Expressions...

Snickers

Luna

I have been reading a book called "Beyond the Dream Horse - A Revealing Perspective on Attaining a True Relationship" by Michael Bevilacqua.  The book is about working with horses in an empowered manner and using positive reinforcement, although it's mainly about his journey to this point in working with horses.  

BJ

Usually when I read books like this I feel jealous of the person and have difficulty reading the entire book.  They usually seem so confident and all-knowing and it makes me feel...small. This book, however, is different.  Though I'm not nearly finished with it, I have already traveled this path. I've been here before.  The things he describes I've felt at various times and those feelings led me here - to a seemingly cold and lonely place. It's nice to know that I'm not alone.  I highly, highly recommend this book to all horse people.  

Luna

Angel

He talks a lot about the way the horses looked at him when he did various common training techniques.  This is what stopped me from continuing down that path, too.  Thankfully, living with my horses at home for the very first time removed the judgement that comes from boarding them and being watched by the other people there. I was free to try whatever I wanted and to do things my own way.  Now that they are boarded at this pasture I find myself considering changing how I do things.  NO!  God no, it's so important that I DO NOT do this!  

Tequila

I also just finished reading "Quiet" by Susan Cain.  It's about introverts and how we try to make our way in an extroverted world.  I think the horse world is completely extroverted, but then I remind myself that introverts have no desire for the spot light, and so what you see are heavily marketed extrovert trainers that take little time to reflect on anything.  They are all about action and results.  They rarely innovate, although they would have you believe that everything they come up with is all new.  It NEVER is!  Even this other way of being with horses really isn't new, it's just pushed aside for something more obvious and easily sold to the public.  It's difficult to sell empowerment, because most people don't want that kind of responsibility.  


Early on I found myself shying away from that world.  The thought of having to make my way in some huge barn focused on income and shows makes my stomach heave.  That kind of atmosphere sucks all the marrow out of working with horses in any meaningful way. To me, it's about the relationship, not about showing off. 

Angel

Jesse - One of the most communicative horses I have ever known.
This picture doesn't do him justice!

In "Quiet" Cain talks about Gandhi's theory of non-violence, what he called "quiet persistence".  I don't mean this in the sense of asking the horse for something over and over again - with an eye on the results.  I mean it in terms of a relationship, of trying to reach that point of understanding, of not knowing how it will happen, but believing completely that it will.  

In spite of my feeble attempts, I know in my heart that when I go out to the horses and look them in the eye that they want this as much as I do.  When we had to leave them there my husband was so sad.  In his heart he believes the same thing.  The way they look at us communicates so much.  I think some of the photos taken of them over the past few years reveals some of those expressions.  It is painful to be separated from them for so long.  They are more than transportation or animals for showing, they are a part of our lives.  

Luna

Tequila

If the relationship with your horse is more important than competing and winning, more than just a creature to ride, read Bevilaqua's book.  I also recommend Imke Spilker's book "Empowered Horses".  Both books can give direction as to how to approach your horse in a new way.  My advice is to open your mind, believe in an alternate possibility and observe what happens when you groom your horse, tack them up, ride them, train them.  
Unlike every other training method and trainer, this time you have only yourself and your horse to rely on.  

Luna and I

When you put aside all the "shoulds" and "methods" and ideas about what everyone else thinks is right (including this idea itself),
What's left?  Just you and your horse.  What feels right? What doesn't?  That's all.  


See what happens.
See what happens?

Doug and Snickers

Bella, my "little Buddha"

Snickers, Doug and Luna - note the body language going on...

Selling Out

I believe that all situations provide a chance to learn, either about ourselves or our horses.  Yesterday I learned a lot. Yesterday, for the first time in my life, I sold one of my horses.  Prior to this I had only returned one to the BLM and had to put down my old horse which is to be expected.

I never thought I'd have the courage to sell a horse.  It's only something I would do in an extreme situation, I thought.  I truly love all my horses, including Tequila, the horse I sold. If you follow this blog you know that she was up for sale and probably read about her.  I have had her for ten years, how could I let her go?

Here it is: one thing this taught me was that even with the best of intentions we get caught up in our ego and pride often takes over.  I constantly told myself that I needed to finish her training, get her going, etc. But things kept interfering.  We were both caught in circumstances not of our choosing.  Tequila never got the time from me she deserved.  I felt guilty, which brought a sense of urgency to the training.  "I need to get this done!  I have to ride her NOW".  It's difficult to have patience under those conditions - I gave myself too much pressure. Then  I put it on her - she  had to perform well for me.  When she didn't, when she got nervous I got frustrated.  It only made things worse. 

