Strange title, good insight.

When Hurricane Sandy hit the New Jersey coast, Staten Island, and Long Island,  (New York doesn’t have any beaches except Brooklyn) it caused major changes to the landscape.  Since I was born in Brooklyn, grew up in Staten Island, and New Jersey, the pictures and stories really hit home.  I love Florida, I live here, and will be buried across the street from my farm here, but when they attacked the World Trade Center, I took it personal.  I used to work a couple of blocks from there.

Hurricane Sandy shifted the sands and made inlets that were never there before.  Other storms have closed inlets to form solid land.  Simply a little bit of intense water, with wind, and the whole topography of the land is forever changed.

Extreme tides can do the same thing.  We think of a simple tide coming in, covering a little more beach, and when it goes out we look for sea shells, and sharks teeth.  But look at the tsunami a while back.  It took people, animals, and buildings, forever changing lives, and a country.

As uncomplicated as these things are, they can have devastating effects on people, and properties.  So can horses.

What brought all this to mind?  Actually I was wrapping Friday’s leg.  Being a typical horse she wacked it somewhere.  No lameness, no cut, just a lump.  As I was putting the wrap back on, she shifted her weight.  Red Flag Alert!!!!  Yes it can be just a simple shift of weight to make her more comfortable, but what if it wasn’t.  Here I am squatting down by her back leg.  I don’t move as quickly as I used to, so I pay more attention to when I may need to move out-of-the-way.  She could have been just taking a step forward, she could have been placing her foot on more level ground, or she could have been readying herself to kick at a fly on her belly, or at me who may have been annoying her.

That’s just my point.  You don’t really know at first, what the intention might be.

Being a thinking, and hopefully, reacting horseman/woman, you should always be alert for a shift in weight.  It may not be anything, or it may create a new inlet in your forehead.  It is so important to be aware, at all times, of your horses body language, and muscle movements.

Today I was shaving the Clydesdale’s legs, and as I was poised under her belly I thought of the same consequences.  Clydes do have better brains and slower motions, but they also have bigger feet.

The first week you break a baby they are usually well-behaved.  At that point they are trying to figure out what is going on.  Once they get the balance thing going with a rider on board, they start testing you.  Usually you feel them tense their muscles and get ready to buck, bolt, rear, and you prepare to ride it out.  Zoey was different.  She’d be all on the muscle, and you’d think, ready to rumble.  I’d be ready for anything she could throw at me.  Nothing.  Then comes the Zoey logic.  Mostly when a horse has been poised and ready to do whatever, and they don’t, they will take a big breath and let it out and relax.  You in turn do the same.  That’s a Zoey got-you moment.  I learned a long time ago with babies to always be on the alert.  We were walking, I got that deep relaxing breath from Zoey and Bam! she took off.  To this day, twelve years later, when you think she’s ready to blow, she doesn’t.  When she relaxes and exhales, all hell can break loose.  Got to love her.  Hasn’t pulled it with me in years, but if I put someone else on her she does.  She still keeps me wide awake and on my toes.  I like that in a horse.  She, and the others I have owned, make me the rider that I am.

So my thought for today is:  Whether it’s a shifting of weight, or muscle movement – always be ready for the unexpected, it may not just be shifting sands.  It may be the tidal wave from hell.

I was watching TV again on Sunday and an ad came on for a Round Pen, and I thought back to how many babies I broke without one.

Now a days they really try to make you think you absolutely have to have a Round Pen, or training as we know it, cannot happen.  When I was young, no one owned a round pen.  I don’t even know if they existed.  Back in the old days, when we used to walk 5 miles, through the snow, up hill, bare foot, to get to school (only kidding), we used a lunge line and a lunge whip, and I have many calcium deposited on my fingers to prove it.

Not everyone has the room for one, or the money to purchase the materials needed to put one up.

There are pipe round pens, plank round pens, solid round pens, solid walled round pens where the walls are on an angle.  Each one has good points, and questionable points.

Free lunging is close to impossible without a round pen.  I have chased loose horses, trying to get them back while they were dragging their lunge lines behind without a round pen.  But what doesn’t kill us, makes us stronger, and we don’t make the same mistake twice.

When we purchased this farm it already had a round pen.  Open planks, even planks on the gate.  Do I use it?  Yes.  Would I build one if I didn’t have one?  No.  I like the open planks because it allows air to flow through, and in Florida you need all the air you can get.  Many people don’t like the open plank, or the pipe round pens, because they want solid walls so the horse has to stay focused on the trainer.  Personally I think the horse has to learn to focus on the trainer with or without other distractions all around them. Eventually the walls will not be there and you start from scratch.

I understand the free lunging, but when I’m working with a horse I want him to also have the feel of me on the other end of the lunge line.  From lunging I go to ground driving so it’s one step of progress at a time.  I’m not in there to chase and play with my horse, as much as to teach them the touch communication of my hand through the line to his body.  Yes I teach voice commands too.  It makes it so much easier to get them to relate verbal to touch.

