It's About The Horse

Smokie · Last edited by Smokie on Sun Nov 14, 2010 5:58 pm; edited 1 time in total

Getting all of you mad on both sides of the fence... PH folks and Non-PH folks. I think you all are missing some of the point of, What is called Natural Horsemanship. NH is a term that was placed on a method of training that has been around for hundreds of years.. It wasn't invented by Parelli, or Buck.. or anyone still living for that matter.. It is a term used as a phenominal marketing tool that has sold 1000s of books, videos, clinic tickets and TV shows for big big money. If you really look at the methods, all of us do about the same thing. We just put our little twist on it to make it sell better than someone else's. But what has seemed to take a back seat to all of this is you're forgetting the most important parts of the concept. Getting along with your horse (and people) by thinking and working with your horse on his level and being able to leave the human emotions at the gate when you catch him up. It's not about who's method you use or who you idolize, it's about what your horse relates too and works with for you to become willing partners together.. Here is a little something from my book Equiknowlogy 101... that might be of interest to you all. It's kinda of how I look at horsemanship and being the best horseman I can be.. Here ya go..

The keys to being a good horseman and trainer…
Not long ago my apprentice asked me the question… “What is the most important thing you can teach me to become a good trainer and horseman?” It took some thought, soul searching, and recollection of the things I’ve learned over the years to give her an answer but here goes...
Through the years, I’ve come to realize that the keys to being good with horses does not lie entirely in the sums of acquired knowledge of training principals, or the tutelage received from the all knowing masters of horse training. The keys to obtaining the level of wisdom and to truly be one with the horse come from the deepest darkest parts of your soul and your experiences in life. It is how you see, interact, and judge, yourself, your horse, and others, against the perceived realities of the world around you. And, how you will manage the turmoil within yourself as well. This is how the horse will see you, respond, and work, (or not work) for you.
Horses are remarkable creatures in that they can look into the eyes of you, “The predator” and instantly know if they can trust you with their life. They will not prejudge or hold a grudge if they cannot. They will willingly accept you as the leader if you have their respect and their confidence as the protector of the herd, their life, and their existence on this earth.
People that have not had or lived through a profound life changing or emotional experience and know the true meaning of what life is all about, cannot become true horsemen. If you do not know, or haven’t seen your life for how truly simple it is, and cannot give a part yourself, or your knowledge, without judgment, for the betterment of the others in the heard, you cannot appreciate or comprehend what it takes to really know the horse.
I’ve talked with horseman and women that truly have a gift with horses. Virtually all are at peace with themselves and all creatures, including the rest of the bipeds. All have witnessed and faced death, the miracle of life, and they know that it all can change in an instant. One bad kick, bad argument, bad war, relationship, or decision made for some self-serving mission or concept of reality.
The horse is one with his herd and his environment. He will do his part to continue his existence and that of his species. It’s a simple forgiving life. The horse has no concept of human emotions. He knows nothing about love, revenge, hate, time, responsibility, perfection, prejudice, or production. He knows only two… the only two perfect unchanging concepts of emotion and human reality. Living and dying. These two concepts manifest themselves in the horse as “forgiveness and fear”. Trainers or horse people that base their training on other human concepts will not succeed in training or horsemanship. If they cannot accept and let go of their distrust, anger, jealousy, control, and preconceived ideas of life, love, sacrifice, time, and how we live life on this earth, they will never know or experience a true willing partnership with the horse or the humans in their lives.
Learn to forgive yourself, your horse, and others for their imperfections. Do not fear yesterday or tomorrow. Or get balled up over those things that you cannot change, were unsuccessful, needs more work, or simply forgotten. Just be patient, and live for today, the best way you can. Be in harmony with yourself, your horse, and the others you share your life with. Have no regrets, and expect no more in return.
Trust the horse and the human to give the same of him as he sees in you and your lives will be better for it…
Then you will be on your way to becoming a horseman. At peace with yourself, your herd, and the world we live in… like your horse.

So there you go.. If you want to idolize someone, idolize your horse and learn from him. You both might be better for it..
Smokie
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Smokie
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PasoBaby_CarolU · Site Admin Joined: 31 Jan 2009 Posts: 9013

I don't think you're making anyone here mad. I think we all started with Parelli and are past the point of hero worship for all the answers. All on a journey to study more, learn more and do more with our horses.