When we moved out of our house in Rifle, losing our pasture and facing the fact of having to board five horses, we took an honest look at them.  I knew that the broke horses would sell more quickly and so I bravely suggested selling Angel and Snickers.  My husband kept silent, for many weeks.  Finally he said, "I think we should sell Tequila." At first I thought "NO! She isn't finished!" Then I really thought about it.  We both really enjoy our other horses.  In spite of their beginnings, Angel and Snickers fit us and our lifestyle. They are easy and a pleasure to work with.  Since my new job will take a lot of time, I know that I can be productive with them in the short time I will have with them this summer.  I can also make time for Luna, who really needs me.

So, with a clear conscience we put Tequila up for sale.  It wasn't that easy, though.  It's hard to let go of something that you have worked on for so long.  Yet it is also letting go of a burden that you have had for too long.  She always hung over my head and all this time I felt guilty.  It actually feels good to turn her over to someone else.  

Here is what happened yesterday.  A young couple showed up to look at her and since she was to be the husband's horse, he took the lead.  He started trying to bond with her right away.  He spent a good two and a half hours with her, riding her in the round pen and out and about.  At one point he fell off because the saddle slipped and she freaked out.  He had patience though and as I watched them together I saw that she was wanting to trust him but really tested him too.   At one point I tried to step in and help him with her and Tequila gave me this look that said "Butt out, Mom.  This is my thing."  

Doug having a talk with Tequila

So I stepped way back and watched someone else take over.  I saw his patience, I saw how she tried things and when they were ignored or caused no reaction she relaxed.  His confidence gave her strength and although she acted really badly yesterday I think it made him want to take her and work with her.  They knew that they were buying a cheap horse and why she was cheap and accepted that. 

In the end I was so pleased with everything.  She found the right home and I felt good about letting someone else take over.  As I made the long drive back to Grand Junction, I realized that the guilt was gone.  Tequila had let me know she agreed with the situation, too.  Everything is right and never in a million years did I think it would turn out this way.  

Recently I was trying to accomplish many things at once - selling my horse, moving and looking for a horse property to rent, perhaps looking to buy a horse trailer and certainly rent one.  I went to all the places I had gone before, but that had been about 6 or 7 years ago.  Why would anything be different?


Oh, but it was...!  My good old go-to, the Thrifty Nickel, was no longer the place to find pasture to rent, or horse property or much else it seemed.  I wanted to buy an ad to sell my horse but it was going to be about $35 dollars without a photo.  I cringed - it didn't use to cost that much!  I couldn't find any horse property to rent, either.  


Somehow we worked around the lack of information and I posted an ad for the horse on Craig's list, found pasture board for the others, finally found a trailer to rent, and then we moved.  While poking around on-line looking for other ways to post my horse ad, I discovered many, many horse selling websites.  They weren't there a few years ago, from what I remember.  I hadn't bought, sold or looked at horses on-line for a while.  Yes, I'm an old lady!  Way too conventional, I guess...


So, here I am, sharing with those who might care, what I found.  Below is a list of horse websites where you can buy and sell horses, trailers, property, tack and everything else.  I have found these sites very useful and easy to use. If anyone has even better information, please share!  


www.equinenow.com
(Free to post horses for sale)
www.horseclicks.com
(Free to post horses for sale)


www.giddyupflix.com
(Horse movies and nothing but horse movies! Very cool!)


www.newhorse.com
(Great at listing boarding places too)


www.dreamhorse.com


www.equine.com

There is one word that is rarely mentioned in any training book or philosophy.  Trust is used a lot, and so is obey respect, and things like that.  One hardly ever hears the word "kind" in conjunction with horse training. Kindness...what if this was the first thing you were told about working with horses, to always be kind to them?  Some have said it, but usually at the end of the book, like an afterthought.  What if it were the first word?

Tequila

I think that very few of us intend NOT to be kind to horses, but we are taught to have a certain attitude and manner around horses.  We must be "in charge", not allow them to get the better of us, we must always be vigilant in case they become violent or irrational.  Not everyone buys in to that, I know, but more people do than do not.  I sure did.

