"Waltz With Your Horse"

Howdy Friends,

I like to talk to people who care about horses.

People who truly care, not for what the horse can do for them, but for how being with a horse can enrich their lives, and therefore they strive to do everything with their horse—for their horse.

People who put their horse first, the horse’s point of view, they ask “what’s in it for the horse,” and strive to see their relationship from the horse’s perspective. For those folks ribbons, winning, controlling and being boss are unimportant. It is the horse’s true contentment, health and well being that come first. And the magical thing about that approach, and horse and person relationship, is those folks win the most ribbons, have the most fun—and the least problems, health issues and relationship issues.

This past weekend I was in heaven conducting a clinic in northern VA with a group of folks who really do put their horses first. That’s why they came to my “It’s for the Horses” clinic, for their horses. They didn’t come to learn to “teach their horses to, do this or that,” they came to learn how to “give to their horses.” Because each of them understood how much their horses mean to them. They understood how much their horses give to them.

Their wanting to be there for their horses was abundantly obvious in the way each of them wanted to master every exercise before moving on. They wanted to know they got it; they wanted to see the change in their horses. They sought the softness, the healthy posture, the healthy body carriage.

They noticed as their own movements changed from a Quick-Step to a Viennese Waltz. Their horses noticed too. They soon realized that their horses noticed and thanked them. They loved and commented on the fact that they saw their horses changing. I loved seeing them change, the horses and their people.

I’ve done a lot of clinics, and I’ve loved meeting all those many horses and people. I live to see, and help create the changes in horses—and their people. It’s my passion. The wonderful people I had the pleasure of being with this weekend were among the most caring it’s ever been my privilege to work with, and their horses showed it. I was truly in heaven.

I love to be with people who care about horses.

If you’d like to participate in a Dutch Henry “It’s for the Horses” clinic and Waltz With Your Horse ... please email me dutchhenry@hughes.net

Gitty Up, Dutch Henry

"Horses and Personalities"

Howdy Friends, 

Horses and personalities, or people and their horse’s personalities. How about people misunderstanding their horse’s personalities. Perhaps, sometimes people are reluctant to believe horses have personalities, or they believe they can change them. Could you change yours? 

Sure we can change our habits, approach to situations, even our talents and concerns. We can improve our skills, and our horse’s skills, change their habits and concerns too ... but what about personality?

Merriam Webster defines Personality as, “the complex of characteristics that distinguishes an individual, especially in relationships with others: And the totality of an individual’s behavioral and emotional tendencies ... Interesting, “totality of an individual’s behavioral and emotional tendencies.” What does that mean? And are horses, like people, destined to have their own unique personality, and how does their “behavioral and emotional tendencies” affect our relationship?

I submit understanding that horses, and all animals, do indeed possess distinctly their own personalities, and endeavoring to understand them would make partnering easier, for both human and horse. Sadly many times folks looking for a horse eagerly fall in love with a horse the see as pretty, flashy, beautiful or any other adjective that suits their vision of a horse, when what they should consider paramount is a horse’s personality. I believe it is wise to choose a horse to fall in love with who has a personality or, “behavioral and emotional tendencies” compatible to their own.

Personalities tend to govern actions, reactions and habits more than education or training. At the least personality will govern the way a horse, or human, sees, understands and accepts or rejects education and training. So indeed I think it most beneficial to choose a horse whose personality matches your own. Too late, you say, you already have your horse and you don’t think your personalities mesh. Not the end of the beautiful relationship, if you recognize that, you both can build on it.

Much has been written about the different personalities in human’s, and horses, and how to understand them. It has even often been scribed how to navigate the waters of unblended personalities. I believe it is most important to understand, personalities are rooted in the horse’s genes, and neither you nor any trainer will change a personality. The job then is to understand it, and build on it, and not to confront, challenge or struggle with it. Embrace it, welcome it and polish it.

How does understanding your horse’s personality help? If attention is given to the core personality then it can be used as a blueprint for all you do together. It is the human who must adjust their habits to fit in the cogs of the drive-wheel of their horse, not the other way around. Once an understanding is gained of the idiosyncrasies of the horse, every action and interaction can be formulated in a way that makes complete sense to the horse, and all activities done together will take on a new shine, a new completeness, a new perfection.

For instance, my mare Kessy. She does not like to be approached head on, she’ll pin her ears and walk away. However when I finally understood that, I learned, or she taught me, if I approach part way and stop, she’ll come to me, ears up and smiling. She may pause a second or three, but she’ll always meet me.

