Your Horse is Trying to Talk to You...Are You Listening?
This is a FREE Free Question and Answer forum where horse lovers from all over the world submit horse training questions and equine behavior problems to Master Natural Horsemanship Instructor, Trainer, and Clinician Chelsie Kallestad. She personally answers all questions submitted using the principles of Natural Horsemanship. You can also read previously answered questions to obtain a wealth of Natural Horsemanship Training Tips! To submit a question to "Ask Chelsie" visit the tab "Submit a Question to Ask Chelsie" under the Learning Center.
Q. Hello Chelsie, I bought a beautiful set of Rhythm Beads for my horse. They are like a Necklace for a Horse with bells on them. Since the bells make a noise, I am unsure of how to get my horse used to them. I surely don’t want to scare him. What is the best [...]
Q. Hi there! I am newer to the natural horsemanship ideologies (I don’t have anything against them, I just simply don’t know enough I think to understand). I get the concept, but some of the methods are pretty counter-intuitive to me. When I train a horse, my goal is to have a horse that is [...]
Q. Hi, I am over in Ireland and really need to learn natural horsemanship. I have a young horse that is impossible to back the normal way. I dont like what trainers have tried to do with him or say about him as I think they are not listening to him. He lay down and [...]
Q. Hi Chelsie, My daughter (30yrs old) and I were given 4 related horses from a man that gave them away and my daughter said “We’ll takem”. I had horses growing up but they were already trained. I’m learning the hard way now. I rented some property that has a small barn. The mother horse [...]
Q. Hello Chelsie, …We have about 5 horses in about a 60 acre pasture and my sister and I play with them and ride them all the time. My horse is the leader of the herd, and sometimes, not nearly all the time, he runs away from me. And, personally, I don’t like chasing a [...]
Q. Chelsie, First, what a great site – thank you so much for taking the time to put this information up here for us all to read! . I have what seems to be a very common problem with a horse who is terrified when he is in the barn and away from his buddies. [...]
Q. Chelsie, i got a horse from my aunt that is 24 yrs. and she ok when trail riding with her but i try to take her out by herself and she goes just alittle ways and turns me back around to the yard. i have tryed and tryed, will she ever get over this [...]
Q. Dear Chelsie, I have a new 3 yr appy who has been manhandled. The owner tells me she has be ridden. I want to completely start all over. I would like to know where do I start at. Round penning, or leading at a walk? She has settled in and is very calm around [...]
Q. Hi Chelsie, I recently discovered you and I’m finding your info quite helpful! I am buying a 4yo thoroughbred gelding named Cookie soon, and I’m deciding the direction of training I want to go in. I most definitely want to do natural horsemanship since I am a huge fan of you and Parelli. He [...]
Q. Hi Chelsie, I have a yearling filly, and when I take her out of her stall on the lead rope (12 feet) she will rear up on me. I will immediately start to lounge her both directions, I will send her around about ten times each side and if she does it again I [...]
Q. [Do you] know any exercises that could help my horse with his floating issue.. ?? He will go on to a float or trailer with absolutely no worries at all, but he is afraid to back out.. he just keeps turning around and walking out.. could use some advice/help. Any ideas??? Via Facebook A. [...]
Q. Hello! I am having issues with the horse I sponsor. I absolutely love him, but I just can’t seem to get him to wake up. I am hesitant to label him “lazy,” because I really think he might just be bored. When we jump he perks up, but on the flat his is slow, [...]
Q. Can you use a normal lead rope for the rope halter? -Via YouTube A. Yes you could as long as it is long enough (12′ or more). But the rope that we sell is made out of yacht braid rope. It is heavier then a cotton lead and can give the horse more of a [...]
Q. Chelsie, Are you against bits? -Via YouTube A. Hello, Thanks for the question. No I am not against bits. I am against leverage bits and I am against big bits for control. We do not need to have a big bit to get our horses to stop or listen to us. They have very [...]
Q. Hi Chelsie, We are looking for a new horse. I went online and found 1 I love and he can be professionally transported to my house from where he is the only problem is he is supposedly a little bit barn sour but he’s perfect in the arena do I keep looking or try [...]