When I realized how I had treated my horses, the way I ordered them around like some kind of false general, how obnoxious I was, I stopped.  I had always believed that they understood the meaning of what we said through our tone of voice. What was my voice saying?  I sounded like a prison guard.  The horses reacted slowly the "stronger" and more demanding I got.  They acted dumb, like they didn't understand.  When I changed the way I spoke to them - softly, as if talking to my friend or using a gentle push to ask them to step back, they reacted quickly and willingly. It was amazing to me.

Kindness is underrated when working with horses.  It should be primary - it is a sign of respect.  So many trainers use that word - respect, "we need to gain the horse's respect!" Isn't it a two-way street?  Doesn't respect go both ways?  Shouldn't you give them respect, and if so, what does that entail?

This is my horse Angel.  When she looks at me, it feels full of meaning.
There is something in those eyes and expression - she is watching me.

Here is what I mean - be gentle and treat them like you would an old friend.  Move around them with awareness, be fully present with them when you groom and put on tack.  Be fully present when you work with them.  Tune it to what's going on with them.  How are you brushing them?  Do they like it or are they trying to get away from you?  It should always feel good to them to be groomed - it's not just "the first step before you ride".  It's a way to connect and it's a kindness.  Move slowly and confidently around them - they are large and you are small and quick.  Moving more slowly is relaxing for both of you and builds trust way before you get to the round pen.

When you are thoughtful about what you do around your horse and are willing to be present (no talking on the phone, talking to someone else, not thinking about the last argument you had with someone, but paying attention to the horse) magic happens.  The relationship changes, the trust is there before you start "working" and more things are possible because they are willing to follow you.  Though not because you have dominated them and won't allow anything but complete obedience, but because they choose to, because they like you.  Isn't that what we all have really wanted all this time, a partnership?

Snickers and Luna

If you want to be a complete horseman (or horsewoman) I encourage you to read as much as you can on the subject.  Read every horse book there is, even ones you think you won't agree with.  You should know WHY you don't agree. So read, read, read.  Go to clinics, all kinds of clinics.  Don't become a disciple of any one, listen to them all.  Immerse yourself in all that knowledge, and all the differing opinions.  Try it out, see if it works and if anyone of them is correct. Practice what you have learned, try it out. Experiment.  Take lessons, ask questions, don't prevent any information from entering your mind.  At some point you will become confused and realize that most of what you hear is one of three things:

1. The same thing someone else said.
2. The complete opposite of what someone else said.
3. Something completely new and different.

Almost everything really falls under #1.  However, that doesn't matter.  You need to see this for yourself.
There are also many, many contradictions in horse training.  Ask yourself why this is.  Look for the new and different.  This is easy because there is very, very little that is new and different.

Once you have done all this, and have a thorough knowledge of horse training theory, philosophy and method, throw it all out.


Only then can you trust yourself and realize that you know what you need to know already, the tools are there.

However, you won't believe this until you read everything there is first.

Only then can you rise above and attain true knowledge.

And come home again.

We have now moved to Boulder, leaving the horses on pasture together.  Snickers, Angel, Luna and Tequila are all in a large pasture with 9 other horses in New Castle, about ten miles from Silt.  I moved Bella over with Charlee, the lone horse who lives at Lisa's house.  They are close in age and temperament and are keeping each other company.  Both seem quite happy about that. 

Bella and Charlee

Charlee, giving the "Flemen Response" to Bella being in heat
(curled upper lip)

On the other hand, I am not.  There is a big empty space in my life, a lack of exercise and purpose.  I don't have to feed anyone but people, I don't have to bring in or turn out any horses.  I don't have to wake up in the morning.  I don't have to muck the pens or check water tanks.  While it's kind of nice, in one sense, it also feels kind of wrong.  Shouldn't I be doing something at 8am?  Or at 5:30pm?  No one greets me with an obnoxious nicker whenever I pull in the driveway, or looks longingly at me.  There is no one to hug, or to observe in the pasture.  There is no one to groom or give carrots to.  No one comes tearing in from the back pasture to see what we are doing.  


Oh how I miss them!  

Bella, Tequila and Charlee (both photos)

Two things make it worse: we never found the cat after he ran off on our last night and the people who moved in are pretending to be horse lovers and are also pretending to help us find the cat.

