"Clarity – In Writing and Horses"

Howdy Friends,
 

Ever since I started writing I've been struck by how many things important in writing are also important in living with our horses. I've written about a few of them already, today we'll think about, clarity.

Kessy helping me with clarity

I remember being told when "We'll Have The Summer" was in the editing process at the publisher they came across a scene that failed to totally embrace and engage the editor because it felt as if not all the information was there. I even remember the scene today. I remember I was horrified, it was a very important scene and the story needed the reader to be crystal clear, completely consumed by Sam's worry, fear and reflection. What had I missed? 

I read the scene, and the pages leading up to it, over and over and to me everything was perfect. It took me exactly where I wanted the story, the cadence, and the tension to take the reader. So I called the editor and insisted they must be missing something, it was very clear, to me.

The editor was an understanding woman, and with kindness in her voice she explained. "That is often the case, as writers you can see the scene you want to write, you have all the information in your mind working for you. Your readers don't have those little tidbits, so the writer must be sure convey them in their writing, so the reader has enough information to see clearly the story you are telling. But not too much information as to make it boring."

She then asked me one question that shined the light on my omission, and as I recall the fix proved to be a very simple few words. Those words I'll never forget. "But not today."

There you have it, as writers we know the story. We know all the details, our job is to make sure we give those sparkling details to our readers, not in a boring "information dump," but in lively, engaging words and thoughts that sweep the reader along in the essence of the moment, the scene. We want them to have all the information so they can travel with us.

Every bit of this thought on "clarity," is equally important when we are working and playing with our horses. It is our responsibility to be sure we are crystal clear in our information, desires, requests – without giving a boring, "information dump." We need to sweep them along in our scene. We know the complete story, our job is to convey that information in a kind, understanding way that will embrace them and carry our horses into our scene. Step back in our minds and ask ourselves, "How does my horse see this scene? I'm not being boring am I? Are there enough sparkling details to tell her the whole story?" Be sure to write the scene so your horse can see the whole picture. For the pleasure of it.

Gitty Up, Dutch Henry

"Earning The Trust Your Horse Wants Give"

Howdy Friends,

Over the years I've known more than a few horses, loved some deeply. My mare Kessy took a long time to accept and offer trust, and love. She will always maintain her strong-willed independence; it's a huge part of her – that part that made her easy to be misunderstood. She uses her powerful independence now to offer a loving, caring bond. And I accept it with joy in my heart.

Kessy is always ready to pitch in ... Not bad for a horse who took 6 months to understand a hug ... Like me, she's a little weak on spelling and grammar, but she has great subject ideas to write about.

That deep trust can only be earned, in Kessy's case it took years. Oh she dialed in rather quickly, but the deep trust took years, and our bond continues to strengthen. She has been, and continues to be one of my finest teachers. 

We've been partners now for a bit over 4 years, and before we met her independent nature had caused her to be handled in a way that chipped away at her ability to find trust easy to give. She had developed a strong personality of resistance, defense and defiance. Not because she was mean or stubborn and liked to bite and snake people, but because she was misunderstood. It took 6 months for Kessy to accept a hug - six more for her to give a hug back.

I learned from my mentor, Diane Sept, a philosophy that works every time it's employed. "Ignore the negative and celebrate the positive." It works like magic, not as quickly as magic, but just as completely.

Gaining the trust of a horse can happen quickly, or as in Kessy's case take a long time, all it takes is respect, and not asking for things they are not ready for, can't do, or are afraid to do. In everything we must offer respect, trust and confidence. Then that list of not ready fors, can't dos, and afraid ofs, gets shorter and shorter. The list of Can and Will dos grows longer. Trust becomes deeper as confidence builds.

It also takes awareness on our part. An awareness of our horse's limits, worries and attitude. I believe it is wrong to push a horse beyond her comfort zone ... That to me is not trust building - that is bullying ... I believe we must understand their limits and stop short of them, relieve the pressure, then the next time that limit will be stretched farther, by the horse, not the human. That builds trust. A trust she can count on to be there.

Sometimes we hear advice such as, "push them through it." I'd rather give them the confidence to build up to getting through it on their own. Sure anyone can "make" a horse do something, but to build trust we need to invite them, and allow for time to build trust, in us and themselves.

