Let's Judge Horse Trainers: Free Spirit Equestrian

Raleigh Link

17 Mar 202328:46

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this 'Let's Judge Horse Trainers' video, the host reacts positively to Free Spirit Equestrian's approach to horse training. The video emphasizes the importance of foundational work, such as grooming and saddle fitting, to build trust and ensure comfort for the horse. The trainer's calm demeanor and methodical process, including groundwork and in-hand work, are praised for their effectiveness in creating a relaxed and responsive horse. The host also discusses the necessity of teaching horses to stand still while mounting, highlighting the trainer's adherence to this principle as a sign of good training.

Takeaways

😌 The video emphasizes the importance of spending quality time grooming and bonding with horses, which is crucial for establishing a strong relationship.
🐴 The trainer Shea from Free Spirit Equestrian stresses the significance of saddle fit, especially for rescue horses with potential previous health issues.
🤔 The video script criticizes professional trainers on YouTube who skip foundational work and allow their horses to walk off when mounting, which is considered bad training practice.
👍 Shea demonstrates a step-by-step process of introducing a horse to a saddle and bridle for the first time, highlighting patience and gradual progression.
🌟 The channel's bio showcases Shea's passion for revitalizing horses from different backgrounds through equine wellness, training, and care.
👁️ The video gives insight into Shea's training philosophy, which includes being transparent about both the good and bad aspects of horse life.
📈 Shea plans to release a saddle fitting series, indicating her commitment to educating others on proper horse care and equipment.
🚫 The script expresses a personal opinion against the use of bits, suggesting that they are not necessary and can be harmful to the horse.
🏞 The video includes groundwork training, showing the process of teaching a horse to halt, move forward, and understand body cues while being longed.
🔄 Shea discusses the importance of doing training exercises on both sides of the horse to ensure balance and familiarity with being handled from all angles.
👋 The video ends with Shea mounting the horse for the first time, demonstrating trust and proper behavior from both the horse and the trainer.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video by Free Spirit Equestrian?
-The main topic of the video is the first-time tacking up and groundwork session with a horse named Bagheera, whom the trainer Shea acquired from an auction.
Why does the narrator decide not to react to certain horse trainers they know personally?
-The narrator chooses not to react to horse trainers they know personally to avoid bias, as they have pre-existing positive opinions and friendships with these individuals.
What is the significance of grooming in horse training according to the narrator?
-Grooming is significant in horse training as it helps establish a bond between the horse and the trainer, and it is an opportunity to spend quality time with the horse, which is essential for building trust and a good relationship.
Why does the narrator emphasize the importance of saddle fit, especially for rescue horses?
-The narrator emphasizes saddle fit because it is crucial for the horse's comfort and health, especially for rescue horses that may have pre-existing health issues or injuries that could be exacerbated by an ill-fitting saddle.
What is the correct way to introduce a saddle to a horse as demonstrated by Shea in the video?
-The correct way to introduce a saddle to a horse, as demonstrated by Shea, involves going slowly, ensuring the horse is comfortable with each step, introducing the pad first, and then the saddle, checking for proper fit, and gradually tightening the girth while the horse is moving to avoid discomfort or injury.
Why is it important to not tighten the cinch while the horse is tied according to the video?
-Not tightening the cinch while the horse is tied is important to prevent the horse from having a negative or traumatic experience if it reacts while tied up, which could lead to fear or stress.
What is the narrator's opinion on the use of bits in horse training?
-The narrator has a personal opinion against the use of bits in horse training, believing that they are not necessary and can be harmful, especially from a medical perspective. They believe bits are often used due to poor rider skills or relationships with the horse.
How does the narrator feel about the importance of groundwork before riding a horse?
-The narrator believes that groundwork is vastly more important than riding because it establishes a solid foundation for the horse's training and behavior, which is essential for safety and effectiveness in riding.
What is the narrator's view on the necessity of teaching a horse to stand still while mounting?
-The narrator strongly believes that teaching a horse to stand still while mounting is a basic foundational training that is crucial for safety and respect between the horse and rider.
What is the narrator's perspective on the importance of in-hand groundwork training for water crossings?
-The narrator emphasizes that in-hand groundwork training for water crossings is essential to ensure the horse's comfort and understanding of the new environment, preventing panic and potential accidents when ridden.
What does the narrator appreciate about Free Spirit Equestrian's approach to horse training?
-The narrator appreciates Free Spirit Equestrian's calm demeanor, focus on foundational training, and the methodical approach to introducing new elements like tack and bits, which promotes trust and understanding between the horse and trainer.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Introduction to Critique of Professional Horse Trainers

