Focused Equine | Horse trainer

Focused Equine

Phone: +61 428 380 152

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24.01.2022 10 minutes a day is a start, a building block, a solid step toward your horsemanship goals! Because - little things repeated and reinforced over time have a big effect! We can use this principle to our advantage, especially on those days when life is hectic...... Focusing on one or two little things, relevant to our horse's needs, that will have a large impact on his performance and our partnership together... In our new coaching program starting mid-October we'll identify the little things that you can do in 10 minutes or less to keep your partnership progressing day in, day out. Because choosing to spend 10 minutes a day with your horse is a golden opportunity for change.

24.01.2022 If your horse has trust issues, maybe they're communicating concerns to you but you're not seeing/hearing.

23.01.2022 I sniffed out some horses over Christmas... they needed a little help with their toenails... #horsefreeholiday #sorrynotsorry

22.01.2022 Nebo Junction. These stormy skies are so pretty Thankfully the rain held off for our lesson

22.01.2022 Too busy. Not enough hours in the day to ride. If your horse is currently doing nothing in the paddock and the thought saps your joy... well... knowing "what to do" is one thing, finding a way to "make it work" in real life is another! Consistency is key, you know that - but it seems impossible when you have a stack of other responsibilities!... And here's the daily dilemma: whether you choose to spend time with your horse, or on the other hand spend time looking after other priorities.... someone always misses out. (Let's be honest: usually that is YOU) I want you to know it can be easier... with the right support in your corner, a streamlined training plan created around you and your horse, and a fresh set of eyes to see where there are opportunities to progress your partnership... ... without robbing extra hours from your day. We cover these concepts in our very first session in my private mentorship; and get started immediately on your journey to your best rides yet.

22.01.2022 Quick tip to help get your horse to trust you more: put the phone away!

22.01.2022 If you're going to throw your horse in the deep end, make sure you put his floaties on first!

21.01.2022 Too busy to spend time with your horse?? How are you going to arrange your priorities this week?

21.01.2022 Heading out this morning to see some peeps and their horses Tomorrow I have one coaching session available between Mackay and Koumala around 10am.... Flick me a message if you would like to grab it!!... 45min $90 1.5hrs $150

20.01.2022 Poor saddle fit is one of the most common causes of problems I see in horses. Often people are simply not aware the saddle doesn't fit, and I too used to be in the same boat. It can be tricky to find a good-fitting saddle that ticks all the boxes, but it's worth getting it right not just for your horse's longevity, but also for the sake of your partnership. Because if it's YOU strapping the thing on that causes pain to your horse, how will he feel about you??

20.01.2022 Sneak peek: Something special for riders in a certain local charity ride next month! Pop an emoji below if that's you!

19.01.2022 Just because the judges reward it, doesn't mean it's good for your horse. It takes a person of integrity to ignore the noise and fuss and what everyone else is doing, and make decisions that are right for their horse. Because good biomechanics often don't match up with the prize.

19.01.2022 Freedom.... does it scare you??? Learn to let go just a little ;-)

19.01.2022 A few I.N.C.O.N.V.E.N.I.E.N.T. and unromantic truths about horses... #1 THEY CAN AND WILL CHANGE...Continue reading

18.01.2022 Sharing under supervision

17.01.2022 CHRISTMAS BREAK DATES We're taking a few days off but will be back on the road between Chrissy and New Year on Tues 29th - message to hold a place. Kicking off on our regular runs again from Thurs 7th Jan.... In 2021 there will be opportunity for a handful of people to work with me more intensively over a period of time to transform your partnership into one both you and your horse enjoy. If you want to make 2021 the year that everything changes for the better, comment below or message me to stay in the loop so you don't miss out.

17.01.2022 The things you find among the tinsel... (yes that's us and Maggie, freshly broken in and loving all the fuss) We're enjoying a couple of days break at mum and dad's. Always nice to come home. ... Merry Christmas to you all from Nev & I

17.01.2022 Pre-ride snacks! More info and video of these two mares can be found in the group Focused Equine Available Horses. Search for the group or click on the link on the main Focused Equine - Nicole Wirth page.

17.01.2022 Horsemanship Coaching - Last minute booking available tomorrow Saturday 22nd August in Pioneer Valley or between Mackay and Koumala. Learn how to get your horse connected, listening, soft. Prices from $115 Message for details ... Nicole 0428 380 152 See more

16.01.2022 I appreciate these thoughts from Jane Pike. Just this morning I was thinking about bravery. To me it's not getting on and 'hoping for the best', or as the popular meme is, 'feel the fear and do it anyway', to me that's foolish as usually fear comes up when danger is perceived. Question the fear. Sit with it, look it in the eye and find out why it is there. Then work out how to deal with the root cause with integrity. That's much harder and it doesn't serve anyone's ego. But it may save your life, and your horses'. That's bravery.

15.01.2022 Day in, day out, are your rules and expectations consistent?

15.01.2022 I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to see horse and rider come together as one single, happy, trusting team. When things become easy, because the tension is gone. When both are present, in the moment, listening to each other, and trusting that they will also be heard.... When there is no place else either one would rather be. It never gets old.

14.01.2022 Moving on up!... One of my youngest clients has just moved up from a shetland to full size horse! So cool to see her confidence and ability growing. Rem is a genuine children's horse, what people refer to as a 'unicorn'. Well-trained, lots of miles, proven mount, suitable for all ages, quiet, gentle etc. He is a credit to his previous owner. But it's easy to forget that all horses (unicorns included) have instincts and emotions, they are not programmed machines. So even un...icorns need a little guidance in order to remain unicorns! This was Cassidy and Rem's first ride out of the yards in the cow paddock and a distance away from Rem's little shetland friend. Rem was a little anxious to be back with his shetland friend. Nothing dangerous, but he was walking much faster than his rider asked. He would stop when asked, but wasn't willing to stand still on a loose rein, he would walk off on his own every time. Not a big deal at the walk, but if this behaviour is allowed to go on, it will compound over time - this is how some 'bad' behaviours start such as head tossing, pulling the reins through the hands, running off etc. Yes, even unicorns can go down that road! It is not a fault of the horse itself, it's a fault of how we manage them and their emotions, usually through lack of knowledge. Cassidy was a super student and worked hard to give Rem the direction he needed... she was patient and diligent as I coached her through the process of bringing Rem's mind back to her, and then giving him the responsibility of controlling himself - i.e relaxing and waiting for further instruction. He learnt to let go of the thought of getting back to his mate, and just relax and be content where he was, with his rider. This is one of the foundations of enjoying a safe ridden partnership so I'm excited to see how these two progress together See more

14.01.2022 Does your partnership need a little tweak before the year is out? We specialise in helping owners develop strong, happy partnerships without the drama.

14.01.2022 A quick bareback ride... because 5 minutes is better than no minutes!

13.01.2022 "In order for the relationship to grow, you need to put their needs first" - Warwick Schiller Not easy to do, but it's worth it!

13.01.2022 We have a last minute Horsemanship Coaching booking become available, tomorrow morning Friday 19th. PM me for info We have a last minute Horsemanship Coaching booking become available, tomorrow morning Friday 19th. PM me for info

13.01.2022 HORSEMANSHIP COACHING DATES - travelling direct to you - also visiting Clairview, Nebo, Eton, Eungella, Seaforth areas and taking expressions of interest for Bloomsbury/Proserpine/Airlie. NEW: Nebo & Glenden - Fri 4th Sep - Fri 18th Sep... Seaforth, Kuttabul, Bloomsbury - Thurs 17th Sep - Thurs 1st Oct - Thurs 15th Oct - Thurs 29th Oct Sarina & surrounds incl Koumala - Every Fri in Sep - Every Fri in Oct except 9th Koumala to Clairview - Wed 9th Sep - Fri 11th Sep - Wed 7th Oct - Wed 28th Oct Pioneer Valley - Sat 5th Sep - Thu 17th Sep - Sat 19th Sep - Sat 3rd Oct - Sat 17th Oct - Sat 31st Oct *These runs OVERLAP so if a date doesn't suit, let me know! Standard session $115 Double session $175 Or, pre-purchase 4 sessions and save: 4 x Standard $420 (save $40) 4 x Double $630 (save $70) Prices include travel to your location Call or message to save a spot! Nicole 0428 380 152

13.01.2022 What's your current training style? I got "Collaborative" Put your result in the comments! https://videos.warwickschiller.com/horse-training-style-q/

12.01.2022 How to reach those big competition goals? Don't be too scared to start. If the pattern seems complex, break it down into basic steps.... If it's performed at the canter, learn it at the walk. If your horse doesn't understand yet, take the time he needs. Start simple. Start small. Just start. Pictured is Vicki and Evette rocking a brand new pattern today

11.01.2022 Social media tells me it's R U OK Day so I thought I'd share a few thoughts... Life isn't perfect and we are not designed to pretend that it is. Different things get us down. For me it's most commonly overwhelm or feeling like I have failed in some way.... So here's my #1 tip for overwhelm or feeling like a failure: BE KIND TO YOURSELF AS FIRST PRIORITY. This is not silly, it's necessary. That means, 1. Rest if you are tired. 2. Eat good food. Even if you have to force yourself, grab an apple, a carrot, any wholefood or even a tin of baked beans or tuna, sit down and focus on the taste of it. Feed your body something that it can use, instead of processed junk. (This one is HUGE for energy and sanity!) 3. Do something movement-based that improves your mood even if you think you can't or don't have time - go for a walk, get amongst nature, play with a pet. 4. Talk to somebody who 'gets' you or someone not connected to your current situation - literally speak to them, make that phone call or send a message asking for a chat. 5. Set yourself 1 small task that you know you can achieve eg. Wash the dishes or feed the horses. Focus 100% on what you are doing, dismiss all other thoughts. (You may start yawning here!) Acknowledge and reward your efforts when you're done. All in all, look after your body and mind so that it can function with vitality especially paying attention to what you put in your mouth. Fill it with good food And be sure to talk to someone if you're not coping, we're all human

11.01.2022 Hoof balance affects everything upwards!

11.01.2022 YOUR HORSE IS AN OVERGROWN JACK-IN-THE-BOX Ok, before you protest in defence of your lovely sweet unicorn, hear me out! I use the jack-in-the-box analogy to explain why ALL horses can spook or do something crazy ‘out of the blue’.... Horses by nature are just like a jack-in-the-box because they can only hold in so many ‘cranks’ of the handle, before they explode. What are these 'cranks' I speak of? Cranks of the handle are stimuli or things causing a level of stress such as: unfamiliar objects, loud noises, new herd mates, being alone, a new environment, travel, pain, ill-fitting tack, biting flies, an empty stomach, lack of sleep, high pressure environment, confusion, poor training, sugary feed, and the list goes on and on. Some horses can handle only a few cranks before the Jack pops out. Some can handle a lot and it’s easy to be fooled into thinking they would NEVER explode. Those horses that can handle a lot, usually have a long period of good training behind them. They usually also have an imaginary ‘reset button’ installed, which means they have learned how to cancel out the cranks and return to relaxation WITHOUT an explosion. However, even the most well-bred gentle bombproof expensive horse is still a jack-in-the-box if given enough cranks. Our job as owners and riders is to recognise when those cranks are building up, and help the horse hit reset when needed. If our horse doesn’t have a reset button to begin with, we should install one for him and learn how to use it. Yep, it takes work, time, consistency. But I personally would rather put in the work than be riding a Jack-in-the-box on its last crank. *** What cranks your horse up?

10.01.2022 What a normal Saturday looks like for me: Spend the morning with my awesome clients and their gorgeous horses Come home to tail wags and toothy grins ... (and a cup of tea with husband) * Thanks Vicki Crowley for giving me the new hair feels this week If Saturday is your day for fun things, i.e horses, and you are thinking about getting some support in the next few months - pm me

10.01.2022 Feed time never used to be this serene.... I have a little system that I use now, to keep everyone interested in their own bucket

09.01.2022 "You can't make old friends" Spent a few mins with my mare Maggie today at liberty. We go way back

09.01.2022 What is the #1 thing in your way, stopping you from getting out and doing the things you WANT to be doing with your horse? Comment below: A) Not enough time/ lack of consistency... B.) Horse has ongoing issues or needs more training C) I need more confidence/knowledge D) All of the above! * * * Quick tip: You don't have to stay stuck where you are, if you don't like the view. There's a way around it. Stay tuned.

08.01.2022 Happy weekend everyone. It's been a busy week, enjoyed spending some time with one of my favourites this afternoon #taravalero #focusedequine

08.01.2022 These two horses will be available in coming weeks to suitable homes. Tammy - 14.1hh 10yo stock horse mare, suit trail riding & liberty, confident rider Jazzi - 14.1hh 6yo red dun QH mare, cow working bred, suit various disciplines, intermediate-experienced rider Request to join the "Focused Equine Available Horses" group (via the Focused Equine business page) for more photos and updates. Prices not listed due to fb policy.

08.01.2022 CONSISTENCY IS KEY Why does consistently showing up for your horse make so much difference? Because consistently showing up keeps your horse in PRACTICE and knowing what is expected of him from day to day.... Consistency is often the difference between a horse that is ready to ride, straight out of the paddock, and one that feels fresh and over-reactive. While it's true you can make valuable progress without consistency of time spent, your progress is much slower, and limited. Think of it like this: working with your horse here and there when you can fit in the time... is like a child attending school for only one or two days a month. Every time, it's kind of a big deal and most of their energy is spent re-socialising and adjusting into the discipline of learning all over again. It's an emotional drain for both student and teacher! Much like an out-of-practice, unsettled and distracted horse that spends most of his energy on things other than the quiet, easy ride we had in mind! Enter consistency: and everything settles into a smooth rhythm over time. Now you start to see a positive shift in your horse, your results, your motivation, your confidence , your partnership. But we all know the hard part is making it happen! And this is why I am putting together a program to make spending time with your horse an EASY, SUSTAINABLE HABIT, something you do automatically as part of your day. But how can it work if you just don't have the time?? Never fear: you won't need to carve out an extra hour every day. The success of this habit does not depend so much on how much time you have, but WHERE you slot this into your day and how you FEEL about it. We will get into these hacks in the program and look at how to tweak your day, your week and ultimately your year for spending quality time with your horse and kicking those long-lost goals! If you can commit to just 10 minutes a day, to just show up for your horse, then you can do this (yes shiftworkers and people who work away can also participate) Comment below if you are interested in hearing more about this program - and tag a horsey friend who might like to join in! Let's do this!

08.01.2022 Tracy is one of our awesome clients and it just so happens she also makes awesome slow feed hay nets Highly recommend. Check out her work at Just Grazin Custom Nets

07.01.2022 I have to admit that coaching/instructing is somewhat outside of my comfort zone as I'm not much of a 'speaker'... ...as some of you may have guessed when I stumble over my words and can't seem to get my mouth to translate the pictures in my head! But in spite of feeling like a total wally on a regular basis, I absolutely to do what I do.... It's hugely rewarding to see people developing a more fun and meaningful partnership with their horses and all the cool changes that come along with it. It's so exciting to see new confidence and possibilities opening up for both horse and owner. Your success is my success and I feel so fortunate to be a small part of your journey, thankyou. Thankyou Tracy for your feedback and kind words (and your consistent work to make it happen)

07.01.2022 THE STRETCHY WALK A game-changer if your horse is a bit stiff/slow or hard to get going. It also does amazing things for their topline ... Here's how: Ask for a BIG flowing stretchy walk Release pressure and relax ankles when horse responds with enough energy (almost a trot) If your horse is resistant, pop him up into trot instead (then slow back and try again) You need to be CRYSTAL CLEAR about when the pressure is ON and when the pressure is OFF, like flicking a switch, so your horse understands what you're looking for. Pictured is Sharon riding Jack, an OTTB who usually steps quite slow and short. He is just learning the stretchy walk but he's already feeling the benefits. Give it a try!

06.01.2022 CONNIE 4yo mare Info in comments

06.01.2022 A horse may be well-travelled, but do they travel well? There is a difference. Preparation, and Practice, in a no-urgency environment is key to developing a horse that travels well. Jazzi here is enjoying a stretch out and hand graze at a rest stop beside the highway. She is calm and relaxed on the lead. I know she will re-load without drama. She isn't well-travelled, but she does travel well and it sure makes my job easy today.

05.01.2022 WHEN MANNERS TAKE A DIVE... Ever had that disappointed feeling that your horse's manners have regressed? When your horse has been improving but now he's pushing into your space like he used to, maybe swinging his body around, distracted and causing you step aside to avoid getting hurt......Continue reading

04.01.2022 SUMMER'S COMING - BUT IT WON'T KNOCK US With the warm and muggy weather lately comes the realisation that Summer is on its way... Heat, humidity, rain, mud oh and maybe a cyclone or two thrown in for good measure.... Which means less opportunity/motivation than ever to be out spending time with our horses. I'm super keen to make the most of the remaining good weather before the wet season pulls the rug out from under us... More than that, I'm super keen to help people set themselves, and their horses up over the next few months, so that the wet season is not an issue at all!! (Who's familiar with that feeling of having to 'start over' when the rain goes away and the paddocks dry out?) What if instead, you and your horse were still in flow, in touch, in practice, and motivated to keep the ball rolling? This is a personal priority of mine this Summer, so here's the plan: I'm setting up a program for anyone who wants to join me, starting mid-October running until just before Christmas, to get the ball rolling and step up your progress and your partnership to a new level. It will consist of both 1:1 horsemanship coaching and a community of facebook support/interaction with myself and others who are on the same journey, so we can share our SuperCool moments as well as the oops wheels-fell-off-the-wagon-today moments. It is designed to be SUPER-QUICK, EASY, FUN, AFFORDABLE and can work around interruptions like holidays away from home etc when it's just not possible to get to your horses. Since time is a big factor for all of us, the commitment is only 10 mins/day (which I'll explain more in future posts) and your coaching sessions can start as early as 6am before work/schoolkids and hot sun (yes 6am ) The aim is to help get you and your horse on a solid track with MOMENTUM and a SUSTAINABLE HABIT that will help carry you through the tougher times. For now I'm gauging interest but if it's a goer this will kick off very soon, so please comment below if this sounds like something you could get excited about! (grab a friend too) Let's do this!!

04.01.2022 I'm signing off for the weekend. Hope your weekend is #supercool, just like Harley

03.01.2022 This Thursday 23rd July I'm on the road!! Coaching sessions or horse assessments available at a number of locations between Koumala and Bloomsbury. Talk to us if you have a question about your horse or are looking for some guidance to improve your partnership. Nicole 0428 380 152

02.01.2022 We love our Kaz's Flags, such a handy training tool!