Some horses welcome commands, and respond well; in fact the act of giving them a command gives them a sense of boundary, security, even safety. Other horses, like my Kessy, revolt at the mere attempt to “give” a command. She responds respectfully and willingly to a gentle request.

I’d like to end with another thought for consideration. Spooking, fidgeting and behaviors of those kinds are not truly personality traits in my mind. They are indeed behavior traits, learned and held onto, because their human has not yet discovered the horse’s underlying personality, and therefore is not quite able to communicate with the horse in a way the horse can clearly understand. The spooky, fidgety displays are merely demonstrations of lack of confidence born of constant corrections because requests, or commands, are not understood. It’s like speaking French to me, I would not understand so I’d offer wrong responses. That’s what happens to the horse. But once the personality of the horse is understood by the person, both can speak the same language and things like spooky and fidget will go away. The horse, and human, will gain buckets of confidence, born of an understanding of personality, and the language it speaks. 

P.S. If you've not yet had a look at my book, "It's For The Horses" please have a look HERE on Amazon  Or visit  www.itsforthehorses.com 

Gitty Up, Dutch Henry

"Horse Communication"

Howdy Folks,

 

Horse communication. There are a lot of folks who truly understand it. There are a lot of folks who wish they did. There are plenty of folks who disregard it, even consider those who believe in communicating with horses, or any animal, silly, or worse.

Kessy and me sharing thoughts

The first step to communicating with your horse, is simply to believe. Believe it is possible, and believe what you hear. As children we were all deeper in tune to receiving voices from animals, and our intuition, but as we grow and are encouraged to disregard those thoughts as foolishness, some of us follow that wrongheaded advice. Others question it, and some, like me, found that animals are the most honest friends of all. And continued to listen.

One of the most common objections I've heard over the years is, "If you can talk to your horse, why can't you make her, 'do whatever.'" … My standard reply is, "You can talk to your spouse, child, friend, why don't you always see eye to eye?"

One big reason I keep promoting what I call my, "Therapy For Therapy Horses," exercises, and all that Peggy Cummings and Linda Tellington-Jones teach is by doing those exercises you will learn to hear your horse, as you wait, watch and listen for your horses release, and response.

Horse communication is not about, "getting your horse to do something." When approached with a selfish or demanding type attitude, desire, or intent, you'll simply get static.

Communication is about hearing what is important to the horse, so you can love more deeply, help more richly and understand more fully. That's it. It's that simple, and anyone can do it. In fact, even an inflexible non-believer is communicating with their horse. But sadly, those individuals are broadcasting, they don't care, so why would their horse talk to them?

Horse communication is all about listening, trusting and believing. Start by simply believing the thoughts you feel. Doubt builds walls. Believing builds conduits. Will you always get it right? Nope. But then again, do you always understand people? I reckon not. However, by accepting what you hear and feel, your intuition will strengthen. The thoughts, feelings and pictures will become more and more clear. It takes practice, as does learning any new language or skill. If someone wants to learn to play the guitar, they won't get very far without practice.

Back to the therapy exercises. Begin by doing them, and listening. You'll be amazed at what you hear. Your horse will guide your hands, really. Listen for the instruction. I like to suggest this, because it combines physical exercises and mental exercises. Add to this, the thought of listening to your horse in everything you do together, riding, groundwork, feeding, whatever. As you interact allow your mind to wonder into your horse's thoughts. Hear what is important to your horse. The louder you listen, the louder they'll talk. Set aside your wants, and listen.

Another nifty exercise to increase your hearing is simply sitting with your horse, and asking what is important to her. As you hear/feel what she is saying, see the picture. Let the scene build; softly focus on the center of the picture. Trust it, see where it takes you. This one is fun, it only requires you allow the time for the scene to build. Be patient.

Trust in yourself, believe, and continue to learn. How far will it go? It's different for everyone. It's also wonderful for everyone. Kessy and I encourage you to explore horse communication. It'll change your life.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

Seeing With Her Heart – follow-up – Chy, The Blind Horse Moves Home –Ariana Tomeselli

Howdy folks,

I knew last week Ariana was moving Chy home, from the boarding barn where she’d lived most of her life. That’s why I wanted to post their story (SEEING WITH HER HEART-Ariana Tomasrlli and Cheyenne ) (Which had been published in Trail Blazer in Dec) .. about how their lives came to become intertwined and enriched by each other’s love and trust. I also asked for an update, as to why the move, and how it went, as this sort of thing could be traumatic for a blind horse. Ariana sent me all the details and it seems most appropriate to share the story in her own words – So please enjoy “Chy and Britches Big Move” – by Chy's partner, and guest blogger, Ariana Tomaselli.