Hello, I currently have two mares that are 20 and 18 years old, and have had them both for around 7 years now. They have only been in light work maybe once or twice a month since there early teens. I was wondering if it would be alright to start moderate riding with them again. [...]
Hi Chelsie, I have a new horse that i have rescued from an abusive home. He bites and kicks, is a handful to lead and im running out of ideas on how to help him. I read your earlier post about dominant vs nervous horse, and im having difficulties trying to decide with him. Is [...]
Hello Everyone, Last article we talked about doing Competitive Trail Obstacles and we discussed side passing over logs. This month I would like to talk about backing through L shapes. The reason why that obstacle is used often is because it shows how much control the rider has over their horse’s hips and shoulders verses [...]
Q. Dear Chelsie, We have two horses that are inseparable. So when we go riding they act up by either balking or not wanting to go. Once we are away from one or the other its ok. However, when I come back from riding & he sees the other its off to the rodeo! What [...]
Q. Dear Chelsie, I have been able to halter my young horse and since I have bought a new one, I have not been able to put either the old or new one on her, not even close. I have put both halters at different times, in the middle of the round pin and she [...]
Q. Dear Chelsie, I have had horses for about 35 years. I have shown western, barrels, poles, halter, and pleasure riding. I recently purchased a 5 yr old mare for my 8 yr old daughter to begin 4-h on. When we got the f mare home we found out she is “cold backed” In all [...]
Q. Chelsie, I have a four year old horse which has been recently broken. He has lived with me in the same pasture for one year. All of a sudden he has decided to put the brakes on whether I’m leading him on the halter or riding him, both in his pasture and the corral [...]
Q Chelsie, how do i get my lazy pasture- spoiled gelding back into the swing of things? he’s green and so am i. he has only had very few rides for over a year and the other day he’d only go a few steps, then complain at my leg and i even felt his teeth [...]
Q. Dear Chelsie, I just bought a 5 year old quarter horse for trail riding. He is good on the trail for the most part, but gets very competitive when I trot next to another horse . He’s fine for a while, but then lays ears back and tries to kick the other horse. He [...]
Q. Dear Chelsie, Hi. I have a 5 year old gelding named Dakota, who is in the field with his father…They have been together forever, and it’ just those 2 in the field with no other horses for miles around. I recently took Dakota out of the field, and his father-who is a very “talky” [...]
Q. Dear Chelsie, We adopted a horse from Standardbred Foundation. He is a 12 yr old gelding. Seemed to be a good match for my son. My son is not an experienced rider. We have been working with the horse and an instructor and my son. The horse tacks up great. He will let you [...]
Q. Hi, I recently purchased this mare she is about 13 and really a wonderful horse and SMART! However I bought her knowing she has issues with being saddled. I was told she tries to bite when being saddled however that is not what is really happening when I tack her up.This mare seems to [...]
Hello Everyone, I get a lot of questions from readers and clients about how to train your horse to do some of the Obstacles in the competitive trail challenges. So I am going to do a series on some of the obstacles that you might see doing a trail challenge or at a fun play day. This [...]
Dear Chelsie, Do you have any suggestions for a horse that leans dramatically in the lope? I have a nice little gelding who is triple bred Poco Bueno and has Dry Doc as well. He is young and green. I have been starting young horses for 10 years now and I have never had one [...]
Chelsie, I recently bought a beautiful black and white paint horse who is about 12 years and is good as gold when ridden in his comfort zone – the outdoor arena where he can see other horses. He walks out fast but I have been riding all my life so I am quite comfortable with [...]
Q. Hello Chelsie, first of all thank you so much for the help with my pushy filly. i will do these things you mentioned. my question now is about my choosing between two local trainers . i would love to come down south for your help in person for my filly, but stuck up north. [...]
Hi Chelsie, I am doing really well with Sadie’s circling since you sent me the great free DVD explaining and showing with your own mini what I needed to do with her, but I do have some questions. 1. I have her going in a circle very comfortably, but it’s almost like SHE decides when [...]
Hello, I would like advice on canter exercises to improve the collection and get that rocking horse canter. also what to do when they get strung out at the canter or swap hind lead My five year old mare is well set in her flat walk and running walk. I started working her on cantering [...]
