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I see a lot in books about horses and the “fight or flight” instinct. Horses being prey animals they prefer flight. Supposedly us being predators we prefer to stand and fight. Hmmmm, I have been looking around and what I see more and more is “fight, flight or FREEZE”.
When a horse is tense it needs to move, and that can mean MOVE. If a rider is tense too then the rider wishes the horse to be calm and obedient, and as a true predator type being will try to control the situation by controlling the head of the horse and pinning it down. This, when ridden, usually means that the rider grabs hold of the reins and pulls!
Here we have two opposing types of character, each with
Hmm, still processing some recent learning. This part is stuff that I have been trying to put into words for years, but explaining my thoughts to someone in America has crystallised my feelings into better words. It’s about confidence, and
The first idea I played with on returning from America was the idea of giving a strong enough signal that the horse can find the release. That was a nice safe topic to start. I also observed and thought about something else I observed. The cutting trainer had a whole stable full of lovely horses, all active, soft, athletic and full in their ability to express themselves. I observed this man on a green horse, and that horse was attempting to “play out” his ideas on what he should or should not be doing.
This horse’s ideas did not be a match with the job in hand, but the rider did not become upset or tense, he showed the horse what was required and got out of the way to allow the horse to comply. He did not STOP the horse forcefully
OK, last month I set off for America to see how the “Cowboy Magic” works, (see my Blog from April).While I was there I had all the help and support I could wish for, and I have now also had a week back home to think about what I have experienced.
I rode the real life cowboy horses belonging to two trainers, both horses were ridden in big bits and spurs, and were relaxed and soft, collected and able. I also had the privilege of being able to
Just two days before I flew out to America, my black dog Isis had to be put to sleep. She has been with us nearly 11 years now, and it is a great loss. It was softened though by