People look to Tom Dorrance as the 'founder' of the modern "natural horsemanship" school. Yet look at who Tom learned it all from...the horse. He never attended an equine school or a clinic, didn't follow anyone's path, but learned it all straight from the horse.
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Corazon de Oro Paso Finos

"The path to your horse's heart lies through your own."

Rumors are carried by haters, spread by fools, and accepted by idiots. - Words of Wisdom - Mhar

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Smokie · Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 4:48 pm Post subject: Too True...

The horse is a pretty good teacher if you just listen..
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Smokie
http://www.smokiebrannaman.com

becdubie · Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 4:55 pm Post subject:

Smokie, I really like the thoughts in your last paragraph...and your book is on my wishlist now. You definately could pick up a few customers here on the IATH forum.

I like to think of it this way, for me anyway.
Parelli AND beyond. I still refer to the Parelli way of teaching first, then use it to expand. I do this because Parelli is where I learned, and re-learned the things I needed when I got back into horses a few years ago. For me their teaching works. I don't idolize Pat Parellli, I do like the way they teach, it's what I stick to for all basics, and when I need to solve a problem, its where I start.

Yep the horse can teach you a lot as long as you speak the language. Some of us need a little tutoring to learn that language along the way.
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4theloveofjake · Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 5:15 pm Post subject:

I have to say most if not all of us have learned to listen to our horses.......they have so much to say and we have learned to realize everything means something. Reading our horses and responding accordingly is basic NH IMO.

Always a good reminder though

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Jack · Member Joined: 22 Oct 2009 Posts: 269

I find it hard to respond to Smokie's words since they bring up so many very personal and deep feelings within myself. A message I try to convey to the people that come to me for direction with horses is the meaning of the word "trust". I believe that true trust is the highest compliment that can be offered or received by any living being. Love is a word that is passed around pretty easily these days and really hasn't much meaning but I've found very few humans that I truely trust to the fullest. Horses are wonderful creatures and I've found their ability to recognize and respond to trust is much more advanced than humans. They are able to instantly recognize it's presence (or the lack of) and respond accordingly. I am often heard to say that "horses know" and I believe they do know everything that is missing in human beings character. We as humans have lost our contact with the natural world we live in. Our instincts and awareness are dulled to the point of being almost non-existant. Our ability to trust has traveled the same path I'm afraid.

Recognition of death is a big part of the natural world. Horses know this and I believe they find comfort in the knowledge. Humans have many questions about life and it's meaning while the animal world around us seem to have the answers. This is why I believe animals are able to live in the moment and not question the future. I've found that people of some autistic natures are very similar to horses and other animals. These humans recognize that life is limited for all and they live with that knowledge daily. The same is true of humans that have faced an event or illness that caused them to face the limits of life's meaning. When faced with these type of situations one quickly learns to enjoy and live in the moment that is present.

Long ago my late father told me that religion per se wasn't important. He pointed out that as long as one had faith they would be satisfied. I think trust and faith are interchangable and try to live with these ideals in mind on a daily basis. Trust in oneself is the best reward that can ever be given and trust in another is the highest that can ever be received.

Smokie, I understand what your saying and I applaud your willingness to express it willingly.

Thanks for sharing,

Jack

coveredbridgefarm · Member Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Posts: 1618 Location: Missouri

Terrific post, Jack. The more we idolize people, the more disconnected we become from the natural world and from our horses. We are fortunate that any of nature's creatures are sometimes still willing to trust us.

And I do think there are quite a few of us on this forum who are aware of that.

Larry

bit · Member Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 4352 Location: Kansas

Thanks Smokie, you have a good way of putting things into words. We don't get mad here real often. Mostly a few pinned ears, some tail swishing, but then we're back to grazing nose to nose. Hope you drop by often and share a lot. Welcome to the herd!
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"It was once said I should clear my head for one cannot ride a Thoroughbred. Hot they are. And too fast they be. Forever on the fly. But I stayed the course and have no remorse. I love my off the track racehorse!"

whisperingwindfarms · Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2010 4:47 pm Post subject:

This hit home for me. So does Jack's post. I haven't shared a lot but my Dad is now living in an assisted living facility and he will be there until he returns to non-physical. I've spent the last 6 weeks really having to walk my talk with regard to my belief system. Some days it's been hard. I know what Toby Keith means when he says "I'm not crying for you. I'm crying for me." I know my Dad will always be with me whether in physical form or not, but some says I struggle mightily with letting it be.