Q. Howdy, I had a few horse training questions. I recently adopted a four/five year old walker mare. She is a real beauty and knows all her gaits, however she has a very short attention span. I have been doing a lot of round pen work with her. She keeps her focus on you for [...]
Q. Hi there. I gave away a 5 yr old gelding to a friend who brought him to a trainer for his initial training. the horse trainer was riding within a few days?? but has created problems in my opinion. the horse has threatened to kick when approached and pins his ears. he is fine [...]
Q. Dear Chelsie, To stop my filly from crowding while I feed an elderly horse from a bucket is it proper to wave my arm at her or tap lightly on her chest with a crop? She’s a hot-head and don’t want to over -do it, but I’m worried about her crowding since she’s getting [...]
Q. Howdy, I had a few horse training questions. I recently adopted a four/five year old walker mare. She is a real beauty and knows all her gaits, however she has a very short attention span. I have been doing a lot of round pen work with her. She keeps her focus on you for [...]
Q. Dear Chelsie, I have had my fjord for nearly 2 years now, have done a lot of natural horsemanship with him. The problem with him is that some one has tried to drive him and something awful happened because he panics, kicks and tries to bolt whenever I touch him where the harness would [...]
Q. Chelsie, I have a 10 year old BLM mustang mare that my husband and father in law broke to ride, using the “cowboy” method. I have been working with her for a long time to get her to canter under saddle. I succeed about 3 times and have been having trouble ever since. The [...]
Q. Hi Chelsie, I am 13 years old and have a 2 year old quarter horse that will be 3 soon. I haven’t done much with him yet and he is kind of shy. He is very calm and has never spooked on me. I am trying to halter break him. I need some help [...]
Q. Hi Chelsie, My new horse rides with a mechanical hackamore. She is very well behaved, turns nicely with direct rein and has a wonderful whoa. I am absolutely thrilled with her! I have been reading a lot about the bitless bridle by Dr. Cook. I’d like to try one and get rid of all [...]
Q. Hi Chelsie, What can I do to keep my horse from bolting out from under when I’m getting on him? Louise B. A. Hello, Thanks for the question. It sounds like you need to get this horse better desensitized. Can you put the saddle on your horse on both sides without your horse being [...]
Q. Chelsie, I have an 9 yr old rescue gelding. I believe he was terribly abused, and in the first month I had him, we had a bad accident that left me with multiple broken bones and him with more trust issues. In the months it took me to heal, I do feel we bonded, [...]
Q. Hi Chelsie, I just bought a QH mare less than 2 weeks ago. Despite a vet check , (2 days before we brought her home), my mare had a baby 5 days later! No one knew she was pregnant- my mare is big boned and didn’t carry like a typical “pregnant mare”. Mama and [...]
Q. Chelsie, I just got 3 new horses from the Wild [Horse] Agency. I had one Mom, Baby, and a Palamino, but the mother passed away. So, now I have just the two but I’m also getting a quarter horse. These are the first horses I’ve ever had. Can you help me out? -Amber Myers [...]
Q. Chelsie, I just leased a stallion from a friend in Ohio and he is 20 yrs. old. He is Babson/Sirecho. Normally good natured. Broke to ride at one time. I dont leave halters on my horse when they are in pasture but halter them for the farrier and vet. Recently Ibby, as he is [...]
Q. Hello Chelsie, My biggest problem is not with my horses but me. My knees are very sensitive as I have had total knee replacement on both with a total of five knee surgeries. Roger Beed from Oshkosh, NE A. Hello Roger, When working with horses with knee problems we have to learn how to [...]
Q. Hi Chelsie, I have a question. I have a 9 year old Arabian gelding that I got almost four years ago. He was starved and pretty much a wild horse. I have taken it slow with him so as not to not make him more scared of people. The thing is, when I get [...]
Q. Chelsie, “Hi, I would love to be like you with horses…any tips?” Clare Halstead From Manchester, United Kingdom A. Hello Clare, Watch how horses interact with each other, learn as much as you can from people and take what you like and leave the rest, be as soft as possible and still be a [...]
