Wards Creek Ranch located in scenic Rogue River, Oregon
was established in 1993. Kathi Donnell, owner and trainer,
has a long history of winning in the show ring on the Paint and
Pinto Show Circuit.
Kathi has taken a number of horses to the Pinto World Show,
and has bred many futurity money winners in her long career.
At the same time, Kathi has built a solid reputation for breeding
top quality horses that not only win, but have the sense,
personality and attitude to make each one a joy to be around!
Purchasing her first minis in 2000, Kathi has added to Wards Creek Ranch's winning reputation on the Oregon Pinto Show Circuit with her minis.
Kathi and BBS began competing in 2001. This dynamite team quickly achieved BB's Pinto Championship and still can go in the ring and take home prizes! Kathi has completed PtHA Championships with two other of her winning team - Just Tinka and Doradas Spiritwalker and has plans of taking these two to the 2008 PtHA World Show in Tulsa.
Wards Creek Ranch continues to select and refine it's breeding program with each American Miniature Horses handpicked by Kathi to add to her overo and tobiano breeding programs. Every mini at Wards Creek Ranch must have not only color producing ability, but be conformationally sound, pretty headed and have the presence of mind for both halter and performance work as well as possess the 'look at me attitude' to be on the Wards Creek Ranch team.
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WCR
Wards Creek Ranch
This site is owned by Kathi Donnell, Wards Creek Ranch, Rogue River Oregon.
Please direct all horse related questions to her at: wardscreekranch@earthlink.net or call 541-582-2202
For technical question regarding this site contact webmaster@americanminiaturehorse.net.
All rights reserved 2003-2008.
Updated: 11/30/2008
WARDS CREEK RANCH
Specializing in Overo & Tobiano American Miniature Horses
PtHA, AMHA & AMHR registered
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Kathi's Training Tips
"Basic ground training"
One thing I have noticed over the years is the difference in leading a horse. Some people’s idea of leading is getting a horse from one place to another using a lead rope and halter. My idea of leading a horse is having them respectful of my space, not walking all over me or pulling me around. I want their throat latch to be roughly at my shoulder, taking cues off my body and having a drape in the lead rope. This is not only a safety issue but also the basis for my in hand work and showmanship. Teaching horses to come forward with light cues each and every time is the goal of leading.
When starting foals I usually use butt ropes in the beginning as it side-steps the problem of backing up and pulling on their heads and necks. I have also used this on a few adult minis that have had absolutely no training. I like to use 12 foot lead ropes and loop it around their rear ends going around the right side of the horse and holding the rope in my right hand below the clip on the halter. In other words, I have both ends of the lead rope in my right hand. I lightly pull on the lead rope and say “come”. Every time I pull on the lead rope it tightens around the rear end encouraging them to move forward. They are praised and petted every time they make a forward motion even if it is only moving one foot. Any forward motion should be immediately rewarded by releasing the pressure on the lead rope. Once the foals get the idea of forward motion and “come”, then I take off the butt rope and progress to leading off the halter only. Don’t expect this to happen in one lesson as it may take a week or more of consistent work to reach this point.
Older horses that need to work on leading are handled in the same manner with the light pull on the halter and the cue “come” and given immediate reward by releasing pressure as soon as they start the forward motion. Pets and praise are given in the beginning and soon the release of pressure will be praise enough. If the horse stops, sits back on the lead rope and refuses, I just keep pressure on the lead rope and hold on. At this point you don’t want to get into a tug of war or fight but just keep a tight pressure on until they make a forward motion and then immediately release pressure. I have stood for several minutes letting the horse think about the situation it has gotten in until they figure out that pressure is released when they move forward. Being consistent at this point is the whole basis of teaching a horse to lead.
Now that your horse comes forward to light cues, what do you do if they charge ahead and you get into a pulling contest? Reach into your bag of tricks and try several different approaches. One is applying pressure and physically restraining the horse from going forward by holding the horse even to your shoulder. Release pressure if the horse backs off the lead rope or stop and maintain pressure until horse lightens pressure then immediately release your pressure on the lead rope. Another trick is to flick the lead rope lightly to get the horse to back off and if that doesn’t work then apply stronger and more obnoxious shaking of the lead rope. One of these tactics usually does the trick.
Another goal of leading is to get a horse to watch and take cues off your body for showmanship. The best way I have found to accomplish this is to walk forward several steps, say whoa, stop, turn around and ask for the back a few steps. Turn and repeat the process. Soon they get what you are asking and at that point place the lead rope on your left hip and hold with your left hand. Instead of holding the lead rope in your right hand and manually giving your cues, the horse now must watch your body and takes the cues off your shoulder and body position. With practice your horse gives you its full attention and moves as though you are dancing together. In the show ring this makes a beautiful picture and is the difference between top performances and the usual showmanship patterns.
This last step is one that can impress your friends and make you look really good. You can get a horse to follow you, do 360s or a trail course without a halter. This is the “join-up” or several other buzz words that many clinicians use at expos. All you are doing is getting your horse to work off your body.
I hope you find something of value here and feel free to email me with any questions that you may have.
Summer 2005
Welcome to Wards Creek Ranch training tips. I will have new tips on a regular basis. My tips will start with ground level training and work towards more advanced maneuvers.
Let me introduce myself. I am Kathi Donnell. I have been active with horses for 45 years. I have been competing for 35 years and breeding horses for over 30 years. In the beginning I started with Quarter Horses. I competed at the state level in my early teens. Gymkhana was my first love. Then I became a ring steward for a top trainer and learned the finesse required in the riding classes. Soon I was riding for a trainer and as age and experience increased I started training and breeding my own horses.
I found my niche with halter futurity babies. I have competed in that arena for many years. In 1993 I moved to Oregon and built the ranch of my dreams. I switched to paints and started breeding horses that could compete at the world level. I have bred several horses that have sold across the US and gone on to the paint world show.
I started cross registering my paints as pintos. I began going to the shows and there I saw those cute, little minis. I bought my first miniatures 5 years ago and havent looked back since. Through it all I have carefully guarded my amateur status and remain an amateur.
Demystifying the trainer
What is the difference between a trainer and ordinary folk? The bottom line is the trainer takes money for teaching the horse and/or owner. Why do they get money for training? Trainers have spent the time and effort required to learn what it takes to teach a horse different behaviors. Every horse is an individual. The same training method doesnt work on every horse.
What is the difference between trainers? After working with many horses and trying different approaches they develop what I call their bag of tricks. They have the experience to know when something isnt working with a particular horse. They reach into their bag of tricks and try something else that will work. Not every trainer has the same amount of goodies in the bag. Some people call themselves trainers and only teach very basic behaviors. Others have extensive knowledge and can teach at the higher levels. You, as the horse owner, need to find the trainer that fits what you want to accomplish. (YOU THE HORSE OWNER HAS TO HAVE SOME IDEA OF WHAT YOU WANT.)
What can I do as part of the ordinary folk contingent? Start developing your own bag of tricks. I have been lucky to pick top trainers in their field that could teach me the things I wanted to learn. Finally it came to the point that I could train my horses as well, if not better than some of the trainers out there. I certainly dont know it all, still listen to the advice of others and am constantly adding to my bag.
Please join me as I open my bag of tricks and share my experience with you. Let the magic begin POOF!
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