| Note from the Office |
Best-selling author and well-known radio host, Rick Lamb spent several days at La Cense Montana, giving a lecture to the Natural Horsemanship students at University of Montana Western, and filming some  segments for RFD-TV's "The Horse Show." He spent several days with the University filming different aspects of their natural horsemanship program. The last day, he hung out at La Cense, filming our trainers working their young colts and demonstrating with their older horses. Rick was able to participate in pushing some cows back up into the hills to give the riparian areas a break.
With all his experience interviewing trainers and people in the horse industry, Rick quickly picked up on all the small details and nuances of the La Cense Method as portrayed by our trainers. These trainers have learned the La Cense Method program, and practice under the supervision of Jeff Griffith, the head of the horse program here at La Cense Montana.
"The Horse Show" episode that will portray UMW is set to air on NOVEMBER 25, 2008 at 9 pm on RFD-TV. The La Cense Montana portion will be broadcast some time in March.
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| LCM/UMW Partnership |
Rick Lamb's lecture to the University of Montana Western natural horsemanship students was entitled, "The Seven Key Qualities of a Horseman." These qualities included:
Crazy - Have a passion for horses
Clear - Use concise communication
Consistent - In your training methods
Continuous - Persistent, Don't stop & start
Competent - Have a plan
Confident - Be a presence & believe you can
Committed - Dedication
 Rick emphasized giving the horse a chance, having humility, and self-improvement through horses. More information can be found in his new book, Human to Horseman: A Journey of Discovery, Growth, and Celebration by Rick Lamb & Cherry Hill.
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| Customer Connection |
By Cheryl Schenck; Redding, Connecticut
After local showing for several years, my true passion was to trail ride, especially in the state park across the street from my home. My show horse loves the attention  in the ring, but is not as confident out on the trails as I would like him to be, so I've been searching for a reliable, calm horse for quite some time.
I first learned of La Cense from a feature article in Western Horseman. This past June, on the La Cense website, the newsletter was posted and there he was, in my eyes, the most beautiful horse, with a description matching what I'd been seeking for years.
I couldn't get out to Dillon right away, so my husband flew out to see Haizer. Ed first did groundwork exercises with Haizer with guidance from Geraldine, Haizer's trainer. This was met with ease and respect. Ed doesn't ride that much, but after a very comfortable trail in the hills on Haizer, he was confident that Haizer was the horse for our family. Several weeks later, my son, Ben and I began our adventure to Montana. Ben has never had an interest in horses, but during the time we spent getting to know Haizer, and along with the hospitality of everyone at La Cense, he also was sure that Haizer was right for us. Haizer was calming, trusting, and very sweet.
After a few weeks, Haizer was on his way home! He arrived at 5:30 am in Connecticut. I unloaded him with ease; he was very trusting of me and his new surroundings. He adapted remarkably well to our routine at the barn with our two other horses. A few days after his long journey, I rode him in the park with dogs, joggers and even went in the water! Cars were passing by as we walked down the road, and with all of this, he was a perfect gentlemen.
I went to the pasture to visit him shortly after his arrival; he raised his head from grazing, whinnied, and came running to me. Tears came to my eyes. After this long search, I thought, I finally got it right. I love this horse and I'm so excited to begin our partnership together. Thank you, Pam, for spending so much time with us and helping us find that perfect match!
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| La Cense Beef |
The Entertai nment Pack
The La Cense Montana ranch is also the home of La Cense Beef, a sustainable ranching operation that raises 100% grass-fed cattle on our 88,000-acre ranch. If you've visited La Cense Montana, you've probably seen our natural program of Black Angus cattle roaming our rangeland, feeding on the Ranch's abundant bunchgrass.
We had a lot of rain this summer, and the
first snow came in early September this year, giving us a good growing season for both the grass and our cattle, which feed on the ranch's natural grasses their entire lives. We believe that all animals at the La Cense Ranch should live their lives in accordance with their nature; the cattle are born and raised on our ranch, and are treated with compassion by our knowledgeable team of ranchers.
To make your holiday season a little greener, we would love to give the friends of La Cense Montana an opportunity to give the gift of La Cense Beef, and hope you do so with our special free shipping offer. Visit www.lacensebeef.com to view our new product selection, learn more about the benefits of La Cense Beef, and take advantage of this special offer.
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| Up & Coming Horses: Fairfax |
 Fairfax, registered name "GCR Fairfax King," is a light bay gelding that turned five this spring. If you like a horse that is extremely mellow and relaxed but also well-mannered and well-trained, then Fairfax is your guy. He's a true gentleman who will calmly do whatever you ask and is a pleasure out on the trails - he practically opens the gates for you.
We hope to have Fairfax on the website in the near future, as soon as we complete his video. For more information on up and coming horses, please contact Pam Neumeyer by phone at 406.683.8777 or by email:
pamn@lacensemontana.com
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| Training Corner |
AQHA Fundamentals of Horsemanship Step 1 Exercise 3: Stand Still
Will your horse stand still by you, calmly, and patiently without the company of other horses? Does he halt quietly at your side as soon as you stop walking, keep the same composure when he sees the vet or blacksmith, or is left tied up?
Maintaining Personal Space
The objective of this exercise is to be able to move the horse out of your personal space and cause him to stand still.
You will not teach your horse to stand still by holding onto him firmly. On the contrary, as soon as he moves, you should ask him to do something: move back, for example. As soon as he stops moving, stop asking him to do anything. You will make the thing you want (doing nothing,) easy and comfortable. You will make the thing you do not want (movement) uncomfortable.
When your horse moves, be active and move around, but be really relaxed. Then be still as soon as he stops moving. Each time he's distracted, bring his attention back so that both eyes are facing you.
How do you know if he's doing it right? Your horse stays at a halt more and more willingly. He shows signs of relaxation. He lowers his head and licks his lips.
As always, you must use clear body language - you must relax so that the horse relaxes. Keep both eyes facing you. Help your horse to enjoy standing still. Make your idea his idea by making the right thing easy or comfortable and the wrong thing difficult or uncomfortable.
Remember - don't stop the horse from moving by holding on to him hard. Instead, allow him to stop moving. Horses learn from their mistakes just as we do. You have to allow him to get it wrong so that you can help him to find the right solution. Next newsletter, we'll look at controlling the hindquarters to get the horse's attention from Step 1 Exercise 4.
To purchase the AQHA Fundamentals of Horsemanship, click here.
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| 'Round the Ranch |
Ranch Update
We've seen substantial snowfall in the Gallagher and Upper Sage Creek areas of the ranch this fall so we're in the process of moving cattle down to the lower pastures.
Meanwhile, we've completed our pre-wean vaccinations and in November plan to begin weaning our 2008 calves.
In the Horse Division, our trainer & instructor,
Eric, hoof brands each new colt
and applies a permanent lip tatoo
while our older horses enjoy a water
break at the trough.
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