KUTIE PERFORMANCE HORSES

Is it me or my Horse?

2012-02-11T05:36:00.000-08:00

Just like in any relationship, communication is essential to the success of you and your horse. The simple straight truth is that 95% of most horse problems are truely people problems. It may be the rider's or handler's lack of understanding of their inability to clearly convey their wishes to the horse. If you are willing to take the time to listen to what the horse is trying to tell you, most of the training problems that we encounter on a daily basis will begin to take care of themselves. From the moment we head to the barn in the morning to feed, to the moment we decide to call it a day, we are teaching them habits. So it is up to you to decide if those habits will be good or bad.
If you are encountering the same problem with your horse on a daily basis, don't keep doing what you are doing. You are doomed to get the same results. One of the easiest but often overlooked tools almost everyone has in their household is a video camera. Whether you have an actual video recorder, or a phone with a built in video or even an Ipod, most riders have the ability to record their ride. OK, so you'll need a friend, or enemy, to operate it. Nevertheless, I would encourage you to have someone tape you working with your horse. Video will not lie. You will be able to watch the tape repeatedly to see what is really happening. Use the video to improve and refine your training techniques. An added bonus of recording your ride is if you can't seem to fix the issue or accomplish a task, you can take the tape/video to a local professional trainer to see if they can give you some tips on correcting the problem.
"My horse won't" is a clue that there is a communication issue between rider and the horse. Usually the horse has reached the point that he is literally "screaming" at the rider. When you find yourself saying, "My horse won't," first, make sure it isn't a physical problem. Ask yourself, is my horse sound, ringing his tail, acting iritated, tossing his head? These are all signs that your horse is trying to tell you something is hurting or bothering him. Your horse my be achy or tired just like you are in the morning after a hard workout. Or he may have something more serious going on in his hocks or back, or he may be simply acting disobedient. You need to be observant of what he is trying to tell you. If you don't listen and force the issue, I guarantee you will end up getting into an arguement. A few easy days of riding over a horses life will not ruin his career, but ignoring the signs that a horse is sore and hurting can turn that injury into a career ender.
Horses are not machines. They need time to relax, recover after a hard ride, or just spend some time being a horse. They also have good and bad days, as well as get sore and tired. Just because you are feeling great and want to work on stopping or lead changes or half passes, your horse might not be 100% on that day. Ride with a mental checklist of what you are looking to accomplish on that ride for that day, start your warm up and see if your horse is working like your partner. Once warmed up then start your exercise and work on your problems areas. Accept small improvements and move to the next skill. Don't drill and drill and drill and drill. When he does something well, reward him with a break.
Like any athlete, don't forget to cool your horse down before dismounting. This may be accomplished by walking around the ring on a loose rein or take him for a walk around the property or down a trail. This will give his muscles a chance to stretch and cool down. Remember horse are flesh and bone with feelings. Treat them with respect, listen to their needs, and they will always try to please you.
As always; Ride Hard, Be Safe and Have Fun. - Steve Kutie

Fact Friday

2012-02-10T06:56:00.000-08:00

Fact Friday: Training horses is a game of patience. - Steve Kutie

Theory Thursday

2012-02-09T06:19:00.000-08:00

Theory Thursday: When you possess a goal, you're the one who's responsible for it, no one else can reach it for you, or step in to do your learning for you. You are the one in charge. - Bob Avila

Wisdom Wednesday

2012-02-08T06:47:00.001-08:00

Wisdom Wednesday: Always start wih the hardest thing first; And always finish the training session on a good note.

Tech Tip Tuesday

2012-02-07T06:55:00.000-08:00

Tech Tip Tuesday: Training horses is like a jat of jalapenos.... What you do now could burn you in the a$$ later.

