Just like people, horses are different from one another. They have different ways of learning and they are physically and mentally suited to different disciplines. Just because you think your horse is a western pleasure prospect doesn't mean that he is. He may have that nice slow jog down pat but when it comes right down to it, he wants to do cattle work.
It's funny how we try to mould our horses to do things that they are not meant to do. I did that once with disastrous results. As a result of my actions it took over a year to pull things back together with that particular horse.
His name is Jacob and there was doubt as to whether I was going to keep him. I wanted him to do some low level western shows. I was nervous and so was he. He fed off of my mood and managed to buck me off for the first time in his life at the show grounds. He wanted nothing to do with me and wanted to get as far away as possible. Only I didn't see it that way. I was upset with him and just felt he was being a jerk.
It really unnerved me as at one point I had absolutely no control over him and we almost had a crazy wreck. A friend of mine finally got on his back and he was just fine for her. He was completely feeding off of my mood.
The problem continued. He wanted absolutely nothing to do with me and I could no longer catch him out in the pasture. Shortly after the show he injured his shoulder and wasn't sound for about a year. I believe it to be a blessing because I just had to spend time rehabbing him. I couldn't sell him because he wasn't sound and we just had to work it all out.
I realized that he was a horse with a higher head carriage, and is fairly high strung. He likes speed. I was trying so hard to make him into something that he wasn't in order to satisfy my requirements and didn't even give him a minute's consideration.
I started riding him again but with a whole different attitude. I tried him on some gymkhana patterns in our own arena and joined the local riding club.
On a whim, I decided to bring Jacob to a gymkhana just for exposure and wasn't even sure if I was going to ride him. We got there and he was incredibly calm so I decided to pay the entry fee and see where it went. He was fantastic! I found his niche.
He gets all excited and happy when I run barrels or poles. He isn't a superstar, but he is a happy horse. He wants to be brought in now and our relationship is the best it's ever been.
A hard lesson but a very important one.
Monday, 14 April 2014
Friday, 28 March 2014
Hanging With the Boys
Last night I brought two of my geldings in to hang out with me.
Most of the time, I tend to impose goals for the time that I spend with each horse and in some ways lose the most basic connection with them.
Because I have 5 horses and look after approximately 18 more, I am fairly tight for time when it comes to my own and as a result they get the short end of the stick.
It was wonderful to be alone with them, quietly reconnecting and really taking my time in their grooming and enjoying the moment instead of rushing through so I can saddle them up.
I could see that Sonny recognized the less purposeful energy in me and actually put his head down, allowing me to give his face and poll a good brushing--something that he usually resists. His eyes were half shut and he was really enjoying the attention.
Jacob was nice and relaxed, enjoying the moment and not being his usual flighty self.
I turned them in the arena for a roll and as soon as Sonny got to his feet he took off kicking and bucking, trying to entice Jacob to play. They raced each other around the arena, doing lap after lap only stopping when they were totally winded and sweaty.
I love watching them at liberty--especially the geldings because they are playful creatures. Mares tend to herd the crew, keeping certain horses away from their buddies. They are far more serious about life than their male counterparts.
Once playtime was over they came over to hang out with me. Sonny was very engaged and so we did a little liberty dance.
He was matching my foot steps as I walked around the arena with him at my side. Slowly circling, moving forward and backing one step at a time.
I love the feeling of connecting with their energy--their sole focus on my body language and movement. It is so powerful, almost magical. Getting back in touch with it last night really grounded me. My only obstacle was time. I would have been content to spend a few more hours with them as they would with me.
Who needs a therapist?
Most of the time, I tend to impose goals for the time that I spend with each horse and in some ways lose the most basic connection with them.
Because I have 5 horses and look after approximately 18 more, I am fairly tight for time when it comes to my own and as a result they get the short end of the stick.
It was wonderful to be alone with them, quietly reconnecting and really taking my time in their grooming and enjoying the moment instead of rushing through so I can saddle them up.
I could see that Sonny recognized the less purposeful energy in me and actually put his head down, allowing me to give his face and poll a good brushing--something that he usually resists. His eyes were half shut and he was really enjoying the attention.
Jacob was nice and relaxed, enjoying the moment and not being his usual flighty self.
I turned them in the arena for a roll and as soon as Sonny got to his feet he took off kicking and bucking, trying to entice Jacob to play. They raced each other around the arena, doing lap after lap only stopping when they were totally winded and sweaty.
