Just Horsing Around

Winter Cattle Drive 2011

2011-12-11T22:42:00.002-07:00

Just when I thought 2011 was going to be a write off in terms of horse events, the year closed out with our annual cattle drive. The last couple of years, we have moved cows very late - last year was December 23rd. Gord and I decided to take quads because with the snow fall last night, Gord knows I would have been a nervous wreck hauling horses on such trecherous roads.

As soon as we arrived I regretted my decision to bring a quad as I enviously watched folks unloading their horses and saddling up. Our friend Lyle introduced me to his new horse, a Morgan named Casino that he bought from Bates Bar J Ranch. He was a sweet looking little horse and and so I half jokingly asked Lyle if he would be interested in trading. To my delight - he said, "sure", and so I got to ride a horse after all. Casino was a bit spirited as we headed out to round up the cows but once we hit the trail, he settled in very nicely.

Typically I wouldn't be comfortable riding a strange horse on the spur of the moment but I felt very comfortable riding Casino. The boots I was wearing were too big for the stirrups and therefore unsafe, so I ended up riding without stirrups most of the way. By the end of the ride, it felt like I had been using Suzanne Summer's thigh master for 4 hours.

The spring and fall/winter cattle drives in Water Valley are a highlight for me every year but this year in particular being so dismal in terms of the amount of saddle time; made me appreciate them even more.

This will undoutedly be my last entry for 2011 so Gord, me and all our critters wish you a wonderful Christmas and hopefully we'll cross paths with you in 2012!

Our Newest Family Member - Goblin

2011-11-04T13:59:00.005-06:00

Just when we thought our family was complete, along comes a teenie weenie little kitten with big attitude, that we decided to name Goblin. My daughter, Amber, found him at her office building in downtown Calgary, on Halloween day. Fearful that he might not find a home if she took him to a shelter, she decided Clover could use a little buddy at the farm. I'm not sure a kitten was on Clover's wish list but after a couple of days, they have indeed become great buddies. It is such a joy to watch them wrestle, chase, and play hide and seek with each other. By all estimates, he was about 8 weeks old when he arrived, so we've designated September 1, 2011 as his birthday.

Despite his diminutive stature, he doesn't back down from Ryder's exuberant curiosity. Goblin stands his ground hissing and slashing a warning to the big boy to back off - perhaps we should have named him Freddie Kruger. Hopefully Ryder won't have to learn the hard way, with a sharp little claw to the nose, that Goblin isn't interested in playing with him.

We think he'll make a great farm cat because he is so friendly and yet feisty at the same time. He has a wonderful mentor in Clover so mice beware!

Enjoy the rest of our beautiful fall weather.
Tovie and the farm kitties, Goblin and Clover

First Mountain Trip of the Year

2011-10-01T22:00:00.003-06:00

Today, we finally headed to the mountains with Skeeter & Magic. Since it was just Gord and I, we decided to take Ryder to see how he would be on the trail.

Ryder still has to learn to stay out of the way of the horses a little better, but for 9 months old, we couldn't be happier with him. He listened well, didn't go running after squirrels into the trees, and didn't pester the cows or other riders passing by.

The fall colours are just starting so hopefully, we'll have a couple more weekends of exquisite colour.

Skeeter's personality doesn't make him my favourite horse to play with at home, but I fall in love with him all over again on a mountain trip. Mountain trails just seem to be his thing. Skeeter is the one horse I bought for colour but his personality is a bit of a paradox. On one hand he is dominant and fearful by nature, but on the flip side of that he is very friendly and laid back. I have learned over the years that Skeeter does very well when he has a predictable routine. We introduce new things to him very slowly to help build his confidence. He isn't like Jack who is happy doing something different every day. At 16.1 hh, his height can be a bit of a detriment in the hills as the trees definitely seem a bit closer to the ground.

The funniest thing about Skeeter is that even when he does spook at something, his reaction is very laid back as if he is in slow motion.

Happy Indian Summer!
Tovie, Gord, Ryder, Skeeter & Magic

Happy Trails with Dexter

2011-09-25T16:00:00.006-06:00

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

2011-09-20T23:20:00.001-06:00

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

2011-09-17T20:44:00.002-06:00

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

2011-09-14T13:25:00.000-06:00

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"

Dare To Dream Horse Rescue

2011-06-25T22:30:00.002-06:00

Having horses in my life makes every day a good horse day. However, with all the rain, our property is still under water; add to that the hoards of mosquitoes - great horse days have been few and far between this year; and we're nearly half way through 2011 already.

Today was one of those great horse days that more than made up for the many missed days. Brenda Fehr of Dare To Dream Horse Rescue, invited me out to conduct a clinic for some of her volunteers. While I have been teaching since 2007, this was my first ever group "clinic" so I was pretty nervous. Brenda and her crew however, were so welcoming my nerves quickly gave way to "unbridled" enthusiam. A huge thank you to the participants and their horses for the wonderful learning opportunities they created for all of us and for being open and receptive to the ideas I presented; Tashya and Lucky, Wayne and is new horse Cash, Lisa and her beautiful daughter Caleigh and their horse Taffy, and Sheree and her two horses Bella Moon, and Bailey. Also, thanks very much to all the folks who came out to watch and who were so willing to share their questions.

Brenda sent me a very encouraging email before I even arrived back home this evening. It read: Hi Tovie, I can't even find words to say how much everyone enjoyed the clinic. You're a great teacher and we all learned something. Now, I can hardly wait to have the other one July 30th. Some of the people that couldn't come today are planning on the July one.

I've always said it is easy to teach beginners because, with their limited experience, they don't typically question what you are teaching them. However, to have Brenda, with her many years of experience, acknowledge the value in what I do, is truly a gift.

I also can't wait for the July 30th clinic.

Vet Follow Up for Jack & Nugget

2011-05-31T22:56:00.002-06:00

Dr. Rach came out today to discuss Jack's blood work. Everything came back normal which would typically be good news but what it means for us, is that we have no idea how to treat Jack's symptoms. We're try the panacure protocol first and then I'm not sure what we'll do. Time to hit the internet for answers.

He really came out to x-ray Nugget's front left fetlock & pastern. Turns out Nugget has a small bone spur that could very well be responsible for the inflamation and swelling of the joint. The first thing Dr. Rach recommended was to trim Nugget's toes right back to the toe callous. Once again, I'll be reading up on the interent to see what other folks have tried. Cortosone could be an option but Dr. Rach recommended some herbal options for pain management.

The day was not entirely grim however because we had tickets to Cavalia. What a magnificent show for horse lovers. By far, this was one of my all time favourite shows that I've ever seen. Mark and Sherri bought 14 front row tickets. Aside from having plenty of leg room, it was a real treat to be sitting so close to the performance.

Cavalia was a beautiful demonstration of liberty ground work and riding and if you get a chance to go - I highly recommend it.

Take care,
Tovie

We Welcome Ryder to the Family

2011-05-28T13:47:00.002-06:00

After we lost Shilo in August 2009, we made the decision not to get another dog, at least not right away. Then a couple of months ago, Gord and I started talking about the possibility of getting another dog. In the past we have adopted adult dogs and that has worked well for us because we don't have that much spare time to spend training a puppy. I started looking seriously a few weeks ago; and I would invite the owners to bring the dog out to see how it would be with horses and Clover. Several dogs came out and we knew within minutes that they were not the dog for us. A couple of days ago, we found an ad on Kijiji for a 5 month old pup named Tiger. Gord really liked how he looked and when I went to meet him, I knew I had found a dog we would enjoy for many years. When the owner brought him out to meet Gord, Clover, and the horses, it was obvious he was a good fit for our family and lifestyle. While it is still work having a young dog to care for and train, he is very easy to have around.

We renamed him Ryder and once Clover shows him once and for all who the boss is, he will settle in beautifully.

Spring Cattle Drive

2011-05-19T23:00:00.002-06:00

It was time again to move cows with our friends Lyle & Sherry MacDonald, up at Water Valley. I took Jack because he was so amazing at last year's cattle drive. Riding Jack is so comfortable after all these years together. Neither one of us perfect but we keep each other safe - even when the pressure is on - we can fill in for each other. Jack is only exposed to cattle once, or maybe twice each year and the drive is very exciting. The cows are excited, the people are excited, the mule team is excited - so it can be difficult to stay calm and relaxed for our horses. At one point Jack and I found ourselves surrounded by several young calves and for Jack, it got a bit overwhelming. We worked together to get out of the middle and it proved to me again how important it is to constantly work on our relationship with our horses. Although Jack was very anxious, I never felt worried that he was going to overreact and that is a very comforting feeling when things don't go as planned.

The weather was not very cooperative; as it drizzled, hailed, and poured throughout the day. It was imperative to get the calves across the creek before the forecasted heavy rains started or it could be a problem for the smaller calves to get across the creek safely.

By the end of the day, everyone was wet and cold but happy with the day. Goldie and Melissa had a warm fire and a tasty feast waiting for us when we got back to the home place. We were also delightfully surprised to see Jack Juke waiting for us as well.

This year's drive was fairly uneventful except for the two pairs that decided to take a detour. Lyle and Sherry are confident they'll find their own way home.

It was great to spend a day working with my horse - wish we could move cows more often.

The best part of the cattle drive is that it confirms Spring is finally here!
Tovie, Jack, Gord & Magic

2011 Vet Visit

2011-05-16T22:25:00.001-06:00

We had Dennis Rach, our vet from Moore & Company, out today to check on a couple of the "boys" and to do Dexter's teeth. As you may recall, I've used Grant McKinnson, an equine dentist for the past couple of years. Dr. Rach specializes in equine dentistry and helped me understand that it was not a good thing that Grant has taken way too much off the incisors.There were other things about using anyone but a vet, that I hadn't previously considered (i.e. a horse reacts to the tranquilizer). Only a vet could help if a situation occured. Going forward, I will only be using my vet for dentistry. Dexter's teeth were in very good condition so that was good news. Jack and Nugget didn't fare so well however.

Just prior to spring arriving, I noticed that Jack was expelling a lot of liquid prior to pooping and he wasn't keeping the weight on as easy as is typical of "fat" Jack. The liquid went away when he went back to grass so we thought it could be the alfalfa that was causing him problems. The vet palpated him and discovered a tightening in his bowels that shouldn't be there. Unfortunately, without doing exploratory surgery, it is nearly impossible to detect what the problem could be and therefore - it is difficult to treat something we can't specify. Dr. Rach suggested doing some blood tests to see if that will show any infection, or abnormalities. If the blook work comes back normal, Dr. Rach suggested a 5 day panacure protocol to ensure it isn't a parasite infestation. What I learned is that when I do my fecal egg counts, there is a parasite that doesn't show up on the FEC. Unfortunately, if there is no improvement in his condition after the panacure protocol, the only thing we can do is monitor him for additional symptoms and distress.

My beautiful Nugget has been showing signs of lameness recently so I had the vet check him as well. After doing the flex test on the affected leg, it was apparent there is some inflamation (arthritis) in the pastern joint. We'll have him back out for x-rays to try and pin point the problem so we will know how to manage it going forward.

Needless to say, it wasn't a great horse day.

Tovie, Dexter, Jack & Nugget

2011 Mane Event

2011-05-01T21:30:00.008-06:00

Gord, Mark, Sherri, and I all had a terrific weekend attending the 2011 Mane Event Expo in Red Deer. Sherri is still a Newbie so it was great fun to experience the Expo through her eyes. We were also happy to celebrate Sherri's b-day with her today.

It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces in attendance; all of you very inspired by the talented presenters and clinicians. Kade Mills won the trainers challenge and in our opinion, it was a well deserved win. Kade has a lovely way with horses that we all appreciated and admired. Watching the challenge also gave me a few tips that will undoubtedly help me with Dexter's training.

Stacy Westfall was a crowd favourite and for good reason. Stacy's unforgettable bareback, bridless ride was truly breathtaking. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend googling Stacy's ride on You Tube - truly a tremendous diplay of harmony between horse and rider. Every horse owner should aspire to be in such glorious harmony with their horse.

Jonathan Field, what can I say, he is truly a gifted horseman and teacher and packed the stands with every one of his demonstrations. What I like most about Jonathan is the pure joy he exudes as he plays with his horses.

The timing of the Mane Event couldn't be better. With the onset of spring, we all came away with an excitement of getting out there and playing with our horses.

Happy spring (finally)!
Tovie, Gord , Sherri, and Mark

EQUINE HEALTH & EMERGENCY FIRST AID CLINIC

2011-04-18T13:27:00.003-06:00

Gord and I attended the above clinic with our friend's Sherri and Mark, and Linda and Tim.