Motivation Monday

2012-02-07T06:53:00.000-08:00

Motivation Monday: Great minds have purpose; others have wishes. - Washington Earving

The Circle of Life

2012-02-03T06:16:00.000-08:00

Sometimes the circle of life can poke you in the eye with its fickle finger. I have worked pretty hard the past few years of my life to keep from peeing in my pants, and have done a pretty good job, if I might add. There was that one time before my class at the Congress, but I will keep that for another story. It seems that when I was a baby, I did my fair share of wetting diapers, or so I'm told. I SLOWLY progressed into hosing down various items along the way, so much that my mom was thinking that I was going to turn out to be a fire fighter instead of a horse trainer. Now I'm entering a new chapter in my life when I get to experience the pure joy and pleasure of the warm wet feeling running down my leg, knowing that it is not me, generally. It looks like over the last couple of days I have been able to bring out the best in Jax, kinda like a fire hydrant to a dog. Everytime I get the pleasure to hold him, he acts as if we are two little kids in the mens room sword fighting with streams of liquid steel. Now some of the ladies might not understand this right of passage, but I'm sure if you ask your husbands or boyfriends they will be able to back-up my story. It's just how we are programmed. Sooo, yesterday, not once but twice, I got to change my clothes due to being hit by the elusive pee bug sniper. It was a direct gut shot, taking out my sweat shirt, tee shirt, jeans and my underoos. Nothing looks more manly than standing up and looking like I need an endorsement deal with Depends, but such is life. The whole circle of life is ringing true in my mind, I peed on my mom, Jax has peed on me, and I'm sure in a few years my mom will return the favor, as I'm changing her diaper. Therefore, I just need to cheer up and remember that I will have sweet revenge over the pee bug sniper in the end. Hakuna Matata

Fact Friday

2012-02-03T05:19:00.000-08:00

Fact Friday: Your horse ask me to tell you; After you fix him, leave him alone and stop picking at him. Oh, and to stop babysitting him, and let him do his job. He also said, thanks. :)

Theory Thursday

2012-02-02T05:45:00.001-08:00

Theory Thursday: Weakness of attitude, becomes weakness of character. - Albert Einstein

Wisdom Wednesday

2012-02-01T07:11:00.000-08:00

Wisdom Wednesday: My horse teaches me everything that I need to know about myself.

Tech Tip Tuesday:

2012-02-01T07:10:00.000-08:00

Tech Tip Tuesday: Your horse can only be as brave as you are.

Motivation Monday

2012-01-30T05:42:00.001-08:00

Be the cure, not the problem. Don't critize; Share, Teach, Learn.

Baby Lesson #4 Babies Make Great Business Cards

2012-01-29T08:55:00.000-08:00

It seems that I was about to miss out on a great opportunity, until I ended up doing some paper work at Saltgrass Steakhouse, when I realized that (most) people love babies and puppies. They are always wanting to hold and pass them around about as much as their smart phones, so why not capitalize on this and recruit Jax to become a living business card! However, this idea works out much better if you have a super cute baby like I do, rather than one that looks as if they have fallen out of the ugly tree, hitting every branch on the way down. Now of course, I'm joking about the ugly baby part, because babies are great and especially our own, but I'm not on the business card idea. If you know me ,you know that sometimes, ok quite a lot, I have been called a shameless self promoter. I have even been know to like one or two of my facebook posts, just because. So it seems pretty strange that I have never really thought about advertising on my own kid until yesterday? I'm not so much thinking about advertising my business, as much as I am wanting to promote our great sport of reining. If I end up getting an extra training horse or two, I can live with the collateral damage. So my plan is that all of Jax's clothing will now sport a reining horse logo as well as the KPH name, to unofficially become the new ambassador for the sport of reining. You can thank him later. I'm guessing that with all of the photographs taken between his grandmas, his mom, and myself, added to the amount of people that want to hold him, multiplied by the number that are just looking cause he's cute, we should be able to single handedly increase our business...I mean the NRHA membership...ten fold by the end of the year. Remember, people love cute babies wearing adorable clothes, why not include sporting the Kutie Performance Horses logo. I just hope Jax understands his greater purpose being the face of an awesome sport.

Fact Friday

2012-01-27T06:22:00.001-08:00

Fact Friday: With a real Cowboy, the bull dung's on the outside.

