Working in the Rain

So how many of you are willing to stand in the rain and work with your horses? I am not talking a little mist.. I am talking real rain, where you get cold and wet?

Do you think your kids would love to be with a horse this much?

Um.. warm fire and hot chocolate or rain and horses?? Even Shaman thinks he'd rather be cozy. (But I think it's good for a horse to learn sometimes he has to work in the rain!)

So, not to expect too much from Shaman, we got Black Elk out.. he's less concerned about discomfort.

Polly's working on having him listen to her by dropping his head.

 In case you think Polly would rather be somewhere else.. it was totally her choice..work in the rain or come back tomorrow.. this is what she wanted to do!

As usual, we had a blast! 

Teaching people and helping horses

It's been a great summer of teaching. New students, new challenges and lots of great feedback. I have a habit of trying to remember the good things.. Sure there is lots to gripe about, poor economy, my real estate career becoming bare bones, but life is short, so I try to focus on the good.

One of the highlights of my summer was my week long intensive with 9 year old Polly. She and my young Kiger really hit it off, and after a week, I saw a different horse.. He was more relaxed and much more accommodating. I see this as the power of love. Polly modeled firm and loving leadership with Shamen. Polly was a great student, but even more than that she was so much fun!  She is thoughtful and focused, and her focus grew with each day of working towards mastering her communication with Shaman.

This is what her Grandmother sent me, she told me to post it on my blog:

I would just like to say that it was truly a wonderful week for little Polly! I sensed that, it being summer and Orcas, that you had a  very busy week with many things besides "horse" lessons for Polly, but I must say it felt to me that when you were working with Polly you were so present with her each day, and clear and thoughtful about how each lesson would unfold.  Your enthusiasm and the love you have for what you are doing permeates the lessons. As you know, I was worried that Polly would be  disappointed not to be able to get up on a horse and ride this week. I feel that you  and you alone have taught her why it is important not to have done that and she was so happy with what you gave her, she hardly seemed to miss it. It seems that she really understands why. Your warmth and gentle, but firm and clear approach to Polly and what you are teaching is indeed a gift. In some ways I can see this work as therapy for these kids whose lives are so hectic and busy. I am glad we were able to make this available to Polly now when she is just 9 years old. It is a perfect age as she begins to see the world with a more global view.  These skills you have been teaching her I know will impact her relationships at school and at home. 

Even though I wish she could have been doing this ALL summer we are looking forward to another bit of time at the end of August!

Now Polly is back for a second week. She told me she was so upset she would not see Shaman or me again.. and was just told a few weeks ago, we had a plan for August. I was so tickled to see her, and we quickly picked up where we had left off.. a little review..and off we went.

Well, Shaman being the free thinking fellow he is, had to challenge her leadership. Small package does not mean small energy in Polly's case and Polly was up to the challange- using her core energy- her chi- to push Shaman out of her space to the outside of the round pen. Her grandmother, while watching, told me later.. 'whew.. that was really something!"

Mustangs are not the easiest of horses, they are bred for survival not mindless following of the rules. They like to make sure they are in good hands. Working with my students horses, I now see what good teachers they have been for me!

I often hear: "you make it look so easy'...

I have come to see that the trainer can step in and communicate with the horse and the horse often instantly responds, where as the student may have been struggling with this same issue for a long, long time. Often it's a little thing that stands in the way of communication. Like blocking the horses shoulder, or not positioning the horse correctly for the exercise, or just not standing your ground. I see 'problems' disappear during lessons.

The thing that I find so interesting is that although I can easily have the horse do as I bid, once the horse's person is taught the skills and master's those skills,  the quality of what the horse offers is so much greater. For example, I have a 15 year old student who has a Halflinger/Quarter Horse cross. Sadie, the mare is farily timid and was rather sluggish when asked to do anything. We worked her on a line for about a month and then in the round pen.

