While reading this first one anyway: https://annablakeblog.com/2015/08/28/how-to-love-horses-forever/
This blogger/author Anna Blake has an eloquent way of spreading the most important messages about horses. If you haven't read about calming signals, this is great: https://annablakeblog.com/2014/04/18/calming-signals-are-you-listening/
That's dead opposite of most NH trainers who "want both eyes" and insist looking away from the human is showing disrespect. Google "calming signals in horses" and let me know what you think.
Enjoy some Anna Blake quotes with me:
If your horse feels nervous, it’s a good day. You get to practice breathing. Think of your breath as a way to clean up any unhelpful emotion that might be accelerating the two of you to a place neither of you want to go. Slow your breath and lower your energy by releasing the negative self-chatter. Inhale. Find the resistance in your own body; that’s where the message is being sent from. On the next exhale, neutralize the emotion so your body can soften. Be aware when your ribs relax and then feel your horse take that cue. Let your breath show him what you want him to do.
Then right in the middle of a seemingly aimless ride, when no one is trying too hard, your horse offers you something. And things are slow enough that you notice it. Wait. Let him engage the idea himself–dang, he’s trying–reward him, and then see what he offers next. It isn’t perfect, but the seed of better contact, or shoulder in, or whatever, has been offered once more. Good boy, and the last thing a horse needs now is soul-killing repetition. If you’re in a lesson with me, I’ll ask you dismount and release him. Nothing impacts a horse more than being rewarded so clearly; he remembers that last thing in equine technicolor.
I had a very interesting experience with Mag today, I spent 55 minutes standing in a creek not asking him to join me. What a trip, I'll have to write it down.....
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7 comments:
Awesome, and I actually have the dog book she mentions "calming signals!" Thanks for posting this, I am going to most definitely check her books out and follow her blog. Much more to my liking than CA and his shoving things down the horses throat way of training. Can't wait to hear/read about your day with Mags.
I like what she said that when around aggressive people, we tend to look away. What I have seen about NH horsemanship, even Clinton Anderson, is it's important to stay calm. Loud and aggressive isn't what its about. That being said, it depends on the situation. There were times I used strong body language and yelled at a horse. Same with my dogs. It boils down to reading the situation and trying to respond appropriately. I'm glad that this information is finally getting out there.
Camryn, you knew about it but didn't blog about it? *lol* I know, it's dogs. But so cool how horses have these behaviors too. Mara used to grind her teeth and look away from me constantly. So much to learn, so little time...
KB, I think in the last few days a lot of my friends have agreed with you that yelling and even slapping have their places, when the situation is read as you say. Mag swished his tail at me tonight when I asked him to move over so I could get by. It was definitely a "fine I'm going!" rather than a "don't you tell me to move". Curious how this will evolve. KB, I think CA does stay calm, but I think he's not a normal human being, and he makes light but not soft horses. Check out his older stuff on You Tube. The colt is terrified and dripping but making great progress.....
Love love LOVE the links, and they were EXACTLY what I needed to read today!
(gonna go see if it works on 7th graders in a minute....)
Yes, we have had several quirky dogs that caused me to study canine behavior quite a lot. Having been a Vet assist, it did come in quite handy. Camryn has always looked away from me as well. I'll be more aware and see if it changes.
Aarene, speaking of school kids, I was helping J organize some tests, arranging them alphabetically, I'm not allowed to do much more than that, and about 10 of the 6th graders still haven't accepted the protocol of writing both their first and last names on tests. The teachers always ask for that. So with J's permission, I took a German "sharpie" and put a frownie face on each test that had only a first name. (I can't even say how fun that was, to be allowed that.) Teachers have so much crap to deal with (the cheating! I told you about the creative cheating right?) but not being able to identify which test belongs to which kid is ridiculous, and wastes so much of his time. I'm pondering whether it's a libido/respektlos thing, "I'm Urkan. I shouldn't need to write my last name!", or stupidity, "My teacher is my friend, he knows my handwriting!" You know kids, what do you think?
Camryn, please share with me other studies like this. I'm thrilled about it, an alternative to what I've seen so much of lately (NH).
Ahhh, the language of horses (and dogs, too!) -- there is so much to learn. I am already a follower of Anna's blog and find her posts very educational and interesting. I love to just sit and observe and watch horses and how they interact with each other. So fascinating if one just takes the time. I tend to be an anxious person and when I feel that way when working with horses, I remind myself to slow down and B-R-E-A-T-H-E. And the journey goes on . . .
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