Theory Thursday

2012-01-26T06:11:00.001-08:00

Theory Thursday: If you don't know about pain and trouble, you're in sad shape. They make you appreciate life. - Evil Knievel

Baby Lesson #3 Babies Should be Horse Trainers

2012-01-25T06:38:00.000-08:00

I have come to the conclusion that babies should be horse trainers due to the simple fact they are very good at convincing people to do everything for them, no questions asked. I have been dealing with customers for the better part of my life and have always been trying to figure out a easy and simple way to get my point across, get people to pay me on time, and just be nice and fun loving in general. I have tried to bend over backwards, give praise for a job well done, or just be a good friend, and this has had varying degrees of success. I have tried to be a good husband and make Charissa glad that she married me everyday, which is harder some days than others due to the fact that I can get us into a pickle pretty easy sometimes. Then baby Jax Lee Kutie, the new sheriff, rolls into town and makes everything work as if he has been doing business for years. Now I seem to be extra popular, mostly in part to a super cute baby. Customers are paying bills on time and people are being nicer in general all due to a little baby boy. No matter how much I had to complain, fight, or make deals, all Jax has to due is let out a little cry or a tiny tear (that really has a magic touch) and he can get anything he wants, PERIOD. If he is hungry, cry. If he needs his chassie cleaned and lubed, cry. Maybe he just needs a hug to go along with his little walking tour of the house, cry. All of these services no matter how big or stinky all provided by someone else, and yet no one ever seems to bother to complain, in fact most people are willing to jump in and offer advice, change a dirty diaper or rock him to sleep, and all of this has been accomplished with no words, little eye contact and possibly just one tear. So having learned this valuable lesson if you see my crying, please change my diaper. I now have a new way of doing business, thanks to the new sheriff in town.

Wisdom Wednesday

2012-01-25T06:35:00.001-08:00

Wisdom Wednesday: When it comes to training there are no right or wrong ways in terms of technique or style. Training has to be what works for you and what your horse understands. Training is all about consistancy and always asking the question the same everytime, and rewarding for the correct answer or for at least trying. If you teach your horse to pick up the left lead by pulling on his left ear and you are consistant with your aids and your horse responds willingly, that is training, it's just not very marketable or practical, but it is training. We are all trying to get to same goal of having a well trained, responsive, happy horse, we just have to remember that there are many different paths to get to the final destination. Don't critize; teach, share, learn. - Steve Kutie

Tech Tip Tuesday

2012-01-24T04:39:00.001-08:00

Tech Tip Tuesday: In good training, you never see the rider doing anything. - Steve Kutie

Motivation Monday

2012-01-23T07:00:00.000-08:00

Motivation Monday: Many of lifes failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up. - Thomas Edison

WARM-UP PEN FOCUS

2012-01-21T07:20:00.000-08:00

Question: I feel so unprepared prior to entering the ring to show my horse. I watched the other riders and they appear to really know how to get ready. What should I do to be better prepared?
Answer: After recently attending a Championship show, I watched multiple exhibitors question their skills as well as their horse's abilities in the warm-up pen before the class. Some of their competitors' horses were spinning faster or stopping harder and farther than their horses. This sucked them into a frenzy of making their horses spin faster or stop harder.

FOCUS ON YOUR PLAN
Showing is where your preparation and hard work meet the opportunity to show off your skills and to be judged on your abilities up to that certain point in time by one of your peers. I noticed so many riders worrying about how and what others were doing in the warm-up pen that they were jeopardizing their ability to achieve success, by focusing on what everyone else was doing. The important thing to remember is each horse is an individual and only you what your horse needs for preparing to show. If all horses performed the same on all levels, there would be no reason for a competitive show.
FOCUS ON YOUR HORSE
Not always will what one person is doing with their horse work for you and your horse. For instance, if a horse is spinning faster than your horse, there is a difference in riding two handed to school in the warm-up pen and putting your hand down to show in the arena. We would all do great if we were being judged while riding two-handed during our warm-up; however, your run is neither won nor lost in the warm-up pen. Similar to this is any other athletic sport. Games are not won by how the team performs at practice; only game day matters in terms of win-loss records.
FOCUS ON YOUR TRAINING
The prep work that you have done in the days, weeks, months or even years prior to the show need to be executed as you have been trained and not influenced by others getting their horses ready to show. I have seen hundreds of horse and rider teams leave he best of themselves in the warm-up pen; seldom does the high-speed training session carry over into the show pen. Have faith in your own abilities and training and be sure to focus on your own needs rather than getting flustered and nervous because of what another horse and rider are doing while they are practicing.
FOCUS ON YOUR RUN
Your ability to focus can only be strengthened while in the warm-up pen amid the chaos of the other riders and horses. If your horse is a big stopper and a so-so spinner there is nothing that you can do in the few minutes prior to entering the show pen that will change what nature has bestowed upon your mount. Instead, think of showing off your horse's best skills and try to guide your horse through the not so great spots, by not over doing what you want. If your horse is a 0 stopper eveyday of his life there is no point in asking him to be a +1/2, because you will end up marking a -1. A losing deal every time.