Ross MacInnes and his daughter Heather, did a great job of organizing and presenting useful information; along with the help of Dr. Brian Taylor, DVM, and farrier, Karen McMann.

I attended the course in order to obtain the certificate and to ensure what I am offering through "Just Horsing Around" covers as much useful information as possible. There was very little information that was new for Gord and I but I am certain that the newer horse owners found the information very helpful.

As I've said many times throughout this blog, it is important to remain open to persuing ongoing learning opportunities; especially so for those of us who have chosen to mentor others.

Tovie and Gord

Mounted Shooting

2011-04-16T21:00:00.075-06:00

Gord and Magic attended a clinic today that introduced horse and rider to Mounted Shooting; something Gord has been wanting to do since he first saw the sport demonstrated at the Mane Event.

Chris Giffen was an outstanding clinician and I truly appreciated that his primary focus was on helping the horses stay relaxed and confident as the day progressed.

As you can imagine, shooting guns at balloons gets really loud and it takes patience and persistance to teach a horse not to over react. Chris started out by keeping all the horses bunched into a herd so they felt safe and then he proceeded to crack a stock whip while the herd followed him. When introducing a horse to scary objects, it is very helpful to allow the horse to follow the scary object as that is far less threatening to a horse than approaching them with the scary object.

It was surprising to see how well all the horses responded, even those who had not previously been exposed to this environment. Gord spent much time preparing Magic, prior to this clinic. He made sure Magic would be comfortable wearing the required ear plugs, and developed his tolerance to loud noises; much the same way Chris did at the clinic. The more preparation we can do with our horses, the less stressed they will get in new situations. Below is a UTube of Magic & Gord walking the pattern with six practice loads.

There are many discplines to choose from when we want to play or complete with our horses. It is so important when choosing a sport, to ensure your horse will also enjoy your discipline choice, especially if you plan to be competitive.

Tovie, Gord and Magic

Andrea Visits Dexter

2011-04-12T20:00:00.135-06:00

Andrea has been wanting to visit Dexter since we brought him home; and she finally had a chance to come out this afternoon.

I have been walking and jogging Dexter, in hand, up our driveway and along the road to expose him to more than the tranquility of our little farm. Out there, he can experience cars and school buses passing, strange horses that come galloping over to the fence to check him out, and the neighbour's pasture full of cows and their playful newborn calves. So far, Dexter has been very brave with everything that comes his way and is able to stay calm and relaxed.

Just as Andrea arrived, Dexter and I were in our driveway chatting with a neighbour over the fence. There was no room for Andrea to drive around us because of the snow piled up, so she followed behind us. Dexter and I trotted, walked, stopped and backed up together as we made our way back to the barn. I rarely ever lead my horses from point A to point B in a straight line. In this time-crunched world we live in, every minute spent with our horses is precious and can be extremely productive with a little bit of creativity (i.e. backing through gates and doorways, changing gaits between walk, trot, and halt; and sending them back and forth - C pattern; as you walk them in from the pasture).

During Andrea's visit, Dexter and I demonstrated most of what we have been doing together; including saddling him. He was so good about it yesterday and again today that I assumed he had been saddled previously. Andrea however, confirmed that she had never put a saddle on him, nor had the gal she bought him from. Andrea admitted that she never thought Dexter would be ridable and so she was pleasantly surprised to see that he could become be a relaxed, reliable riding companion.

Andrea shared the following thoughts with me in an email this evening.

"When I first pulled up I could not believe that he was the same horse. It brought tears (of joy) to my eyes to see him thriving in his new home!!! You have brought him so far in such a short period of time. I don't think I would have ever gotten him there, ever. It was so nice to love on him and give him kisses like I have always wanted to do but never could, so I would also like to thank you for that!!!

I can't say enough about you Tovie, I felt so good after I left your place that I went and played with Sunny some more and got some amazing results from what I learned from you! I feel you have a way with horses that I am envious of and would like to learn some more. I will have to take a lesson with you and Sunny! Also I would love to go for a ride or just play with our horses together.

Again thank you so much!"

In response, I'd like to say that Andrea is already well on her way to becoming a great horse person. The skills can be learned but a truly great horse person will ALWAYS put the horses' well being first. Andrea realized she wasn't a good match for Dexter's over reactive, energetic personality, and she went about searching for the right person for Dexter.

Being with a horse that is a good match is pure joy. However, when the match doesn't work, it is frustrating for both the horse and the handler; and unpleasant to watch.

I can't express my gratitude enough to Andrea for this wonderful journey that Dexter and I are having.

Tovie and Dexter

Let's Saddle Up

2011-04-11T19:48:00.002-06:00

Today, I had a very special visit from one of my favourite people - Vanessa; and her mom, Linnea. You may remember Vanessa as the young lady who drew the beautiful pictures of the "Boys". We now have them hanging above each of their respective stalls.

Linnea and Vanessa have been following Dexter's progress on the blog and so they came by specifically to meet him and see his progress in person.

We ended up having a very special evening because I decided to saddle Dexter for the first time. As with everything I have asked of this very special little horse, it was pleasantly uneventful. As far as I know, Andrea has never saddled Dexter, nor had the previous owner she bought him from.

Linnea had her cell phone and took the following pictures. It was an amazing evening - thanks very much for being there to share it with me Linnea and Vanessa.

Vanessa has offered to draw a picture of Dexter so he can have his picture over his stall too.

I guess all there is to do now is ride him - can't wait!

Tovie and Dexter

Spring is Even Better With Dexter

2011-03-29T23:48:00.001-06:00

Today we finally experienced our first warm day in weeks. After taking Jack for a short ride through the Forbidden Forest, I decided to play with Dexter outside by doing some ground work exercises. Ropes have been particularly challenging for him so I spent a lot of time just throwing the rope over his body from both sides until he showed me signs of relaxation. We also did a lot of lateral flexing which he seemed to know pretty well so I added disengaging his hind end while he was flexed. It wasn't pretty in the beginning but we worked it through until he seemed to grasp the concept.

Once Dexter understands what I am asking him to do, he is extremely willing. I don't know too much about his prior training and handling so it is possible, he has been taught some of these exercises in his previous lives. In any case, he just gets better every time I handle him.

Most horse folks don't realize that every time they handle their horse, they are training it - good or bad; and that it takes consistent, regular handling to make a good horse and keep them there. As Clinton Anderson likes to say, "Horses don't train themselves standing out in a pasture".

Happy Spring,
Tovie, Gord & Dexter

Dexter is now a Movie Star

2011-03-28T19:00:00.000-06:00

Dexter has been home now for 3 weeks and has settled in with the other "boys" very nicely. I think they are still trying to figure out where he fits in the herd and for now, it seems to be in the following order: Skeeter, Nugget, Dexter, Magic, and then good 'ole Jack. When I call him in from the field, he readily leaves the others and comes right over. Occasionally, he will revert to his habit of wanting to step back when I approach with the halter. Without fail, I simply walk away and wait for him to come back to my shoulder and offer me his head. I never want to feel like I am chasing a horse to catch him.

Today, Gord video taped Dexter's progress and we tried some new things with him. He now offers me his feet nicely, but I still need to do more work on duration. I am able to touch him over his entire body, even his sheath area. When I first met Dexter, he would shoot off like a rocket if I tried to touch his body anywhere behind the front leg/wither area. He still looks a little skeptical when I touch the sheath area so that definitely needs more attention. My knowledge of TTouch has come in real handy with a sensitive horse like Dexter.

I want all my horses to be comfortable and accepting of my touching them on every inch of their body. One never knows when it may be necessary in the event of injury or illness. In fact, a few years ago, Jack punctured his sheath somehow and it became infected. The vet had to come out and lance it and insert a plastic drainage tube and then I had to hose him twice a day with ice cold water. Because Jack was very comfortable with me handling and cleaning his sheath, it made the vet's job that much easier.

I also introduced Dexter to some of our scary objects (i.e. the tarp, pool noodles, fitness ball, and plastic bag on a stick). Once again, this little horse surprised me with his fearless curiosity.

Tovie and Dexter

Cudas Dandy Fritz - April 22, 2006

2011-03-24T18:00:00.001-06:00

Andrea did tell me that Dexter's registered name is Cudas Dandy Fritz and so I contacted the American Quarter Horse Association to track down his papers. The last registered owner is Warren Kelln out of Saskatchewan and so I've contacted him to see about transferring Dexter's papers to me. From the AQHA web-site, I was able to print off his pedigree and birth date - April 22, 2006 and obtain his registration number. However, there is nothing more the AQHA can do if Mr. Kelln can't help me. Oh well, his papers aren't all that important to me - but it is nice to know his background and birth date.

Cudas Dandy Fritz (aka Dexter), and Tovie

Barefoot Trimming Clinic with Lisa Huhn

2011-03-13T23:52:00.003-06:00

This weekend we hosted a barefoot clinic; featuring Lisa Huhn of Equinextion. A huge thank you to all the participants, Connie, Lena, Cheryl, Russ, Clare, Sandra, Chelsie, Jennifer, and Susan for making this clinic another memorable horse event. There is nothing I enjoy more than spending a weekend with other horse crazy folks.

Some folks brought their equine partners and it was a pleasure to meet the various horses and see their different feet. A huge hit (literally) were Connie's belgium's Max, Tom, and Charlie. They were absolutely gorgeous and we watched with envy as Connie rode off bareback after the clinic.

Barefoot trimming has been a passion of mine for the past three years and Lisa shared with us, her own unique technique. It will be interesting to see what changes occur to the "Boys'" feet over the next few weeks.

Aside from the trimming, Lisa mentioned the benefits of supplementing our horses with kelp and apple cider vinegar - something else to try for optimal health.

I wasn't sure how Dexter would be in the barn as I have no idea if he'd ever been inside before. He was understandably anxious but with terrific team work, we were able to get his feet trimmed up and they look absolutely beautiful.

During the clinic, Lisa came up with the idea that we should change Dexter's name and some how the name Hummer came up. Apparently, there is a new show on TV, where Dexter is a serial killer. However, as often as I tried to call him Hummer, it just didn't work for me. I don't have negative thoughts when I say Dexter and in fact really like his name; so Dexter it will stay. Gord told me later that in the TV show, Dexter only eliminates bad guys so is in fact a good serial killer.

Birgitta came by to take photos. Check out the before and after photos of one of Dexter's hind feet. Now you can see why I was so anxious to spend time teaching him to give me his feet-what a difference a good trim makes. He was so much more comfortable and relaxed after his feet felt better.

Here is to happy, healthy horses with terrific bare feet!
---
Tovie and Dexter

Dexter is Home - WOO HOO!

2011-03-11T09:59:00.001-07:00

This coming weekend, we are hosting a barefoot trimming clinic. Lisa Huhn of Equinextion is the clinician and we have 9 participants coming to learn about barefoot trimming. Anyone who knows me well, knows I am passionate about healthy feet for our horses.

Because Dexter has been difficult to catch for the past few months, he has not been trimmed for quite awhile. Since returning from Tennessee, I have been working hard on asking him to give me his feet politely and as usual, he has been amazing. Yesterday, Gord and I decided to bring him home so I could get him trimmed this weekend during the clinic, under the supervision of a professional.

We had no idea how he would load so we took our older stock trailer that is very open, to make it easier for him. Again, he was amazing. After sniffing and pawing at the trailer floor, with very little coaxing from behind, he jumped right in.

When we arrived home and introduced him to our other "Boys", there was very little squealing or posturing. We'll keep him in his own paddock for a few days while the other "Boys" get used to the idea that he will be staying, but we don't anticipate any trouble when we turn them all loose.

It feels so good to have him home and with the weather finally showing some sign of improving - let the fun begin!

A big thank you again Andrea for making this journey possible.

Tovie, Gord and Dexter

Dexter Missed Me Too

2011-03-06T09:30:00.000-07:00

I came back from Tennessee with a nasty cold/flu and have not felt up to doing anything since our return - not even visiting Dexter.

Yesterday I simply had to get some fresh air and so we went over to see Dexter. I had no intention of doing anything with him but he came over to me so quickly that I couldn't resist so I slipped his halter on and asked him to move his shoulders and hind quarters. He was so soft and unreactive - it felt glorious. I then proceeded to TTouch and lightly stroke him with the rope him over his body - again without reaction. Typically he has gotten twitchy and reactive with any contact behind the girth area. So the next step was to pick up his feet. Before we went to Tennessee, he was doing very well with his front feet but yesterday he allowed me to pick up all four - Woo Hoo!!! I was even able to pick up his tail. It was so cold that I could only last about 10 minutes but what a productive 10 minutes.

Perhaps Dexter could tell I wasn't well and so he was being particularly cooperative and looking after me - who knows. Despite the bitter cold and feeling ill, it ended up being a beautiful day!

