Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Keep sessions short. Make training sessions a positive experience. Warm up your horse with basics. Establish forward motion. Confirm your horse’s straightness. Evaluate your horse’s rhythm. Assess your connection to the horse.

Answer: Depending on the age of a horse, training should only be done for about half an hour at a time. Think about your own learning ability. Most people retain information delivered in smaller sections, and horses do too. Additionally, the bit will likely feel uncomfortable to your horse at first, so it’s best to limit the amount of time with the bit in the beginning. The bulk of your thirty minute session should be a simple warmup.  Younger horses may do better training for fifteen to twenty minutes at a time. Better trained horses may be able to handle larger periods of training, especially if you extend the warmup. If the horse becomes stressed and starts tossing his head or excessively chewing at any point during your training session, then take the bit out and give the horse a break. It is important to avoid any stress or fear for your horse during the training process. Maintaining a positive experience for your horse will help him to accept the bit rather than fear it. Many trainers start off training the horse on the bit, and if you’ve decided to do this, it is even more important to start with simple movements that your horse is becoming familiar with. If you’re training an older horse, warming up with the basics creates an association in your horse’s mind between their “usual” ride and how this “new” ride is connected. During the warm up, you’ll need to start with simple forward motion and check for straightness, rhythm, and contact. This is the key to a successful training session or ride. If you gently squeeze the side of your horse and it starts directly forward, you’re all set. If a gentle squeeze does not start your horse forward or your horse is fighting the bit instead of moving forward, you may need to provide reprimand and reinforcement. Always avoid squeezing harder and harder to urge your horse forward. In the long run, this will leave you with a poorly trained horse and an exhausting ride.  When the horse does not move forward, you can use a riding crop, tap with your leg, or whatever method of reprimand you choose to use with your horse. Give them a firm “no” movement. Then, try squeezing again, gently. Maintain gentle contact with your horse using your leg so that the horse can feel you at multiple points. This will let him know that you are still communicating with him. As soon as the horse moves forward with a gentle squeeze, reward them with encouraging words like, “Good job.” You can also have a helper offer them a small treat, if this is something they’ve been struggling with. Once your horse begins to move forward, you’ll need to make sure the hind feet are following the same line as the front feet. This is called straightness, and it is how you can determine whether your horse is comfortable moving on the bit. If you notice curving of the spine when your horse is moving forward or spinal stiffness as it turns, your horse is not straight. Bring it to a halt, reassure it, and start again. Repeat until the horse’s movement is straight.  Also, make sure to check for points of tension or stress along the horse’s neck muscle and through his back. If you notice any signs of stress or tension, then this may mean that the horse is uncomfortable with the bit and how it is sitting. For a well-trained horse, a change in spinal straightness may be the only way to tell that it is not truly accepting the bit. Because the horse may not otherwise “fight” the bit, changes to the alignment of the spine and coordination of the back and front legs will let you know the horse is struggling. Every horse is unique, but no matter what your horse’s natural rhythm is, there should be equal intervals between each step. If you notice a halting or jerking quality as your horse moves, their rhythm may be off. To determine comfortable rhythm, count your horse’s steps. As you count one, two, three, four, there should be even spacing and smooth flow between the beat of each hoof. If the horse’s rhythm is off, slow or stop it. Then, begin again, increasing speed gradually. If you play a musical instrument, counting your horse’s rhythm is very similar to how you count a measure of music. This musical experience may give you an advantage in determining when one beat is too long or too short. Known as contact, this may be the most important part of your warmup. If your horse isn’t connected to you, responding easily to your commands and concentrating on following your lead, they are not going to be as successful with more advanced instructions. Your hold on the reins, posture, and leg movement all affect your connection with the horse. Be aware of every moment and how it impacts your connection with your horse.  Keep the weight of the reins even between hands. This places consistent pressure on the bit, ensuring your horse will notice when you place more on either side to begin turning. Make sure that there is an equal amount of length on both sides of your reins. This will help to ensure that you are not pulling too much on one side or the other. Establish a consistent resting state of the reins. Your reins shouldn’t be constantly pulled tight or left lax. Instead, find a happy medium between the two, and continue to hold this contact. Keep in mind that having good contact and a connection with your horse is not a given. Talk to experienced trainers, watch videos, and get help to work towards achieving this using proper methods. True connection takes time. You will not achieve this natural feeling of communication with your horse in one ride. Keep practicing every day.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Find a marriage counselor if a separation seems imminent. Seek counseling if 1 or both of you have been unfaithful. Get help if either person is dealing with mental illness. Consider seeking help after traumatic experiences. Look for a counselor if parenthood is causing tension. Get counseling if you are struggling with finances.

Answer:
When one or both of you starts mentioning divorce or separation, it is time to assess your relationship seriously. If you both want to make it work, see a counselor as soon as possible. This advice also applies if arguments are escalating to the point where one of you leaves the house, creating an unplanned, short-term separation. Infidelity does not necessarily lead to divorce, but it can take a lot of time and commitment to work through such a major breach of trust. Professional assistance is recommended in these situations. When couples feel distant, they may start an “emotional affair” where they develop feelings for someone else, even if they do not have a physical relationship. This is a warning that your marriage needs serious work. If one of you is dealing with major depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues, your relationship may suffer. In addition to individual counseling for the person dealing with mental illness, you should check in with a marriage counselor together. People who suffer from a traumatic experience sometimes find that their marriages suffer as a result. Individual therapy may also be needed. Consider seeing a marriage counselor if your relationship has been affected by:  The death of a parent, child, or another close relative A major illness Rape, assault, or another violent experience A home burglary or fire Loss of a job Starting a family is a major adjustment that can throw your relationship off-kilter. A marriage counselor may be helpful if:  You and your spouse have children from other marriages or relationships who are struggling to adjust. You cannot agree on whether you should have children (or more children). You cannot agree on how to raise your children. You disagree about the religion, discipline, or education of your children. You feel you are staying in your marriage “for the children.” If you and your partner are butting heads over spending habits or budgets, a marriage counselor may be a good resource. Marriage counseling can also help your relationship weather financial difficulties, like debt, buying a house, or sending a child to college.