Remember, " You're never as good as everyone tells you when you win and you're never as bad as they tell you when you lose." - Lou Holtz

Ride Hard, Be Safe, and Have Fun - Steve Kutie

Reining Made Easy Clinic at Stephen F. Austin University

2012-01-20T16:12:00.000-08:00

Check out our new Training Made Easy Clinic Series for 2012. "The Anti-Gimmick Clinic" where knowledge is power and the only tools that you need are your seat, your feet, and your own two hands!

Fact Friday

2012-01-20T05:05:00.000-08:00

Fact Friday: Insanity: The act of repeating the same thing (over and over) but expecting a different result. So remember if you keep repeating something while training and it never works, try a different approach, or horse horse will begin think that you are INSANE.

Theory Thursday

2012-01-19T04:33:00.000-08:00

Theory Thursday: When it comes to horsemanship, knowledge and ability, everybody starts out equally, at zero. How far you go from there is entirely up to you. Winning is what you make of it. - Bob Avila

Wisdom Wednesday

2012-01-18T06:58:00.000-08:00

Wisdom Wednesday: Work (riding horses), spare us from three evils; boredom, vice and need. - Voltaire

2012-01-17T05:54:00.001-08:00

Reining Made Easy Clinic with Steve Kutie At Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas. March 30 thru April 1 2012. Very educational, informative and probably more fun than the law will allow. We still have a few spots available call or message me for details.

Tech Tip Tuesday

2012-01-17T05:52:00.001-08:00

Tech Tip Tuesday: The easiest way to gain an advantage over your competition is to use technology to benefit your training goals. With most cell phones having a video camera or at least a camera feature, have a friend or enemy, video your training problem. You will be amazed to see what is REALLY going on rather than what you THINK is going on, and since about everyone on the planet has access to a cell phone it's pretty much a free improvement.

Motivation Monday:

2012-01-17T05:50:00.000-08:00

Motivation Monday: You never see the great things ahead of you if you always look at the bad things behind you.

Warm Up Pen Safety

2012-01-14T05:39:00.000-08:00

Question: I have been to a few shows this winter and I am unsure of the proper riding procedure in the warm up pen. Actually I have been run into by a couple of people that were going the wrong way and not paying attention. What can I do?

Answer: The warm up pen is a pretty dangeous place when every rider is concentrating on his or her own program and getting ready for their classes. I will give you some general rules to follow that will make navigating the warm up arena easier and safer for you and your horse.

* Always go with the flow of traffic. If the warm up arena is large enough to allow for two sets of circles, one circle should be loping to the left and one circle loping to the right, they should pass left hand to right hand in the center of the arena. If the warm up pen has only enough space to lope one circle, ask when you want to change direction, as most people will want to go both directions before they show.

* Stay to the inside of the circle if you want to go slow, and to the outside of the circle if you want to go fast.

* NEVER, NEVER, NEVER stop your horse in the flow of traffic. If you are at a reining event, there will be time to work on fencing and stopping your horse so that you will not have to avoid other riders that are circling.

* If you need to school your horse on spins, or adjust equipment, move to the middle of a circle so that you're not in the flow of traffic.

* Do not pony your horse in the warm up pen.

* Always looks where you are going, and watch out for other riders. You don't drive your car while looking at the hood ornament and you shouldn't ride your horse looking at his head, eyes up.

* Don't exercise young or green horses in the warm up pen while it's crowded; wait until later in the evening or early in the morning. Safety first.

* Yield to the tractor, and always listen to the arena announcer and ring steward. They are there for your safety and to keep the show moving smoothly. Remember, every minute you waste when asked to leave the arena is just another minute longer the show will last.

* Don't tie your horse in the warm up arena. No one wants to dodge a kicking or loose horse while they are trying to get ready to show.

* If you have a question ask. The only dumb questions are the ones that are never asked.

* Always try to maintain a good sense of humor. People may be tired and nervous. Be patient with newcomers and try to help them learn by reffering them to these guidelines.

