Ask the Expert: Barb Apple

Barb Apple has a lifetime of experience with horses. She is a natural teacher who learned from the best of the best: Tom Dorrance, Pat Parelli, Jack Brainard and many others. She is an expert at helping people understand horses. Working with people and their horses is more than a job for Barb, it is her passion.

Featured at several expos around the country and in years of clinics from coast to coast, Barb and her horses have touched many hearts. She is more than a horse trainer - she's a master horseman and instructor. Barb Apple is a master of communication, understanding the horse, and most importantly, teaching others how to fully experience their horses.

Click here to ask Barb a question now!

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Question:

Last year once and now this August, my 7 yr. old Tennessee Walking Horse was doing her running walk on fairly smooth roads, and she fell hard on her knees and then flopped over on her left side. The first time my collar bone broke. Last time I got hurt, but nothing broke. The first time I thought perhaps she tried to stop suddenly as another horse was next to her and its riders turned the horses head back, I thought she might have got her legs tangled. This last time the dogs were trying to follow me (I was riding alone0 and I was trying to hurry as I didn't want them to follow. Now I am wondering why this is happening. The vet seemed to thing she is just a young horse and isn't keeping track of where her feet are. I would like to keep her, but now I am wondering, Is this going to happen again? I don't want to get hurt again. Have you ever heard of this, if not can you find out for me? Perhaps she could get some training in foot work,

I have had her on difficlut rocky mt.trails and no problem.

Other then her shying at sudden objects, this is the only problem I have with her.

Can you help me?

Answer:

I have had Walkers for over 20 years and I, too, had one that went down several times. I started this horse as a 3-year-old and had him for several years before selling him. He did get better and the folks who bought him still have him. He is 22 and going strong. Unfortunately, it is not an uncommon problem with Walkers, particularly the larger, rangy types.

I also found he was a gem in the mountains and in difficult terrain, where he was really tuned into his feet. However, it was on the flat or in arenas that he was most apt to stumble. My husband was a shoer, and by changing the length of toe and speeding up the front or back (depending), we were able to help him get out of his own way.

Over-reaching can be a problem with some. Exercising him over logs or cavaletti and working with the back-up did help him learn to balance and make him more aware of his feet.

I also found that if I kept him awake and with me he did better than when I just let him have his head down at a lazy walk. He did improve as he aged and learned to carry himself well. I have another client who had the same difficulty with her Walker tripping, but in his case it did not matter what ground he was on. It turned out he has a pinched nerve in his neck and she had to retire him. She took him to Pilchuck Vet Hospital in Snohomish, WA, where it was diagnosed.

The last two things I might mention are to have a chiropractor take a look at her. There may be a few simple adjustments that might make a world of difference. It has been my experience that body work can do amazing things: energy work, chiropractic and nutrition. Second, I suggest you check your saddle and be sure it is not pinching her shoulders. If so, move it back a little or check saddle fit.

I hope this will be of help.

-Barb Apple

Remember “Horse Play” is FUN!

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Question:

Is it possible for a horse to become barn sour overnight? My 15 yr. old gelding was a great trail horse up until about two weeks ago. He would go out nice and calm and come back nice and calm. I have taken him out for the last five times now and he goes out nice and calm but on the way back he now gets all pumped up and prancy until he reaches a spot he knows is close to home and then he will go back to a walk. How do I get him out of this before I get hurt? If I try to make him stand still to get him to calm down, he will start backing up real fast to avoid the bit. What can I do?

Answer:

Barn Sour or “Barn Sweet” horses can be a real pain for sure. It is unusual to have it happen all of a sudden, however. The first question I would ask: is the last bit where he starts acting up on a downhill? If so, then I would want to check out back or hock issues. He may have developed a sore back or hocks for some reason of late, and going downhill hurts.

If that is not an issue, then I would try the following:

Next time you ride, put a halter under your bridle and bring along some treats, such as hay pellets or a carrot or two. Or, if there is grass in the area where you ride, just bring a good book for you. At the point you are getting ready to turn around to head back to the barn, stop, get off, take his bridle off, and give him the treats or let him eat while you read your book and relax. Just enjoy this time with him.

