![]() The other day we had yet another BIG winter storm drive through the valley. The roaring wind and the cold ( at least for the Fraser Valley) was a good day for an experiment. We don't get much wind at our place, but if it's an easterly, as it was this day, we get hit. I decided this storm would be a great experience for the horse's to be out in the arena with me, to see how they handled the rattling tin when the wind hits the edge pieces of the barn, and gusts of wind that ram the sand hard, sending up clouds of dust into the air, only to be swept out of the arena. Once all five horses were out in the arena, wandering around, I put Valentino's ( two year old Andalusian) halter on, and thought I'd brush him, to stay connected, just in case he lost the plot. He was handling the few gusts that came whistling through quite fine. The others too were pretty chilled in general. After about ten minutes, I'm pretty happy with how the horses are all doing, and especially happy with my youngster. Just as things were going smooth, an uncontrolled gust of wind came screaming through the arena. Kloee ( my Andalusian/ thoroughbred who can be reactive), reacted and blasted around the arena getting all the other horse's feathers in a flap. Valentino reacted with a jump and desire to join his herd. The reason I'm telling you this story is, because, it's these experiences that let you know whether the education you are offering your horse is working or you have holes in your program that need to be fixed. When Valentino reacted with a jump and desire to leave, he hit the end of the lead line. The GREAT thing is, when he felt the end of the rope, he immediately rebounded, turned and faced me, stopped and asked the question, " I felt the rope, I'm with you----- are we okay ? " What an awesome feeling it is to have a horse that is soooooo light on the end of the line when he is scared. When he felt the rope, he instinctively rebounded, back to me, instead of instinctively running through the pressure and then back to his herd. I answered Valentino's question of - "are we okay?" with a "yes", and brought him towards me. All was calm once more, until the next big gust. My goal with every horse I touch, is for them to understand; when they feel the end of the line they DON'T run through it, they feel it and like pressing the right button, they come back and connect with me . Yahoo ! I love days like this !
3 Comments
1/13/2017 08:06:50 am
I have a horse that over reacts about a few things. I did take your Parelli coarse at Vikki Dugas place. When I took the coarse I owned a Fjord mare and she was so laid back, now I have this 16'2" horse that over reacts at times (I overact and he does feed off of me). So my question is how to bring him back to me so I do not get hurt. I take him out and walk with him about an hour a day. I use to be able to ride him out for a trail ride by myself and then I am trying to figure out what I did wrong. I love your posts on Facebook.
Reply
Cathy Piller
1/13/2017 01:39:23 pm
You are a lovable absolute "nut bar" Sandy Lang. Only you would cheer during a storm!... of course you would view the wind as an ideal challenge with your horses while others would pull up the couch and and snuggle in a blanket indoors...Anyway love ready your posts. Look up equine skijoring- my equipment is just arriving and the temperature is finally changing. Can't wait! It has been as low as -40'ish with the windchill.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Details
Sandy LangI want to help people understand that when they start with a light heart, are conscious of having light hands, they undoubtedly will feel a light horse. Archives
December 2017
|