It is our job as riders to ensure the safety of ourselves, horses and others. Remember that some people don't know that they don't know, so take the time to explain to them the proper rules, I would rather them be mad at me for trying to keep them safe than to have them hurt one of my customers of family or worse visit them at the hospital.
As always remember: Ride Hard, Be Safe and Have Fun - Steve Kutie

Baby Lesson #2 Be sure the diaper is tight!

2012-01-13T05:55:00.000-08:00

At 2:00 am this morning I found out where the phrase, sh#& happens came from, and I don't believe it was from Forrest Gump either, judging from the sound and smell that attacked my senses early this morning. I was having sweet dreams about eating suhi, relaxing in the sun and winning the Futurity, which might seem like a strange combination unless you know me, when I was snapped back into reality by a smell that I can only describe as a cross between my wifes five finger shoes on a hot summer day and a week old dead cow that has been baking in the Texas summer sun, combined with the sound of someone throwing runny oatmeal on my pillow with two hands.
Now believe me when I say I was wide awake, licky spit, sitting up to see what was happening in my perfect little world. Now Charissa being the person she is handles diaper duties as well as feeding during the night, I think in part so that I can keep up with my beauty sleep and because Jax thinks my chest is pretty useless when it comes to dispencing his meals. Jax, was having his midnight snack while resting his tiny hiny on the corner of my pillow when the explosion occured about a quarter of an inch from my ear and plenty close to my nose, I happened to catch a glimps of his tiny smerk by cell light, saying sorry sh*@ happens (We use the flashlight app. to save actually getting out of bed and having to stretch to turn on the nightstand light. Don't judge me, you just wish you thought of it first).
So thanks to Charissa and the engineers at Pampers, the diaper was tight, form fitting and leak proof. Lesson learned!

Fact Friday

2012-01-13T05:54:00.000-08:00

Fact Friday: The mightiest oak tree was once a little nut that held its ground.

Theory Thursday

2012-01-12T04:51:00.000-08:00

Theory Thursday: If Plan "A" didn't work, remember the alphabet has 25 more letters. STAY COOL!

Baby Lesson #1 Cover the Pee Bug

2012-01-09T05:53:00.000-08:00

I am pretty amazed at the similarities between horses and babies. After two days of watching and observing Jax, it has become pretty easy to understand what he likes and what he doesn't like.

Likes:
-Eating
-Sleeping spread eagle
-Long walks on the beach
-Moms boobie
-Sleeping on dad

Dislikes:
-Dirty diaper
-Not being able to move his arms
-Michael Bolton

Baby Lesson I learned today: I learned why everyone warned me about covering a baby boys pee bug while changing a diaper. It's a good thing Charissa likes babies and understands that I have no clue when it comes to baby related maintiance like proper water temp, wrapping them in blankets and keeping the tiny high pressure urine squirter covered during diaper changes. I managed to get the diaper off, chassy cleaned and lubed and new diaper in the proper position when all of a sudden Charissa, still half asleep, takes friendly fire to the face and shoulder. Now if I were in her position I'm not sure that I could have stayed focused and finished helping the nimrod that was the cause of ramdom streams of baby urine to hit me in the face but, she hung tough God love her.
I thought the diaper changing kit that we recieved durning one of the baby showers was more of a joke, since it contained some plastic tongs, clothes pin for your nose, goggles and a few other funny items. But after this morning I now see the practical purpose for most of the items in the kit. So all I can say now is THANK YOU to the genius that designed the Dirty Diaper Duty Survival Kit, I will be eternally grateful to you.

Motivation Monday

2012-01-09T05:49:00.000-08:00

Motivation Monday: My new motivation, Jax Lee Kutie. Life is great.

Baby Kutie

2012-01-06T08:54:00.000-08:00

Well baby Kutie decided he would rather come today than wait until next friday, guess he will be an over achieved. So my first post since redesigning the site comes from a hospital room waiting for the little bundle of joy to poke his head out. I now see how all of the waiting around at horse shows has honed my skills of just sitting around and doing absolutely nothing. I will post some pics as soon as I can. Thanks for all of the support.

