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

Happy Trails with Dexter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Life Is About Learning & Teaching

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

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

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

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

Happy Indian Summer!
Tovie

Clinic #3 at Dare2Dream Horse Rescue

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tovie

Praying for an Indian Summer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dare To Dream Horse Rescue

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

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