The video script begins with a critique of professional horse trainers on YouTube who neglect foundational work with horses, such as proper bonding and handling. The speaker introduces themselves and sets the stage for a 'Let's Judge Horse Trainers' video, where they will be reacting to Free Spirit Equestrian's content. They also provide a disclaimer about their bias towards certain trainers they know personally and express their intent to focus on those they are unfamiliar with, starting with Free Spirit Equestrian.

05:00

🐎 Shea's Bio and Philosophy on Horse Training

In this paragraph, the speaker reads and reacts to Free Spirit Equestrian's bio, which introduces Shea, the owner of Free Spirit Farm. Shea's passion lies in revitalizing horses from various backgrounds through equine wellness, training, and care. The speaker appreciates Shea's commitment to transparency about the realities of horse life and her dedication to her horses. They also express excitement about Shea's video on tacking up an auction horse for the first time.

10:03

🛠 Grooming and Saddling Process with Bagheera

The speaker observes Shea's video on grooming and saddling her horse, Bagheera, for the first time. They commend Shea for emphasizing the importance of grooming as a bonding moment and for her careful approach to introducing the saddle and pad. The speaker highlights the significance of saddle fit, especially for rescue horses with potential health issues, and appreciates Shea's methodical process of ensuring the horse's comfort and trust throughout the process.

15:05

🤔 Reflections on Bitless Training and Horse Welfare

The speaker shares their personal opinion on bitless training, expressing a growing aversion to using bits in horse training due to medical and ethical reasons. They argue that bits are unnecessary and can be harmful, reflecting on their experiences and beliefs about the importance of establishing a strong relationship with horses without relying on bits for control.

20:07

👣 Groundwork and In-Hand Training with Bagheera

This paragraph details Shea's in-hand training session with Bagheera, focusing on teaching the horse to stop, move forward, and halt on command using a whip and minimal bridle pressure. The speaker praises this method for building the horse's confidence and understanding in a safe and controlled environment. They also discuss the importance of teaching horses to stop when the rider dismounts, a safety measure that can be crucial in emergencies.

25:10

🏇 First Mounting Experience and Foundational Training

The speaker describes Shea's first-time mounting experience with Bagheera, emphasizing the importance of teaching a horse to stand still while mounting. They critique other trainers who allow their horses to walk off when being mounted, calling it dangerous and indicative of poor training. The speaker admires Shea's patience and the horse's calm response, reflecting on the broader theme of foundational training and its impact on horse behavior.

🌟 Positive Review and Encouragement for Free Spirit Equestrian

In the final paragraph, the speaker provides a glowing review of Shea's training methods, expressing joy at witnessing such wholesome and effective practices. They encourage viewers to check out Free Spirit Equestrian's channel and reflect on the importance of foundational training. The speaker concludes by expressing restored faith in the equine community due to Shea's exemplary approach to horse training.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Professional Writers

In the context of this video, 'Professional Writers' refers to individuals who are skilled in training horses and share their expertise through content creation, particularly on platforms like YouTube. The script criticizes some of these writers for neglecting foundational work with horses, suggesting that they skip essential steps in training that are crucial for establishing a healthy relationship and communication with the horse.

💡Basic Foundational Work

This term pertains to the fundamental training exercises and interactions that are vital for building a strong foundation in horse training. It includes activities like grooming, groundwork, and getting the horse accustomed to various equipment such as saddles and bridles. The video emphasizes the importance of these basic steps, which are often overlooked by some trainers, as they lay the groundwork for a successful and respectful relationship between horse and rider.

