Written by Martin Black This article originally appeared in Eclectic Horseman Issue No.65 I was watching a rodeo recently and they had a calf scramble with about 30 kids ages 8-12 and the same number of calves weighing about 400 lbs. The kids were in a marked off area in the center of the arena that […]
Written by Martin Black This article originally appeared in Eclectic Horseman Issue No.64 Why can one rider have trouble getting a horse to respond and another rider take the same horse and get along great? We may be familiar with the influence of feel and timing, but something that could be quicker for the rider […]
Written by Martin Black This article originally appeared in Eclectic Horseman Issue No.54 After returning from The World’s Greatest Horseman competition, I found it interesting how the contestants handled their cattle in the fence work. After a lifetime of working cattle and studying how other people handle cattle; how and why they do what they […]
This article originally appeared in Eclectic Horseman Issue No.16 Riders usually get their horses turned around one way or another, but few really get things worked out to where the horse stays balanced and really uses the whole body to execute the maneuver. Some horses reach and use their front end good, but with speed […]
Written by Martin Black This article originally appeared in Eclectic Horseman Issue No.52 This time of year, when a person starts riding a horse that has been laid off for the winter—or at any other time—and may have prospered, it might be a good idea to check the horse mentally to see if horse and rider […]
Written by Martin Black This article originally appeared in Eclectic Horseman Issue No.43 Why do some horses have more trouble with their head position than others? This is commonly an issue with horse people, regardless of whether it’s a trainer with performance horses or recreational riders. Often the solution is tying the head down or leverage […]
Written by Martin Black This article originally appeared in Eclectic Horseman Issue No.34 Today there are all levels and all types of horse people and horses. As horses change homes, whether it is changing owners or trainers or from one rider to another, horses can be the victims of being misplaced. When this happens the […]
Written by Martin Black This article originally appeared in Eclectic Horseman Issue No.33 The way we catch our horses can reflect a lot about our understanding of them and their outlook toward us. If we could only see through their eyes at how they look at us, how they interpret our actions, we might be […]
Written by Martin Black This article originally appeared in Eclectic Horseman Issue No.32 Of all the techniques, methods and gimmicks to get our horses to do what we want, one of my favorites has always been a cow. By making position comfortable for the horse, whether it be offense or defense, we can encourage him […]
Written by Martin Black This article originally appeared in Eclectic Horseman Issue No.31 Many times what people identify as discipline problems with their horses are really frustrated and confused horses, basically caused by the horse having an identity crisis, and or too much stored energy. Horses that are confined and isolated for extended periods where […]