The idea is to make being away from the barn a “sweeter” place than the barn. This might take a few times, but seems to work well for most horses. I have even taken the saddle off at this “picnic point” and really made it a nice place to be.

One more little trick: when your horse starts to prance, turn him around so he is pointing away from home, then back him up toward home. Do not force this back-up; just spread your arms to keep him from turning and allow the energy he already has to carry him backward. If he does not understand, ask him to back. After several steps backward, turn and see if he would like to walk toward the barn. If not, turn him again and back even further toward home. He will still get to go home, just backward! Do not make this a punishment – it should be done with a smile and good humor, saying to him, “I agree…let’s go home, but let’s have fun with it!” Hopefully he will not think this is so much fun, however, and will agree to walk after a few tries.

Hope this gives you some ideas.

“Horse Play” is FUN!

Barb Apple

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Question:

We moved six months ago. My 22 year old would sleep in her stall, my 12 year old not at all. Now they have larger stalls, but both sleep outside. This is not good. they need to not sleep in the mud, dust and cold. How can I change this habit? I cannot lock them in all night.

Sincerely,

Fran

Answer:

Dear Fran,

I know how frustrating it can be to watch horses stand in the wind-driven rain all hunkered down just yards away from a nice dry stall or lean-to. For us, it seems totally illogical; however, for the horse, the place they prefer to be is where they feel most comfortable and safe. You are so right not to lock them up in a place they do not feel safe.

I can relate to your feelings as I watch my mare doing the same thing. A couple months ago my gelding had to be put down. Now my mare will not go anywhere near the shelter that before, she lived in day after day during rain and wind. When it rains or the wind blows she cannot hear well. When there were two horses one of them could keep a watch on the woods if a deer, bear, etc. was wandering around. She felt safer with my gelding to share the watch. I bought her a good rain sheet and now she can stand or lie where ever she feels most safe and be warm.

It is hard to remember that our dear horse friends are really still wild horses at heart. They are only comfortable when they feel SAFE. For whatever reason, your horses do not feel as safe in their new location as they did in the old one. It is good to remember that horses were not built by nature to wear clothes and be in buildings. This might work fine for them if they feel safe but if not, they will do what they need to do to protect themselves from what they perceive as dangers such as predators, sounds, smells, falling limbs or trees in the wind, etc.

As far as their sleeping in mud, dust, or cold:

o They do not usually care about sleeping in dust as they take dust baths to get rid of insects or just scratch their body. It can even be a herd social event.

o The cold does not usually bother them if it is dry, but in wet and windy climates a good quality, breathable rain sheet will usually be enough.

o As far as the mud, it is up to us to provide a place where they can get out of it. I bring in a large load of sand and do not level it so my horses have a hill of sand to lie on. They really seem to like it and it brushes off easily.

o Mud management is important and there are many different ways to control it. Alayne Blickle, from Horses for Clean Water, has many excellent suggestions (www.horsesforcleanwater.com)

o If they are comfortable to go in the stalls, I would recommend feeding them there if you are not already. It may help them to adjust in time.

o Last of all, if we force horses to be in stalls when they would prefer to be out, we are creating unnecessary stress for them that can lead to all kinds of problems: behavior issues, nervousness, and certainly conditions that expose them to becoming susceptible ulcers. Horses were not designed to be in a 12x12 area with no way to release tension, energy and have room to express themselves. Good for you, Fran, for not locking them in.

You may find that after a few more months of adjusting they might just decide to sleep in their stalls after all. But in the meantime, honor their feelings and provide the best—mud free—environment you can. They will appreciate it.

Remember “Horse Play” is FUN!