Theory Thursday

2012-01-05T06:51:00.000-08:00

Theory Thursday: Riding a horse is like using a tube of toothpaste, you squeeze from behind. - Steve Kutie

Theory Thursday

2011-01-13T07:24:00.001-08:00

Theory Thursday: When it comes to horsemanship knowledge and ability, everybody starts out equally, at zero. How far you go from the is entirely up to you. Winning is what you make of it. - Bob Avila

Tech Tip Tuesday

2011-01-11T04:55:00.000-08:00

Tech Tip Tuesday: Consider using a round bale, turning it on end and stuffing haynets. Most round bales contain 16-20 square bales per roll, $50 roll divided by 16 equals $2.12 compared to 16 square bales at $6 equals $96 that is a saving of $46 almost double

Wisdom Wednesday

2010-11-24T05:45:00.000-08:00

Wisdom Wednesday: Teach the horse their job and let them do it, don't always babysit them to keep them out of trouble. If they mess up, fix it and let them be; it's called training

Cover Model

2010-05-05T06:01:00.000-07:00

Finally made the cover of a magazine, it is for my outstanding style and not for winning the NRHA Futurity, but I made the cover none the less.

SECOND STEP TRAINING DVD teaching your horse to spin

2010-05-05T05:55:00.000-07:00

Well the weather finally decided to help us out and allow us to finish shooting the end of the teaching your horse to spin DVD. The DVD will contain easy to follow step by step instruction from begining to end on how to teach a green horse to start spinning, or how fine tune the spin on the finished show horse. The spin DVD should be ready in a couple of weeks.

Training Thought For The Week

2010-04-28T06:50:00.000-07:00

Something to think about for the week. If our horses get 1% better per day, we should be able to have them finished in 100 days! Just remember that quality training takes time and we need to reward the slightest try in our horses. We are only gaining fractions of a percent during training, so be patient.

Kutie Performance Horses Mini Clinic

2010-04-19T14:45:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to remind everyone that the Kutie Performance Horses Mini Clinic on lead changes and collection is this weekend April, 29. I currently have one spot left open for the morning session if anyone is interested. The cost is $90 for 4 hours of instruction and the sessions are limited to 6 riders so that everyone will have plenty of one on one time. If you are interested in just coming to watch and listen that is free, just remember to bring your ears.

How It All Began

2010-04-17T18:33:00.000-07:00

This was how it all began. I saved up $25 and bought a pony, saddle and bridle, from a friend of my dad's. Along with my Fat Grandpa and his love of horses I began my journey to becoming a horse trainer. There have been many ups and downs along the path to becoming a trainer. I have drank gallons of Kool-Aid, eaten hundreds of pounds of Ramen noodles and lived in some pretty rough houses. After years of struggling I finally have a nice training facility, new house, a barn full of world class horses and some great friends and customers. We are starting a new step into the future by expanding our clinic schedule, launching our clothing company and getting ready to go live with our new website that will let us keep our sale barn current and up to date, along with finally allowing our customers a place to purchase the KPH clothing line. I'm excited to see what the future holds, and hope to enjoy the ride.

Reining Clinic in Hilltown, PA

2010-04-17T18:13:00.000-07:00

Performance Horse Clinic with Steve Kutie of Kutie Performance Horses in Texas!
21-23 May 2010 Performance Horse clinic held at:
Redwing Farm 1531 Hilltown Pike, Hilltown, Pa. 18927

Steve Kutie, shown above bridleless with Andalusian stallion and National Reining Champion, Ichibon DMF! This two day clinic is designed to improve the horse and rider relationship while working on basics through advanced movements including lead departures and changes, collection and suppling, sliding stops, spins, and more! Whether you are training a reining horse or just wish to improve your english or western horse, there is something for everyone! All disciplines welcome!

Friday evening - Private Lessons by Appt.
Saturday 8:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 5:30pm
Sunday 8:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 5:30pm
Sessions are $90 mounted, Two sessions for $150, Auditors welcome for $25/day Lunch included

For additional information or to sign up please contact me.

Warm Up Pen Saftey

2010-04-17T15:03:00.000-07:00

WARM UP ARENA ETIQUETTE AND SAFTEY

Question: I have been to a few shows this winter and I am unsure of the proper riding procedure in the warm up pen. Actually I have been run into by a couple of people that were going the wrong way and not paying attention, what can I do?

Answer: The warm up pen is a pretty dangerous place when every rider is concentrating on his or her own program and getting ready for their classes. I will give you some general rules to follow that will make navigating the warm up arena easier and safer for you and your horse.

