"Why horses, (and People,) Trust Some People and Doubt Others"

Howdy Friends,

Did you ever notice how some horses just seem to read their person's mind? How they seem to always be on the same page? A real solid, dependable team? Did you wonder about, perhaps get a little envious, surely curious, as to how that can be? It has a lot to do with consistency, but it has a lot to do with a person's emotional stability too. Which I guess is a big part of constancy.

We were in the field doing stuff and I had to sit to rest my legs. Kessy came and stood with me until I could get up. Which I did by taking hold of her mane and asking her to back up. She pulled me to my feet!

It also has a lot to do with the person's self confidence, and the ability to respectfully display that self confidence. Horses (and people too) want teammates, partners, and friends they can count on to be there for them. To lead them, hear them, consider their point of view. And yes horse's all have their own point of view and it can, and will, meld with ours. They key is to be self confident enough to look and listen for it. Not to correct, or discipline, but rather to support, guide, teach and empower.

I'm all for praising a horse's misstep, wrong move, or confusion. The key is to praise and support the attempt, no matter how tiny – not correct the misstep or wrong move. Go with the mistake, see where it leads. Improvements leading to perfection come far sooner with mountains of self confident praise, than with buckets of corrections and discipline. Take the mistake, or miscue and redo the exercise or movement seeking improvement in baby steps along the way.

My mentor, Diane Sept, used to say, "Carry yourself in a way that commands respect." I like to add, "And be sure you give it too, in the form of praise."

Praise for a horse (or person) can be a big deal. "GOOD GIRL!" and a pat on the neck, make a big show of it. Or it can be a simple, quiet acknowledgement of a job, task or cooperation well done. Your horse will tell you which she needs. If you listen.

Self confidence and emotional stability means you'll be consistently supportive. You won't, "fly off the handle," and scold, correct harshly, intimidate and confuse your horse ... How can a horse become soft, trusting, truly cooperative, if they must always be on guard for the next explosion of discipline? … I actually believe it is never okay to discipline a horse … well never with a few exceptions related to safety and health ... Self confident instruction based upon solid respectful teamwork and cooperation, will always build a solid relationship of trust. Every time.

Let's look at stepping into the saddle - I'll use my mare Kessy as an example. When we first partnered she would not even come within five feet of the mounting block. If she did, she wasn't going to stand to mount. (Of course you must first be absolutely certain there is no physical reason she can't stand still.) I had to think of how I could help her understand this really mattered to me. Back then I could still mount from a 2 step block, so I set it next to the barn wall allowing just enough room for her to stand, and we started mounting that way. If she moved forward, I would simply lead her around without a word, and stand her next to the block again. When in the correct position I would ask her to, "Stand." After mounting I'd give her a bit of carrot. (Still do, it's a kind of flexation exercise) We did this for a while, then eventually I moved the block away from the wall, and it no longer mattered where, or how we mounted. She just needed that little bit of guidance and support the barn wall offered her as she was making sense of the mounting deal. Today, she'll not move a hoof until I ask her to, "Walk on." Never once did I scold, yank on the reins, or demand she, "Stand Still!" We've all seen that, right? … 

As time went on it became necessary for me to mount and dismount from a platform, and it's quite an ordeal some days. She stands like a concrete statue as I clamber aboard. It's a confidence built of trust, and that trust builds a desire to not only cooperate, but be there for me. Kessy knows I'll not let my emotions take over and yell at her when she gets things a bit wrong. She knows I'll support her just as she supports me.

Kessy stands like a statue for me to mount and dismount, as long as it takes. If I'm really struggling she'll even lean into it!

I'll take a bit farther. I have bad health days and not so bad health days. Kessy knows the difference. She's always beyond perfect for mounting and dismounting, tacking, grooming, hoof care, all ground tied ... but once we're on the trail she either treads along gently and slowly, or as is her core nature, frolics and announces her attitude – depending on my ability to sit the saddle. This cooperation is born of a bond built on trust, not discipline.

The secret to those horses who seem to be able to read their person's mind? I believe it's as simple as being able to trust their person to be both emotionally balanced and consistent. And respectful.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry, and Kessy too.

What About Horses' Emotions

Howdy Folks,
 

I'm often asked about how I feel about horses' emotions. Surely horses don't have emotions on the same level as humans, some folks say. Some say to try to project human emotions on horses is folly, foolish. Some say we simply want to believe horses feel emotions like we do. Some folks don't even think about it.

Kessy edits my stories with love.

Are emotions the same as caring, connection, bonding, or even the ever popular, joining up? I believe you can't have any of those without emotions, and we all know our horses care about us, bond with us, and yes, join up.

What about respect? Some will ask. To gain respect from a horse we must first give it. Isn't that the same as with our human peers?