Q. Chelsie, “I am getting ready to purchase my first horse and was very please to find your videos on YouTube. I do not have any experience with horses, … I’m going to take all advice you have to offer. Laverne Mott From Groves, Texas A. Hello Laverne, Thanks for the email. That is so [...]
Q. Chelsie, “Do you have ways to keep horses healthy and happy with their comfort as to Farrier care, nutrition, etc. in these more challenging economic times?” Russ From Camarillo, CA A. Hello Russ, In this economy it is hard to keep up on all the horse bills. A few things that might help [...]
Q. Chelsie, “[My horse] is great about putting the saddle and pad on him but he panics with the cinch being done up.” BF Brydon From Regina, SK A. Hello, Thanks for the question. This is often a problem that was caused by the first person that put the saddle on him. If we cinch [...]
Q. Hi Chelsie I have a 19 month old Paint Filly I’ll be starting soon and I was wondering if you have any advice. I’ve already done all the usual ground work with her but just wanted to see if you have any tips. We already have a very good relationship and I don’t want [...]
Q. Chelsie, I was just searching on Youtube for training videos, as well as rope halters for yearlings, etc. I was pleasantly surprised when I watched a few of your videos! I really like your approach on situations. Perhaps you would be able to help me. I have been very ill with Lyme disease…Since I [...]
Q. Chelsie, I was just searching on YouTube for training videos, as well as rope halters for yearlings, etc. I was pleasantly surprised when I watched a few of your videos! I really like your approach on situations. Perhaps you would be able to help me. I have been very ill with Lyme disease…Since I [...]
Q. Chelsie, I am purchasing my first Friesian. It has been a dream of mine my whole life to own such a magnificent horse. He is just a weanling right now but i want to get to know what I need and how much it will cost to teach him every thing. I am clueless [...]
Q. Chelsie, I am having trouble round penning my horse, Bolero. I feel safer when he’s on the lead-line in the round pen, but I can’t get him to go without the stick. I kept the sessions very positive and just made him stop and back up like you said to do. He does that [...]
Q. Chelsie, I am working with a new horse (3yo)who has not been ridden. When doing ground work with a rope halter and I try to get him to walk off to the left or right, he throws his head up and just walks backwards, really hard. How can I get him to calmly walk [...]
Q. Chelsie, I’m having a little problem deciding on horses. I am 14 and I’m not sure how far I can get on the horse I have right now. I would like to get into high school rodeo, and with the horse I have at the moment won’t be able to get very far. He [...]
Q. Hi Chelsie, You advised me awhile back on which bit to start my 2 yr. old on. [See"Ask Chelsie - What Bit Should I Use"for information on the bit Chelsie recommends"] Thank you! My filly adjusted very quickly to the myler comfort bit, I ordered it from one of the sites you told me [...]
Q. Hi Chelsie, I have 23 yr old mare, who I use in gymkannas to run barrels and poles. What is the best type of bit to use on her? She has recently started to back up when I am trying to get on her and I am thinking the bit I am using is [...]
Q. Hello! Here is my question. I have a mare. She was given to me earlier this year. I was told she is easy to catch. Not so … I turned her out in a field with all of my other horse for the rest of our long winter feedings. When I went to [...]
Q. Chelsie, I am new to the world of horses. I am trying to teach our 4 year old to lift her feet. There has been resistance and [she] continues to slam her foot in the ground. [We] are looking for a hint or solution. We do not believe in forcing the issue. Thank you [...]
Q. Hi Chelsie, What method do you use for a horse who knows how to lead, but who decides to dive for grass when leading one day? – Meg F. from Double Oak, Texas A. Hello Meg, Thanks for the question. Getting a horse to stop going for grass takes consistency (one of my 5 [...]
Q. Hello! I would like some advice in starting my young horse. She is about 4. I lunge her about three times a week, lots of transitions, waited untill she could lunge quite well, then i put a saddle on her and a bit in, but still just working on the cavesson-not touching the mouth. [...]
Q. Chelsie: My Gelding doesn’t mind leaving his safety zone but when he is going down the road he forgets he has a rider and wants to go see anything that catches his attention. I call him a looky loo. But it makes a ride more of an augment than a nice ride. -Judy Choquette [...]
