In this Horse Training article by Master Horse Trainer Charles Wilhelm he gives us ways to set yourself up for success by being aware of the non-verbal message you bring to the horse and visa versa. Read this well written article in entirety a few times ; then go smile at someone and you’ll see how easy it is to send a communication without a word.

The Need to be Consistent by Charles Wilhelm

Hand Feeding Horses by Charles Wilhelm

Feeding horses by hand is a pet peeve of mine and I want to talk about it in detail, giving the pros and cons and why I am against it.  In the horse industry there are a lot of people who hand feed their horses.  It is a way to have communication with the horse, a way of showing affection and a way of accommodating his needs.  It is a loving moment.  On the other hand, some horses begin to expect the treat and become pushy and aggressive, crowding into the person’s space.

Horse2Heart is proud to host Charles Wilhelm’s Success Through Knowledge training articles. Look for them in the Charles Wilhelm Category.

Master Horse Trainer Charles Wilhelm brings it home to us that horses like routine. I think it makes them feel comfortable and confident. It can’t be emphasized enough that regular handling of a horse from the ground, even a small degree of time; helps continue our training and improve our riding experience. Charles tells us, “this is the one set of exercises we do on every horse every time we ride.  We may need only to spend a couple of minutes on it, or maybe up to a half hour, but no matter what – we will go through this routine to ensure we have an attentive, responsive, supple and respectful horse.” H2H

Everybody likes to hang out and socialize. We do it with our horses and with our own kind. As a heard animal it is important for the mental health of any horse, young or old. Charles gives us solid tips for going about it in the right way. Ed.

 Socialization of a Young Horse by Charles Wilhelm

This is a great article even if your horse is okay with the saddle. Read at least the final paragraphs to re-boot your saddling techniques. Thank You Charles, you are one of the Best of the Best!

Getting Ready to Saddle For the First Time by Charles Wilhelm

 http://www.charleswilhelm.com/

 Crossing a Creek

By Charles Wilhelm

When teaching a horse to go over any obstacle, including a creek, there are certain things that the horse must already understand and we must have control of the horse.  When we begin to teach a horse to go over any type of obstacle, we begin on the ground.  The horse must first know how to lunge and give to pressure.  On the ground and in the saddle, we must be able to control the hind quarters, the shoulders and the nose.  We begin with a simple object on the ground, like a pole. 

Coming Attractions!

We excitedly welcome the outstanding work of Charles Wilhelm.

Well known and highly respected horse trainer Charles Wilhelm will be contributing his articles to the readers of Horse 2 Heart.com

Charles is a seasoned Training Master for all levels of horsemanship. If he isn’t already one of your favorites, he will quickly become one.

While I jokingly like to blame my horse for the dumb things I do in training, Charles keeps me honest. He shows us how it is really not the horses fault in so many common situations we encounter.

You’ve seen him in museums, represented in marble statues and dark, dramatic oils. His proud, heavy neck arches with nobility, and his mane and tail cascade toward the ground. He bears riders whose names are fixtures in human history: El Cid, Hannibal and William the Conqueror. And there are many more.

He was the archetype for the wing-borne Pegasus of Greek myth many centuries ago, and even appeared as a mount in the Homeric ballads. His equine legacy knows no living match—he was present during the fall of Troy, stood by as the Greeks created the cornerstone of our civilization, and served the Romans in their conquest of Europe.

Canada. Famous for its beautiful scenery, inviting cities and friendly people. And now, thanks to the efforts of Canadian horsemen, the Great White North is also being thought of as a land of great horses.

Unbeknownst to many horse lovers, Canada is the home of several distinct horse types. Because Canadians tend to be  modest people, they haven’t been quick to let the rest of the world know about their equine treasures. But as horse lovers around the globe slowly discover the well-kept equine secrets of the Canucks, they are coming to appreciate these amazing animals for their unique histories and talents.

Only 3,000 of them can be found in the United States, yet they are of a breed well known in the horse world. That breed is the Icelandic Horse, a hardy horse with a history that is unique among equines.

It all began in 874 A.D. The Vikings were in the process of invading Europe, bringing their horses with them. Norse settlers that came to Iceland during this time had horses that traced back to the Viking explorers. These horses were unique because of their tendency to gait in addition to their ability to walk, trot and canter.