• Always go with the flow of traffic. If the warm up arena is large enough to allow for two sets of circles, one circle should be loping to the left and one loping to the right, they should pass left hand to right hand in the center of the arena. If the warm up pen has only enough space to lope one circle, ask when you want to change direction, as most people will want to go both directions before they show.
• Stay to the inside of the circle if you want to go slow, and to the outside of the circle if you want to go fast.
• NEVER, NEVER, NEVER stop your horse in traffic. If you are at a reining event, there will be time to work on fencing and stopping your horse so that you will not have to avoid other riders that are circling.
• If you need to school your horse, work on spins, or adjust equipment, move to the middle of a circle so that you’re not in the flow of traffic.
• Do not pony horses in the warm up pen.
• Always look where you are going, and watch out for other riders. You don’t drive your car while looking at the hood ornament and you shouldn’t ride your horse looking at his head, eyes up.
• Don’t exercise young or green horses in the warm up pen while it is crowded; wait until later in the evening or early in the morning. Safety first.
• Yield to the tractor, and always listen to the arena announcer and ring steward. They are there for your safety and to keep the show running smoothly. Remember, every minute you waste when asked to leave the arena is just another minute longer that the show will last.
• Don’t tie your horses in the warm up arena. No one wants to dodge a kicking or loose horse while they are getting ready to show.
• If you have a question, ask. The only dumb questions are the ones that are never asked.
• Always try to maintain a good sense of humor. People may be tired and nervous. Be patient with newcomers and try to help them learn by referring them to these guidelines.

It is our job as riders to ensure the safety of ourselves, horses and others. Remember that some people don’t know that they don’t know, so take the time to explain to them the proper rules, I would rather them be mad at me for trying to keep them safe than to have them hurt one of my customers or family. RIDE SAFE!

Getting The Most Out Of Your Riding Lesson

2010-02-13T10:40:00.000-08:00

Question: I pay $40 per hour for my riding lesson, how do I get the most bang for my buck?

Answer: Most professional trainers are providing you with the opportunity to gain valuable information. However, it is your job to listen to what they have to say and implement that knowledge on your horse. Riding and training a horse does not come with an instruction book detailing a program that will work with every horse. Be sure that when your trainer asks if you have any questions that you be honest with them. It is your hard earned money that has bought you the chance to ask a professional questions. If you don’t completely understand what is being taught, ask them to explain in greater detail. The only dumb questions are the ones that you never ask. I always encourage my clients to ask questions and to question me when they are in doubt. I would rather take the time to go slow and make sure they understand than to speed past something that I thought they understood, only to go back and keep fixing the same problem over and over. It wastes my time and their money.
Be respectful of you trainers time. Remember that this is his or her job and they may have other commitments that need to be taken care of after your lesson. When I was running a larger lesson program, I liked to have my customers at my facility early enough to have their horses tacked, warmed up, and ready to ride when the lesson began. If your lesson time is 1:00-2:00, try to be there half an hour early so that you can be ready to start at 1:00, and not 1:30. In my program you will still be finished at 2:00, no matter what time we started and still pay for the whole hour. Remember, just because you are running late, it doesn’t mean that the next lesson is.
Be sure to work on the homework that you trainer gives you so that you will be prepared for your next lesson. While at home, keep a small note pad in the barn. If you think of a question while riding on your own, you will have the pad close to write down your question, rather than trying to remember what you wanted to ask during you lesson time.
You might also be able to save some money and learn more by having a group lesson with some friends. Taking a lesson with friends will allow you to gain an extra set of eyes when you are at home training; they will have an understanding of what you are trying to accomplish. Having a friend or family member video during the lesson will provide you with ability to review what you worked on during the lesson.
Remember that it is your job to get the most out of your lesson, only you know what you don’t know.

Snow Snow Every Where

2010-02-13T10:10:00.000-08:00

This is the road leading up to the barn.

Well I decided long ago that I needed to move to Texas to get away from the freezing cold and snow in Ohio, it's pretty tough to ride at 10 below. But, the weather this winter in Texas has broken a bunch of records. We have had the wettest winter on record as well as the most total amount of snow fall, we have had over 24 inches here at the barn. I guess the good news is that all of the moisture will cut down on the chance of another grass fire! Here are a couple of pics to show you that it really does snow in Texas.