Tovie and Dexter

Road To The Horse

2011-03-03T13:26:00.003-07:00

We arrived home late last night from a whirlwind tour of Tennessee as well as a visit to Kentucky, with our wonderful friends Sherri & Mark. The purpose of our trip was to attend the Road To The Horse colt starting event featuring 3 world reknown trainers; Clinton Anderson, Chris Cox, and Pat Parelli. It was an honor to be in the company of these giants in the industry, as well as Stacy Westfall; the only woman to participate and win in 2006. You may have seen Stacey's much talked about You Tube video of her competing and winning a reining event without a saddle or bridle. She is one inspiring young lady.

Because of my recent experience with Dexter, I was watching this event with an eye open for any ideas that might help me along with him. What I did take away was that my grasp on natural horsemanship training will indeed serve Dexter well.

Pat Parelli made a huge mistake (his own admission), by misreading his horse and getting bucked off. While nobody wants to see anyone get hurt, it was good for the audience to see that even professionals make mistakes and go on to learn from them. We were also not impressed by his obvious disregard for safety. At one point he sat on the top rail of the ring but his horse was not ready for this and pulled the rope out of his hands a couple of times, accomplishing nothing. His next step was to stand up on a teetering barrel set away from the rail and ask his horse to come between him and the rail. If that horse had pulled him fast, Parelli would have hit the dirt again. It was disappointing to me that kids in the audience who admire him would try these things at home.

Clinton Anderson was his usual confident, personable self throughout the entire event. Clinton's free style run at the end of his ride was awe inspiring and brought the crowd to their feet, many with tears in their eyes, as he slipped the briddle off and rode full gallop around the arena, cracking his stock whip the entire run.

Of course we were cheering for Clinton but it was a really tough call between he and Chris Cox. I have never seen much of Pat Parelli's work but must admit to being extremely disappointed in, not only his work with the horse but his apparent lack of regard for his fans. One day he announced he would sign autographs at 12:20 and didn't bother to show up until 1:20, while his frustrated fans stood in long lines waiting to meet him.

Chris Cox won the competition, and is the only 3 time champion and in fact has won every time he has participated.

It was a long way to go but worth every mile to be able to attend such a great event.

I feel even more inspired to help Dexter along and can't wait to see him again.

While we were in Tennessee, we rented horses at Juro Stables.

Carla was our host and took us on a beautiful ride through the Tennessee hills. Spring was barely starting to erupt so the birds were singing and the area was sublimely tranquil. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting with Carla. Our horses walked out faster than the others so we often had to stop to let the others catch up. My observation of these horses is that they have been desensitized so well that they are literally bomb proof. The flip side is that they have not been sensitized and can be unresponsive to leg or rein cues. These horses are taught to follow the leader so cuing is not as important. My horse Stormy had a complete disregard for the shank bit in his mouth so without turning him, I had not brakes and no back up. While it was somewhat frustrating at times, I can appreciate that these horses keep beginners, who are apt to give conflicting cues, very safe. Well done Carla!

Tovie, Gord, Sherri & Mark

PS: The B-B-Q in Tennesssee was great . . . .

Dominique Barbier

2011-02-19T13:17:00.004-07:00

Last night, a group of us girls went to listen to Dominique Barbier speak. This man is a master of classical dressage and now resides in California. He is up here conducting a 3 day clinic and last night he graciously shared some of his insight with regard to training and showing horses.

20 years ago, a friend recommended I read his book "Dressage For The New Age". This book shares his philosophies and training techniques. While I enjoyed the book, it was way over my head and I took very little away to use in my daily horse life. For some reason, this past fall, I dug it out and decided read it again. What a difference 20 years makes - I only wish I hadn't waited so long. Reminds me of the old adage; "when the student is ready, the teacher will come". It totally makes sense to me now. Much of Dominique's philosophy focuses on the mental and emotional aspect of being with our horses. 20 years ago, I wanted the technical know how of being with a horse.

It would have been wonderful to go audit the clinic and watch him work one-on-one with folks and their horses. Alas, it is impossible to do everything.

I took my old book with me to have him autograph it and learned that because mine was an original version (he has issued updated versions since), it is now a collectable and worth around $450.00.

Here's to being inspired!
Tovie

Did I Mention I LOVE DEXTER!

2011-02-19T13:04:00.001-07:00

This past week has been very hectic - not to mention frigid; and so Dexter and I haven't been able to play as much as I'd like. Nevertheless, every visit, no matter how brief, improves our relationship. Thursday, he was very frisky and playful however, I still felt he was connected to me the entire time I spent with him; all 10 minutes before I froze.

He is giving me his front feet nicely now and stays very relaxed and easy to be around.

Just goes to show that we don't have to put in 2 hour power sessions to get consistent results with our horses. Even a little time on a regular basis can make a huge difference.

Tovie & Dexter

Playing With Dexter's Feet

2011-02-15T13:22:00.003-07:00

Every day I have spent with Dexter since last Thursday has seen significant improvement. It is wonderful to see him so friendly and relaxed. Haltering is becoming more of a non-issue. I still haven't attached the lead line but haven't even needed it. The harmony and synchronization I feel with him as we move around the pasture is a beautiful thing.

Anyone who knows me will attest that I am foot (hoof) obsessed. Dexter hasn't been trimmed for quite some time. Since I do my own trimming, it is important for me to help him get comfortable giving me his feet. During one of our early get-togethers, Dexter wouldn't even let me touch his leg without darting away. I have been using TTouch on Dexter and have seen a steady improvement in his acceptance of being touched.

Yesterday I was able to do TTouch down his entire leg, right to the coronet band, so I started asking him to pick up his foot. Initially he would pick it up to step away but I would click and reward just as his foot started to shift back. Very quickly, he was gently handing me both front feet. It was important that I release his foot before he felt the need to pull it away from me. What many folks don't realize is how scary it can be for a horse to give us a foot. As prey animals, they rely on their legs, feet, and balance to run from predators. We shouldn't take for granted the trust it takes for our horse to surrender a foot to us - they are essentially giving up their ability to escape if they perceive danger.

There is no question it would make my life so much easier if Dexter were home with me. However, for the time being, I have stopped focusing on bringing him home. Our property is extremely icey so it is not a great environment to be introducing Dexter to the "Boys" - especially while they sort out the pecking order. Not to mention trailer loading to get him home. Andrea has graciously agreed to let him stay until it is safe to move him.

Thanks Andrea,
Tovie and Dexter

WOO HOO - Dexter is Back with me.

2011-02-12T10:24:00.002-07:00

As you could probably tell from my last entry, I was pretty discouraged about how Dexter and I digressed last weekend. The feeling continued throughout the early part of the week. So much so that I started thinking I wasn't the right person to help Dexter find his way to becoming a safe, reliable equine partner. Once again, he surprised me, and we've been back on track since Thursday.

As excited as I am about getting him home, it is more important that he unlearns his habit of being hard to catch and halter. Since Thursday, all I have asked of Dexter is that he accept the halter willingly. Whenever Dexter would take his typical step back when I approached him to put the halter on, I immediately walked away from him and waited for him to come back to my shoulder. By consistently doing this, each visit has taken less time and he is starting to halter very willingly; better yet, he thinks it was his idea. Every time he accepts the halter well, he gets scritched and treats and tons of loving.

Once I have the halter on him, it takes every ounce of restraint not to attach the lead rope and start doing some ground work. My gut feeling however, is to just let him enjoy being haltered without having to go to work in any way.

Yesterday, I jogged around the pasture and my beautiful boy stayed right on my shoulder - walking and trotting and stopping instantly with me. To me that was far more rewarding than getting the lead rope on him because he was offering this gift to me on his own.

WOO HOO from Tovie & Dexter!

Dexter and I Weren't Ready

2011-02-06T09:22:00.000-07:00

Since my last post, Dexter and I have been doing really well. I am starting to ask more of him and he is responding beautifully. He usually has an initial reaction to something new but then once he figures it out, he settles right in.

It was my intention to move Dexter home this weekend but it wasn't meant to be. I was not in a good frame of mind when I got there, and Dexter could obviously sense it. For the first time since I've been able to halter him, he wouldn't let me. Inside I was smiling because I knew he was feeling and responding to my tension.

It is disappointing when things don't go according to plan, especially when you've wasted someone else's time and effort.

Oh well, back to the drawing board.
Tovie and Dexter

Asking More of Dexter

2011-02-03T10:39:00.002-07:00

I missed getting out to see Dexter during the bitter cold snap we had recently. Thankfully, the worst is over and we're back on track. Tuesday afternoon, I arrived right at feeding time so wasn't sure what to expect. Dexter came right over and allowed me to halter him. Even though he was somewhat distracted by the feed, he led up nicely and moved his shoulders and hips on both sides - a brief 10 minutes turned into another productive visit.

When Gord and I figured out how much actual time I am spending with Dexter, it turns out that the average visit has been 20 minutes in duration. It is surprising to see how much can be accommplished in a short amount of time.

Yesterday, I led him into a separate pasture to get him away from his buddies. He is leading up much better and only balks occasionally and not as long. I just wait him out and give him a chance to want to be with me and he hasn't let me down yet.

My goal was to start sending him in small circles around me. Initially, he was wary of my horseman's stick and became quite reactive. It was important that I not let go of him because he has already learned that he can run off. Unfortunately, at one point I clumsily dropped the rope while he was standing quietly and when I calmly went to retrieve it, he startled and ran off. Needless to say, I was kicking myself for being so awkward. The exciting result was, that after he ran around the pasture a couple of times, he came trotting right back to me and we carried on as if nothing had happened.

We ended the 1/2 hour session with Dexter calmly departing at a walk in both directions.

Horses typically let you know what they thought of their previous experience by how they respond the second time. I can't wait to get out there this afternoon to see where he's at.

Dexter is a very forgiving teacher!
Tovie & Dexter

Leading Dexter

2011-01-26T20:31:00.002-07:00

Today was even a better horse day than Monday. Since Dexter has become a nicer horse to be around, I suggested to Andrea that she may want to keep him and if that was the case, we could come up with a mutually beneficial agreement to cover my time. While I wouldn't have blamed her at all because he is becoming a real sweetheart, I was sure hoping she wouldn't want to because I've become quite smitten with him. Today we had a chance to chat about Dexter's future and Andrea told me she would be happy to have him come to me. She is looking forward to reading about his progress on the blog and because we're not far away, she knows she would be welcome to come visit him. Of course, I was overjoyed and gave Andrea a big hug. I am very excited to continue this journey of learning with Dexter.

*Click for a UTUBE clip.

In order to prepare him for the trailer ride home, it is important for me to have him lead up comfortably. In the past, Dexter would plant his feet and when pressure was added to ask him to move forward, he would bolt away and rip the lead line away. He learned he could get away when he felt too much pressure. I don't want to set him up to fail so I've decided to use a short piece of binding twine instead of a lead rope until I know how much pressure he can handle. That way he'll be permitted to leave if he feels the need to without worrying about him stepping on a dragging lead line.

This concept worked very well and it turned out he could handle quite a bit of pressure. Every now and then Dexter would think about leaving but when he didn't meet any resistance, he quickly changed his mind about leaving.

Thank you for this wonderful gift Andrea,
Tovie and Dexter

Dexter Breakthrough

2011-01-24T18:12:00.007-07:00

Today turned out to be one of those wonderful horse days that I'll never forget. Dexter allowed me to put the halter on and off him several times without any fuss.

When I went to see him yesterday, I wasn't sure how it would go because it was very windy and Andrea had just brought home her new horse Sunny, so Dexter was also distracted by his new pasture mate. He pleasantly surprised me by continuing with our progress, even with the extra distraction. I actually felt I could have haltered him yesterday but I was in a hurry to get home and so I made the decision to wait. It was definitely worth the wait.

The first order of business was to encourage Dexter to lower his head - not easy for him at first. Since meeting Dexter he has kept his head high in the air - ready to depart from the slightest movement. I made the decision to kneel down so I was less intimidating to him. This is not something I would typically do with an unfamiliar horse, however Dexter has never exhibited any aggressive behaviour and it really helped him relax and lower his head. As he became more relaxed with my presence, I started asking him to lower his head with very light pressure on his poll. Once he consistently lowered his head for me, I felt comfortable introducing the halter.

Initially he played with the halter, taking it into his mouth and I just let him play. Eventually, I brought the throatlatch over his neck until he was comfortable with that process, and then I just slipped in on. Except for the fact that Andrea and I were beside ourselves with joy, it was actually pretty uneventful.

