Dexter is Home - WOO HOO!

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

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

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

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!

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

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.

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!