Chelsie: Q. My 2 year old arab / andalusian hates having the bit in. He throws his head up and that’s that! I have tried molasses and honey. He just pokes his tongue out and licks it off. I am trying a happy mouth at the moment… tried snaffles. The only way I can get [...]
Q. Chelsie: I just purchased a 7 yr. old gelding that is a son of Chip’s Hot Chocolate – bred for Western Pleasure. I grew up riding Western Pleasure in 4-H, but never really learned the correct leg cues & correct natural horsemanship techniques – I learned through trial and error. It has been several [...]
Q. Chelsie, I have a Few Spot Appaloosa gelding that I bought about two years ago. I trained him from scratch and he’s turned out pretty good. Since I’ve spent so much time working him, I haven’t been able to show in 4-H. This year my goal is to show with Blu, my gelding, in [...]
Q. Chelsie, I have used your video online for loading my very fearful Arab that I just got a few months ago. He has built up his confidence over this time, and I have gotten him into the trailer. My problem is that even though he won’t bolt right out anymore, he will stand there [...]
Q. Chelsie, [My horse], JR is fine on the 12 foot rope, could be a little more relaxed, but that will come with time. But, when I take the halter off and try to round pen him,he starts tearing around like mad, kicking and bucking and rearing (not at me, but facing the fence or [...]
Q. Chelsie, I practice horsemanship with my horses Lara and Xandra since 1 month and already see some progress. Lare is a little bit more difficult than xandra. When Lara during the games like to eat instead the take attention to me, how I have to react to her? – Alice Bandeiras From Caldas da [...]
Q. Chelsie, I Have a 16hh Paint Racking horse. She does really well after you saddle her and bridle her. She just doesn’t like to be cross tied. if you walk in front of her it scares her and she pulls back really bad. And she spooks at things when she is riding – not [...]
Q. Hi Chelsie…love your website. I have an 11 year old mare who is basically well trained but green as to experiences…home bound for all her life. She gets real excited around other horses. We’re working on the level 3 in the Reis program..she knows all the moves and even responds when in the excited [...]
Q. Chelsie, I wish we had someone like you here to help me…. I am 40 yrs old next month and I have been riding since the age of 6. I have always been…horse crazy. My dad who passed in ’96 always told me from a young age that I had a way with animals. [...]
Q. Hi Chelsie, I have a 15yr old quarter pony who will set back when tied, at first only once in awhile, he’s getting worse and now is doing this more often. When you saddle him he tightens up and sets back and snorts and acts like he’s about to be killed. I haven’t owned [...]
Q. Chelsie, How much of your training techniques apply to mammoth riding donkeys? Bob J. from Carmel, CA A. Hello Robert, Thanks for the email. All my training applies to Mammoth Donkeys! In fact you have to be light and take your animals feelings into consideration. You can not do this and push yourself on [...]
Q. Chelsie, I am helping a friend work with a 3 year old gelding. The horse has not been halter broke. We have been working with him for a couple of months on and off. I have refused to try and load him until we can get a halter on him. I need some advice [...]
Q. Dear Chelsie, I have two, two year old fillies. One tries to bite you, and turn her butt to you to kick you. The other is really skittish and it is hard to get close to her, but once you do she will stand still. Do you have any advice? I would love to [...]
Q. Chelsie, I cannot remember the exercises to help my horse to collect her head. There were two I believe- one that brought her head to the side and one that made her nose perpendicular to the ground. Can you please tell me again? -Monika L. from Phoenix, AZ A. Hello Monika, The first one [...]
A. Hey, I’m back again, but not for my horse… it’s for my friend’s horse. I have never seen this before in my life! I have been working with my friend’s mare for a long time now and she was doing really well. But now, they may have to sell her. You see, my [...]
Q. Hi Chelsie, I have an arabian horse,Benny. I’ve had him for about a year and a half. I have two saddles and both give him white spots on his withers and the one always slips. I think the bars are to big and was looking at a classic equine esp pad that one [...]
Q. Chelsie, I’m from the UK! .. I’ve had my horse nearly a year now and every time we travel her its after a long few hours of persuading her to go in. She will walk in right away .. then shoot out backwards! .. if i try to give her some pressure on the [...]
