Would you be concerned?

If this were your horse would you be concerned buy the the way it is being handeled in this video?

I originally had it posted in the video section just for fun, to show my trainer working on some bombproofing with my mare and received some training criticisim... so I thought I would ask for some more opinions.

I am personally very happy with my horses progress and love my trainer. My mare is relaxed, happy and responsive (on the ground andunder saddle) but an extra set of eyes never hurts.

Thanks in advance! (and sorry if I shouldn't have posted it here!!!)

Straight away I notice that her body language is very aggressive in the back up(whats with the rope dragging on the ground!! EEK). I could understand if the horse had been difficult minutes prior to filming. But if she hadn't...i would be less than impressed if she was doing that to my horse.

Ok that rope is on the ground for the ENTIRE video!!! My impressions is that she is one very sloppy "trainer"

I completely agree. The general idea of what she is doing is alright, but it could have been handled much better. Seems a bit "aggressive" like SS mentioned.

Ktibb, I was more concerned with the long lead rope trailing on the ground than the leaf blower, lol!
I think desensitising your horse to such things is a great idea. The only thing I would have done differently is I would have rubbed the leaf blower all over his body before I turned it on, and then again after!
We were having a silly games day at a friends barn once, and wanted to blay broom ball on horseback. Spike was freaking, so I asked for a 5 minute break. First I stood by him with the broom like I was sweepin, then started sweeping him, his back, his face, and was spinning the broom high up right in front of him. Then I took the ball, rubbed it on him, and was eventually bouncing it off his nose from 6 feet away (it was just one of those super light balls like you find in those huge bins at walmart). Resumed game, and we won, lol! I think they call it sacking out. I've taken him right up to log splitters, chainsaws, and campfires at every opportunity. You never know what you might meet out on trail!

Or did I miss the point of your question, lol? Oh well. I am good at talking a lot without really saying anything!

I don't get agression out of this, I see asertivness. My mare was initially very dull and heavy on the hlter. I don't think she is asking anything that is unfair or unreasonable. She offers plenty of release and reward and the horse is clearly trusting her. I don't expect many horses would be ok with someone trying to use a leaf blower on them- especially if they were agressive (not the best way to gain a horses trust). As for the rope being on the ground I can understand some concern there. The horse could step on it (she would just stop if she did) the horse could get tangeled (again she would stop-she is hobble trained and will give to pressure on all 4 legs, can be led by the front legs and can yeild her hind quarters with the back legs) or (most concerning) the trainer could get tangeled (tho she seems well aware of the horses position as well as the the ropes- which aren't on the ground the entire time) but it is something I personally try to be aware of.

How fun! So far the only "scary" thing I've gotten to ride her up to has been a bulldozer (sp?) working on a construction site. She just looked at it for a bit and cocked a leg, no big deal.

The general idea of what she is doing is pretty good, but like most people she could be more clear with what she wants the horse to do. The switch between asking her horse to move away her pressure and then walking towards the horse expecting the horse to hold still was a tad sloppy. The rope on the ground makes me cringe, and I would strongly recommend a shorter lead rope. Also, there are much better tools for training than leaf blowers. I'd like to see her relax her arms more instead of holding the rope with tension.

Overall, if she was using proper equipment: B-/B

With the equipment she is using now (primarily concerned with the long dragging rope): C-

Thx for the input.

Love your quote!

I agree with everyone else's points and have to add- the long lead rope laying on the ground, under the horses feet is an accident waiting to happen.