Need H.E.L.P.?
Every week I receive emails asking for coaching about what someone thinks is going on with their horse. Despite sharing three or four paragraphs, in detail, explaining their issue, I have found owners are focusing on symptoms without realizing it.
Here's the challenge: often what a person is describing as happening, versus what is causing the horse to behave/react in a certain manner, can be two very different things.
The Brake Pedal
Example — you are driving and attempt to slow the vehicle down by stepping on the brake, but the car is slow to respond, and you have to use the pedal flattened to the floorboard to stop.
You might assume that the brake pedal isn't working because when you used it, the car didn't react as you wanted.
But if you brought the vehicle to the mechanic shop, describing the "problem" and requested that they fix the pedal, they might "counter" or want to explore further to discover what the actual issue is.
They might begin by inspecting what the brake pedal is attached to, the brake line... and if during their "inspection" they discovered the vehicle was low on brake fluid, or that the brake line was cracked, or that your brake pads were worn out, perhaps all three "problems" were contributing to the "final" outcome of the car's lack of response when stepping on the brake, and not the pedal itself contributing to the lack of response.
But if you ignored the mechanic's discovery, and remained laser focused on "fixing" the pedal itself, despite your efforts to replace it, the vehicle's performance would not improve.
This analogy is exactly what I often experience when I help people with their horses. The clearly defined "problem" in the human's mind, more times than not, is a symptom(s) reflecting missing/unaddressed aspects in the horse's education and lacking/unclear communication between human and animal.
Without addressing the root cause, irrelevant of the time and effort spent trying to "fix" the problem — symptoms would continue to appear, or morph into other unwanted equine behaviors.
Why H.E.L.P.?
Last year I came up with an idea of how to assist horse owners in recognizing the specific "starting point" to address symptomatic problems or challenges with the equine. I created the H.E.L.P. option in my Remote Horse Coach services.
Why H.E.L.P.? — Horse Evaluation for Learning and Progression.
Owners submit a five minute video. I record a 10-minute voice-over analysis walking you through what I'm seeing... The goal is to help decipher and clarify the difference between the symptom(s) and the root cause(s) behind the undesired equine behavior.
By specifying "where" the behaviors are stemming from, helps bring clarity in the specifics of what needs to be addressed or taught (to both the horse and human), to create long-term positive change in the behavior.
Irrelevant of one's location, or time limitations, these insightful H.E.L.P. analysis' can offer a "starting point" — without a long-term virtual coaching commitment.
How It Works
Technologically challenged? Place your phone on a mounting block, bridle hook, chair, etc. and film. No editing needed. Upload to a link provided in the online registration, pay the $20, and within 48–72 hours later, you will receive a downloadable link with my assessment and insight.
Curious? Click the link.
— Sam
P.S. If you need extra guidance in filming and uploading, I created a step by step tutorial available on The Remote Horse Coach website.
Curious about a H.E.L.P. analysis?
Get a starting point for your horse's behavior — without a long-term commitment.
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