Andrea mentioned that in the past, while leading Dexter, he would plant his feet and when she applied pressure from behind he would race off, pulling the lead line from her hands. Clearly, Dexter's previous owner didn't do a very thorough job of teaching Dexter to give to pressure. I've decided not to attach a lead line until he is consistently giving to pressure.

He is also moving his shoulders and hips very respectfully; always keeping his attention on me. The nicest thing to see is Dexter relax - huge for me. Relaxed horses are thinking horses.

Dexter is a joy to play with!
Tovie

Meet Dexter and follow his progress

2011-01-22T08:47:00.006-07:00

One day while browsing Kijiji, I came across an ad wanting to trade a 4 y.o. gelding for a youngster. Since I have been wanting a young horse for some time, I responded that I didn't have anything to trade but would they consider selling the horse and if so, to please send me photos.

Andrea responded and sent me photos of a beautiful sorrel quarter horse named Dexter and that yes, she would definitely consider selling him. Andrea was very honest in her response, and advised that Dexter had challenges that she simply didn't know how to overcome. She went on to say that she had done what every good "stuck" horse owner should do - seek professional help. Unfortunately, Dexter did not respond favourably to either of these well intentioned trainers' methods and ended up more mistrustful and wary than before. Andrea admitted she would be happy to give the horse to anyone who would take the time to patiently develop his trust.

Andrea clearly wants to help Dexter and I appreciated her honesty and her committment to do whatever is best for Dexter, so I decided it wouldn't hurt to just go meet him. At our first meeting, he was extremely sceptical and wary but at the same time, I also saw how much he wanted to interact with me. What I saw was a horse worth another chance.

You may recall in previous blogs how much I stress the importance of staying open minded with regard to unconventional training methods. I plan to use a combination of Operant Conditioning, TTouch, and Natural Horsemanship Methods during my journey with Dexter.

Andrea and I decided that I would leave him where he is until such time that I can calmly halter and lead him, rather than to force him onto a trailer and introduce him to a new environment and our "Boys". A good friend pointed out that perhaps a change of scenery could make a difference, and she may be right. For now, I'll give it a few days and see if we can make a breakthrough (i.e. getting a halter on him).

The scary thing about Dexter being unmanageable, is that if he should injure himself, it would be next to impossible to care for him without using force.

So far this week, I have visited Dexter 3 times and see an improvement each time. Yesterday, he let me TTouch his face and rub part of his topline. He comes up to me and follows me but I don't get a sense it is time to try haltering him yet. We'll see what happens when I visit him later today.

Admittedly, I don't know if I have the skill or ability required to make Dexter into a safe riding companion, but I do know the methods I use will absolutely cause him no further distress.

Stay tuned,
Tovie & Dexter

2011 Alberta Horse Owners & Breeders Conference

2011-01-19T12:07:00.010-07:00

The learning journey continued at the 2011 Horse Owners & Breeders Conference in Red Deer. The Conference was last weekend which was perfect because it was too darn frigid to do anything else but sit indoors learning more about horses. The Horse Industry Association of Alberta does a wonderful job of organizing this Conference every year. The line up of speakers was exceptional. It is impossible to attend every speaker because they overlap; one has to pick and choose what they want to learn more about.

Peggy Brown's presentation on centred riding was very engaging. Peggy was dressed in a body suit painted with her skeletal system and joints; making it very easy to see how our body works while riding. Patti Colbert's presentation of how to get folks involved with horses and staying involved, was right up my alley. There were also informative presentations of the research being conducted on equine health issues namely - respiratory ailments and cushings disease. The constant theme surrounding health issues is that we have to do a better job of feeding, increasing movement, and housing our equine friends. I also attended a presentation on arena footing and its importance - especially when training and working horses hard - something our "boys" wouldn't know much about.

It was great fun to connect with folks from across the province that you only see at the Conference or at the Mane Event in April. My friend Sherri (a former student and now a wonderful friend) came with me and we ran into a couple of former students (Lena and Irene) who are now enjoying their own horses; along with their riding buddies (Timmi & Linda). We all enjoyed sharing horse stories over cocktails and meals.

Friday evening, Sherri and I were privileged to have dinner with Doug Householder, one of the speakers, and Nettie Barr. During Doug's presentation, he demonstrated the science behind equine behaviour and how that relates to training our horses. While he was in Red Deer presenting to us, his daughter Dusty was back in Texas, showing and winning on a very challenging reject reining mare they bought last year. It was touching to hear him explain the story of hard they worked with the mare to help her relax and trust; and how well she is performing for them now.

A terrific reminder of the importance of developing a trusting relationship with your horse so you can be brilliant together - whether in the show ring or riding down the trail.

Thanks for reading,
Tovie

Merry Christmas

2010-12-22T11:01:00.003-07:00

It is hard to believe that Christmas is right around the corner. Our lives continue to be enriched by the folks coming out to learn about horses.

Very exciting this year has been the number of young children coming out to Horse Around. In the past, our program has focused primarily on teaching adults because I thought the amount of content would bore young children. Well, I was wrong. We do keep the sessions shorter for children but they are just as keen to learn about horses as adults and once the techniques are mastered, they are able to effectively manage the horses on the ground as well as any adult. It is amazing to see a wee young girl handle our big 16.1hh Skeeter effectively - and he listens.

Click on this link, and you will be able to see the Christmas card Gord prepared for me this year that incorporates the beautiful artwork we received from our youngest student Vanessa - just 7 years old.

Also this year has brought more folks who already own horses and are wanting to improve communication with their equine companions. It is fun to teach folks who know very little because they have no preconceived ideas. It is also very rewarding to work with folks who already have a horse and watch the improvement in the relationship they have with their horse.

Have a wonderful Christmas with your friends and family!
Tovie, Gord and the "Boys.

The Extreme Cowboy Race Lives On

2010-10-29T13:53:00.000-06:00

Last night Angie Benson invited a few of her friends over for an evening of learning and fun with our horses. Angie put together a wonderful course of obstacles that was challenging for both horse and rider, and was based on the concept of the Extreme Cowboy Race. Some of the obstacles were pretty scary and required an enormous amount of patience and trust to manouvre through the course. Ron Ellard and his wife Michael-Anne took Skeeter and Jack and Gord and I took Magic and Nugget. It was terrific to see all the horses gain confidence as the evening progressed.

Thanks to Jan for the use of her beautiful arena and to Angie for her creativity and the enourmous effort and that went into setting up the course.

We're already looking forward to next week's course - well maybe not Skeeter.

If Michael-Anne and Ron are game again, I'm going to suggest we switch horses to make it even more interesting.

Tovie, Gord and the "Boys"

Better Care for Our Pleasure/Pasture Horses

2010-10-05T11:33:00.001-06:00

Since the introduction of motorized vehicles, the usefulness of horses for work and transportation has virtually come to an end. The role of horses became a recreational pastime for entertainment - mostly for children and young adults. In recent years, mature adults have taken up their long simmering passion for horses. As their children grew up, they found themselves in good health, with an abundance of time, and financially secure. All of which are minimum requirements for horse ownership. The only ingredient missing is knowledge and skill.

While horses are still considered livestock by some, many horse owners will tell you they consider their horse to be a member of the family - a pet no less loved than the family cat or dog. As with all our pets, horse owners want the best care for their horses. This has led to a push for more research with regard to equine digestion, dentistry, and hoof care.

What the surge in research is finding is that we are doing more harm than good by what are often considered "standard" care practices. Overfeeding and shoeing horses being two of the more serious assaults on our horses' health.

Horses are foraging animals that were designed to move 20-30 miles per day on rough terrain, foraging for small amounts of food throughout the day.

It is no wonder that digestive upset (colic) and chronic hoof problems (laminitis/founder), are two of the most common reasons horses die an early, often excruciating, death. I also believe serious behavioural issues are associated with overfed and under utilized horses.

There is a huge difference in feed requirements for a horse who is not ridden often versus a horse used for competitive purposes. No different than the person with a desk job versus a professional athlete. Athletes can consume copious amounts of carbohydrates without ill effects to their health because they utilize the energy. Someone with a desk job could not expect to eat the same type of food or quantity without ill effects to their health.

Pasture horses standing in grass up to their bellies are literally eating themselves to death. We can significantly minimize that risk by using a grazing muzzle to restrict their intake and reduce or stop all together, supplementing their diet with rich feeds (i.e. alfalfa and molasses based feeds). If you click on the title of this blog, the link takes you to SafeGrass.org. This web-site is devoted to educating horse owners about the dangers of overfeeding our horses.

We need to learn how to keep them healthy and happy!

Tovie and the "Boys"

Horses have so much to teach us...

2010-09-22T23:27:00.000-06:00

Today we had a group out to discover what horses can teach us about being effective leaders, learners, communicators, and managers. CentrePoint Non-Profit Management have developed a six month mentorship program for Executive Directors in the non-profit sector who have been in their roles for less than 18 months. We have found that folks can learn a lot about their roles by understanding how effective horse trainers interact with different horses. Akin to people, horses have different personalities and aptitudes. Effective horse trainers will identify these traits in the individual horse, and adjust themselves in order to bring out the brilliance in every horse. They are constantly observing the horse, looking for resistance, and then rating how much to ask of a horse and how much pressure can be applied in order to push past the resistance to promote learning and cooperative interaction.

Never stop learning!
Tovie and the "Boys"

Wild Horse Rescue

2010-09-13T22:48:00.011-06:00

My friends, Tim and Linda, had a beautiful experience over the summer that I thought worth sharing with you. They were out for a quad ride near their property in Sundre, when they came across a very young wild foal that had been abandoned by its mother and its herd. It was badly injured and near death. If you click here, you can read their incredible story, along with the very happy ending.

Here is a photo of Lucky & Linda enjoying one of the few days of sunshine we had this summer.

You may remember Tim and Linda's painful experience last summer when they acquired their first horse and it unexpectedly died the day they got it home. Since then, Tim and Linda have purchased two beautiful mares, Miakoda, Barbie, and now their herd is complete with their little wildy, Lucky.

Miakoda and Barbie.

Linda and Tim are enjoying their beautiful herd more than they ever could have imagined.

Let's hope for a warm Indian Summer!
Tovie

Summer Camp 2010

2010-06-26T17:24:00.002-06:00

My friend Lisa and I took Skeeter and Nugget to Jonathan Field's ranch in Merrit, BC to participate in a week long horsemanship camp. It has been a privelege to learn from Jonathan Field. He is an inspiring horseman but also a terrific teacher and that is not always easy to find. He and his family, and staff are gracious hosts and welcome everyone. Everything about the week was fantastic, including the other participants. One of the participants, Jim, summed it up beautifully when he said there wasn't one person attending that you wouldn't want to be friends with. I think it is simply the type of people Jonathan attracts to his life. Jonathan treats each participant and their horse with the utmost respect, no matter what level they are at. He really brings out the best in both the horse person and their horse with delightful humility.

This clinic primarily focused on achieving path, speed, bend and balance; and always in that order. There is no point working on the speed of your horse if you are not maintaining the correct path, and certainly no point in working on bend and balance if you don't have path and speed mastered. I can't tell you how much Jonathan's method of teaching has improved my overall riding experience.

I used to think that I would be a happy person if all I ever did was ground work because that is where I feel confident and competent. For the first time since I started riding, I am truly excited about riding. Don't get me wrong, I have enjoyed trail riding in the mountains but arena work never appealed much to me. I now realize that was because I didn't really know what to do in an arena. My newfound joy of riding has come from knowledge and will only increase through practice.

What this year has taught me, is how important it is to find the right coaches to fully appreciate the equestrian experience.

I can't wait to practice our newly acquired skills and will hopefully have another opportunity to attend Summer Camp 2011.

Enjoy your summer,
Tovie and Lisa and Nugget and Skeeter

Fun in Las Vegas

2010-06-16T07:00:00.000-06:00

You may recall our trip to Redmond, OR to see Clinton Anderson back in April; we enjoyed him so much that we decided to catch his Walkabout Tour in Las Vegas this past weekend. Yes Las Vegas in June is hot. We went down with friends Lisa & Dave, and Sherri & Mark - all very easy folks to travel with as they were game for anything. Lisa had some luck at blackjack and Sherri was lucky at the slots.We all did some pre-Stampede shopping and found some things we haven't seen up here so that was fun.

Originally, Clinton Anderson invited his two mentors from Australia, Ian Francis and Gordon McKinlay to join him in Vegas but only Ian Francis was able to attend. We Canadians had the pleasure of sitting with Ian during the VIP event Saturday evening. He shared some training tips and stories from down under - a real highlight for us all. We Canadians even received an honourable mention the next day. Clinton isn't as well known in Canada because his popularity grew through his series on RFDTV, a satellite station which isn't as commonly received in Canada.

