't stand still for the rider to mount
None of the above are the horse's actual issues. Instead, they are symptomatic responses reflecting the many missed "building blocks" that go into the equine's education that creates a solid foundation.
So when I see these and numerous other unwanted behaviors, I translate the responses from the horse as his way of showing his fear, defensiveness, and anticipation, or the "holes" in his education.
If my priority is to address his concerns, build his trust, and encourage his try when asked to participate in a completely unnatural scenario, then "it"- the communication- has nothing to do with my feelings or emotions.
The more neutral I can be in accepting and believing ...
Adaptability
People and horses get stuck in a mental/physical rut as to the quality and intention of the Conversations and interactions with their horse.
Without having to "go anywhere" there are so many scenarios that you can create to help you assess, then address and refine, in your own clarity, communication, and adaptability.
Notice how receptive your horse is when asked something different from what he has learned to expect if you change your normal patterns of interaction.
These seemingly insignificant moments or minor changes contribute to you building a thoughtful and intentional partnership with your horse so that the day you need to ask something unexpected of your equine partner, he is mentally available and physical soft towards participating in the unfamiliar.
How do YOU and YOUR horse respond if:
You go into the pasture/stall with a halter in your hand, but don't immediately catch your horse.
You open the gate/stall door but don't go out it.
When you do go out the gate, ...