It’s so rewarding to get on the colt or filly you’ve been working with, and have him understand everything you ask the first time he’s ridden.  And it’s so less abusive to your body.  I disappointed my husband many times by not giving him a rodeo to watch, as my youngster and I just rode off into the sunset together.

So do you need a round pen?  It’s up to you and your pocket book.  Can you do it without one.  Oh yes you can.

I’m sure I’ve written about this before, but here goes again.

I was channel surfing on Sunday and I ran across a repeat of one of Clinton Anderson’s shows.  I recognized it as something I had partially watched before, but there was nothing else on, so I watched it for a little bit again.  Just like with the Dog Whisper, I sometimes pick up on something I didn’t really hear the last time.

He was working with a very aggressive horse.  It actually would chase it’s owner around, going after her with its teeth.  Most aggressive horses are not born that way (if any).  We have a habit of making them that way.  He was trying to point that out to the owner.

You personally know that there are days where you, yourself start out just fine, but people keep annoying you until you totally lose it.  You know the old saying “That was the straw that broke the camels back.”  Most horses won’t reach that point and become aggressive, but some sure will.  Most horses will just shut down on you, and not move, but there are some that will take matters into their own hands/hoofs/teeth.  This particular horse did just that.

I have watched horses being drilled on the same thing over and over again until they lose the life in their eyes, or their willingness to even do it at all.  It’s funny, but horse people usually don’t mind doing things over and over again in a barn, (like stalls or sweeping the aisle way) but mopping that kitchen floor over and over again can bring you to the breaking point.  How many times have I just finished washing the floor and my husband will come in (for just a second) with dirty sneakers and I freak.  Or maybe let the dogs in after they’ve been digging in the mud.

Yes this woman apparently pushed this horse to the limit (I didn’t really see the beginning of the program, but this is what I picked up on from Clinton’s comments), but the horses response of attacking, was not acceptable behavior.

My point is that you should always let the extent of the punishment fit the cause.  If the horse just steps on your toe, by mistake, I certainly wouldn’t chase him around with a whip and beat the tar out of him (as Clinton puts it).  Usually your energy changes as you stand there trying to push him off, yelling ouch, ouch, ouch, will make him aware that he made a unknowing mistake.  Except for my husbands first horse Rosie who did this on purpose.  She’d throw her foot sideways onto my husbands foot then look the other way putting all her weight on his toe.  She was very good at that, and did it often.  He was whining about it one day after hunting, and I told him to get over it, it had happened to me a million times.  Just clean up your horse and go in the house.  Well it got to him, he sat down on the hay loft steps, and when he pulled off his hunt boot his sock and boot were filled with blood.  She really did rip the big toe nail off.  Oops, I’m bad.  Oh well as my mother used to say, “It’s a long way from your heart.”

Clinton made the comment that some tree huggers aren’t going to like the fact that he beat this horse in the butt with a whip.  He also made the comment that if this horse actually ran this woman over, hurt, or killed her, that there would be no remorse on the horses part.  He was totally justified in his way of thinking.  Now I love trees, and I love all animals, but I’ve never seen a sapling beat a woman to death.  But a thousand pound, angry horse sure can.

Yes the crime should fit the punishment.  But we must always remember not to overreact with our discipline.  Always think – Did the horse knowingly do this, or just not realize what he was doing?  How serious was his offence?  Even if it was life threatening, whose fault was it?  Don’t ever punish your horse for your mistakes.  Just go back and correct the issue.  If you are going to react, do it immediately.  If you don’t, he won’t have any idea of what he is getting corrected for.  He’s just going to look at you as if you’ve lost your mind.

There can be a fine line between correction, and abuse.  Temper you reaction to the severity of the problem.  If he’s trying to eat you alive, don’t just smack him in the nose and say no, no, bad boy.  But if he pushed you because he was trying to get a fly off his nose, don’t let all hell break loose.

Be a thinking horseman/woman, but don’t let a bad day cause you to overreact either.

Let the degree of the punishment fit the degree of the crime.

Enough said.

I was just reading an article in my Riding Instructors Magazine.  The father of a new student asked the instructor when she teaches a safety class.  She became a little flustered, and didn’t know how to respond.  It isn’t a question we are often asked, if ever.  This particular father taught OSHA safety classes, and so it was at the top of his list.

So I stopped, and thought about the question.  It has never crossed my mind to start a “Safety Class.”  No?  Why not?  (I love having conversations with myself, it makes me go over things in my mind, and see where I really stand on an issue.)  Safety is of the utmost importance to me.  I’ve watched two people killed while riding.  No one, absolutely no one, should get hurt on my watch.  However, with horses, things aren’t always predictable.  Then it flashed across the Television screen of my mind.  I do teach a safety class.  Every moment, of every lesson, is one big safety class.  Every interaction of horse and rider becomes a lesson in safety.  I’m constantly throwing in safety reminders, pointing out how things should be done, and why.  Constantly reminding students of what they were taught, and why it needs to be done a certain way.  It’s so automatic to me I never realize that I’m teaching safety.  It so on-going with my students, that they aren’t even aware of it.