Clinton's message is simple - get two eyes and keep the feet moving front back, left and right. Basically, if you don't have two eyes, your horse isn't paying attention to you. This opens you up to potential injury as he may react to whatever is distracting him with no regard for your personal space. Without having your horse's full attention, he is also unlikely to retain whatever lesson you may be trying to cover that day. By directing your horse's feet in various patterns, you are establishing confident leadership of your horse, thus earning his respect.

One of our excursions took us to Eldorado Canyon, a long abandonded gold mining town that has been purchased by a local family and is now being recreated. It is a short drive from Las Vegas and we thoroughly enjoyed our time there. As you already know, any interaction with horses makes my day, and our visit to Eldorado Canyon provided just that. Along with tours of the resurected gold mine, they also offer horseback tours. While we weren't dressed appropriately for riding, Billy the wrangler, took us up to the corrals to meet the dude string horses. Billy obviously does a terrific job of caring for these horses. They were all in terrific condition and very friendly. Unfortunately that is not always the case with dude string horses and when it isn't, I am amazed that they tolerate "dudes" at all. I have always felt that dude string horses are worth their weight in gold. It was refreshing to see this dude string healthy and happy.

Now we are busy preparing for the next great adventure. Lisa and I are taking Skeeter and Nugget to the Jonathan Field camp in Merrit, BC next week.

Happy June!
Tovie & Gord

May Long Weekend Adventure

2010-05-24T22:44:00.002-06:00

Well I hope you all enjoyed the beautiful long weekend. Considering the forecast was calling for snow, we were lucky to not see a drop of rain. Gord and I took Magic and Nugget to Water Valley to help our friends with their annual branding. It is a terrific opportunity to catch up with folks we typically see only a few times a year; after the work is done.

This year there were 4 ropers catching calves and 3 teams of wrestlers, so it went very quickly and best of all, nobody got hurt for a change. One of the ropers was 14 year old Candace - pretty impressive to watch her focus and success. Candace has been competing at various roping competitions and is doing very well.

Nugget did a great job of helping round up the cattle to prepare for sorting considering his limited experience with cattle. Sunday, we went bushwack riding with Jimmy, Sherry and Lyle and their daughter Candace. The trails, in some areas, were nearly non-existent but Nugget didn't miss a beat. He bulldozed his way through the bush and bog as good as any seasoned trail horse.

Monday, I got to help cut a couple of cows that are going to be sold. Sherry let me ride her mare, Wages. It was quite an experience riding a seasoned cow horse - very exciting. There really is nothing like riding a responsive, willing horse.

Needless to say, it was another amazing horse experience - they just keep coming!

Bye for now,
Tovie & Nugget

Jonathan Field Clinic

2010-05-14T06:51:00.001-06:00

I've just come back from 3 more fantastic horse days. I had the privelege of attending a Jonathan Field clinic up in Thorsby, AB this week. There are many great horse people out there, but being a great horse person does not necessarily make them a great teacher. Jonathan is a great teacher and horseman.

I had an opportunity to see Jonathan in action last year during a clinic, just west of Okotoks. I was introduced to Lisa Green through a mutual friend, Teresa van Bryce, because Lisa was looking for a horse to ride, and Teresa knew I had my hands full with three. I introduced Lisa to Skeeter and it was love at first sight. Then Lisa informed me that she had signed up for two upcoming clinics and asked if she could take Skeeter.

Clinics are a great way to increase your knowledge and improve your skills, so I try to take at least one clinic every year, and have taken clinics with some amazing folks (i.e. Ray Hunt, Alexandra Kurland, and Robin Hood, to name a few). I must say that Jonathan's clinic is one of the best I've ever attended. Not only is he respectful and kind towards each participant and their horse, he is extremely knowledgeable and observant. You come away feeling that you had his undivided attention, and that he really cares about your progress by providing positive encouragement and strategies to help you bring your horse along.

He is conducting a Level One clinic in Cochrane this coming weekend so if you have a chance, I would highly recommend going to watch.

Tovie & Nugget

Water Valley Cattle Drive

2010-05-08T21:26:00.049-06:00

Today was a great horse day. Every year Gord and I enjoy helping our friends in Water Valley, with their annual cattle drive. We drive a herd of cow/calf pairs, along with a couple of bulls, approximately 14 miles, through some really pretty country.

This is the 16th year for me, and I can honestly say, this year was the best yet. I rode Jack and I couldn't have asked for a better horse. Gord and I usually ride at the front, leading the herd, along with the mule wagon, driven by Lyle MacDonald. A couple of times we had to retrieve cows that strayed into the bush and Jack responded beautifully to everything I asked of him.

We were joking that it only took me 14 years to really get Jack well broke. What is really happening is that my horsemanship skills are finally creating the relationship I've always wanted with my horses.

Being a good horse person requires knowledge, time, experience, and lots of practice; for those of us who were not born naturally gifted horse people.

The good news for folks just starting out with horses, is that there is an abundance of learning opportunities that weren't available when I was getting started. Finding a coach you are comfortable with will shorten your learning curve immensely.

Happy spring!
Tovie and Jack

The Rewards of Just Horsing Around

2010-04-18T11:06:00.003-06:00

Mark and Sherri have been coming out for lessons and shared their experience with me this morning via e-mail. I wanted to share their comments to reassure anyone else out there who has had a fearful experience with horses. It is possible to overcome your fear and enjoy a safe, productive experience with horses.

Thanks again to you and the boys, for sharing such a wonderful experience with us. After having a very negative introduction years ago (being thrown and then having the horse fall on top of me), I had been very nervous around horses while still admiring and loving them from a distance. My intent for these lessons was to simply become more comfortable with horses, and hopefully to progress to the point of experiencing a Join Up. To have that dream come true today, both for me and my husband, was truly magical -- small pun intended since our first Join Ups were both with Magic!

Your training methods have been great, with a clear, consistent approach and a variety of horses that have allowed me to progress from initially being unable to even convince Jack to move, to working through my fear and building up my confidence, to now working in the round pen with Magic. There is obviously still a lot to learn, both about the horses and our role as humans, but this has been an incredible beginning.

I've included a few pics that Mark took with my iPhone. In case it doesn't show, I have to tell you that I LOOOOVE Magic! :-)

Thanks for taking Mark and I through this journey.

Regards,
Sherri

You are so welcome Sherri and Mark. It has been my absolute pleasure to share your love for horses and see your confidence restored.

p.s. Magic clearly loves you right back!

Clinton Anderson's Walkabout Tour

2010-04-11T22:19:00.025-06:00

Today we are in beautiful Redmond, OR at the Eagle's Crest Resort. The sole reason for our trip was to attend Clinton Anderson's Walkbout Tour. Clinton Anderson is a world famous horseman and clincian. For two days, Clinton demonstrated his training methods on some very difficult horses. Gord and I have been fans of Clinton's, having watched him on RFDTV, so we were not surprised with the fantastic results Clinton achieved with the demo horses. What we didn't expect was the incredible humour with which he delivered his message.

Clinton reiterated my thinking that most new horse enthusiasts are in their early 50s. They now have the time and money to pursue their love of horses. These folks want to learn how to manage horses safely and effectively. Clinton's message dispelled a common belief that if you didn't grow up with horses or start early in life, it isn't possible to become a good horseman. One of the best statements I receive from students, after our lessons, is that they now believe that horse ownership is possible later in life.

We met some terrific folks (Leslie & Gary and Flat Stanley, and Victoria & Jim) in the stands, and were delighted to be invited to join them out for dinner. Horse people really are some of the nicest folks; and loving horses is a tremendous common denominator for meeting and connecting. Hopefully, there will be a chance to get together with them for a ride sometime in the future. Turns out Jim is also a talented song writer and was so inspired by Clinton Anderson that he wrote a song about his experience. Check out "Our Favourite U Tube Videos" in the right hand column of the blog site - Move Your Feet. We have invited these folks to come up for the Stampede and would love the opportunity to share Calgary at it's finest.

Leslie is a farrier and barefoot enthusiast and graciously shared some tips to help me with my own barefoot trimming.

Now we are even more motivated to get home and play with "Boys".

See you when we get back to Calgary.

Tovie and Gord

Extreme Cowboy Race

2010-03-21T21:40:00.007-06:00

This weekend I had the ultimate privilege of participating in the Extreme Cowboy Race, clinic and demonstration. The event was hosted by the Stampede Board and was held during the Acreage & Lifestyle show. The clinic was led by world reknown and respected horseman and clinician, Craig Cameron; an incredible teacher that hails from Texas. Click on "Extreme Cowboy Race" (above) to learn more about Craig's amazing career and the Extreme Race.

I took Outback Jack and we were both so completely out of our league and comfort zone that I actually considered withdrawing from the clinic so as not to embarass myself and more importantly, put undue stress on Jack. I am so glad I didn't withdraw because we received amazing support and encouragement, not only from Craig Cameron, but from other participants. Because of that support, Jack and I are a far more confident team. It was truly only of the best horse experiences because of the people I rode with. They could have easily written me off and judged that I had no business being there but instead they were cheering and offering advice that helped us improve.

Our friends, Dave and Lisa, came down and took video coverage of our runs so if you are interested, check out the YouTube clip, located in the right hand column of the blog site under "Our Favourite U Tube Videos".

The participants ranged from professional trainers who ride full time; and riders who grew up riding and showing, to backyard keeners like me that muddle along with videos and magazines and juggle our riding schedule between jobs and family.

As good as Jack is, I believe that Jack's biggest problem has always been me and I really felt that more this weekend than ever. When I become unravelled, so does he. When I can stay calm and present in the moment, so does he.

Both we and our horses can achieve greater accomplishment through gentle persuasion and patient guidance. As intimidating as it can be, surround yourself with excellence and wisdom; but more importantly, be receptive to learning what others are willing to share.

Happy Spring!
Tovie and Outback Jack

2010 is off to a great start...

2010-01-25T21:33:00.001-07:00

Hello all,
To our blog followers, I apologize for neglecting to post for awhile. I appreciate your interest and am grateful you have expressed your disappointment because it tells me you enjoy reading the blog. I promise to work harder at posting regular updates.

As you know, 2009 was a bit of a downer with the loss of so many wonderful four legged companions, but I am happy to report the "Boys" are fluffy and happy. We managed to get in quite a bit of riding over the holidays which was a nice change over last winter.

2010 is already off to a great start and we'll be "Horsing Around" more than ever. Lori Kovach, from the Calgary Board of Education, recently visited to review our program and check out the facility. Lori advised us today, they will be adding our program to their Continuing Education roster. While we didn't get the details sorted out in time to be published in their brochure, the course information will be posted on their web-site under Chinook Learning Services, so keep an eye out for that.

Our first course will run four Thursday's in May (excluding the Thursday before the long weekend). We will still be offering the private one-on-one sessions but for you social folks who enjoy learning in a group environment, this will be a great option.

Happy 2010!
Tovie, Gord, and the "Boys"

Continuous Learning

2009-11-09T15:45:00.006-07:00

Many horse people will tell you that half the fun of being with horses is the opportunity for continuous learning. Every new situation and every new horse increases your knowledge base and improves your skill set. The more challenging the horses' temperment, the more that horse can teach you. When someone becomes stuck on a particular training method or tool, it can inhibit their growth. A particular tool or training method may work well for the horse you have today, but may not be as effective for the horse you have tomorrow.

My favourite analogy is the public school system. The system works well for the majority of students, and they do well; but what happens to more challenging students who don't excel, for whatever reason. In days gone by, these students were often labeled incorrigible, rebellious, lazy, or stupid. Thankfully, there are exceptional teachers who have explored unconventional teaching methods and tools to help those challenging students excel.

In the horse world, challenging horses are labeled because they can't be trained using conventional training methods and tools. All too often, these horses end up as neglected pasture ornaments or worse - shipped for slaughter.

Many of you may know the story of Nugget, our beautiful black horse that other trainers had labeled, "dangerous and unpredictable". During the three years since Nugget came to me, the only time I have ever encountered problems with Nugget is at clinics, when traditional trainers used methods that caused him to become angry and resistant.

Over the years I have participated in many clinics, taken lessons, studied countless hours of video, read anything I could get my hands on, and most importantly - practiced. Some of the folks who have directly or indirectly influenced my learning are; Linda Tellington-Jones' sister Robyn Hood, Alexandra Kurland, Ray Hunt, Clay Webster, Deb Ladaroute, Clinton Anderson, Jonathan Field, Lane Moore, and Nettie Barr. Some of these folks use more traditional methods and tools, while others have explored and shared, unconventional training methods and tools; all this learning has served the horses I interact with very well.