What about love? Can they love us the same as a person can love us? What would be so wrong about accepting and believing that a horse can love a human as deeply as they can another horse, or we can another human? When I'm gone a few days doing clinics, Kessy nickers and loves on me when I get back something silly. Robbie says if I'm gone more than 2 days she even gets pouty. When I get home I want to get right into the house to Robbie as soon as I park our geriatric Tahoe, but Kessy will carry on so much I often need to hug her first! Then she'll follow right to the back door!

For a long time Kessy had a fear of circles, from things in her past. So for a long time, months, we did this important spine limbering exercise in a straight line. Now she has the confidence to walk slowly in any size circle.

Oh their just acting that way because they're trained, or looking to you for food, or any other of the many standard explanations of how horses act and react. When I watch Lesson and Therapy Horses gently teach and heal, I see a blanket of love and emotion guiding every step.

Emotions play a huge part relationships. Any relationship. Human to human or horse to human. In relationships with my horses over the years I not only considered what they required when learning new things, but also their emotions while learning too. In the time I spent rehabilitating horses I noticed a wide range of emotions – from fear, to mistrust, to need, to shut down, too confusion, to seeking advice and leadership. Rebuilding their confidence meant understanding their emotions, on a level equal to mine. And it meant seeing them as equals. I really dislike the, "You gotta be in charge" theme. If we're equals we can achieve cooperation, support, loyalty and love. In true partnerships, partners do things for each other because they want to, not because they're "trained" to … I see Kessy as my equal.

Kessy stands like a statue for me to mount & dismount. It is difficult for me to dismount but her understanding of that, and our emotional bond, guides her in helping me.

I'm not a trainer but in all things, I believe love, honor, respect and understanding and feeling emotions make any relationship strong, lasting and sterling. Including a relationship with horses. Sure training is important too, of course. But I submit understanding and honoring the emotions of the horse makes training smoother and more lasting. And actually I'm not even fond of the word, "training." I like education or teaching better.

We'd been out fooling with some exercises, and I had to sit down. Whenever I do this Kessy stands with me. What's more, she'll offer her neck for me to use to pull myself up.

In my heart I believe if a lot more folks projected human emotions on horses … A lot fewer horses would suffer.

Just lovin'

So go ahead, project your emotions onto your horse, and remember to let hers, touch your heart, and guide your hand as you teach, and learn together, too.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

"Pre-Ride Exercises For Your Horse"

Howdy Folks,

How often do we see horses fetched from the pasture, stall or trailer, hurriedly saddled and folks just mount up and ride away? Often these horses are up, and moving out in a hurry, the rider shifts gears to discipline. In my humble opinion that's not fair to the horse. And can be made so much better with a few easy to do "Pre-Ride Exercises." Part of the tacking up time should be giving to your horse, too.

The other day when I shared the "One Step" exercise in my post "Reconnecting Your Horse To Her Feet" I mentioned that it was one of my "Pre-Ride Exercises."  A few folks have asked what my other "Pre-Ride" exercises are. As I said in that post I never step in the saddle without a few "one-steps" and I do the "rock-back" along with it.

Kessy LOVES the "Poll Wiggle"

The first thing I do when I go to Kessy is ask her to put her head down for the halter. Horses should always lower their head for you. It is polite to you, and actually feels good to them. It is easy to teach, and if you are having any difficulties with this, please feel free to email me. At this time I do a few "Poll Wiggles." Lightly place your fingers around the Poll and wiggle, just enough that would jiggle a bowl of jello. Your horse may ask for more vigor, go for it.

Then while she stands ground tied, I do a row of TTOUCH® circles starting at the side of her neck in the thickest muscle, going all along her back about 2 inches down from the spine, through her croup and down her thigh muscles. Do both sides. It will take about a minute per side ... Kessy can come and go as she pleases and is usually outside for these, then we walk to the barn to brush and tack ... On the walk I do a serpentine path, good for their legs and back. If you've trailered to ride, before you tie to tack, take a short walk doing the serpentine walk. Horses really appreciate a little walk after a ride.

Belly Lift

When we get to the barn I lift each leg, about halfway up, hold it a second waiting for the release, and do little circles, then set it down. Don't just let go, set it down. Softly. Next I ask for the belly lift, hold it a few seconds and release, slowly. Then I'll saddle. Girth loose, not yet snug.

Before I put on her headstall I do the "Cheek Wiggle." Place your left hand on the noseband, slip your fingers of your right hand under her cheek, lightly grip and wiggle, gently. For a few seconds. Repeat on the other side. Then the headstall goes on and I check the girth, then do the "one step" and "rock back."