In the round pen, at liberty she came alive! She became much more engaged in the activity; was energetic and playful. Rosie had lots of draw with her mare. After a week with her open- hearted, loving owner, working in the round pen, she had given her heart. That week, Rosie rode her on a lunge line for the first time in a year,  and then we went downt to the River, just to see is we could work on getting Sadie's toes wet. To our surprise, the horse who had always been afraid of the water - happily followed her pal into the Nooksac River and they swam together.  I sat and watched in awe of this union!  We had worked on building a relationship, establishing leadership and respect, and here was the proof of the pudding. Love+Knowledge+Practice=Amazing Results!  WOW!!  And did I have a camera.. no!

The Intensive

Today I finished a one week intensive in Horsemanship with a smart and talented 9 year old girl, named Polly.  We met daily at 10 am at our farm, and she worked primarily with Shaman, our Kiger Mustang. This was his first week long intensive, and Polly's as well.

Shaman is a smart and determined guy, who was a good match for a strong willed and smart young woman! Here they are the first day getting to know one another at liberty.

After learning how to 'catch' your horse, by having him come to you, Polly learned to put on a rope halter.

Learning how to use the tools is part of the learning curve, giving the horse room so he's not claustrophobic. Tighter does not mean more control!

Polly then had a lesson in round pening, beginning to learn how important her body language is!

 Shaman liked coming in to hang out with Polly for scratches and rubs.

Day three was with Rascal who gave Polly a chance to see how her new skills worked on a different horse.

Polly is bending over to look at Rascal's butt - this game is to 'disengage' the horse and bring him into you. She is very clear in what she wants!  Focus is so very important and you cannot lose it for one minute!

Here Polly is doing the "yo-yo" game with Shaman. She stands still and moves him with the wiggle of her finger or the rope!

Then she asks him to come in to her, and he gets praised and stroked.

At the end of that session they played a game of 'follow me'.. Shaman liked this a lot!

Being nine, Polly asked me if I ever played with my horses... Ummm, I thought, well I think of everything I do as play, but when I saw her braid Shaman's forelock, I suggested we paint him like a war pony the next day. She said she was so excited she could hardly sleep that night.
So, we braided ribbons and feathers in his mane, and used finger paints to paint him up like a real Indian Pony. I am not sure who had more fun!   Shaman thought this was the easiest day of all!

Naturally we needed a cowboy hat for the photo shoot!

Shaman was such a good horse during the entire week. He got calmer and more relaxed each day with Polly. She has helped him grow into a better partner, and she grew leaps and bounds in her horsemanship skills!  Thanks Polly for such a fun week! I miss you already!

Horse Kisses

I learn so much from the kids. Like how just being with the horse is so important, not 'making them do something' just being, hanging out, and in Niah's case kissing. Those boys of mine love this little girl!  When I am struggling with something I often ask Niah and Kiatan to help. They are naturals. That's why kids are so often better  with horses than adults - they are natural in their way of  relating to horses. These two remarkable children are never in a hurry. They are patient and kind. They have helped me teach and relax my horses on many occassions.

 Niah is working with Shaman to lower his head.

 While most horses might find this a bit too much, with Niah it's fine!

Niah putting on Shaman's halter. He's relaxed, attentive and respectful. Niah is intent!

She's got him haltered and saddled up. I am a firm believer that until you can handle the horse easily and with confidence on the ground and your communication skills are really good, you should not be in the saddle. With so many people they have no fear...until they get hurt.. then they want nothing else to do with horses. Yep, 80% of people who get into horses get out the first year. So sad. If only they learned how to be safe and knowledgeable on the ground first they might get to enjoy horses for a lifetime!  Oh, Niah is 5 years old.

Not Your Average Lesson Horses!

Teaching is now a daily part of my life. I have students coming and going most of the day, and spend a day or two in Whatcom County up by Deming and Glacier with three students there. It's challenging, fun and sometimes very tiring.