💡Grooming

Grooming is the process of cleaning and caring for a horse's coat and skin. In the video, it is highlighted as a critical bonding moment between horse and human, where quality time spent grooming is not just about hygiene but also about establishing trust and connection. The script points out that many people rush through grooming, missing the opportunity to strengthen their relationship with their horse.

💡Groundwork

Groundwork refers to the training and interaction with a horse while it is on the ground, as opposed to being ridden. This includes teaching the horse various commands and responses before getting on their back. The video script describes how the trainer in the video conducts groundwork, such as introducing the horse to a saddle and bridle, and the importance of doing so to ensure the horse's comfort and understanding of what is expected of them.

💡Saddle Fit

Saddle fit is a concept that ensures the saddle is appropriately sized and shaped for the horse's back to prevent discomfort and potential health issues. The video script discusses the importance of saddle fit, especially for rescue horses that may have pre-existing health conditions, emphasizing that a poorly fitting saddle can exacerbate problems and cause the horse pain.

💡Girth

The girth is the part of the saddle that goes around the horse's belly to secure the saddle in place. The video script describes the process of introducing the girth to the horse and the importance of doing so slowly and ensuring it is not too tight, especially when the horse is tied, to avoid causing the horse distress or injury.

💡Equine Wellness

Equine wellness encompasses the overall health and well-being of a horse, including physical, mental, and emotional aspects. The video script mentions the channel's focus on equine wellness, indicating that the trainer prioritizes the horse's health in all aspects of training and care, which is a holistic approach to horse management.

💡Rescue Horse

A rescue horse is a horse that has been adopted or saved from a situation of neglect, abuse, or abandonment. The script discusses the special considerations needed when training a rescue horse, such as ensuring the saddle fits well and taking the time to build trust, as these horses may have had negative experiences that affect their behavior and training.

💡Lunge

Lunging is a training technique where a horse is led in a circle by a long rope while wearing a halter or a bridle, without a rider. The video script describes using lunging as a method to help the horse get accustomed to the feel of a saddle and to work on responsiveness to cues, which is a common practice in groundwork training.

💡Bridling

Bridling is the process of placing a bridle on a horse, which includes the bit that goes in the horse's mouth and the headstall that secures around the head. The video script discusses the first-time bridling of the horse, emphasizing the importance of doing so gently and checking for the horse's acceptance and comfort with the bit.

💡In-Hand Work

In-hand work refers to training a horse while leading it on a lead rope, rather than riding it. The video script describes various in-hand exercises, such as teaching the horse to halt and move forward on command using a whip and the bridle, which helps build the horse's understanding and responsiveness to cues in a controlled environment.

Highlights

The importance of basic foundational work with horses, especially for professional trainers on YouTube.

The necessity of grooming and spending quality time with horses for bonding and relationship building.

The channel 'Free Spirit Equestrian' focuses on equine wellness, training, and care.

Shea, the owner of Free Spirit Farm, revitalizes horses through her training methods.

The video demonstrates the first-time tacking up of an auction horse named Bagheera.

The significance of saddle fit, especially for rescue horses with previous health issues.

The correct way to introduce and tighten the girth to avoid causing the horse trauma.

The importance of groundwork to get the horse used to the saddle and stirrups.

Using vocal cues to communicate with the horse and build trust.

The trainer's personal opinion against using bits and the belief that horses don't need them.

In-hand groundwork training to build the horse's confidence and understanding of cues.

Teaching horses to stop and turn in when the trainer goes to their knees as a safety measure.

The trainer's emphasis on the importance of teaching horses to stand still when mounting.

The trainer's calm demeanor and its positive effect on the horse's behavior during training.

The trainer's commitment to basic foundational training as a key to horse safety and good behavior.

The surprise ending of the video with the trainer's first-time mounting of Bagheera.

Transcripts

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Related Tags

Horse Training Equine Wellness Groundwork Basics Equestrian Life Horse Behavior Professional Trainer YouTube Review Equine Care Saddle Fitting Horse Grooming