On the way to the mounting block I ask for a few circles, left and right, at a walk and "keeping the inside shoulder up (very important)." I finish the girth, move to the mounting block, and step up. One last important exercise. The first step should always be a "lateral step" not straight on.

A big benefit to doing these aside from the relaxing and bonding is, if you make these exercises positively routine, when you're away somewhere, and you stick to the routine your horse will have a familiar feeling. It will build confidence before you ever start on the trail, or step in the show ring. All together they'll add only a few moments to your tack up time, will be time well spent and you will be giving to your horse. You and your horse will soon be gently starting each ride with soft comfortable steps. These exercises also have a wonderful way of simply making "bad habits" just go away. For you and your horse.

Kessy and I hope you'll make this a fun part of your pre-ride. Feel free to ask questions. There are others, perhaps I'll blog later about them, but these are the ones I do without fail.

Gitty Up,

Dutch Henry 

"Kessy Carried Me Gently"

Howdy Folks,

The ground was soaked from two days of rain. The wind had died down, pretty much. And the Doc had said I could ride, just be careful. Had something going on with my left leg, it was swollen twice its size, had always been a weak leg, but this, well this was proving to be a bother. Since they didn't find a blood clot, and further tests were coming, Doc thought, after I persisted, that a little ride would be okay. Of course Ravishin', Robbie wasn't so sure. I don't think either of them would have approved the two and half hour ride it turned out to be.

We stood in the sun to brush, do a few pre-ride exercises, and tack. I used this time to explain to Kessy I was not 100%, that my side and leg were pretty weak. Here I'd like to suggest when you talk to your horse, just talk as you normally would, with perhaps a pause here and there so they can process, just as when you are doing other learning exercises with them. In the pauses, think of your message, see the picture.

Kessy stood perfectly to mount even though I had a bit of a challenge. We use a 2 step mounting block, which we'll need to change now to a higher one. She waited until I was settled and asked her to, "walk on."

There was a new fire road just cut in that week and I had wanted to explore it, even though just to get to it was a 30 minute ride. I told Kessy about it and left it up to her, but as we set out that darn leg hurt so bad I thought, not today. Kessy walked smooth and quiet, never slipping in the mud or worrying about the wind. You may remember Kessy has a big dislike for mud, and a pretty strong concern about wind, but that day, not a sign of those worries. Before too long I felt a bit better and we were nearly to the new road.

The new fire road, freshly cut, was quite muddy indeed and the ditches remained open where pipes would be laid and several pieces of heavy equipment sat along the road. And I mean big stuff. We paused a second at the beginning, letting Kessy take it all in, then I asked her to walk on.

The wet red clay was like grease and Kessy knew it. She walked along carefully and the few times she felt herself slide she stopped. As if waiting, making sure I was okay. Then she'd cautiously walk on, even staying rock steady as she negotiated her way between the parked equipment on a loose rein. I gave her no guidance. Normally this would be a bit of a dance, but that day she never wavered. Even a Catbird flushing out from under the big dozer couldn't get her to bounce.

It is a beautiful part of the forest and even with the wind we were having a grand time exploring it. I suspected this new road might link onto old roads we'd never been able to explore and it did. But holy cow it went on and on. Normally in new territory Kessy does her nervous quick step with a few twists and hops tossed in, but on this day, you would have thought she was in her own back yard. Even negotiating the ditches she walked, one soft step at a time, over trenches she would normally jump.

After a bit of exploring the old adjoining roads through dense woods I figured we'd better get back. My leg had gone numb and we'd be at least an hour getting back. I have this thing I do when my back starts hurting, I fold my arms on Kessy's neck and ride with my head down. Stretches the back and legs. I rode a good portion of the way home that way that day. Of course you can't see where you're going, but Kessy just tiptoed along and I didn't need to see. Never a misstep, slip, spook or worry all the way home. And there were a few mighty big wind gusts. You'd think that was enough for one ride, but I still had to dismount.

We stopped where we always do. I started to swing out of the saddle, but was hit with real pain in that leg. It sucked the breath right out of me … I just let go and fell with a thud partly under Kessy. I think I was a bit dazed. Kessy stood like a rock. Never moved a foot. She watched me though. Our eyes met.

When I was ready, I took hold of the stirrup and pulled myself up. She stood steady even as I grabbed her mane and tugged my way up. I leaned against her for a minute, then we walked to the barn. Well she walked, I hobbled, but we got there.

Oz Dillon asked me to share this story. He liked it, thought folks might find it inspirational when I told him about that ride in new territory through mud and wind with a horse clearly taking care of her friend. Except for how bad my leg hurt, I like it too. I think it's a good example of how our horses really do hear us and are willing to take care of us. They may play and fool around, act silly sometimes, but they know when it really matters and will be there for us.

Gitty Up

Dutch Henry