Q. Chelsie, I have a 4 1/2 Halfinger I rescued from Arizona. He is afraid of everything. He has a bolting problem because of his fear. I tried a tainer who took me for a fool and didn’t help the pony at all. Instead of teaching him they led him around on a quad. I [...]
Q. Chelsie, I have a horse that developed white hairs on both sides of his withers. This is in the area at the front of the saddle, front of the bars. I have read about and tried a built up pad. I talked to a local saddle shop. He advised cutting out the pad, in [...]
Q. Hi Chelsie I am a 56 yr.old vet on disability. I have worked colts for 30 years up to 4 years ago… [My horse] was stolen a year and a half ago. When I got him back he was a real handful. He tried to buck me off 3 times and I rode [...]
Q. Chelsie, I have just brought a haflinger mare named Barbl. She is a pleasure to have around although she becomes very distressed and starts leaping around every time her two other feildmates are out of sight. I was wondering how to reassure her to make her feel happy and secure without the two other [...]
Q. Hello Chelsie My name is Cassandra i was hoping i could ask you a question. My horse this is my first time breaking a horse. I ve done shows when he was a baby and he has gotten reserve grand champion. I want to become a professional trainer and horse breeder. I just finished [...]
Q. Can you teach a horse how to kneel so rider can just sit on ? It’s coming the day I am afraid I may need my horse to do that. He is a 5 year old Peruvian Paso and saddle trained and such a good boy. I can get on him from anywhere so [...]
Q. Hi Chelsie, I love your website. I am an older rider and my horse is a 13 year old Tennessee Walking Horse gelding. He is great for me. I live close to the state forest land, and most of the time I just ride from my home. My horse is wonderful on the trail, [...]
Q. I was keeping a 2 yr old after it was gelded for a friend. He did really well, and the methods we use on Jenny he picked up perfectly. One day he was feisty and was running around the stall which is 16 x28. He jumped the stall panel which is 5 five [feet] [...]
Q. Do you have experience with blind horses? Has anyone you know owned or trained a blind horse? Blind Faith is a totally blind 14 hand mare, apparently between the ages of 8 and 15, who recently arrived at The Horse Shelter. So far, she appears in otherwise good health. All here, and friends, have [...]
Q. Hi Chelsie, Say, we have two Peruvian Paso mares. [We] just bought one [of the] mares. She is 16 and has had 4 foals thus far in her life time. [We] want to be very careful of our new mare as well as our other Peruvian mare who is 17 and only had one [...]
Q. Hi Chelsie, I have three horses on a small farm near Bonham, Texas. Two of them are mine and one belongs to my renter. The problem is with the renter’s horse, Blaze, a 4 yro quarter horse. Blaze has never been successfully ridden. She bucked off her owner the first time he tried and [...]
Q. Hey Chelsie, I have a 2 year old Arabian filly that is as sweet as they come but has no ground manners. I need to find a rope halter that will fit her tiny little head so I can start her ground work. The “horse size” rope halters that I have are way too [...]
Q.Hi! I have a 4 year old gelding QH with some issues especially when it comes to feeding time. It’s getting to the point that safety is becoming an issue with Zwie. When he is eating his feed he will position himself to kick you if you get close to him…one time he even tried [...]
Q. [I am] working on [teaching my horse to back up.] My gelding’s feet will not move even after really putting energy in [my] rope. Can I encourage him with [the stick] between the points of his shoulders? He seems to want to move at least one pair then. -Carol N. in Munford ALabama A. [...]
Q. I have a 5 year old mare that I’m beginning to work with. When we get in the round pen, all she wants to do is run, run, run! When I release pressure she will stop and come to me but I can not get her to walk. I am working on the upwards [...]
Q. Hi Chelsie! Along the lines of the “Barn Sour” question…my gelding gets very nervous away from other horses and it is a chore riding him out by himself. I would gladly stop and just let him stand when he gets nervous, but what he does is he backs up, turns around, and starts walking the [...]
Q. Help! My horse is so hard to worm with a paste wormer syringe! What can I do? A. First I will help you figure out how to worm your horse and then I will tell you how you can make your horse actually like being wormed. When worming, you want to hold your [...]
