Comments for KristineOakhurst.com

Comment on The Natural Barefoot Horse Movement by Jayzanigma

Jayzanigma — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:12:20 +0000

This article is full of holes …
To start with it focus’s on the Strausser Method. There are so many schools – like riding – you have to choose who to follow. Don’t tar everyone with the same brush. I’m not sure there is a single paragraph which doesn’t make some outlandish statement – which is an opinion … not fact.

It is true that some trimmers have a very quick training programme. However some train for over 2 years.

One thing I would like an explanation on is how you can justify that horseshoes act as shock absorbers? Thats just down right illogical. You don’t even need evidence – just a few moments of logical thinking to decide that a hard and solid stucture NAILED on to a flexible and perfectly designed shock absorbing hoof isn’t going to do it any favours in the shock absorbing department. I’m sorry but as soon as I read this the whole article lost credibility …

My only concern is that people will read your article and actually beleive it instead of feeling the need to question it.

However if you would like to see evidence of the hoofs natural shock absorbing properties – watch 2 horses trot up – see where in the leg the richochet stops …

Comment on Horse Nose Chains – Get Over It, Sometimes Your Horse Acts Like A S*!t by Valerie Poulter

Valerie Poulter — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:45:13 +0000

Excellent points – Safety for the horse AND the handler are paramount. Reminders to behave are never cruel if you are protecting the animal from harm.

Comment on Don’t Sink To Horse Clicker Training Level by Jessica

Jessica — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:04:39 +0000

This article was written in such a childish manner.
You obviously have no understanding of learning theory.

Comment on The Arabian Horse Breed: Why The Hate? by marianne

marianne — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:28:56 +0000

How sad that people dont like arabs the 1 ones i find most biased are the 1 that cant manage them,no reason to bully an arab as most breeds cause they will click into you if you genuinly love themmost honest beautiful but clever intelegent and dont suffer fools gladly give me an arab anyday

Comment on Horse Turnout – Opinion 2008 by Julie Foulk

Julie Foulk — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:20:52 +0000

My senior horse have spent most of the last 10 years turned out with a run in shed and free choice hay. We built a new barn with stalls, tack room etc. Now my oldest horse, almost 27, hates being outside. When I make her go out, she just stands at the gate for hours and paws at the gate wanting back in. Her pasture mate, 21 years, is so attached to her that she will not leave her side. Granted, there is a lot of mud this time of year but it never bothered her before. She needs the exercise but I usually give up after a few hours and let her back in her stall. I wonder if this is because of her age. I don’t want her being uncomfortable or unhappy. My ponies and minis are out except in extreme conditions although I do bring them in at night when its wet and or very windy so that no one keeps the others out of the run in.

Comment on Don’t Sink To Horse Clicker Training Level by Aditi

Aditi — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:41:00 +0000

I just came across this article. Clearly from what you wrote, you have no understanding of clicker training or learning theory or you wouldn’t have written such an ill-educated article.
When clicker training is done correctly, it is a very useful tool and can be used with any species, horses included. It’s true food reinforcements can be abused and misused. For instance if it’s used as a bribe and the animal isn’t taught to respect your space it can be dangerous. But to make a general statement that it is bad, is so disappointing and misconstrued. I urge you to get your facts straight and learn about the science behind the marker signal before making such statements. Check out Alexandra Kurland or Dr. Emily Weiss’s work.
On a personal level, I have personally worked magic with previously dangerous, abused, and ill-manered horses through the use of clicker training to have them become trusting, willing partners.

Comment on Horse Nose Chains – Get Over It, Sometimes Your Horse Acts Like A S*!t by horsechiik

horsechiik — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:41:43 +0000

Every horse (like all other animals) can have bad days where they don’t feel like behaving or they’re extra spooky one day, I get that. But I feel that if a horse always requires corrective methods, then the owner/trainer should try to find and resolve the root of the problem instead of just using a harsh and temporary fix.

Comment on Dogs At The Barn by horsechiik

horsechiik — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:36:26 +0000

I don’t mind dogs at the barn if they are well trained, and stay near their owner. I’ve had both good and bad experiences with dogs at the barn. My coach has a VERY well trained dog that just follows her around or sleeps in her office. A different coach at the barn, regularly brought her two (large breed, almost fully grown) puppies to the barn, and because they were young, hyper, and not yet well trained, she’d lock them in whichever empty stall she could find, and of course they’d jump, whine, and bark because they wanted to socialize. Naturally all the horses just loved that (note the sarcasm).

Comment on Little Girls Love Horses by horsechiik

horsechiik — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:30:26 +0000

Riding (some aspects) are available to people who aren’t multimillionaires. I know a bunch of riders who work in the barn just to pay for lessons, ride lesson horses, only buy apparel that they really need, and participate in schooling shows instead of the bigger name shows. There are TONS of options for people on tighter budgets who want to learn, maybe they won’t be able to compete at higher levels, but they can at least be involved in the sport in a more casual way. An even bigger issue than money is the amount of time required for even the most basic riding schedule (e.g. even weekly lessons can be a 4 hour per week commitment between driving, grooming and riding).

Comment on Horse Psychics by horsechik

horsechik — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:39:52 +0000

I 100% believe that anyone who knows about horses can “read” a horse (body language to check for mood, lameness, etc.) but I think it’s complete BS to claim that animals “talk” to humans.
Once my coach had a horse psychic come to the barn, and she asked a few questions, then poked around the horse a bit to check for sensitive spots, then made a few very general comments (that could apply to SO many horses). and that was about it. PLUS the horse being “read” had had a pretty lengthy career on the hunter circuit (both in canada and the u.s.) so if the so-called psychic had asked for a name and physical description of the horse beforehand, I’m sure she could’ve found some sort of paper trail.