My wish is for you to remain open and have fun learning from horses!
Tovie

Peppy's Epitaph

2009-10-31T10:11:00.021-06:00

Yesterday we said good-bye to Peppy San Poco (aka Peppy). We made the sad decision to put him down after a visit over the summer from Grant MacKinnon, the equine dentist. Grant advised that Peppy had simply run out of teeth, making it difficult to process his food efficiently. Despite supplemental daily feedings of senior's ration, it was nearly impossible to keep weight on Peppy. We decided that putting him through another cold winter would be selfish.

Gord bought Peppy as a 4 year old back in 1984 and rode him for 20 years. They rode many miles of mountain trails, many cattle drives, and paticipated several times in the Calgary Stampede Parade. In 1989, Peppy and Gord were awarded a trophy, for the Best Looking Horse in the entire parade. With his glorious copper coat and undeniable presence, Peppy was definitely a looker.

Peppy has always been the BOSS of our herd. I'm not sure if that was his choice, but for the other horses, he was the unequivical leader. Rarely did we witness Peppy do more than lay an ear back to another horse. He led the herd with dignity and fairness. He would permit the more submissive horses to share a meal with him and the other dominant horses wouldn't even try.

Dessa Hockly has written a terrific book entitled, "Is Your Horse A Rock Star". (<-- Click link to Dessa's web-site - it really is a fun read). After observing hundreds of horses, Dessa identified 8 different personality types and groups them together to help you identify your horses' personality type. She then goes on to describe each personality type by assigning them appropriate names (i.e. The Rock Star, The Sceptic, The Steady Eddy, etc). This is similar to what has been done by Briggs and Myers for people. Dessa then recommends handling and training methods that work best for that particular personality type. Appropriately, Peppy's personality is identified as "The Boss". Peppy was extremely Dominant, extremely Energetic, extremely Aloof, and extremely Afraid - DEAA and Dessa describes him perfectly in her book. She wrote, "The Boss takes life and his job seriously. Come along for the ride if you like. There will be times when you will do most of the work and they will be there to take more of the glory, even act like they did it all by themselves".For students of our program "Just Horsing Around", Peppy was the complete opposite of the type of horse a beginner should start with. This made him an excellent example of how "The Boss" reacts to life. Interestingly, after students had handled all the horses, I would ask them which horse they would like to purchase and many would say Peppy. Not only was he beautiful, his ground manners were impeccible and he was extremely sensitive and responsive, making him a joy to handle. You could think a change of direction and Peppy would comply whereas duller type horses say, "make me". But - Peppy also had a dark side.For years, Peppy's Aloofness made him difficult to catch and we would have to corner him in a coral away from the other horses. His Fearfulness would make him spooky, causing him to spin and bolt for home if I wasn't paying attention, his Dominance could lead to power strugges under saddle, and his Energy was often difficult to contain.Several years ago Kevin Pole suggested we ask him to gallop until he wanted to stop and then push him a little harder. After 45 minutes, Peppy showed no signs of slowing down and we were both drenched in sweat. All Kevin could say is, "he's got a big motor".Peppy's complicated personality could make him a challenging horse but he and Gord just seemed to work. Gord hunted with him, rode parades with him, and used him to gather cows. There seemed nothing Peppy wouldn't do for Gord. Peppy was very sensitive to cues, and such a beautifully smooth ride, that he always made Gord look good.Needless to say, Peppy was no beginner's horse but he was a wonderful leader of our herd and Gord had 23 good years with him.

Farewell Peppy.

No doubt, the "Boys" will miss having you as "The Boss".

Happy Ending

2009-10-18T11:51:00.006-06:00

You may remember my blog in August, when students Linda and Tim bought their first horse and Daktoa tragically died just a few hours after they purchased her. The vet speculated that she may have had a heart defect. Even though she was a young horse, the stress of moving her was too much for her. Needless to say, Linda and Tim were devastated and never wanted to experience that pain again. They felt horse ownership was simply not meant to be for them.

However, once their grief began to subside, Linda found herself searching for horses on-line again and fell in love with a lovely paint mare. They have named her Miakoda - a Native American name that means “Power of the Moon”, short form of Koda means “friend”. She has the most beautiful blue eyes and white eyelashes and the sweetest personality. They brought her here to get a good start with her and we have had a lot of fun playing with her. Miakoda now thinks she is just one of the "boys".

Linda is finally starting to worry less about losing her and is really starting to enjoy her. I think Linda and Tim are going to have many years with Miakoda and we wish them all the best on their journey of horsemanship.

Big hug to Linda, Tim, and Miakoda.
Tovie, Gord, and the "Boys"

The Chair is Empty

2009-08-25T17:37:00.014-06:00

Today, I am saying goodbye to our dear old German Shepherd, Shilo. Shilo was 11 years old and was diagnosed with lymphoma in July. Sadly, last week Shilo started to deteriorate and by Sunday, it was clear he was ready to go. Unfortunately, Gord was away fishing on the west coast so was only able to talk to Shilo over the phone. It was heartwarming to see Shilo's response to Gord's voice, even in his weakened state.

We have many wonderful memories of Shilo. He was a big beautiful boy - with a glorious sable coat. Shilo weighed in at whopping 115 lbs. and I loved to tease folks who met him for the first time by saying, "they were safe because Shilo had already eaten". He was the perfect dog - beautiful, friendly and kind. He got along well with other dogs and after we lost our other Shepherd, Sparkie, last year, his best friends became our cats, Clover and Brutus.

You are probably wondering about the title of this post. "The Chair" was an old recliner that was headed to dump after Gord bought himself a new leather recliner. Minutes after Gord set the old recliner out on the deck, Shilo claimed it as his "Chair".

I can't tell you how embarrassed I was by the condition of "The Chair", and often mentioned how glad I would be when it was gone - not really considering what that implied. Now, I would gladly keep that ugly old chair forever, if it meant that Shilo was still curled up in it. Seeing Shilo and the cats curled up together on "The Chair" always made us smile.

I came upon the following poem a couple days after losing Shilo - I hope you enjoy it.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author Unknown.

The affection and love Shilo gave us over the years, far out outweighs the pain of losing him.

Good-bye Shilo. You were a great dog and we'll miss you forever.

Tragic Horse Week

2009-08-15T17:07:00.006-06:00

As with any endeavour, we have to take the bad with the good. While there is a ton of joy that comes from horse ownership, there is inevitably sadness. Two ladies that came here as students and subsequently became my friends, tragically lost their horses this past week.

Cindy had been leasing a lovely older mare named Macs, for a couple of years. Macs taught Cindy a lot and Cindy adored Macs, and cared for her as her own. Sadly Macs broke her leg last week and had to be euthanized.

Linda and Tim have been coming out for lessons and were getting excited about purchasing their first horse. A couple of weeks ago, we went out to look at a 6 year old mare they were interested in. Dakota was a beautiful Fjord X, with a lovely disposition. She had loads of experience from her days at Griffen Valley Ranch, and would have been a perfect first horse. Linda and Tim made the decision to buy her and took her out to their property in Sundre. Now, I haven't been able to speak to them because they don't have cell service out there. I only received a message from Tim saying that 4 days after they got her home, she died from tying up. The vet thought it may have been caused by the stress of moving her. Now Dakota was a hardy little horse so it is hard to imagine how such a thing could happen. Horses are moved regularly without adverse affect.

Any of us who have experienced the excitement of getting our first horse, can't imagine the loss Linda and Tim are feeling.

I also met the young lady they bought Dakota from. Kayla was selling Dakota out of necessity and was very emotional about parting with her. She truly loved Dakota and was very happy Linda and Tim bought her. I can only imagine her grief as well.

Big hugs to Cindy, Linda, Tim and Kayla
and farewell to the two wonderful horses they loved, Macs & Dakota

Alberta Mental Health Group Horses Around

2009-07-31T07:15:00.005-06:00

On Monday we had a group of folks out to interact with the horses. Pam Lindley from Alberta Mental Health, organized the outing and she and her volunteer, Ginny, brought 9 participants. When they first contacted me, I really had no idea what to expect and nor did they. We couldn't even verify the number of folks who would come. So, as I often do, we just went with the flow and let things happen. Basically, I gave them an extremely condensed version of our program, with some hands-on interaction with the horse. We used Outback Jack (aka) Applejack because he is just so easy and really inspires confidence. Everyone seemed to have a good time and I was delighted to get the following feedback from Pam yesterday.

Hi Tovie:

Thank you so much for the wonderful experience with Jack. He was such a great horse. Everyone enjoyed the evening. I am going to tell all the groups I work with of the awsome opportunity for the clients. We will definetly be back for more. Thanks also for the pictures they are great and we can start a photo album for the clients.

Thanks
Pam Lindley

Thank you Pam and Ginny for organizing this. And of course a big thank you to Jack for his calm patience. It was also a wonderful experience for me.

I love to see folks smiling after their interaction with the horses and I love sharing our horses. I feel very fortunate to have horses that allow me to have these type of experiences.

With much gratitude,
Tovie

The "Boys" see the Dentist

2009-07-19T08:12:00.006-06:00

Hello all,
Every year we have our "boys" teeth floated during their annual check-up from our vet. This year we decided to try out a Certified Equine Dentist, Grant MacKinnon. I had seen Grant at various conferences and was interested in what he had to say about overall balance of the mouth. We found Grant to be exceptionally knowlegeable and he had a talent for effectively explaining, in layman's terms, every aspect of what he was doing. We learned so much that day and were very impressed with what we saw. However, what impressed us more were the amazing results we felt when we test drove our "boys" over the next few days. They went straighter, held a frame better, and their lateral flexion was more even on both sides. Now, I realize some of you folks may not understand what some of that means, but trust me - if you have a horse and have an opportunity to use an equine dental specialist, the results are definitely worth it.

Aside from the tremendous job he did on the "boys" teeth, Grant is an avid barefooter and gave me a couple of tips about my own barefoot trimming that will undoubtedly improve my results.

Needless to say it was one of my more memorable horse days. Interestingly, memorable horse days typically occur when I am learning something extraordinary that I think will improve lifefor the "boys", or improve my interaction with them.

If you want to learn more about Grant's work, simply click on the title of this blogspot and you will be linked to Grant's web-site.

Thanks to Grant and Tamara MacKinnon for the fabulous work they do.

Tovie, Gord and the "Boys"

What Happened to June?

2009-07-18T18:16:00.005-06:00

Hey folks,
My apologies for missing June - we were just having way too much fun Horsing Around. However, I didn't want to miss the opportunity to tell you about a wonderful ranch we visit on occassion - Sundance Guest Ranch. We had the pleasure again this June of joining some of our friends up there for some great riding, great food and lots of laughs. If you are considering a horsey vacation, I highly recommend a visit to the Ranch. They have horses to accommodate all riding levels from little-to-no experience to experienced riders. The trails are wonderful and the horses like to go fast - lots of galloping. Even though most of the friends we meet up there have their own horses and we are only an hour away from some of the best riding country in the world, we ladies like to go to the Ranch because we don't have to do any of the work. The horses are groomed and saddled and the meals are prepared. While I personally enjoy looking after my own horse, I sure don't mind being served my meals.
Chris Johnson is one of the wranglers, along with his lovely wife Uli who works in the office and we are lucky to call them our friends. You folks who have been out to our place and have met Magic, my hubby's horse - well he bought him from Chris during one of our visits to the Ranch. Magic was Chris' personal horse and we will be forever grateful that we were able to purchase Magic. So any of you who may be thinking of a wonderful horsey getaway - just click on the title of this blog and it will take you to the Sundance Guest Ranch website. You better plan ahead though because it is a popular vacation destination.

p.s. Say hello to Chris and Uli for us.

Stay cool and happy trails,
Tovie & Gord

Jonathan Field Clinic

2009-05-26T07:18:00.002-06:00

This month I am writing about a marvellous clinician who recently conducted two back-to-back clinics in our local area. Clinics are a great way to expand your learning with your horses and get you motivated to get out and play with your horse.

Jonathan Field is a wonderful teacher - patient, observant and funny. He truly wants to help improve relationships between horses and their handlers. Click on the title above to learn more about Jonathan Field.

In early May I was introduced to Lisa. Lisa had signed up for Jonathan's Level 1 and Level 2 clinics and didn't have her own horse so I agreed to let her take Skeeter. When we dropped him off, it reminded me of sending my daughter off to summer camp. I was excited for the experience he would have but worried he would be lonely and homesick. As expected though, Lisa took very good care of him and they did well together, despite having only met. I was lucky enough to go over and watch a few of the sessions and the two of them did a terrific job. Now that Skeeter is home, it is obvious that he is definitely better off for the attention and time Lisa put into him. Luckily for Skeeter, Lisa wants to continue playing with him.

