Happy Trails with Dexter

Yes, I am finally riding Dexter. The process was hugely delayed by the flooding that started in June. Our arena and round pen didn't dry up until mid September. We might get one dry day and then another rain storm would put it all under water again.

Although I have done extensive ground work with Dexter to prepare him for riding, his highly energetic nature made me exceptionally cautious. Having turned 50 this year and not being the bravest of souls, it was important for me to have an area with good footing to work in; just in case things went awry.

Well things didn't go awry. In fact, as with everything I've thrown at that little horse, he took it all in stride.

From the very first time I met Dexter, he has shown improvement every time I've played with him (except for a minor 3-day blip), and riding him has been no different. The first ride, he just moved around and got used to the feel of carrying a rider. The second ride, I added some leg pressure to turn and move on. On the third ride, I started steering him with the reins (halter/hackamore).

I have only ridden him bareback so I could easily slide off if need be, so the next step will be to saddle him up and ask more of him.

Hopefully, we'll have a mild winter so I can keep him progressing because I can't wait to take him to the mountains for a trail ride.

Tovie & Dexter
(Click Here to see a UTube of the ride)

Life Is About Learning & Teaching

Since it's inception in 2007, Just Horsing Around has brought many wonderful folks our way. Marilyn Herasymowich and Henry Senko are two of those very special people. When I was just starting out, the Calgary Herald published an article about our program; and Marilyn and Henry were two of the first students who showed up to take my course. Marilyn was quite nervous around horses and Henry wasn't really interested in them, but came along to humour Marilyn.

During the first session, a general introduction and overview of horses, I noticed Marilyn & Henry exchanging knowing glances. After the session was over, they informed me that my method of teaching was very closely aligned with their work through MHA Institute. Since that fortuitous first meeting, we went on to study each other's work and were amazed at the similarities of teaching people and horses.

MHA Institute offers a continuing education program through the U of A. Henry and Marilyn invited me to participate as a guest speaker in their Learning Styles session. All I had to do was tell stories of my learning experiences as they realted to troubled horses, specifically Nugget and Dexter. Anyone who knows me, can attest to my eagerness to share their stories - horses that other trainers had been unsuccessful with. More specific to Marilyn and Henry's work, is the process used to teach those more challenging horses. Creating an environment of physcological safety being the most important aspect to bringing out the best in all our horses. When horses are pressured into survival anxiety during the training process, they are incapable of learning and retaining what we are trying to teach them.

It is important to me, that I am able to create that same environment for the folks who come to learn about horses.

Happy Indian Summer!
Tovie

Clinic #3 at Dare2Dream Horse Rescue

Today was another glorious horse day - beautiful horses and kind, horse loving people. We had 4 new participants and their horses attend; Patty & Ginger (pregnant 2 year old); Dave and Charlotte (3 year old); Nicole and her yearling, Dinah; and Chelsea and Liberty (2 year old).

It was also nice to see some familiar faces who came out to watch; past students Erin & Daryl Anne, Taryn, Sherri, Jade, and Jen.

What I realized about these clinics, as I was driving home, is that every clinic is a total surprise, and who doesn't love surprises. I never know who is going to be participating with which horses; and what issues each partnership may need help with.

Last June, before I ever met Brenda, she was making arrangements to have me out and she asked me what I would be teaching at these clinics. Without telling her "I don't know" and making myself appear totally inept, I gave her a list of things I could teach folks and she seemed OK with my answer. The truth is, I really don't know what I'm going to do or what approach I'm going to take with each horse until I meet them. Once we learn to listen, every horse tells you how they need our help. The joy of this work comes from seeing the change that occurs in these horses relatively quickly, without using pain or intimidation.

Respecting our personal space is an extremely important lesson for horses to learn; and that alone often makes huge changes in other so- called "undesireable" behaviours. The personality of the horse is a huge indicator of how they are going to react to various training techniques. Some horses need you to get big with pressure, and others need you to get very small with pressure. This isn't so much about hard or light pressure with tools or training techniques, but rather "big and small" must actually come more from within us. This can be a very hard concept to teach and learn; and must be felt to fully grasp it.

For a long time, I've had a feeling about this "big vs small" concept, but my work with Dexter really helped me articulate it. Dexter needed to me get "smaller" than I've ever needed to with other horses. So small, that I had to sit on the ground and not even look at him for him to feel safe enough to relax and come over to greet me. Now that we've built trust through mutual respect, I can get very "big" when playing with him and he no longer panics and feels the need to flee.

Thanks to Brenda & Henry and all the folks at D2D for another glorious horse day!

Tovie

Praying for an Indian Summer

It is hard to believe how long it has been since my last entry. This has truly been a dismal horse season - the worst I can remember since getting involved with horses. The combination of wet, unsafe footing, as well as Jack's and Nugget's health issues, has really curbed my riding this year. The good thing about taking a break is that Gord and I got in lots of salmon fishing on the west coast; and I was able to complete 4 books this summer.

I also celebrated my 50th Birthday in August - who knew 50 could feel this good.

Now we're back in the saddle, so to speak. The arena has finally dried out and that has allowed me to play with Dexter every day. Consistent work is definitely paying off and I've now started to ride him. He stands quietly and confidently at the mounting block - the first thing I expect from any horse I plan to ride.

Dexter is a naturally energetic horse and his typical response when pressured to move faster, was to overreact and flee. What I saw, was a horse that would bolt under saddle at the slightest provocation. It has been my experience that many horses who are quiet at the stand still or slower gaits will overreact at the faster gaits. To help our horses continue to "think" under pressure or at higher gaits, we have to show them they can go fast and feel safe. The only way to do this is to ask them to move their feet and allow them to work through their uncertainty. This can result in bucking, kicking out, or even standing to challeng the handler. We have to permit them to work through their reaction with our primary focus being on our safety. Initially, I only asked Dexter for a canter departure and immediately shut him down. When he was taking the canter departure well, I asked him to take a couple of strides before shutting him down. We have now built that into a complete circle and "C" pattern at the lope. Needless to say, I won't be asking him to lope until he is 100% comfortable about picking up the lope in both directions.

I am not a cowboy and am not training Dexter for a living, or to make a point. It doesn't matter to me how long this process takes - what does matter to me is my relationship with Dexter. The only way I can preserve our relationship through the training process is by only working at a level comfortable for me and Dexter.

There are days when I am so excited to just get on and go then I consider Dexter's history and his long term riding career; and that prevents me from pushing either of us into unsafe territory.

Enjoy a glorious fall!
Tovie, Gord, Ryder, Clover, and the "Boys"