New Reining Mini Clinics Scheduled for 2010 at KPH

2010-02-08T06:32:00.000-08:00

Brought to you by Kutie Performance Horses. The Second Step Training Program is offering a different twist on the clinic format by offering a series of mini- clinics over the next few months designed to improve the horse and rider relationship. If you have ever wanted to know to teach your horse to spin, perform a sliding stop or change leads, this format will show you the very simple and easy step by step instruction that will allow you to perform each maneuver.

Schooling in Stephenville

2010-02-08T06:20:00.000-08:00

Well it looks like it's time to start another work week! We survived a super long day on Saturday, hauled out to Stephenville Texas to help some of our non-pro customers and school some of the Derby horses. We left the house at 4am and pulled back into the barn at 10:30pm, needless to say we were pretty tired. I can guarantee that schooling your horses in the warm up pen at a SHOT show will get anything broke! The customers ended up finishing pretty well for the first show of the season, in not so ideal conditions. Congrats to Bobbi, Burton, Becky great job. Looks like it is going to rain all week so I guess that I will be hauling out and riding with all of my good friends that have a nice dry covered arena.

REINING/ RIDING CLINIC AT SFA

2010-02-05T08:29:00.000-08:00

Mr Boomerjac X Docs Oak mare $30,000

2010-02-01T09:12:00.002-08:00

Missy is by Mr Boomerjac sire of the 2006 NRHA Futurity Champion with earners of over $350,000 and out of Little Annies Oak by Doc's Oak, she is an NRHA money earner, AQHA point earner and NRBC enrolled. Missy has only been shown a couple of times easy, she is my personal horses and has been put on the back burner due to customer obligations. This video was shot a few months ago and she was pretty out of shape, due to me having knee surgery. Missy is currently back in training and ready to go show. Plus one spins, plus circles and stops, easy lead changes. Would make a super non pro horse, very quite and willing with enough talent to win on the open. Priced at $30,000.00

ASHA National Championships

2009-12-31T06:57:00.001-08:00

SHEZA PINES NIFTY

By: Great Mui Pine x Great Pine

Out of: Sheza Hes Nifty x Hes Nifty

Owned by: Kutie & Steward Partnership

ASHA National Championships

2009-12-31T06:52:00.000-08:00

MS XTREME MAKEOVER

By: Mr Boonerjac x Boomernic

Out of: Little Annies Oak x Doc's Oak

Owned by: Kutie Performance Horses

How to correctly wrap legs with polo wraps

2009-12-31T06:20:00.000-08:00

Here is a short clip on the proper way to wrap your horses legs with polo wraps. I think that it is an important thing to know, and is cheap insurance, there is no need to risk the saftey of you or your horse when polo wraps are an inexpensive investment. A set of 4 polo wraps will cost around $15, a small price to pay when compared to the time and money lost while treating a leg injury. Wrapping your horse will help to prevent injuries caused by their front legs banging together while spinning, as well as keep them from getting friction burns while stopping.

Trained Reiner/ Cowhorse by Snackbox $6,500.00

2009-12-04T09:38:00.000-08:00

2005 Sorrel Mare by Snackbox (NCHA World Champion Cutting with earning of $188,516) out of producing daughter of Poco San Lena (NRCHA producing mare, 1st colt by Smart N Slick won over $20,000 NRCHA with BJ Avila) Cookie is a trained reiner that needs to be legged up, has been on cattle. Big stopper, great rollback, snappy spins and guides on a loose rein. Cookie has been hauled out a few times but has not been shown. Stands 13.3hh and weights 950lbs. pretty and stout. Feel free to call me with any questions. Price: $6,500.00

Second Step Training Video Clip

2009-12-03T07:21:00.000-08:00

Here is a clip from my up coming training dvd called THE SECOND STEP. I break down the steps to teach your horse how to spin, stop, change leads etc. into their most simple steps. Made easy so that everyone, no matter what their skill level will be able to understand.

Getting Started

2009-12-03T05:50:00.000-08:00

Well I'm going to try and push KPH (Kutie Performance Horses) into the social media market with my limited computer abilities. If anyone has suggestions or ideas for this site pertaining to horse training please feel free to let me know. I'm really wanting to focus on improving rider skills as well as show that training your horse is not really rocket science.