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Julie & Sherry at Calamus
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JANUARY NEWSLETTER
Hello everyone,
As I plan for 2006 I am so excited to report that my schedule is filling up fast. Many of you have expressed interest in attending a class this year, so look it over closely for a place near you, and make your plans now by registering early. Or if there is not a place near you, I have a couple of dates still open that you could host a clinic in your area.
As I reflect on the past year I realize that I have learned so much and progressed even further than I thought was possible. As many of you know I quit a teaching job at a one-room school last May in to pursue my passion of instructing natural horsemanship full time. The very same month I was injured in a horse accident that I am still recovering from through lots of physical therapy. (I use the term accident loosely as it was actually my fault.) The point is, that many changes have occurred in the past year that have stretched my creativity as well as challenged my patience and endurance.
I would like to share with all of you a very important lesson that I have learned this year.
#1 Being able to read the subtle responses that a horse exposes and responding to them correctly is the most important ingredient in safety.
When a horse shows signs of unconfidence, fear, intimidation, agitation, reaching a threshold, going into self-preservation mode, it is the worst time for us to just keep doing whatever it is that we are doing. It is the time that we need to step back, relax and put our thinking caps on before proceeding.
If the reaction of the horse is MILD then all you may need to do is stop and relax giving your horse time to do the same. Sometimes all they need is a little wait time to process things, or realize what they are looking at, and understand what you are asking.
If the reaction is MEDIUM then a retreat and asking them to do something else in order to direct their thinking may be enough. The important concept to remember is approach and retreat until the horse shows no concern and can totally focus on the partnership again.
If the reaction is SEVERE, gaining your horses confidence, trust, and willingness will take patience on your part, because it means lots of retreat. It may mean changing your plans for the day in order to manage the horse in a way that develops the partnership in a positive way. It means that no matter what your goals and time limits are that you won't push the horse over an emotional cliff so that he has to resort to the crazy things that horses do while in self-preservation mode. It means that you will do what it takes to keep you and your horse safe by proper preparation, support and taking the time it takes.
My injury with Dolly was a perfect example of a horse in the severe reaction mode, and yet I chose to ignore her communication to me. I kept doing what was not working, by pushing her over the edge. The worst part is that I knew better. Therefore it is no surprise that she reacted violently. It was totally my fault. She gave me plenty of warning, and then finally she just said, "I've had enough. If you want to go over there so bad, here let me help you," and she launched me in the direction that was beyond her threshold.
I hear people saying things like this all the time after an injury or accident with a horse:
"My horse seemed ancy when I saddled up, but I rode anyway."
"I knew things didn't feel quite right, but I thought it would get better.....and then......."
"It didn't feel any better after walking him around, but...we ..........anyway."
"I guess I should have not tried that we weren't really ready for it."
"Usually he's fine with ........(fill in the blank) "
"Well he's never done that before....."
"When I'm at home he's fine, I can't believe this is the same horse."
"All of a sudden, out of nowhere, with no warning....."
"After I thought he seemed fine I......."
All of the above comments tell us that we probably misread the horse or chose to ignore the signs continuing on with our own agenda no matter what the horse was feeling or thinking. We shouldn't be mad at the horse when things go wrong, because we are part of the problem in the partnership. Or we can choose to be part of the solution by being a sensitive, caring, patient, confident, and knowledgeable leader in the partnership.
I'm not putting anyone down who has done this, because I am also totally guilty. But hopefully I have learned my lesson in a big way this past year. Unfortunately it was a very costly and painful lesson, but fortunately I won't forget it any time soon.
Hope that you had a very Happy New Year, and that I will see you in 2006.
Be safe and have fun with your horse,
Happy Trails,
Sherry Jarvis
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