Easton Horsemanship's blog post
Horses are good for the soul. No matter if I am riding, working with, visiting or just observing our horses I am always uplifted. There is something about a horse's essence that brings forth emotions of wellness mixed with awe. Inner joy and smiling with one's heart are also benefits of sharing space with these majestic creatures.
I have heard it said that when dealing with horses, get them gentle. Strong advice that comes to me by way of Buck Brannaman taught to him by Ray Hunt. Get 'em gentle. I have really taken this advice to heart as well as spent time reflecting upon the idea of a gentle horse. Following this advice leads to advancement in many areas of horsemanship.
Forward thinking is a concept that can be construed a few different ways. One can dwell upon the future, worrying about every little aspect and how best to avoid pitfalls. Others may disregard the future, feeling that it is best to "cross that bridge" when you come upon it. Forward thinking to me, is living in the moment with an awareness toward possible outcomes as situations unfold. All while maintaining a sense of the long view.
No matter the reason for wanting to purchase a horse, I offer some helpful advice. First of all, be sure and make a list of parameters for any potential horses. This may be age or the level of education that a horse has. Size, shape, and build are all important details as well. Get specific. The more you are aware of what you do want, the easier it will be to seek out the horse that is right for you
I have heard it said that horses don't like horse trainers. Buck Brannaman has mentioned this at a couple of his clinics that I have attended. At first I laughed at the thought of this. Part of it made sense to me. The other half, of putting this to practice, eluded me for years. I struggled with the idea of not training horses while I continued to do just that, train.?!
With horses there is a working relationship that the horse and human develop. The relationship becomes, over time, a partnership. The main question then becomes "Who's the boss?" Or, at least, who holds more stock in the company. Often times it is the horse who is the major shareholder. The one who has the final say in which direction the company is headed.
This may be a funny analogy but there is definite truth in it. Anytime there are two parties involved in anything, one of them assumes the lead role. Now you may be thinking, "I pay all the bills and assure that no one goes hungry. This alone dictates who the boss is, right?"
How we behave around horses speaks a lot about who we are as a human. The way we care for, as well as treat them in general, points towards how we carry ourselves. I have heard it said from a very inspirational Yoga teacher, Lynne Minton, that integrity is how we act when no one is watching. I feel that dealing with horses relates very similarly to this statement. Horses can bring out the best in a person. Sadly though, the reverse is also true.
This week I would like to discuss the topic of the green horse (uneducated) and the newer rider combination. It seems far too often that newer riders romanticize the idea of pairing up with a green horse. The idea being that the horse and themselves will both learn together. This to me is a very bad idea where neither party wins.
I have been having a fabulous weekend soaking up information at the Buck Brannaman clinic here in Bozeman. Though I have attended quite a few of these clinics I always pick up new information. Sometimes I am reminded of some key points that I had forgotten to implement. I really enjoy learning and seeing others excited about improving their own skills. Watching Buck ride is always an inspiration to keep improving upon my riding and understanding of horses.
As we are in the weekend leading up to the Fourth of July celebrations I will keep it short and sweet. Just a quick reminder to be safe out there during these busy days. Trail congestion is common and many of us are sharing outdoor space. I know when I come across other folks out there I can only be responsible for myself and my own horse. I like to give a wide berth to others and am extra careful when dogs are present.
As a horse owner and being who I am, I feel it as a part of me to offer my horses a nice home. One where they can be safe and happy. Happy enough that is, considering that they are domesticated animals that could easily thrive wandering in the wild. This factor contributes to how my wife and I maintain our horse dwelling. We try to keep it a fairly natural environment. One where they have their space and we have ours. Their space being a place where they are free to roam, eat, sleep and play.
Almost any horse that I come across is either herd bound or barn sour. Horses by nature are herd animals. Safety for them, comes from traveling together. They really don't have a sense of I. Horses feel that they each are an integral part of the collective group. For us as humans to try and get them over seeking the herd for comfort is next to impossible. That would go against nature. What we can do is help a horse to feel comfortable with being away from the herd. Allowing the horse to gain confidence in following our lead.
I am filled with a sense of gratitude and well being as I reflect on my life and how it relates to horses. The ability to ride often and be around horses daily is a part of my life that fills me with great joy. I feel that when it comes to my riding and commitment to horses, I am driven by a fullness inside myself that stems from living a lifestyle around horses. My passion for advancement is fueled from this. Being in the saddle and having such a willing partnership with my horse is a feeling that, to me, is unequalled.
Learning to drive your horses is not only fun, it helps a horse to be more willing and responsive to your cues. Teaching a horse to seek out the correct response on their own is an invaluable tool. One that I learned from the late Peter Campbell.
A few years ago Joanna and I pulled our horses down to Wyoming to attend a ranch immersion clinic of Peter’s. We and a small group of others stayed right there at Peter and Trina's place. We spent the week riding by day and telling stories by night.
Excitement is building. As of late, the big melt is upon us. Roads, trails, and valleys are turning to afternoon rivers. The footing around here is shifting from snow packed and icy, to something that may pass as a safe place to work a horse. That coupled with the recent time change will begin directing things, around here, to full horse mode. Exciting indeed.
As the snow around here begins to melt off and patches of bare ground appear on once snow covered ground, my thoughts turn towards riding. There have been winters in the past where I have been able to ride in our arena in February. This year is not one of those years. The snow has been piled deep and areas prone to drifts are sufficiently buried. Our horses have enjoyed a steady supply of hay and days off.
So much of the way that I work with and around horses is tied to how I carry myself around them. I carry myself a certain way around them because I know how closely they are watching. Not to say that every little thing I do is going to induce a response. What I am saying is that knowing what I want before I start toward my horse determines how I approach them.
How we behave around horses speaks a lot about who we are as a human. The way we care for, as well as treat them in general, points towards how we carry ourselves. I have heard it said from a very inspirational Yoga teacher, Lynne Minton, that integrity is how we act when no one is watching. I feel that dealing with horses relates very similarly to this statement. Horses can bring out the best in a person. Sadly though, the reverse is also true.
Winter seems to be in full swing. A layer of ice has coated many of the flat surfaces and the snow remains a generous ground cover. Just yesterday I led a horse up to our barn for a maintenance trim. We had to delicately make our way along the treacherous area that lies just in front of the doors. I gingerly walked across the solid ice and kindly asked my horse to follow. He made his way safely behind me. I could see in him a questioning look as to why we were traversing where no horses had ventured all week.
I have heard it said that horses don't like horse trainers. Buck Brannaman has mentioned this at a couple of his clinics that I have attended. At first I laughed at the thought of this. Part of it made sense to me. The other half, of putting this to practice, eluded me for years. I struggled with the idea of not training horses while I continued to do just that, train.?!