I love watching them at liberty--especially the geldings because they are playful creatures. Mares tend to herd the crew, keeping certain horses away from their buddies. They are far more serious about life than their male counterparts.
Once playtime was over they came over to hang out with me. Sonny was very engaged and so we did a little liberty dance.
He was matching my foot steps as I walked around the arena with him at my side. Slowly circling, moving forward and backing one step at a time.
I love the feeling of connecting with their energy--their sole focus on my body language and movement. It is so powerful, almost magical. Getting back in touch with it last night really grounded me. My only obstacle was time. I would have been content to spend a few more hours with them as they would with me.
Who needs a therapist?
Thursday, 27 March 2014
Playtime!
Sonny and his buddy Mike had gone on a long trail ride and when we unsaddled them, we turned them out into the arena to roll. It was like they had a discussion beforehand and went straight into some pretty intense play. (my apologies for the poor quality video)
And we thought we had tired them out!
Geldings can be so funny sometimes.
Tuesday, 25 March 2014
A Great Horse
I have the magnificent Sonny. He is a 16HH grey appendix gelding.
He has this incredible presence to him. A very regal boy. Not perfect conformationally but he is the type of horse that attracts attention when he is around.
He is moody, prickly and quirky. Honestly I think that is what I love most about him. Some days he very clearly decides that he doesn't want his face touched. If I try a new piece of tack on him, it becomes an ordeal. He will fuss and carry on and I either have to power through it or remove the offending piece of equipment. Last time it was bell boots.
Instead of getting all upset about it, I just embrace who he is. I love him in all of his ways and when the chips are down, he always comes through for me.
He is the most incredible ride. He floats at the gallop and the raw power that I feel beneath me is unreal.
I worked with him for a few years before I decided that I needed him in my life. He was one of those gangly, homely, difficult young horses. Nobody really understood him. Some thought he was brain damaged from a nasty bout of the strangles as a yearling. I tried to get other people to work with him but he was such an explosive and odd young horse, that he scared everyone. I took him on because he was supposed to be sold by his owner but I knew he wasn't a horse that I would feel comfortable selling to anyone in the state he was in so he became one of my projects.
He would randomly stand and kick the barn wall behind him just for the sake of kicking it. You couldn't tie him in the arena because there was something about the white walls that he hated. His ears would go all sideways and then he would start brooding and thinking and he would do whatever it took to get free. Throwing himself over backwards was one of his favorite tactics.
I spent a lot of time scratching my head with him. I couldn't treat him like other horses because he wouldn't get over things. Instead he would brood and stew over anything that bothered him. He absolutely refused to lunge to the right. He was explosive under saddle. You could just feel that he was ready to blow at any given moment.
I handled his biggest issues by not handling them. We would focus on the good and get that working better. I spent loads of time observing him. What I did notice was brilliant.
I put him in the arena with a halter and rope and let him loose. I do that with the younger horses to get them used to ropes and giving to their own pressure. He wasn't happy about the rope that was chasing him. There went the sideways ears and he was doing his best to run away but it just kept following him. Then he went over to a jump standard that was off to the one side and somehow managed to get the rope wound in it. Still more sideways ears but instead of rushing to his rescue, I decided to observe him and wait for the explosive battle. Instead, he calmly thought things through and managed to extricate himself and the rope by ever so carefully picking his way around the obstacle. I was thrilled to see that when something stressful happened he had a way of thinking things through and not losing his mind.
He ended up getting himself cast in a stall one time. He was literally leaning back against the corner of the stall and looked like a funny person slouching in the corner. I asked a friend for help and I was scared because of his history, however he seemed to know that he was in a predicament and he was extremely cooperative as he got him untangled. Not one kick. Again, when the heat was on, he totally had his act together.
What I have also observed is how his worst issues have melted away just as I had hoped they would. People tried to give me advice with him but I just decided to listen to my gut with this boy.
He is turning 10 this year and most of the time he is a very nice, quiet and compliant gelding. He is still prickly and moody and cold backed at times but I just accept him for who he is and actually have some respect for his non-conformist personality. He is my main mountain riding horse and I have taken him to shows. He has come such a long way but it has been a very long journey. I will say this: he has been worth every moment.
He is also very smart and playful. He is affectionate and possessive. He is noble and masculine. Graceful and regal. I am very blessed to have him in my life.
Tuesday, 18 February 2014
Ground Manners...So Important Yet Often Overlooked
Why do so many people overlook the importance of ground manners in their horses?
Remember--respect on the ground is the basis for respect under saddle.
Quite frankly a good number of horse injuries are caused from accidents occurring when you are not mounted. I am not going to quote actual statistics, but I know just from my own experience.
How many of you have had your feet stepped on, or in some cases, jumped on because your horse got into your space.
We need to remember that horses outweigh us by hundreds and hundreds of pounds and if they want to fight us they are going to win, there is absolutely no doubt about that.
So when we talk about "ground manners", exactly what are we referring to?
Well, does your horse stand tied or does he pull back?
Can you lift and clean all four of his feet without a huge fight or resorting to pinching tendons or all of the other tricks that people use to get their horses to lift a hoof?
Can you hose his legs or body?
Can you put fly spray on him?
Will he stand still for saddling?
Does he stay out of your personal space on a leadline?
Will he stand quietly for the farrier or is it a huge battle every time you get his feet done? Can you touch him all over without him flinching, kicking or moving away?
Can you touch his ears?
Does he listen to halter pressure?
Can you lift and clean all four of his feet without a huge fight or resorting to pinching tendons or all of the other tricks that people use to get their horses to lift a hoof?
Can you hose his legs or body?
Can you put fly spray on him?
Will he stand still for saddling?
Does he stay out of your personal space on a leadline?
Will he stand quietly for the farrier or is it a huge battle every time you get his feet done? Can you touch him all over without him flinching, kicking or moving away?
Can you touch his ears?
Does he listen to halter pressure?
If you answer no to any of the above questions then there is room for improvement.
Even Cleo, yes Cleo the little angel sometimes needs a little reminder here and there about respect. I do allow my horses to come into my space when I choose it but they also know when it is not allowed. I teach all of my horses how to be compliant with everything listed above. Are they all perfect? No. They all have their days. In fact my one horse Sonny had a very strange case of Strangles when he was a yearling and due to that, he has been very head shy and couldn't stand being touched around his ears or above his forehead. It made bridling a huge challenge but I have persisted with him. All of a sudden one day, he stopped fighting. He allows me to touch him all over his forehead and poll and lowers his head for bridling now.
All of my horses are good with their hooves. I refuse to try and fight somebody who weighs more than a thousand pounds because they don't want to lift their feet. I teach them the word "foot" because sometimes I want to touch their legs and don't want them to lift them. I always do their hooves in a certain order. Always front, back, then front, back. That way they know exactly what to expect.
I have found that when you approach something new with confident energy, horses generally don't react as badly as if you are approaching something with trepidation or nervousness. They can sense your feelings and will react accordingly.
When teaching them to lift their feet for the first time, I approach it with confidence but also with an eye to safety. I have taught rescue horses to lift their feet using my methods. I think people have the most trouble with hooves because they are nervous about it and the horse feeds off of it right away.
With the hinds, it is most natural for the horse to lift their foot forward rather than extended to the rear. They tend to jackhammer that foot up and down in response to it being extended. I start them with a soft cotton lead shank gently draped behind the fetlock. That way I am out of firing range. I gently pull the foot forward and if they are compliant, I set it down and praise them. I lift the foot repeatedly and when they seem comfortable doing so, I replace the rope with my hand and will actually rub their leg before attempting to lift it. With most horses, I am successful in lifting their feet in one session. I have learned to hang on when they start the jackhammering and generally most horses stop when they realize you have a hold on them. If you are not confident in doing so, then please for your own personal safety, continue with the rope or consult with someone qualified to help you.
Even Cleo, yes Cleo the little angel sometimes needs a little reminder here and there about respect. I do allow my horses to come into my space when I choose it but they also know when it is not allowed. I teach all of my horses how to be compliant with everything listed above. Are they all perfect? No. They all have their days. In fact my one horse Sonny had a very strange case of Strangles when he was a yearling and due to that, he has been very head shy and couldn't stand being touched around his ears or above his forehead. It made bridling a huge challenge but I have persisted with him. All of a sudden one day, he stopped fighting. He allows me to touch him all over his forehead and poll and lowers his head for bridling now.
All of my horses are good with their hooves. I refuse to try and fight somebody who weighs more than a thousand pounds because they don't want to lift their feet. I teach them the word "foot" because sometimes I want to touch their legs and don't want them to lift them. I always do their hooves in a certain order. Always front, back, then front, back. That way they know exactly what to expect.
I have found that when you approach something new with confident energy, horses generally don't react as badly as if you are approaching something with trepidation or nervousness. They can sense your feelings and will react accordingly.
When teaching them to lift their feet for the first time, I approach it with confidence but also with an eye to safety. I have taught rescue horses to lift their feet using my methods. I think people have the most trouble with hooves because they are nervous about it and the horse feeds off of it right away.
With the hinds, it is most natural for the horse to lift their foot forward rather than extended to the rear. They tend to jackhammer that foot up and down in response to it being extended. I start them with a soft cotton lead shank gently draped behind the fetlock. That way I am out of firing range. I gently pull the foot forward and if they are compliant, I set it down and praise them. I lift the foot repeatedly and when they seem comfortable doing so, I replace the rope with my hand and will actually rub their leg before attempting to lift it. With most horses, I am successful in lifting their feet in one session. I have learned to hang on when they start the jackhammering and generally most horses stop when they realize you have a hold on them. If you are not confident in doing so, then please for your own personal safety, continue with the rope or consult with someone qualified to help you.
Remember--respect on the ground is the basis for respect under saddle.
Tuesday, 1 October 2013
Do You Listen to Your Horse?
Today I will be writing the blog. I want to speak in a fashion to hopefully engage you to read.
When you are with your horses, do you leave your day behind or do you bring it to the barn with you?
I find that horses are our greatest teachers if only we could cut out all of the noise around us and be in the moment, we can learn so much from them.
Sometimes they are screaming at us and we just disregard what they are saying.
Put yourself in their shoes for just a moment. Imagine being tied up--so having your free will taken away when you are a fight or flight creature. Your main defense is to run away from danger. The creature that is coming at you had a fight with his wife before he came out to catch you. He is still upset and is being rough with you. You sense his mood and all you want to do is run away as far away as you can possibly get, yet there's this rope tying you to a fence and you are stuck in that fearful place.
Instead of recognizing your fear, they get angry with you for pulling back and trying to escape, making the situation worse. Then the horse is deemed stupid, or spooky or dangerous.
I have learned that most horse problems originate from problem people. When are people going to sit back and learn more about horses and how they tick?!?
It's always great to blame somebody else for your problems. Far easier than taking responsibility for your own actions.
I tell you, I have made many, many mistakes with my horses but instead of blaming them, I look at my own actions and behavior and 9.9 times out of 10 it is my fault. Had I been more present and listening to what they were saying, I could have avoided many a wreck.
I listen now and what I have learned is that they are very clear communicators if you are receptive to them.
Can you imagine being locked in a room filled with zombies who can't see and hear. You are screaming for help and the zombies just keep lurching around, staring vacantly ahead, not even acknowledging your presence.
All I'm saying is put yourself in their shoes. Try to listen to what they are saying, if you figure it out, watch the magic begin.
When you are with your horses, do you leave your day behind or do you bring it to the barn with you?
I find that horses are our greatest teachers if only we could cut out all of the noise around us and be in the moment, we can learn so much from them.
Sometimes they are screaming at us and we just disregard what they are saying.
Put yourself in their shoes for just a moment. Imagine being tied up--so having your free will taken away when you are a fight or flight creature. Your main defense is to run away from danger. The creature that is coming at you had a fight with his wife before he came out to catch you. He is still upset and is being rough with you. You sense his mood and all you want to do is run away as far away as you can possibly get, yet there's this rope tying you to a fence and you are stuck in that fearful place.
Instead of recognizing your fear, they get angry with you for pulling back and trying to escape, making the situation worse. Then the horse is deemed stupid, or spooky or dangerous.
I have learned that most horse problems originate from problem people. When are people going to sit back and learn more about horses and how they tick?!?
It's always great to blame somebody else for your problems. Far easier than taking responsibility for your own actions.
I tell you, I have made many, many mistakes with my horses but instead of blaming them, I look at my own actions and behavior and 9.9 times out of 10 it is my fault. Had I been more present and listening to what they were saying, I could have avoided many a wreck.
I listen now and what I have learned is that they are very clear communicators if you are receptive to them.
Can you imagine being locked in a room filled with zombies who can't see and hear. You are screaming for help and the zombies just keep lurching around, staring vacantly ahead, not even acknowledging your presence.
All I'm saying is put yourself in their shoes. Try to listen to what they are saying, if you figure it out, watch the magic begin.
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