Another piece of advice I find hard to take is "you can't let them win." I find that especially offensive. Win what? Usually that advice is thought to be useful when things are going wrong, the horse is thought to be disobeying, refusing, acting up, when almost always they are either not ready for what is being asked of them, are confused or afraid. In those cases I like to stop, let her relax; perhaps visit something she is totally confident in doing so she can feel the joy of accomplishment. Revisit the challenging thing another day, but ask for less.

Kessy is always ready to help me ...

Asking ourselves every step of the way ... "How does my horse see this thing I want, as a demand or a request? Am I building confidence and trust? Am I celebrating the positive?" ... builds trust she can count on and wants to give.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

My Mare's Diet

Howdy Friends

Recently a few friends asked about my feeding protocol for Kessy. I'm a simple fellow, and as in everything I do I like to keep feeding simple too. Sure years ago when I played in the Competitive and Endurance world I bought into feeding all this, and lots of that, all kind of seeds, grain, beet pulp, supplements, and on and on. But I soon realized what I reasoned to be the many problems with all that.

 As I said last week in our Coffee Clutch, "Practices For A Healthy Happy Horse," – "Horses are designed to be forage eaters." It is my belief that, just as with we humans, most health issues can be traced to diet and exercise. The epidemic of ulcers in horses is just one ready example. My personal rule for all things equine is, "No shoes, no stalls, no grain, limited grass, and seeing everything from the horse's point of view."

Kessy's feeding protocol is very simple, and part of that protocol is housing. Exercise is key to good health and I include it in diet discussion. Kessy enjoys a Paddock Paradise habitat in the trees, no grass, a run-in, no stall.

We use the one inch slow hay feed nets located at several locations in her paradise to encourage movement. We feed tested hay and I weigh each bag. Kessy weighs 925 pounds; she gets a total of 20 pounds a day in her nets. I fill the bags morning and evening, exactly 5 pounds in each of 2 bags – the one inch nets keep her happily busy for the day and night. I hang the bags so they just touch the ground so she is eating in the grazing potion.

Kessy and her pals enjoying the day

Morning she also gets exactly half of pound of soaked timothy cubes. In that I mix, 1 teaspoon sea salt, her enzymes and vitamins ... I have used Advanced Biological Concepts for 15 years, they are totally organic and gmo free, and I'm happy to recommend them, and their support team. I feed their ABC-Plus Enzymes, their A and B mix vitamins and Rush Creek minerals. Minerals are free choice as well as Redmond salt. Water of course is always available and tub kept spotless.

Evenings Kessy gets exactly half a pound of soaked timothy cubes with her enzymes and one teaspoon iodine salt. Bedtime she gets a handful of fresh vegetables, and a slice of apple.

That's it, simple. I see no need for costly and crazy supplements that can confuse the digestion system and even the immune system. Kessy looks great, hoofs rock crushing hard, coat as glossy as a new penny, eyes glistening, attitude sharp. She's a happy girl, and that makes me happy.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

"Practices For A Healthy, Happy Horse - Just My Thoughts"

Practices For A Healthy, Happy Horse

Howdy Friends,

These practices are offered as my point of view, as a horse lover, advocate and admirer. Not a clinician, veterinarian, or specialist of any kind.

Kessy, Miss Kitty and Saturday together at one of  Kessy's slow hay feed nets. They stroll the paddock paradise known as "Kessy's Wood" together.

Horses will get along, as many of them prove over and over again, with less than ideal conditions and treatment, but that does not mean they are happy, healthy or thriving. In my opinion we owe it to our horses to provide for them with as natural a lifestyle as we can possibly provide. Each of us as owners or caregivers have limitations placed on us by such things as economics, lifestyle, jobs, property, riding disciplines, and more. Our efforts must be to do the best we can within our own circumstances for the physical and mental health of our horses.

Basically we could sum up a lot of the healthy, happy needs for our horses in one sentence. "No shoes, no stalls, no grain, limited grass, and seeing everything from the horse's point of view." That's pretty much my focus; to me those are the most important things to the secret of a happy, healthy horse.