Due to our unusually harsh winter, none of our boys got much quality time over the past few months. I have always said it is unfair to play with our horses infrequently and then expect them to be perfect when we want to use them. Good horses are developed and maintained by spending quality time with them and Skeeter is a testament to this statement. Too bad, they couldn't have all participated in Jonathan's clinics.

Many thanks and a warm welcome to Lisa - our newest barn buddy!
Tovie

Horse Industry Association of Alberta liked what we are doing

2009-04-15T21:32:00.004-06:00

The Horse Industry Association of Alberta invited us out to their "Getting Started With Horses Seminar" during the Acreage & Lifestyle show down at the Roundup Centre last weekend. It was great to see so many potential Newbies who are looking for more information about getting started with horses. Last month, a representative from the HIAA came out to see what we're doing and I was delighted that they thought our program worthwhile enough to promote at their booth throughout the weekend. As with their seminars, we want to attract city folks who may not have an agricultural contact person to help them get started in the wonderful world of horses.

We look forward to helping you get started.
Tovie & the "Boys"

Open House was a Success

2009-01-25T08:15:00.003-07:00

We were pleasantly surprised by the turnout yesterday, despite the frosty temperatures. It was wonderful to meet some new faces and catch up with some familiar faces who stopped by to have a coffee with us. I think everyone enjoyed being with the "boys", especially 3 year old Rachael - they really are very charming.
A big thank you to everyone who braved the cold to spend the afternoon with us. I personally can't think of a better way to spend a bitterly cold afternoon, than hanging out in a cozy warm barn with friendly people and friendly horses. This will definitely be a must-do on a regular basis.

Stay warm,
Tovie and Gord

Open House January 24, 2008 1:00 - 4:00

2009-01-18T07:50:00.004-07:00

There were several folks who contacted me in 2008 expressing a keen interest in learning about horses. I completely understand how the serious business of life can get in the way of doing fun things, especially when you don't know what the fun is all about. So, we decided to host an Open House next Saturday, January 24th and invite folks to come out and see what the program is all about and meet the horses. Initially, I only invited folks who haven't been out before, but then thought it would be a great opportunity to invite past participants to stop by and say hi to us, and the "boys" of course. Because our sessions are one-on-one, it is easy to form great relationships with our students and I miss them when they move on to the next phase of their adventure (some take riding lessons, others purchase a beloved first horse, and others are satisfied to have learned just for satisfaction of knowing more about what makes horses tick). I have sadly discovered there isn't enough time in a day to keep in touch with each and every student or I would be on the computer all the time instead of out in the barn "Horsing Around".

Hope to meet you or catch up with you next week!
Tovie, Gord and the "Boys"

Horse Breeders & Owners Conference

2009-01-16T18:17:00.002-07:00

The Horse Industry Association of Alberta hosted the annual Horse Breeders & Owners Conference in Red Deer last weekend. If you are at all interested in horses, this is a must attend event. The line up of speakers were all leaders in their fields. It was a weekend of education, networking and socializing. The organizers did a fantastic job and I am sure they were pleased with attendance. It was terrific to meet new people, and socialize with friends. For newbies just getting started with horses, it can be a confusing and frustrating world with the variety of opinions and expertise. This conference presented several top DVM's (doctor of veterinary medicine) who shared their latest research findings in various fields from dentistry, hoof care, parasite control, and the effects of strength and flexibility on a horse's bio-mechanics. I have always believed in gathering as much information as possible and forming my own opinions with regard to the care of our horses.

To learn more about the Horse Industry Association of Alberta and what they offer, click on the title to get to their web-site.

Kind regards,

Happy New Year

2009-01-14T09:56:00.006-07:00

We at Just Horsing Around would like to wish all our participants a wonderful 2009 because you sure made our 2008 a very special year.

I made a big change in 2008 by leaving my downtown corporate job to Horse Around full time. Rush hour has a whole new meaning for me now and instead of making me cranky, it makes me smile. Getting cut off means our big old German Shepherd, Shilo is playing and jumping in front of me on the way to the barn or feed shed. Getting stuck in traffic means there is a horse in front of me that won't move out of my way. Merging is awesome because it means my horse and I are connecting beautifully, and I always get the best parking spot when my horse parks at the mounting block for me to get on his back.

The day after I left my job, I was offered my first training opportunity. Honey is a lovely 3 year old mare who had had some mishandling episodes previously and was quite mistrustful. Honey is the youngest horse I have worked with and now that I have earned her trust, she is turning out to be a very willing partner and a joy to work with.

What many folks starting out with horses don't realize, is that every time we handle a horse, we are teaching it; good or bad. By improving our handling skills and confidence, we can create more good than bad. This improves our relationship with any horse we are lucky enough to encounter.

Have fun and be safe Horsing Around in 2009,
Tovie, Gord, and the "Boys"

Christmas Gift Idea

2008-11-11T14:57:00.003-07:00

Christmas is right around the corner and Just Horsing Around has the perfect gift idea for that "horse crazy" person in your life - a personalized gift certificate. This is the perfect gift for the young at heart who may have thought their dream of being with horses had passed them by. The sessions are private and the focus is on what one needs to know prior to getting in the saddle. The program can be tailored for those looking for a recreational experience to those who may be contemplating horse ownership. Since all interaction with our well-mannered horses is on the ground, age and/or physical limitation are a non-issue.

We will help you make that special someone's Christmas wish come true!
Tovie

Happy participant...

2008-11-06T21:55:00.005-07:00

I wanted to share a lovely message received today from a recent participant. Since starting Just Horsing Around, the feedback has been wonderful and this beautifully written note expresses the joy I strive to share.

I've been tied up a bit as of late and haven't had time to write since my last lesson, but that certainly doesn't mean it hasn't been on my mind to send you a very big thank you!

As you know, having had some background from growing up with horses, I was a bit concerned at first that I might not get to learn anything new, or worse yet, end up taking a lesson that was completely against my beliefs and experience on how horses should be treated (i.e. with understanding, not force). You, however, put these concerns to rest, right from the start as your approach, experience, passion, compassion and the knowledge that you shared were wonderful. You not only reassured me about the things I had learned from my past experience, but also went above and beyond in teaching me theory and hands on techniques that I had not even realized existed or understood very well before. I was looking for a practical and solid, all-around background in working with horses and you definitely gave me this.

Thank you also for your patience and understanding while I learned new concepts. I have been around horse people who are incredibly knowledgeable, but have not known how to pass this skill and information on to others. You, however had no problem doing this and at the same time shared so many pointers and tips along the way (e.g. hoof care, training options, clinics, and horse health). You also impressed me with being able to answer all of my questions, either directly or by finding out the answer and getting back to me. You are a really great teacher and I'm so happy to have taken lessons from you.

I have already recommended you to a couple of my friends and if anyone asks for a reference from one of your past students, I will be happy to give them one. Also, I hope that in the Spring I might be able to bring my husband by for a couple of lessons too.

Thank you so very much!

Take care,
Shauna

PS. Please pass on a nice petting to each of your horses for me as a very special thank you to them! They were each, with their own individual personalities, such great examples and guinea pigs for me to work with. It made everything that much easier. You can tell by their good behaviour and comfort around people that they've had great owners taking care of them. That too says a lot.

A big thanks to Shauna for sharing these lovely thoughts. I look forward to sharing the experience with more Horse Crazy folks.
Tovie

Where Did Summer Go?

2008-09-09T20:28:00.005-06:00

It is hard to believe September is already here. This past weekend a few of us ladies took our horses out to the Lazy M Ranch and participated in Lane Moore's natural horsemanship clinic. As every horse person knows, there are nearly as many training methods as there are horse people and not everyone will agree as to the best method. What I tell my students is that you will learn something from every teacher and it is up to you to decide what feels right for you and your horse. As long as basic manners and mutual respect are a priority, I believe there are different ways to achieve your training goals. Once again, Lane and his wife Margie were the ultimate hosts and we all came away feeling more knowledgeable about handling our horses. I also discovered that Lane will be demonstrating barefoot trimming at the Health, Harmony & Horses Conference at the Okotoks Agriplex. For more details about the Conference, including registration, please click on the title and it will take you to their web-site.

Wishing you a beautiful Indian Summer,
Tovie

Article in June Issue of Pacific & Prairie Horse Journal

2008-07-20T07:39:00.002-06:00

Wendy Dudley submitted a well-written article that appeared in the June issue of Pacific & Prairie Horse Journal. Wendy captured the essence of what we are teaching and I am grateful for her interest in what we are doing. In fact during our interview, Wendy admitted that she could have used a program like this prior to acquiring her first equine friend. Wendy bought her acreage and with very little experience and knowledge, she purchased the wrong horse and was badly hurt. I have heard so many stories like that over the years. Unfortunately folks don't know what they don't know. Just Horsing Around has been designed to give folks enough information to make safe and knowledgeable decisions with regard to horse ownership. That could also mean that they decide horse ownership isn't for them and that is OK too. Better they are making an informed decision rather than jumping into something blindly and ending up injured or with another neglected horse in the pasture.

Many thanks to Wendy,
Tovie

Meet Clover - our new barn buddy...

2008-07-01T20:20:00.006-06:00

Yesterday a new barn buddy showed up quite unexpectedly. My neighbour called to say her son had found a kitten wandering in downtown Calgary. They already have two cats and she knew I had recently lost my sweet little Mojo and thought I might consider taking this kitten. Naturally, I wouldn't pass up an opportunity to help a kitten in need so I said, "sure bring him over". Now I didn't say it without reservation and really wasn't sure if this new addition would be welcome by my very possessive barn kitty, Brutus. Brutus can be very hard on other animals which makes it difficult to juggle them in and out of the barn without Brutus attacking them - he has even terrorized our huge Sheperd, Shilo. In fact the minute the kitten arrived, Brutus assumed the attack position and growled quite viciously so he had to stay out of the barn. All evening and early morning I wondered how this could work without Brutus scaring the kitten away so I called a friend of mine who specializes in Reiki (energy healing) who has had tremendous success working with animals. I asked Ellen to intervene with Brutus to see if she could create harmony between Brutus and the kitten. Whether you believe in energy healing or not, I'm here to say that for the first time ever, I saw Brutus actually play with another cat. To see Brutus, Clover, and Shilo together made my heart sing.

Anyway, the kitten's story didn't end here. He was so friendly, I thought perhaps somebody was missing him and so early this morning I went on-line to see if there had been a "lost" ad placed. Turns out I found an ad about him but it was someone looking for a home for him by June 28th because the were leaving the province and couldn't take him. There were photos and his name - Clover, and his age - 8 months. There was no doubt these folks couldn't find a home so just kicked him out to fend for himself and left town. I responded to their message saying I was appalled they would dump him in downtown Calgary and that he now has a loving home despite their neglectful treatment of him. It makes me sad that loving pets like Clover can be discarded like the trash when they no longer suit someone's agenda.

If you click on the title of this blog entry, you will find a link to the Kijiji site where I found out about Clover and his photo.

Clover has now been officially adopted into the "Horsing Around" family.

If you follow this blog site, then I know you love your pets as much as they love you.

Big hug,
Tovie

Barefoot Clinic @ Lazy M Ranch

2008-06-27T21:45:00.006-06:00

Last weekend Gord and I attended a barefoot clinic out at the Lazy M Ranch, NW of Sundre. For the past two years I have been studying and practicing barefoot trimming on my own. While the improvements to our horses' feet were significant, I still felt there was more to learn. There are very few certified barefoot practitioners around the Calgary area so I arranged to bring in a clinician from BC to host a clinic. The response was disappointing and the clinic was ultimately cancelled but I wasn't ready to give up my quest to keep learning. That is when I discovered Lane Moore out at the Lazy M Ranch. Lane is not only an extremely talented horseman and barefoot trimmer, he is also a tremendously patient teacher with a terrific sense of humour. His clinic will go down as one of my favourite clinics ever, and I have attended many. He and his wife Margie were gracious hosts for the entire weekend. We stayed at their beautiful lodge along a spring-fed creek, ate fabulous food, shared tons of horse stories and laughter, and discovered a key element I had been missing about barefoot trimming - confidence. For anyone wanting to learn more about barefoot trimming, I highly recommend attending one of Lane's clinics. Click on the title of this blog post to check out their web-site. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Happy Canada Day!
Tovie

Muskat's Epitaph...

2008-06-17T15:47:00.012-06:00

It has been a while since the last entry but it was important to write today to talk about Muskat. He passed on today from a sudden and severe bout of colic. It is still hard to believe that he won't be running in with the "Boys" for oatie-oats ever again. Muskat came to live with us in 1999 when I saw a little ad in the Bargain Finder, that read "free" horse. His owner, Gladys, explained that her circumstances had changed and she was looking for a good home for him and that yes, he was free but that I couldn't ever sell him. Gladys had raised him from birth and didn't want to loose track of him but she was very particular about who she was giving him to. She interviewed interested parties and watched how they handled him and how he reacted to them and then she also checked out where he was going to live. It seems like only yesterday when she called to say she had chosen us to have him.