Chy and Britches' Big Move

Hi Dutch and Coffee Clutch Friends, I'm Ariana Tomaselli, Chy's human partner.--

First, I am going to give you a little story behind all my horses (just for amusement).

Chy - As you know, Chy was given to me by my friend as a Christmas present since she could not afford and handle a blind horse.

Ariana and Chy - Together they Soar

Britches - My mom's friend saw a video I made of Chy. That night she had a dream, and in her dream God told her that Chy needs Britches in her life. (Britches was 1 at this time, Chy was 2). So the next day, my mom's friend called us, told us her dream, and gave Britches to us. Chy and Britches have been best friends ever since.

Taza - She is an old fireball pure bred Egyptian Arab. The owner of the boarding barn we were at would always watch me ride Chy. She would watch how Chy would buck and rear (out of excitement) and how I never came off of her. She asked my mom if she could talk to me, I thought I was in trouble. The owner told me that I have glue on my butt when I ride. She said that she has a bit of a wild Arab who was claimed a killer that needed work. With the permission of my mom, I accepted the challenge. So, I began working with Taza. Shortly after, the owner of the barn got very ill (from being in a previous car accident) and passed away. However, the day before she passed, she told her husband to give Taza to us. So, Taza became ours and became my mom's perfect riding horse. However, now she is retired because she has arthritis and is in her late 20's.

Geronimo and Tomahawk - These two horses were basically abandoned at the boarding farm. I fought for custody over these two horses for years and finally got them when their owner got into debt with the barn owner and the barn owner granted custody to me and had them signed over.

So, more about Chy and Britches ... As you know we have had all of our horses at a boarding farm called Cameo Farm; which was only a few minutes from our home. We lived in a small neighborhood where I spent my entire life. Shortly after we got Chy my mom began looking for a small farm we could call our own. We wanted Chy to live in our backyard. Then of course, we got another horse, then another, then another, and so on and so forth. My dad would always say, "We are not getting another horse until we buy a farm!" I obviously did not listen.

Ariana and Britches

Even after searching and searching, and getting the count of our horses up to 5, we were still boarding. We searched for years and years. Finally my parents were about to sign a contract for a 5 acre place that would have been OK, but just didn't feel right, when mom heard about a house ethat may be for sale. Mom and dad agreed to go look at it that same morning. As we all pulled up to that house, we knew it was meant to be! It is a small 8 acre property that is tucked back from the road and surrounded by trees, a perfect paradise; but that's not it. As my mom rang the doorbell to meet the home owner, this lady answered the door and both her and my dad stood in complete shock. It turns out, the home owner is an old family friend who grew up with my dad and his family. Small world right?

So she showed us her home and we fell in love. Dutch, it was truly meant to be, we were so close to buying a house literally a mile down the road that we weren't in love with, but ended up getting the home of our dreams.

We moved in the first week of July. We didn't plan to move our 5 horses until September because we needed to put up some fencing and build an extra stall. But, things never go as planned and due to unfortunate circumstances we had to move Taza, Tomahawk, and Geronimo less than a week after we moved in.

Geronimo, Tomahawk and Taza settling in

We kept Chy and Britches at Cameo until we finished everything that needed to be done at our new home. We wanted to move Chy into a home that was "stress-free". Oh, I didn't even tell you the best part.... our trailer, the trailer Chy loves, was sent to the junk yard moments before we had to move our horses.

We had to have our dear friend Betsy trailer our horses for us, but there is one problem... Chy is claustrophobic, and Betsy's trailer is a lot narrower than our old trailer was. I was worried Chy would refuse the trailer.

Then came the day to move Chy and Britches to their new home... I was happy but also worried that they wouldn't load on the trailer, but they proved me wrong! Chy AND Britches both walked right on the trailer!! This has NEVER happened before, usually I have to wait awhile for Chy to make up her mind of whether or not she wants to go somewhere (I always let her choose) and Britches ALWAYS puts up the biggest fight. On that day those horses knew they were going home! It made me cry tears of joy and we were all shocked but so happy!

Britches steps off first - Chy patiently waits her turn

We got them to our new place and I immediately unloaded them and put them in their new pasture. I let Britches roam around on her own, but I kept Chy on the lead so I could show her the boundaries and obstacles. Now, Britches can sometimes be, well, a mare. Haha! She is never really warm and fuzzy towards Chy, but she is always there for Chy when she needs her. As I started walked Chy around Britches would not leave us alone. In a few of the pictures I posted of me leading Chy around you can see my hand on Britches' butt pushing her away. She insisted on staying right by Chy's side. I swore Britches was trying to say, "Ariana, let Chy go, I can handle this". I took that as a sign, and I reluctantly let Chy go... and Britches took over in the most beautiful, sweet way I have ever seen.

