January has been a very busy month for Just Horsing Around - in fact the busiest month since we started back in 2007. It never gets old for me to help folks come away with a better understanding of horses. So many students now have their own horses and that has brought me the privelege of helping them develop a mutually respectful relationship with their horses. The journey towards great horsemanship is so different for each of us. For me great horsemanship means being able to ask more of our horses with less; always striving for softness and harmony. The great thing about working with beginners is their openess to learning. There are many naturally talented horse people out there, and the rest of us - well we have to work harder at it - practice, practice, practice. When we aren't confident with our skills; and we see our horses struggle to figure out what we`re asking; or we get frightened by their reaction, we back off, or stop practicing. Unfortunately, the only way to improve our skills is through more practice.
There is no question, it is easier to pratice your skills with a relaiable horse that doesn`t overreact to our mistakes. Unfortunately, not everybody starts with those type of horses and that can definitely make the journey more challenging.
That is where coaching can help build that confidence in you and your horse to keep the journey fun and progressive.
Keep practicing,
Tovie and the Boys
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Winter Cattle Drive 2011
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!
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!
Friday, November 4, 2011
Our Newest Family Member - Goblin
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
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
Saturday, October 1, 2011
First Mountain Trip of the Year
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
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
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Happy Trails with Dexter
Yes, I am finally riding Dexter. The process was hugely delayed by the flooding that started in June. Our arena and round pen didn't dry up until mid September. We might get one dry day and then another rain storm would put it all under water again.
Although I have done extensive ground work with Dexter to prepare him for riding, his highly energetic nature made me exceptionally cautious. Having turned 50 this year and not being the bravest of souls, it was important for me to have an area with good footing to work in; just in case things went awry.
Well things didn't go awry. In fact, as with everything I've thrown at that little horse, he took it all in stride.
From the very first time I met Dexter, he has shown improvement every time I've played with him (except for a minor 3-day blip), and riding him has been no different. The first ride, he just moved around and got used to the feel of carrying a rider. The second ride, I added some leg pressure to turn and move on. On the third ride, I started steering him with the reins (halter/hackamore).
I have only ridden him bareback so I could easily slide off if need be, so the next step will be to saddle him up and ask more of him.
Hopefully, we'll have a mild winter so I can keep him progressing because I can't wait to take him to the mountains for a trail ride.
Tovie & Dexter
(Click Here to see a UTube of the ride)
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)
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Life Is About Learning & Teaching
Since it's inception in 2007, Just Horsing Around has brought many wonderful folks our way. Marilyn Herasymowich and Henry Senko are two of those very special people. When I was just starting out, the Calgary Herald published an article about our program; and Marilyn and Henry were two of the first students who showed up to take my course. Marilyn was quite nervous around horses and Henry wasn't really interested in them, but came along to humour Marilyn.
During the first session, a general introduction and overview of horses, I noticed Marilyn & Henry exchanging knowing glances. After the session was over, they informed me that my method of teaching was very closely aligned with their work through MHA Institute. Since that fortuitous first meeting, we went on to study each other's work and were amazed at the similarities of teaching people and horses.
MHA Institute offers a continuing education program through the U of A. Henry and Marilyn invited me to participate as a guest speaker in their Learning Styles session. All I had to do was tell stories of my learning experiences as they realted to troubled horses, specifically Nugget and Dexter. Anyone who knows me, can attest to my eagerness to share their stories - horses that other trainers had been unsuccessful with. More specific to Marilyn and Henry's work, is the process used to teach those more challenging horses. Creating an environment of physcological safety being the most important aspect to bringing out the best in all our horses. When horses are pressured into survival anxiety during the training process, they are incapable of learning and retaining what we are trying to teach them.
It is important to me, that I am able to create that same environment for the folks who come to learn about horses.
Happy Indian Summer!
Tovie
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
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Clinic #3 at Dare2Dream Horse Rescue
Today was another glorious horse day - beautiful horses and kind, horse loving people. We had 4 new participants and their horses attend; Patty & Ginger (pregnant 2 year old); Dave and Charlotte (3 year old); Nicole and her yearling, Dinah; and Chelsea and Liberty (2 year old).
It was also nice to see some familiar faces who came out to watch; past students Erin & Daryl Anne, Taryn, Sherri, Jade, and Jen.
What I realized about these clinics, as I was driving home, is that every clinic is a total surprise, and who doesn't love surprises. I never know who is going to be participating with which horses; and what issues each partnership may need help with.
Last June, before I ever met Brenda, she was making arrangements to have me out and she asked me what I would be teaching at these clinics. Without telling her "I don't know" and making myself appear totally inept, I gave her a list of things I could teach folks and she seemed OK with my answer. The truth is, I really don't know what I'm going to do or what approach I'm going to take with each horse until I meet them. Once we learn to listen, every horse tells you how they need our help. The joy of this work comes from seeing the change that occurs in these horses relatively quickly, without using pain or intimidation.
Respecting our personal space is an extremely important lesson for horses to learn; and that alone often makes huge changes in other so- called "undesireable" behaviours. The personality of the horse is a huge indicator of how they are going to react to various training techniques. Some horses need you to get big with pressure, and others need you to get very small with pressure. This isn't so much about hard or light pressure with tools or training techniques, but rather "big and small" must actually come more from within us. This can be a very hard concept to teach and learn; and must be felt to fully grasp it.
For a long time, I've had a feeling about this "big vs small" concept, but my work with Dexter really helped me articulate it. Dexter needed to me get "smaller" than I've ever needed to with other horses. So small, that I had to sit on the ground and not even look at him for him to feel safe enough to relax and come over to greet me. Now that we've built trust through mutual respect, I can get very "big" when playing with him and he no longer panics and feels the need to flee.
Thanks to Brenda & Henry and all the folks at D2D for another glorious horse day!
Tovie
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
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