A wise horseman who is now riding past the Rainbow Bridge once told me that dying is part of living and if I'm going to have animals, I'm going to have to deal with whole package. He's also the one who told me to get over putting my gelding down because there was a horse standing in front of me (Lucky Bucky) that needed me to be present every day and I couldn't do that while I was pining for a different horse. I hated him for saying it to me at the time but they were words I needed to hear. I took a different fork in the road that day and I'm glad I did.

This journey for me is not about horses although horses are huge in my life. It truly is about life. I'm not the same person I was 7 years ago when I bought my first horse. I'm not the same person I was 6 years ago when I bought the old L1 Parelli pack. And I'm not the same person I was 6 weeks ago when I delivered my Dad to his new home.

I hope I'm the new and improved version of me AND I hope I'm the new and improved version of me every day from here on out. Living and learning. Loving and sharing. It sure feels different - I can tell you that.

There's still a lot I don't know. There's still a lot I don't understand. I think I'm doing OK though. Lucky Bucky sure seems to follow me around a lot more than he used to. And those stupid canter transitions I struggled with (desperately trying to pass L3) are a lot easier than they used to be - physically and emotionally.

I'm good with that. I'm all about people joining me on a life journey where horses are a big component.

I think Hal Ketchum's song is appropriate here;

"Some may take love casually but I know what it means to me. I know where love lives."

And it seems like it's living on this forum lately. How cool is that?
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whisperingwindfarms · Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2010 7:10 pm Post subject:

One other thing - If you have any tips about donkeys, I'm all ears. Literally and figuratively. I've just started working with my 13 year old jack, Radar, and he's a quick study so far. I think donkeys and mules are just horses on steroids - in that, if a horse thinks if he can outpersist you five times and you'll give up, then a donkey thinks if he can outpersist you 50 times, then you'll give up.

At least, that's one of the things he's taught me so far. I adore that little guy!
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Smokie · Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2010 2:23 am Post subject: Aha yes the mule thing!!

I did a clinic at the Wisconsin state mule and donkey show. (And when I booked it I didn't know it was all mules) It was my first time working with mules.. It went ok until after the clinic a couple came over with their jenny and ask if I could help them with a problem they had with picking up her feet. The fronts went ok but when I tried the backs I got kicked faster then I ever thought a critter could kick! And from a spot I thought I was pretty safe to be in when I started.. I tried about every thing I could think of to get her to give her foot without kicking but no luck. Then by chance I slid my hand down the back of her leg and under the frog and low and behold she picked it up with no fuss no muss! Let me do what ever after that.. I haven't figured out yet what that difference made but it worked! I think a mule just has to like you or figure out how to like you (or you them) and if they don't well Kattie bar the door cuz your not going to get along with them!
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Smokie
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Tigerlily · Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 12:33 am Post subject:

WOW....Smokie your my hero! ha ha just kidding....see the irony?

acutally, i cried while reading both yours and jacks post. sometimes you just dont know how thick the koolaid runs in your veins for quite some time after yanking the I-V. it has taken me nearly 6 months to see clearly enough to start to grasp the words you say. i think 6 mos ago, it would have fallen on def ears. i am reading rashids book, "whole heart, whole horse" the first chapter had me literally sobbing like someone who was set free from a prison. so many things dawned on me, from the simple words 'it's ok to make a mistake"......what?? it is?? even for me??

Also, it is funny how when i started watching the waterhole rituals, i noticed immediately that my mustang had taught me all of them already, I just didn't know it. the things you spoke of, are the things I have been seeking, the things i knew were missing all along. so correctly, the horse knows what is in your heart and soul and will be the first on the planet you knock you to your knees to help you see your reflection in the water and prove to you that he does not exist for your ego.

thanks for poking your nose in and sharing this, as it is exactly what i needed to read at this moment and time. the world is looking better and better each day
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Smokie · Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 3:46 am Post subject: No bodies hero..

But I'm glad you liked it Tiger.. Just giving a little bit of perspective from another corner of the horse world! Have a great Holiday!
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Best Regards and "Just Ride"!
Smokie
http://www.smokiebrannaman.com