Chy stepping "hoof" onto her new home

Britches literally walked Chy around her entire pasture, she showed her the tree, the stump, the gate, the stalls, she showed her everything! It taught me that sometimes I will not always be able to be there for Chy, I won't always be able to protect her, and baby her, and lead the way.

Ariana "pushing" Britches out of the way as she showed Chy her new home fenceline. Britches always worries over Chy. 

Chy has Britches, forever, and Chy has her will power and strength. (Oh man, I am crying now) For the first time in my life, I was able to let go and put my trust in someone else to take care of Chy, Britches.

Chy figured out everything that day. There is this automatic water in her pasture that has a lever in it which the horses have to push down with their muzzle to make the water come out. Chy figured it out on her own!! My other three horses had been there for a month and still did not have that waterer figured out!!! Chy can handle herself.

I feel like a momma bird who let her baby bird fly out of the nest for the first time, which is weird seeing that my baby bird moved home with me. I could not be anymore blessed to have such an amazing family, friends, and horses, especially Chy.

Chy and Britches all settled in

Thank you Dutch for caring about Chy and me! Ariana.

Thank you Arianna for sharing yours and Chy's story with us!

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

"Seeing With Her Heart"- Ariana Tomaselli and Cheyenne

Howdy Folks,

This is a story I wrote for mt Heartbeats column in Trail Blazer magazine. It ran in the Dec 2012 issue as I thought it was a perfect Christmas story. Ariana & Chy's story is truly one of love and trust.

 Seeing With Her Heart

 

Cheyenne is a beautiful 9 year old Paint Quarter Horse mare who loves to hit the trail, run poles and barrels, too. She even enjoys doing a few low jumps and strutting her stuff at Fun Shows. She's an all around great horse who since she was 2 always took care of her person, Ariana Tomaselli, who was a young girl of 12 when they met. The relationship between Chy, as she prefers to be called, and Ariana is a bit different from most horse and girl partnerships, for since Chy was 3, she's been totally blind.

Ariana & Chy running barrels

Ariana met Chy 8 years ago when a friend invited her to go along to pick up her new one year old filly, Chy. The two girls played with Chy for a while, then decided to load up and take the playful filly home. But Chy, who had been so co-operative all afternoon, would not step into the trailer. After trying over and over, Ariana, acting on a hunch, carefully covered Chy's head with her jacket and lead the filly quietly into the trailer. Even though Chy was her friend's horse, Ariana felt the first tug at her heart for Chy that would signal the beginning of a journey of their two spirits bound together by a powerful loving connection.

Ariana had no horses of her own, but Chy's new home at a lovely boarding barn was only moments from her own house and for the next 6 months her mother always knew where to find her. At the farm playing with Chy. In fact she spent more time with Chy than her owner did and the bond between them grew and strengthened. They always seemed to know what the other was thinking. Together they frolicked, sometimes even getting into trouble.

 Something Was Very Wrong

Then when Chy was just over 2 years old, she began to show signs that something was very wrong. She would stumble and act uncoordinated. The veterinarian was summoned and Chy was diagnosed with Equine Recurrent Uveitis (ERU) sometimes called Moonblindness. Even though treatment was started right away, the left eye could not be saved, and the veterinarian worried for the right eye. Ariana's friend decided she would find a rescue that would accept Chy.

The bond between Chy and Ariana grew stronger every day and Ariana prayed she would never lose her friend. The threat of Chy going to a far away rescue hung heavy over both of them. Would anyone care as deeply for Chy at a rescue? What would her future hold? But while they had each other, they made the most of every moment. Ariana spent countless hours brushing and fussing over Chy, hiding her tears in her thick mane. Ariana and Chy's love for each other continued to grow and Ariana dreamed of ways to keep her at the farm so they could stay together forever. She was convinced that must happen when one day Chy's owner decided to ride her in the ring. For whatever reason, Chy promptly deposited her in the dust. No one tried to ride her after that, though Ariana wanted to. She knew Chy would never do anything to hurt her.

Sitting on top of the world together

Finally she convinced her mother to let her ride Chy. She slipped on the mare's back, bareback, a little worried, but happily confident too, for she knew Chy would never harm her. Her mother led them through the pasture, Chy was a perfect gentlewoman. The feeling of togetherness between young girl and young horse was forged even tighter that day. Ariana insisted her mother take her to visit Chy every day after that. In less than a week Chy was walking, trotting and even cantering under saddle. In a few more weeks they jumped their first fence together. This is even more incredible when you realize Ariana had only ever had a few horseback riding lessons. Ariana said, "We just figured it out together." But the fear of loss was still there, as the search was still on for a rescue who would accept Chy.

