Carole Poche Coaching

02/05/2025

Anyone needing a fixer upper?

02/04/2025

These two pictured horses with more or less similar conformation are reaching very differently with their hind legs. Both horses are in a trot, on different diagonals but that doesn't matter. The top horse's hind footfall will land behind the forehand footfall on the same side. The bottom horse's hind footfall with land in or ahead of the forehand footfall.

The bottom horse is reaching further under itself with the hind than the top horse. The bottom horse is more balanced because keeping the hind footfalls landing in or a head of the forehand footfalls means that there is one center of balance under the horse's belly in a trot stride.

The top horse is not reaching under with their hind and the footfall will not reach far enough ahead to land in the forehand footfalls. There is a gap between the hind and forehand footfall, meaning the center of balance under the belly is not shared but separated. This creates a front-hind-front-hind-front-hind, back and forth balance point under the belly in the trot.

The reach indicates that the top horse is pulling the trot stride forward with the shoulders while the bottom horse is pushing the trot stride forward from the hind. Pushing from the hind is better. As they say, we want to ride a horse "back to front" to achieve lightness and optimum balance with suspension. We do not want a horse pulling its hind around as if it is a little red wagon.

I use a garden rake to smooth a section of arena footing 6 feet (2 meters) wide and three trot stride long. We then trot a horse through the smooth footing lane so we can see the footfalls and the reach, or lack thereof. To correct a lazy hind that is not reaching, we must do the work of engagement.

This means engaging the hind muscles to increase hind reach in order to achieve a truly centered balance point under the belly. Collection work is not cranking down the reins to cork up the energy of the forehand so the hind energy can catch up. That would be false "collection" that creates a false frame of balance, something we see a lot of today. Instead, we need to carefully and deftly hold the forehand together while, with a deep seat and leg, we encourage our horse's push from its hind.

It is good to always observe footfalls and reach. For me it is the first step in evaluating a horse's movement.

02/04/2025

10/29/2024

Anyone from Big River able to pick up a load of tin from Leask Hutterite Colony for me? If I can hire you please message me

01/03/2024

Hey! I signed up for a challenge on Equilab. Do you want to join me?

12/12/2023

09/09/2023

We have lost Mittens, male cat, 10 years old in SE Calgary. Fairmount Dr SE area. Reward offered! Carole 780 870 8898

08/24/2023

Remember tomorrow starts the new Facebook rule (aka... new name META) where they can use your pics. Dont forget the deadline is today!!! I do not give Facebook or any entities associated with Facebook permission to use my pictures, information, messages or publications, past and future.

With this statement, I notify Facebook that it is strictly forbidden to disclose, copy, distribute or take any other action against me based on this profile and/or its contents. The violation of privacy can be punished by law

You can copy and paste this version if you prefer. If you do not publish a statement at least once it will be tacitly allowing the use of your photos, as well as the information contained in your profile and status updates.

DO NOT SHARE. Copy And Paste.

Here's how to proceed:

Hold your finger anywhere in this message and "copy" will appear. Click on "Copy". Then go to your page, create a new post and put your finger anywhere in the blank field. 'Paste' will pop up and click Paste.

This will bypass the system....

He who does nothing agrees apparently.

08/22/2023

Reg QH Skip Zan Par bred mare. Excellent trail, cattle penning, and ranch horse, works the mechanical cow, solid for mountains and 4H. Gorgeous, excellent mover, easy to catch, load, haul, great on the trail, big mover. Potential for working equitation, team sorting or Ya Ha Tinda type rides. A big, strong forward moving mare. Beautiful mover English or western.
Too forward for small children, a youth in lessons would do fine or someone looking for their next working equitation potential champion would have a lovely mount here!
$5999 Canadian obo, Viking, Ab 780 870 8898

08/15/2023

Moving from Viking to Big River, ASAP and would love to hire someone with a large trailer, or rent one, car hauler and flat deck needed. Also looking to board a broodmare and babies over the winter. Ideas? Please message me.