No shoes. Friends who've been following me here on our Coffee Clutch, or on facebook, already know I'm adamant that all horses can go barefoot – and will be healthier for it. All the arguments against it, to me, fall short, and lay in the camp of seeing it from the human's perspectives, not the horses. Of course a few things must be done differently, and that may take more effort than some are willing to devote. See Why Barefoot?

No stalls. This includes no stalls with small paddocks or pastures. The only time a horse should be confined to a stall is illness, traveling (shows, performances, etc) or other special short time circumstances.  Even if space to roam is an issue, the Paddock Paradise or track system can turn an unhealthy half-acre paddock, or unwholesome 2 or 5 acre toxic lush grass pasture into a playground for health and contentment. This only takes a little effort to set up, and then it's there forever, and can be constructed anywhere, even with limited funds. See Paddock Paradise.

No grain. That's it, simple. Horses are designed to be forage eaters. Grain, and today's high potency grasses, do bad things to the insides, and the attitudes, of a horse. Again they can deal with it, but it will eventually take its toll. Don't you think it's odd the epidemic of ulcers? Slow hay feed nets positioned at several locations offering low sugar hay around the clock, will promote movement, health and clear headedness conducive to solid relationships, health and happiness .

Limited grass. We've touched on this, but the normal pastures filled with lush grass, or patches of grass mixed in weeds are as toxic to horses as fast food and overstuffed couches in front of televisions are to humans. Again, make it your mission to have horses under your care thriving in a track system. Horses, even in big pastures with other horses, move about 5 miles a day, or less. Horses in the wild move 20 and more miles a day ... Horses benefiting from a track system mimic the movement of wild horses. Health benefits are seen within weeks of making the change.

Seeing things from the horse's perspective. Housing, feeding, riding, training, everything ... the horse must come first.When that drives every thought and action of a horse owner or caregiver things take a paradigm shift toward a healthy happy horse. When that shift occurs, everything becomes easier, no matter the discipline the horse and human play in. I see having a horse as a part of my life as a privilege, and every horse I've ever known has given freely to me their friendship, time, energy, willingness and spirit ... I feel I owe them nothing less.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

Join Us For A Sweet Soft Ride

 Howdy Friends!

Air so light it lifted leaves, spider webs, spirits and bird song. Kessy and I set out yesterday for day 9 of her (and my) restart. Her response to the past 3 weeks of ground work, release and relax exercises is amazing. Briefly I'd like to mention I'd been less than diligent about them for months before my cardiac adventure, and then of course the 4 months of my own rehab, while she looked just fine, she had regressed to a condition not of the best for her, or any horse. But these past 3 weeks have brought a wonderful transformation in her attitude, self awareness, and softness. I only share this because while it is true horses keep themselves in condition if allowed room to roam, have good nutrition and care, it is also true, we can, and I believe are obligated to, help them be even better.

Viewing the world from the best of all seats! Kessy is picking her way along the trail.

We had progressed to a 40 minute ride and enjoyed all her sweet gaits, and I noticed a new softness in her stride and response to cues. Softer even than before our hiatus. I've been mixing in a few exercises I had not been able to do with Kessy for some time because of my own health hiccups, and have become very excited at her responses. Each day she seems more nimble than the day before, and more thoughtful.

The sweet morning air had us gliding along listening to warbles and wrens; on Kessy's light-footedness we floated like bird song. There is a short trail we haven't visited since April that travels along a ravine loaded with wildflowers, birds and beauty. Having missed all the Spring flowers, butterflies and birds, I longed to see it this glorious morning. It was a bit farther, not by much, than I planned to take Kessy today, but the morning so sweet, Kessy so soft, I decided we would go.

We were not disappointed! The fall wildflowers were splendid, even a few butterflies sported their grace. Two busy turkeys ran the trail ahead of us. We paused to soak in the serenity of it all. Back up on the logging road Kessy slipped into her running walk. I could not resist cueing her left and right in a gentle sweeping slalom type course, just to enjoy her eagerness and response to the softest cue, and because it's another great exercise. She's always been great, but Saturday and yesterday I felt, even for her, a lighter, softer touch. I attribute it to the dedication to the exercises.

By my own restart schedule yesterday should have been a 45 minute ride, but our little excursion made it exactly an hour. We'll take today off ... except for the exercises.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry