There is a discussion (disagreement) about "handling" horses before three or four years of age. I know the "problem" is around the "responsibility" concept. More specifically, how that responsibility is carried out.
Let us take the hoof trimming as an example. I handle and eventually pick up all my horses' feet, loose, free, in the herd with no halter and no second person. I have no trouble. From the first time. The only thing the foal needs to learn is a) What I 'want' when I ask him/her to pick up their hoof and b) how to keep their balance on three legs while they hold their foot up. My 'holding' of the hoof is only to stabilize anything I do to the hoof itself. In other words, I only 'cradle' the hoof in my open hand if I am only 'looking' or brushing off dirt. If I have to "dig" dirt out (or in the case of the farrier - rasp against the hoof wall) I will hold the hoof more firmly -AGAINST MY OWN PRESSURE. I stay in my own balance. In my own space, grounded to the earth with my own readiness to move MY OWN FEET if the need arises. I do not ask or ever hint that I might "take away" the horse's "ability to respond". Furthermore, I KEEP my 'ability to respond' very alert to anything the horse does that would require me to respond. To stay responsible for keeping MYSELF safe. I do not "give" that responsibility to the "trainer" of the horse (if I were the farrier). If I do not have a farrier that can BE this way with my young horses, then they are either 'self trimmed' or reduced to what I can do with a rasp. :)
Notice the "subject" "object" in notes a) and b)
a) I ask the horse to pick up their own foot. I do not say I pick up the hoof. I am VERY careful with "the voice in my head" when I do this - because I learned from a horse named Pleasure - horses can hear the voice in my head! If I am thinking - "I am going to pick up your foot" then the horse will either let ME pick up the hoof ....... or not. Or worse "Give me your hoof". You can imagine how a young horse would hear that! I have seen many a knowledgeable horse person actually try to push the horse off balance to allow them (the person) to pick up the hoof!!
b) horse must learn to keep their OWN balance on three legs. I will not lean on them and they will not lean on me. If they need to move to keep their balance they are allowed - even encouraged (when there are hints of leaning).
It is in this way horses are kept "free" until they are three to five years of age.
I am so sorry to have to disagree but I do. I totally respect your knowledge, and still to this day keep in mind things you taught me I remember keep on truckin smile and thinking of the motion of a train, the wheels moving in sync, while you are riding, front connected to the back as the wheels on a train is connected full circle. But that is riding and you teach riding and balance so beautifully! but this, is not the same. I have experienced working on your horses first hand, and they are not easy horses to be with. It was alot of effort to be safe with them, when I was there. They were unruly and not helpful at all. "Furthermore, I KEEP my 'ability to respond' very alert to anything the horse does that would require me to respond. To stay responsible for keeping MYSELF safe".This is a ver true statement as it happened on a regular basis, There was a fear of being kicked and arms yanked forward as they pulled and popped, being bitten and yes after a period of time they were alright with what was being asked of them, with patience and love. Not alot of ppl will be willing to go to that level, no one wants to get hurt and horses that have no respect of boundaries will hurt you. and as a farrier you aren't giving that responsibility to the trainer/handler it is sharing the responsibility with the owner to show the horse how to be with us humans. same respect they give the lead mare or gelding while in the herd.
ReplyDeleteThat was actually Julie's comment. I wanted somehow to save it.
ReplyDeleteI wont respond ........ the horses already have. <3
too many words.................silence is golden! Is this what the horses hear as white noise? Does this conversation stop when you are with the horses? Is your mind silent so you can listen? no offense just wondering?
ReplyDeleteTanya Wood
Excellent point Tanya! And that is the "call to action" - or "what you're going to do about it"!
ReplyDeleteI have tried to quiet the "white noise" in my head since I was a little girl in Quaker meeting and more recently as I try to meditate. I can't seem to do it. BUT - when I am with a horse ...... it gets quiet. Not because I have control over it and it finally "stfu". But because the horses taught me to LISTEN to it. That voice in my head is like the nagging child pulling on your skirt, trying to get your attention while you are doing something else. You have to STOP - turn and look at the child and give him your undivided attention .... before it will let up! lol. For my safety, I had to listen to my concerns about a) my safety b) how I'm going to "get it done" c) what is the horse going to do - to mess up my plans. ......... The answer to all those doubts/fears/what-ifs is to always KNOW what my own personal ability to respond is. In that EXACT moment and no other. ..... that is how the "white noise" evaporates.