#horsesfirst

The Dynamic Power of Consistency

We would like consistent behavior from our horses. It would be good if they took each cue with light and immediate response. But some days we climb on and don’t feel like doing much. We don’t really have a plan, not that we care. We lollygag around slouching in the saddle and banging our legs on their flanks. No place to go and no hurry to get there. Naturally, we want the horse to focus on us…

The Middle Path: Negotiating Care With Busy Professionals

  A question from two readers: “We suggest you write sometime about the difficulties of having professionals show up and are so impatient with one’s horses. Yesterday an equine chiropractor was so task-oriented, she was so impatient, I thought at one point she might get kicked…” (The horse lost balance in the rush and got a smack on the butt for it,) “For the first time I did not get into that…

Building the Bubble #5. Just Honor Them

  Some of us value horses for their physical working ability on ranches, we “use ’em hard.” Decent care, no frills. Some of us think horses were put on the earth to be spiritual healers and therapists; we use them emotionally. Some of us commit to a lifestyle, we call ourselves horsewomen and horsemen, with the accent on the first syllable. We are evolving.

Horse thought balloon: (they’re…