My lesson horses are my four mustangs adopted from the wild. They can be soft and gentle and they can be full of beans. In so many of my photos they are looking so relaxed and are so very gentle it's easy to forget how powerful they can be. The dun horse is Shaman, a 6 yr old Kiger. Gelded late, he's the pretty boy with perfect conformation.

They love it when all the gates are open and they can blast up and down the hills!

 Black Elk,  my 4 year old from Northern Nevada has the white socks.

I think I'd call this Horse Play!

 And then, because they are mustangs and they have a quick response, but also a quick let down to relaxation, they settle in and eat.

Ranger and Ina - Lesson Eight

 Unlike many school horses the boys are so happy to interact!

They think people are very intersting and it's nice to get a good scratch!

Ranger is a firey Spanish Mustang who is very, very light and responsive - often too responsive. Ina is centered and quiet and brand new to working with horses. She has made great progress learning the 7 games and communicating with Ranger, who is not an easy horse, and not what most would consider a beginner's horse. He is very often on HIGH ALERT.

Time is always taken for the friendly game and Ranger is asked to turn and lower his head. This has been hard for him, but now it is beginning to come rather easily and even without asking.

Ranger used to play the circling game inverted and high headed. Now he has learned that he can stretch and relax. Once he got this concept he is offering it readily. He was one of those horses who I wondered if he'd ever get it!

This posture is so good for the horse both physically and mentally.

Rascal says oh so boring... I know all this stuff!

I think I'll lead him around and tell him what to do.. I've been waiting fort this!

So Much More Than Riding Lessons!

Yesterday, my new student, Ina came for her third lesson with the horses. She is new to horses and yet is obviously called to them. She is gentle and quiet and respectful. The horses respond to her beautifully. She told me that two lessons a week is 'not enough!'.

The horses were all sleeping, laying down for their afternoon siesta when she arrived. What to do? Go jostle them to get up? No, instead, we wandered over to where they lay to sit with them while they dozed. You can learn alot while just hanging out. For example, who feels compelled to get up and not lay there? Of course it was Ranger. Ranger feels he is the herd leader and must be in control and protect the others. Sometimes I can almost hear him say: "If you want to get something done right - you need to do it yourself!"  So even though Ranger is not the biggest or the smartest, he is the leader.

Ranger not only got up but went to greet Ina.  He is a very soft and careful horse, so I felt comfortable with Ina just waiting. Often being smaller than the horse gives them a chance to feel confident enough to be curious about you and gain confidence about your relationship.

So much respect with one another. Trust. That's what it's all about with horses, getting them to trust you and you trusting them. Walter Zettle says: "You must trust your horses!"  Imagine, they must trust us enough to let us straddle them and go where we tell them, and yet to sit still while on your knees takes courage for most.

 Such a blessing to wait, hang out and engage. A beautiful communication.

Then Rascal the curious came over and said hello. With horses on both sides, I encouraged Ina to get up quietly.

We are working on developing a 'soft feel'. Well, I don't  claim to be Tom Dorance but having a horse resond to you with the gentlest of suggestions is bliss. To be asked so gently to turn your head, with a light combing hand must feel so much better to a horse. So, Ina and Ranger worked on this.

Ranger has been very frightened about a rope over his butt, which he demostrated to Ina in a very clear way. So, I had her start with the rope at his withers and drew it back and forth across his withers ever go gently. A few inches at a time she moved the rope back towards his butt, pulling the rope from side to side. In the next few photos you can see, how it ended up around his butt and she gently pulled him in a circle away from her.

Here he is looking a bit uncertain, but Ina's quietness reassures him and gently she asks for more.

Ranger responds quietly and with confidence and turns in a circle.

Ina felt she had learned a big lesson with this exercise: that each horse, each individual has it's own rythym and if we can remain patient with their process, at their own pace they will learn and respond.

 

One of her gifts to me was saying; 'This is so much more than riding lessons! I could learn to ride anytime. I think about what I am learning here all week long."

So what do I call this? Horse lessons? Life Lessons?? The school of the Horse? You tell me!