The Christmas That Changed Their Lives

It started as any ordinary Christmas a few months later, but it was about to prove to be a Christmas that changed Ariana's life, and saved another. After Ariana opened all her presents her mother handed her a small beautifully wrapped box. Inside was a letter from Chy, written by Ariana's older sister. "I belong to you now and together we will run the fields and trails forever. Love, Chy." 

 

"I have no words for this mare. She is the love of my life"

They set out to explore the world as only a girl and her horse can. At least the world as big as the boarding farm. But there was plenty to do there and they did it all. They rode the pastures, played games in the ring, started to bend poles and run barrels. Chy loved to run.

Then the horror returned. Ariana noticed Chy had problems in her right eye. For a year she and her mother battled to save the sight in that eye. They seemed to be holding their own. So it was perfectly natural to accept the invitation to go on their first ever trail ride with friends. It was a 12 mile ride and the excitement was high. Down the trail they went, Ariana confident and high spirited, Chy as strong and safe as ever. But as they traveled along things happened that tore out Ariana's heart. Chy stumbled, and she never stumbled. Instead of jumping a small jump, she ran right through it. Ariana took great care to guide her beloved horse back to the trailer. 

A vet check that evening proved the worst. Chy had lost all vision in the right eye, too. Suddenly and unexplainably.

Blaming herself, Ariana never took Chy off the farm again. She never took her to shows and certainly would not risk hurting her on the trails. So for 5 years they just played together at the farm. But it was much more than play. Ariana talked to Chy for hours on end and together they made plans and invented ways for a blind horse to, "see the world." Ariana knew Chy loved to play. She knew she loved to run barrels, bend poles and even jump a little. So, learning from each other, they set out on the next phase of their journey. Ariana would help Chy to do all the things she loved to do by, "seeing through her heart."

 

Bending the poles together

They put Chy in a paddock with her friend, a safe old horse named Britches, and Ariana studied how Chy would follow Britches by the sound of her footsteps. So she began to lead Chy making sure to stomp her feet as a signal to step up or down, or just be careful. She noticed how Chy would carefully use her whiskers to find the opening in the gate or other obstacles, carefully reaching out and touching with her nose. Ariana began to incorporate the things Chy did on her own into how she handled her when they played. She knew they could ride again, because Chy always listened to her and loved to play and had a heart as big as the moon. Ariana set about inventing ways to communicate to Chy the things she couldn't see.

First, as she led Chy, she began to add words to her stomping feet signals. She taught Chy to, step up, step down, slow down, and later even jump. She led her through the poles allowing Chy to stop and touch each pole as she had seen her investigate the gate opening. Together they learned the barrel course the same way. One step at a time. When Chy was ready, Ariana rode her through the courses and began to add leg and body cues to the voice cues. Their runs became flawless, and Chy so sensitive that if Ariana got out of balance she would adjust to rebalance her.

Eventually there came a day when Ariana thought perhaps they could leave the farm and go to a Fun Show. Chy loves to have fun. But Ariana still worried and it turned out her worry caused Chy to refuse the trailer. Looking back now, Ariana says Chy knew it was Ariana who wasn't ready. Just as Ariana was always careful to look out for Chy, so did Chy look out for Ariana, and she knew that her partner was not quite herself that morning. And just as sometimes she needed to adjust to rebalance Ariana in the saddle, she made an adjustment to keep her safe that day.

 A few months later they tried again, this time all went well. Their first Fun Show since Chy lost her sight. In every event they entered they placed in the ribbons. They've been to a few more shows, always placing in the ribbons. They are back on the trail too. On the trail Ariana will always allow other horses to go ahead because she noticed Chy does rely on a horse in front to lead the way and follows their footsteps around obstacles.

"She's never had a bad day"

Through it all, Chy has never had a bad day. Ariana says she never once acted mean or ever wanted to give up. She is always willing to happily try the next new adventure. Chy loves people, she loves fun and she loves going places and meeting new friends. Chy and Ariana have discussed more exciting plans for their future. They are planning to visit therapeutic riding centers and work with children and Veterans. Ariana believes that Chy's big heart and powerful determination to overcome her own situation will help change lives. She knows it has changed hers.

Together they fly - Trusting their Hearts!

Their journey together continues and in the near future they will begin to invite others to be part of their journey, showing folks that circumstances are not obstacles, just different trails to follow. And seeing with your heart may be the very best kind of sight of all.

Gitty Up

Dutch Henry