Angel at the new pasture

Luna, also at the new pasture

Let me explain.  Our cat, Nemo, is borderline wild.  He warmed up to me but was skittish around other people.  I am not the kind of person who is proud of this, and in fact wished he wasn't so shy.  But, that's how he was.  The last night we were home, packing up the trailer to take the last load, the new renters and all kinds of people showed up to walk through the house.  Maxine (not her real name), the new renter, claims to have seen him (but we doubt this since she had no idea what he looked like and other cats used to stop by).  She SCREAMED "There he is!" and pointed.  If you are a cat person, you know why this is just all wrong and irritating.  Ever since then she claims to have seen him several times and told me she would lock him in the garage and call me right away.  That was a week ago, and now I know my husband was right - she was probably lying to make me feel better.  

Nemo

Last week (before she promised to lock the cat in the garage) I stopped by the old house to visit with Maxine, who told me Nemo comes by around 4pm.  Kind of weird because he always came home around 5 or 6pm, when I fed the horses.   Whatever.  Anyway, I visited with her for several hours and noticed that her horses didn't come to the gate to visit with her, or nicker, or run up when I pulled in.  My horses always ran up when anyone pulled in, just like dogs... Her horses shyly came to the fence only when I went out on the pasture to look for the cat.  They seemed to love the attention.  


Yes, I know, perhaps I am reading too much in to things, but from what she told me (and didn't tell me) and the way all her animals acted, and all the things she told me about my cat (yes, my cat!) I think she bends the truth.  I don't think she's good with horses, either, but maybe her husband is.  She is a pretend cowgirl! (Cue music).


Yes, this may be sour grapes over not living there...  Having someone who doesn't appreciate it like we did only makes it worse. Having someone who pretends to care about helping find your cat is even worse.  Yes, I am saying some mean things in public, but I don't think people like that should go Scot free. Plus I haven't told you her real name... and I won't.  I could have said much worse, you know?  She mentioned three or four times how she would rather be back in Idaho.  I agreed.  

Dun horse, Luna and Snickers (Dun is a new friend).
 They are watching what is happening below:

Angel and Tequila running circles around the other horses, lol!
Note how their legs are moving almost in unison...

Horse for Sale - "Tequila"
Asking $800

"Tequila" is a 12 year old mustang mare, adopted from a herd collected in Nevada when she was 2.  She is a cute little buckskin, about 15h. She will trailer load, lunge, is good with her feet and has had quite a bit of general ground work. Also outstanding on the trail and generally fearless when out and about.  She ties and has been started with the clippers. She is very loving and will give hugs once she trusts you. She has had both English and Western saddles and ridden with a snaffle. 

Overall she is very healthy and is the dominant horse in the herd. She has a very smooth trot - it's a gaited trot like a Paso Fino (it is not a two beat trot) so she is very comfortable to ride for long periods. She is well started, but needs someone with confidence and experience to bring her along.

She is also a very self-confident horse that will fight back if pushed aggressively.

  

That said, she would make an awesome trail horse, her feet are great and she really wants to bond with someone.  Unfortunately, we have to scale back on the horses and I will be working at a job where I just can't give her the attention she needs. I hate to have to sell her, but don't have a choice at this point. 

I would really like her to go to the right person more than anything.  If you would like to know more or would like to come and see her, she is located in Rifle. Please leave a message on this post or contact me at:


carizanc@gmail.com

Changing the way horse people think about horse training


I read an article yesterday called "The Dog Whisperer Should Just Shut Up" by Curtis Pesmen (there is a link below). The article talks about Cesar's methods and how they are dominant and aggressive and the fact that he has no "credentials". So, what does Cesar Millan, "The Dog Whisperer" have to do with horse training?  In one sense, everything.  His dog training methods are nearly identical to Clinton Anderson's and most traditional horse training.  It's all about dominance, being the "pack leader", using the animals' "own language" to become part of the group and control them. What's wrong with that?  I mean, using the animal's own language sounds somehow intuitive, doesn't it? And what about the fact that most clinicians do NOT have any credentials from a college or university, but merely have put in many hours with other horse trainers?  What does that say about the horse training industry?  It says we value experience more than education, but I don't think anyone will be speaking out against those trainers publicly. 


If a horse trainer has won some competitions, has a TV show and a DVD training series, travels around giving clinics and is "good with horses", those are considered credentials enough. How many of them have degrees in Equine Science?  How many of them know any theories about animal or horse behavior specifically?  I don't know.  None of the clinicians I know of has ever mentioned any credentials besides...other horsemen (if that. Many say they came up with it all on their own).  What I'm talking about here are the more "Western" style clinicians, the ones who are really making the big bucks and marketing themselves.  


On the other hand, the dressage folks certify instructors and judges and have rules that govern many aspects of the sport.  They lean towards education and rules. Those at the highest level of the sport still have coaches and take riding lessons.  That doesn't make it perfect, but at least there is a group of people overseeing things that makes sure someone who teaches and trains knows what they are doing. 


Aside from the fact that many clinicians and backyard trainers are not educated, the overall (English or western) attitude is that "if it's been done this way forever, it's the way to do it forever".  I bought in to all of it, too -the "joining up" in the round pen, the need to dominate the horse, the fact that they are unpredictable and dangerous.   I also bought in to the "sacking out" technique - just keep rubbing that tarp on the horse until they give in...after weeks, months, yes they might give in.  Some give in right away and others fight it, but in the end it's all learned helplessness.  Yes, that's right - they do "learn" to "accept" the tarp, but they don't necessarily like it, either. I believe that these methods only bring out aggression in horses, causing them to become more dangerous and unpredictable because we are in essence pressuring them (my mentor even used that very word - pressuring).


In the world of horse training, all of these things are widely accepted and never questioned by horse people.  The longer someone has been a "horse person", the more likely they are to accept these things and the more immune they become to what is really happening. No one who has been working with horses since they were ten years old thinks that they are mistreating a horse.  No one who has been competing horses since the age of ten thinks that they are doing anything wrong. 
That's exactly what the problem is - this is how we have ALWAYS trained horses.  Few folks wonder if it's the right way.

My Mom with Luna and Snickers

If more horsemen got an education such as a basic equine science degree, they would be less likely to keep traditions alive that are harmful or don't work. They might think very differently about how they do things.  They would know that many wives tales about horse behavior, disease and reproduction are just that, wives tales. If they learned merely to question what they are doing perhaps they would be more open minded about new ways of training. I know I did, and it stopped me from being "that kind" of trainer. We are all empowered trainers, empowered to do what we feel is right regardless of what the status quo is. 


 I've said it before in other posts in this blog and I'll say it again here.  Dominance is not necessary in horse training and neither is tap-tap-whack, or an aggressive "do it now" mentality. I firmly believe horses are naturally submissive and are cooperative when you treat them with respect.  It isn't necessary to force them to do things, much less do it quickly.  Give them time to think and they will get it much more quickly plus they will be "using the thinking side of their brains", to quote Mr. Anderson.  Isn't that what we want, after all?
Aggression begets aggression, every time.  Kindness, trust and respect return to you tenfold. 


If you agree or disagree I'd love to hear your thoughts! 


 Below is a link to the article about Cesar Millan:


http://www.esquire.com/features/ESQ1006-ESQ100_20-21.FINAL.rev_1?src=soc_fcbk

What road will you travel?

The Thinking Horse Trainer 


After my earlier experiments in empowered stuff (training doesn't seem the right word),  the weather turned for the past month.  The few bright spots I spent cleaning manure with a horse day here and there.  Today is a brilliantly sunny and perfectly warm day, not too hot nor cold nor windy.  I went out and started mucking since this really needs to be done badly.  At least I think so, but the horses spend a lot of time standing on the pile where I dump the manure...

Love at the manure pile

Sleeping on the manure pile

Rolling and sleeping on the manure pile.
Why do I bother cleaning the pens? 

The horses all approached me, except Bella, one by one and in their own time.  They checked to see what I was doing, if I were giving out treats (they are polite when they ask - a sniff of pockets and hands is all) and then moved on.  Luna, however, kept coming back for scratching and attention.  Snickers kept coming back hoping for something to happen, I think.   He is so curious about what's going on, as if he might be missing something.

This is Snicker's favorite place to hang out and see what's going on

I like that they approach me and yet have this politeness too. That's new - Snickers used to push me and bite at my pockets.   He is giving me more respect now and I give him the same.  It feels almost magical how things changed from just a few encounters, how they know.  Everything in the Empowered Horses book is happening.  I see a new direction and a much easier one, too.  It happens first in your mind and intention and is translated somehow to them.  

If anyone is reading this, all I can tell you is to follow your heart and treat your horse like you would treat your best friend - literally.