~Barb Apple

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Question:

Hay, I have an Appaloosa named Jezza and she's headshy. I'm not sure how to comunicate with her to NOT be headshy. Well, i've had some of my friends who deal with horses tell me some ways to show her that I'm not a human that would hurt her. I think that her last owners abused her or something... I haven't had her that long. And I'm 12 years old, a rider that REALLY wants to ride. And since i'm not able to put a halter on her easily or by myself, I CAN'T RIDE! So as you can see i'm pretty unhappy. So since you're an expert, I'm asking you to tell me a method or help me to train her not to be headshy. Bcuz obviously I'm lost... Thanks

Answer:

When a horse is worried about their ears or poll being touched, it certainly can cause some problems. One of the ways horses learn is by what we call "release." In other words, when you quit doing what you are doing, they know their action that must be what you wanted. So we are going to teach the horse that when she holds her head still and lets you touch her ears and poll, you will quite touching.

Start by rubbing her neck, stroking her from the shoulder toward her head, but stop just short of causing her to duck her head or get worried. Keep rubbing till she relaxes, then stop a moment. Next, rub up toward her head a little at a time, but make long strokes so they still go back to the lower neck each time. If you get a little reaction near her head, then keep holding your hand there as best you can until she holds her head still, then remove your hand. If the reaction is BIG, you have advanced to far too soon. In time, she will get that if she holds her head still, you will remove your hand. You can then rub a little closer and then quickly retreat to the lower part of her neck where she is okay, then repeat. This is called the “advance and retreat method.” Each time, rub closer to the ear and then quickly retreat just before she reacts; keep doing it until she discovers that you are not going to hurt her. Then start staying longer near her head until the little reaction goes away. Repeat this over and over until you have advanced clear to her ears. This may take days. Do not do too much at one time or it will not work well.

Be patient. This will not be fixed overnight, so take your time and talk to her while you do this. Just enjoy her company. Try not to be sneaky when you rub her neck--rub it with confidence like you know all is well. This will transfer to her. If you continue this process each time until you can finally rub between her ears and touch them, then you are ready to do the same thing with a little rope or soft cloth in your hand. Start at the base of the neck again, as you did in the beginning, and do the entire process again. Then when this is fine, go to a bigger rope, then the halter. Often, treats can be helpful but must be used with understanding. When the session is all done, put a treat in a pan on the ground for her. Take your time and remember to just spend time hanging out with her so she can know and trust you.

~Barb Apple

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Question:

Hi Barb.
1. I am 66 year old beginner and just getting married to a 64 year
young lifetime natural horse lady. I read a book suggesting I find a
natural trainner who could teach me to ride, help pick my horse and
learn horsemanship from on a continuing basis. I live in Redmond
Washington. I am having trouble finding such a person. Do you know
someone or have a reference or suggestion how to go about this.
2. We could move after we get married (June 5th). Being older but
enjoying horses, we would like to know a spot in the Northwest that is
good horse country where the temperatures are mild enough to enjoy
riding in the winter months. Any suggestions?
Thank you. Roger

Answer:

Dear Roger,

What a delight that you and your partner have found each other. And my hat is off to you both for following the trail of Natural Horsemanship. In response to your first question: There is a lady in your area Lynn Elston who is wonderful at helping the first time rider. She has been a student of mine for about 9 yrs. She has a couple lovely horses she uses for school horses and lives between Woodinville and Monroe. She has a real gift at starting the beginning rider and like me she is also a Centered Riding Instructor as well as a gifted Natural Horsemanship enthusiast. She only takes a few students a year but I think you would enjoy her.
I give lessons now and then at the covered arena owned by Lynn. I can let you know when I will be in the area if you like. I also have several students in the Redmond area so when I come to Lynn's I often go to Redmond to teach as well.

As to suitable living and riding locations I have limited knowledge, however, I moved to the Yelm area East of Olympia from Eastern Oregon a few years ago and am so happy with the weather here. It does not seem to get so cold or as much rain as the Redmond/Monroe area. I live in a 5,000 acre gated community with miles of bridle trails. There are properties to develop for sale as well as one or two with homes already on them. There are also many lovely small farmette in the Yelm Prairie Valley. This entire area seems to be a thriving horse community. Shopping and cultural events are not far away so it seems the best of many worlds for me.

I hope this will be of some help to you.


Thanks Barb

If you are interested contact me at:
horseplay1@BarbApple.com or check out my web site at www.BarbApple.com