red
05-27-2007, 03:22 PM
We had a discussion last night on the chat, about something so simple, yet somehow, so complicated. I was struck by the different takes on the "how to"...the execution of the tecnique. We were talking about asking a horse to lower his/her head, to accept a bit, or halter...whatever...no matter...there were 4 or 5 of us, and all of us had a slightly different take on what worked for us..When we had hashed over what each of us felt worked for us, the comment was made, "yes, but the Book said...." I was amazed at how far from "perfect book" I was...yet still able to communicate to my horse, what I needed to, in a manner that lets me know that he is OK with whatever I ask... Mares chimed in with the consistancy card, that being particular, and being consistant, is paramount... and it all became somehow clear as a bell. Again. Horses do not read the books. Horses read us. Even, if in our approach, we configure our own uniqueness, as we present ourselves..if we are tall, or short, quick or slow...begginers or old hands...we adjust to our ponies, and they adjust to us... Reading your horse, is the signature of horsemanship...his response tells you how you are doin...what a great thing, this is. Most of you know that I am about 5 ft tall. My good horse is 16.1. If he wanted to make my life miserable...all he would hafta do is tip his chin up, like a girraffe, and he would be out of my reach...yet, he always waits on me...no matter how long it takes, with his poll right at my waist height...brush off the flys, put on the halter, or just to show up for a little skritch... and offer himself, and his partnership..the thought never occurs to him to put his head up over the top of me, because rudness is just not ever on his agenda.
How did I get so lucky?
love,
red
How did I get so lucky?
love,
red