Over the years he has given so much joy to me and more recently, the Horsing Around students. Upon learning of Muskat's death, Sheila, a Horsing Around student, wrote these words to me:

What I learned from Muskat (and you Tovie):

• that touching and caring for another creature reduces fear and brings unexpected closeness
• that it's possible to completely forget yourself when you are learning about how to do something new
• that no matter who (or what) we are, thoughtful attention to our needs is a wonderful thing

We are so sorry to hear about Muskat. Yes - we can't help but agree with you that it would have been dreadful to see him suffer. We are thinking about you.

Muskat was not only beautiful, his manners were impecable and he had the sweetest disposition. Although he wasn't very big, he was fiesty and second in command, after Peppy San, in the pecking order. We used to tease that he had small-man syndrome because he would boss even the biggest of the "Boys". As a testament to his sweet, considerate nature, he even chose a convenient day to say goodbye. I had already booked off work for the day to have the vet come for the annual teeth and vaccinations. When I saw him down this morning, I called the vet who rearranged his schedule to come here early. Once it was apparent that it would be impossible to save him, the decision was made that it was best to put him down rather than have him suffer. I will be forever grateful that he chose today so he didn't suffer very long and I could be with him.

Good-bye sweet little horse,
Love from me and your "Boys"

4H Clicker Demonstration

2008-03-30T18:27:00.005-06:00

Many thanks to the High River 4H Club for inviting me out today to present a clicker training demonstration. We had a whole lot of fun despite all the snow that fell last night. Clicker training is something I think the kids and parents can have a lot of fun with. For those of you unfamiliar with clicker training (operant conditioning); it is similar to the work they do with dolphins at Sea World only they use a whistle and fish. Clicker training has also been a popular training method in the canine world for many years and now we are finding wonderful ways to interact with our horses using clicker training. Recently I discovered that the Calgary Zoo also relys on clicker training methods when working with large mammals (i.e. giraffe, elephant, hippo and gorilla).

I personally have had tremendous success using clicker training to fix problem horses. A few examples are; hard to catch, difficult to bridle (from head tossing to rearing back), biting, pawing, not accepting de-worming, and not standing still to mount.

The best thing about clicker training is that you only focus on the positive behaviour and virtually ignore undesirable behaviour. This leads to improved communication with your horse and a more trusting partnership.

While the results are phenomenal, you really do feel like you are playing with your horse and I don't know of any other training method that is so much fun.

Thanks again High River 4H Club for the opportunity to share this wonderful training tool with you.

Tovie

Let the fun continue...

2008-02-03T22:32:00.000-07:00

2008 is well underway and we’ve got a new group of folks Horsing Around. This group is a little more diverse and that is very exciting. Previous students have been 40+ with little to no previous horse experience. As you can imagine, it is easy to teach people who know very little because they really have no way to judge if what you are teaching is good or not. This time around I have two ladies who are already hanging out with horses and they are very excited about what they are learning from my program. These ladies are doing all the right things to gather as much information and practice their skills with well-mannered horses for their “tool box” as they call it. They attend seminars and most recently attended the Horse Breeders and Owners Conference in Red Deer. The positive feedback I am receiving from these ladies is most reassuring that I am sharing practical and valuable information that will make their horse experience safer and ultimately more fun. In the world of horses there are conflicting ideas and I remember being a “Newbie” and often wondering which was the “correct” way. I encourage all my students to be open minded to whatever the book, coach, or trainer is saying, give it a try, and choose what feels right and makes sense to them.

Another exciting new student in January, has been a 9 year old girl. Her mother contacted me about purchasing a gift certificate for Christmas to give her horse crazy daughter. Since my program was developed for adults, I was concerned there might be too much detail and might bore a child. We decided to arrange one session to see how it went. Hardly bored, this well read, horse crazy girl lapped it all up and couldn’t wait to sign up for more. She reminds me very much of myself at that age and how I yearned to just be near a horse – lucky girl.

Look forward to sharing the wonderful world of horses with you.
Tovie

Sun Country Article - Published November 2007

2007-12-09T18:34:00.001-07:00

Well, nothing like great publicity to help spread the word. Delaney Seiferling's very well written article in the November issue of Sun Country has created tremendous response. Only problem is, I have changed jobs since I spoke to Delaney and the phone number published in the article is my old work number. The number to call is; 938-5450 (evenings) or the best way is by e-mail at justhorsearound@gmail.com.
Despite the error, we've got a good group starting up in January. Some folks have called to order gift certificates for their favourite horse crazy person so I've got my very creative hubby busy doing up gift certificates. "All Done"

The "Boys" and I are starting to wind down for the Holiday Season, although there are a few devoted students who want to keep Horsing Around through the holidays. That is just fine with me because there isn't anything I'd rather be doing.

I think the "Boys" are enjoying all the attention they have received this weekend. They have never been so spoiled and they all deserve it because they have been absolutely phenominal while teaching all the "Newbies". Thank you to Irene for the wonderful bag of molasses treats and Gail and Glen for the amazing basket of goodies.

Gail put together a variety basket of veggies and fruits and we brought all the "Boys" into the barn and did a taste test to see who preferred what. It was great fun. After the "Boys" got their treats, Gail brought out some wonderful treats and some "Christmas Cheer" for us too, and we kicked off the holiday season.

Many thanks to you all,
Tovie, Gord & the "Boys"

We're having a lot of fun Just Horsing Around

2007-10-02T18:22:00.000-06:00

The participants currently enrolled in the program are terrific and we're having a lot of fun Just Horsing Around. My experience has shown me that most people with no previous background think a horse is a horse of course. It has been helpful to have a variety of horses for folks to experience - ranging from very sensitive to rock solid. My hope is that participants gain an appreciation and respect for how challenging it can be for horses to fit into our hectic schedules. We are trusting horses with our lives and limbs - often with good intention but without adequate training or consistent handling. We simply cannot pull a horse out of the pasture or stall once a week and expect them to handle whatever it is we may ask of them. Over the years I have seen many horses that rarely get a visit, let alone handled. My goal is to share enough information to help people make a realistic, informed decision as to whether horse ownerhip is right for them. It is simply not enough to be horse crazy - you have to do the work!

Tovie

Just Horsing Around - Program Outline

2007-09-21T08:32:00.000-06:00

The response to the article published in the Calgary Herald has been fantastic. I knew there were lots of horse crazy folks who didn't know where to go. I thought it might be helpful to provide the following Program Outline to give you a better idea of the topics I cover.

Introduction

parts of the horse
conformation
demonstrating different gaits (i.e. walk, trot, canter) explaining leads & diagonals

Safe Handling

safely tying your horse (slip knot)
safe rope and rein handling
introducing something new to your horse (i.e. clippers, rain slicker, horse blankets, etc.)
moving your horse (leading, backing, moving shoulders & hips)
demonstrating good manners and respect
demonstrating pecking order and leadership

Grooming

demonstrating the various tools
cleaning out the hoofs
cleaning sheaths & udders
bathing
clipping

Health Management

stabling vs. pasture
vices
de-worming
vaccinations
farrier (shoeing vs. barefoot)
teeth
basic first aid necesseties
normal body temperature, pulse rate, respiration, gut sounds

Tack

importance of a good saddle fit
types of saddles
types of pads & cinches
different bits and their recommended use
types of bridles and fitting
types of halters
cleaning

Costs

boarding (pasture vs. stables)
farrier
basic health care costs (vaccinating, de-worming, teeth)
emergency vet care
tack

Selecting a Horse

explaining various disciplines
common riding breeds
pointers when going to look at a horse

Well folks, thats it in a nutshell. Depending on your previous experience, we can cover whatever it is you would like to know more about. As well, if you are reading this and feel there is something important I have missed - would love to receive your input.

Tovie

Let me introduce my "boys"

2007-09-15T06:39:00.002-06:00

Outback Jack (aka Applejack) - 15 year old Appaloosa
Jack is the first horse I ever purchased in 1996 and I almost didn't. He was only 4 and he was an Appaloosa. Firstly I thought he was too young for my level of inexperience and secondly I had never heard any favourable comments about Appaloosas. At the time, a young apprentice working with Kevin Pole knew the horse and suggested Jack would be perfect for me and he was the nicest Appy he had ever ridden. So the next day I went out to meet Jack. There he was out in a pasture with a large group of horses and when the metal gate clanged, this head popped up as if to say "people". Jack came running over to us and gave me a nuzzle and I bought him on the spot. I wrote to the lady listed on his registration papers to say what a lovely horse he is and that I was very happy to have him. A few weeks later she came to Calgary and brought me baby photos of Jack and his mom and said Jack had been a delight since the moment he was born.

Turnabout Skeeter (aka Skeeterbug) - 9 year old Paint
Skeeterbug was a horse we went to check out for a friend of ours in 2005. Our Auntie Betty called to say her friends were selling lock, stock & barrel. A tri-coloured paint has always been my colour preference and there he was. I certainly didn't need another horse but Skeeter was so smooth to ride and I loved his colour. It was my b-day the next day so Gord had him delivered. He is not a terribly confident horse and it has been fun but also challenging at times, helping him overcome some of his troubles. At 16.1 his height was the biggest drawback for me - especially for mounting. Skeeter now stretches front and back legs out really wide to make it easier for me to get on - he's such a gentleman.

This is how it's done

Favorite Dream (aka Nugget) - 7 year old Quarter Horse
Nugget is the newest member of our family. A fellow we know bought him a couple of years ago because he always wanted a black horse. Nugget was great that first year but the following spring he refused to be bridled or ridden. His owner took him to a trainer and after two weeks she had still not bridled him and suggested he was dangerous and should be slaughtered. Nugget came to me and I started bridling him after a couple of days but he wouldn't let anyone else bridle him for another 3 weeks. He went on to have a very active summer and winter, cattle penning and lessons. This spring he exploded again and two more trainers said he is unpredictable and dangerous and should be slaughtered so as of June 2007, he is with me permanently. He truly is one of the nicest horses I've ever dealt with and I have never felt threatened or had any difficulty with him. He is beautiful and sweet and it is hard to imagine what the "professionals" may have done to instigate dangerous behaviour. Anyway, I'm glad they did.

Entwhistle Resistol (aka Magic) - 12 year old Quarter Horse
Magic is perfect - what can I say. He is actually Gord's horse and the bond between the two of them is very special. We went to Sundance Ranch in BC with a bunch of friends and Gord really admired Chris Johnson's horse - Magic. Chris is one of the Wrangler's at Sundance Ranch and he and his wife Uli are also friends. Well Chris and Gord struck a deal and Magic came to live with us in 2003.

Peppy San Poco (aka Peppy) - 23 year old Quarter Horse
Peppy is now retired but Gord rode him for more than 14 years. Peppy has been in the Stampede Parade several times and actually won an award one year as the best conditioned and groomed horse and he is still beautiful.

You can probably tell I'm no breed snob - love 'em all.

Tovie

Here is an Idea . . .

2007-09-13T22:20:00.000-06:00

Hello and welcome. If you have found your way here after reading the article on me in the Calgary Herald - Thank You! Of course, we're just getting started so check back to the site regularly. It will be fun to see where it heads.

I'm guessing you are also horse crazy or you may know someone who is. If you have a favourite horse crazy person in your life, you may want to give them one of my gift certificates as a special gift. Just send me an e-mail (justhorsearound@gmail.com) with your request and we can set it up for you.

Remember friends, all you have to do is ask, there are no stupid questions. I started out not knowing what I didn't know and hope I can shorten the learning curve for you.
Tovie

Let's Get Started

2007-09-06T22:28:00.000-06:00

Today I will be starting a new adventure - Just Horsing Around . . .
In May I began giving lessons to Horse Crazy folks looking for a starting point toward developing exceptional horsemanship skills. My students to date have included a family of 6, a SAIT Instructor in his early 50s, a mom who's kids are growing up so she now has more time to herself, friends, a work colleague, and business associate (all are becoming good friends).

Yesterday I was interviewed by the Calgary Herald and there will be a photo shoot on Monday. The possibilities of what may develop from having my story published are exciting and scary all at the same time.

When everything falls into place the way it has, one can only believe it was meant to be. I love hanging out in the barn with my boys, love meeting new people, and love teaching... this path couldn't be more perfect!

A big thank-you hug to all my favourite people - I hope I have done a good job letting you all know who you are!