Sure you can go down a list of safety tips prior to the first introduction of a brand new student to a horse, and your barn –

• Never walk close behind a horse
• Never stand directly in front of a horse
• Never have a lead line (or reins) wrapped around your hand
• Never run up behind a horse

The list could go on for days, and you should give a brand new student a run-down of safety rules, along with your barn rules before starting, but more so, actually applying it as it is about to happen.

As a riding instructor you must always be alert, and aware of what is going on around you.  Both with the horse, rider, and outside stimulus.  It should be first in any horse persons mind.  I remember when I was first learning to drive a car.  Every time a plastic bag would blow across the road, I would grab the steering wheel a little tighter, waiting for the car to spook.  As a rider our peripheral vision is more heightened.  Okay, don’t tell me that I’m the only one who does that?

Have you ever noticed that people drive the way they ride.  I always know what students I’m willing to be a passenger with, and which ones I’d rather pass on.

Most people are not as safety conscious as they should be.  It’s such a shame.  It’s so easy to do it the safe way.  Doesn’t take much effort, but the success is worth it.

I was at a funeral one day, and one of the speakers pointed out the dash between the birth date, and date of death on the tombstone.  He said the dash was what was really important.  It was your life, and what you did in that time is what really mattered.  So is the dash in Safety First – Last.  It’s what really will count.

Most of us stay lucky.  Some never make it.  As Dirty Harry (Clint Eastwood) said “Do You Feel Lucky, punk”  Don’t have someone elses injury haunt your conscious.  Keep that dash safe at all times.

I had only started reading the article when I wrote this.  Basically the article said the same thing as I did.  Great minds think alike.

Now who said that?

One day, years ago, I asked my mother – When did I start liking horses?  She looked at me and thought for a moment.  Then she said “I don’t know, you just always liked them since you were a baby.”

Now you must understand, I was raised in a third floor apartment building in Brooklyn.  I never had any contact with horses when I was a baby.  Of course when I was around five my father took me to the pony track, and that started my riding career.  Life for my parents went down hill from there.  It was always, why can’t I have a pony?  My mother would always ask how I was going to get him up all those stairs.  Her next question would be, where are you going to keep him?  My child’s mind simply replied – I’ll teach him to climb steps, and keep him in the bathroom (in the tub it would be easier to clean up after him).  On Sundays, if we didn’t go to the pony track, I would ask my wonderfully patient father to go to Prospect Park and we would watch people riding by.  Sometimes he would take me for a walk through the barn.  Oh, I loved the different smells of the stable.

Every once in a while a junk wagon, or fruit and vegetable wagon, would come down our street.  In the 50’s they were still pulled by a horse.  I would stand on the sidewalk and watch until they were out of sight, knowing that someday, I would have a horse of my own. There was one black and white pinto that I was absolutely in love with, and to this day, every time I see a black and white pinto/paint I will think of that illusive horse that I dreamed I would own.

Of course, in the 50’s, we had tons of Westerns and horse programs on TV.  Needless to say, I watched every single one of them just to see the horses.  I knew every name and color of those mystical, magical animals, who were calling to me.

My first husband grew up with work horses.  He was a wonderful horseman, and taught me so much about the care, but he really had enough of the work involved.  Even though I had started riding before I met him, he encouraged me to have horses and show.

My second husband had ridden as a child and decided that horses really didn’t like him, but he supported me, my horses, teaching, and Fox Hunting.  When he decided to learn to ride and hunt, my mother stood there, shaking her head, and said “well I guess you are never going to grow out of this” and she was right.

Think back, for some of you like me, really far back.  When did you first realize that you loved horses?  If your mother or father is still alive, maybe you could ask them.  What triggered it, if anything?

Yes all teenage girls go through the horse-crazy stage, but for some of us, it’s a life long passion.  Something we were born with, and will probably die with.

Perhaps there is a certain gene that some people receive at birth.  My parents weren’t horse people, but maybe way back in my family tree there was someone who had the love, and passion that I possess.

Are there hoof prints leading up to someone very special in your family tree?  Some of us will never know, and some of us really don’t care.  We know that horses are part of our being, and it doesn’t matter how or why.

What really is the point of this post?  I don’t know.  Perhaps someday, someone will find a gene that points to our obsession, or maybe God just decided that we should connect with one of His special creatures, to love and care for them, and even bring us closer to Him.

Bottom line is – just enjoy the gift of spending your time with a horse.  Or as the old saying goes, “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.” (Of course we all know that saying actually means, if someone gives you a horse don’t look at his teeth to know how old it is). Just say Thank You to whomever helped you on your way.

Thank You!

I just sent out an email to AQHA (3/3/2015).  They just insist upon upsetting me.

I was reading the article about World Champion Barrel Racer Fallon Taylor, who had the guts to wear a helmet at the 2014 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.  Then at the bottom of one of the pages they put in AQHA’s Helmet Rule.  “The 2015 rule on English attire reads: SHW320.2.  It is mandatory for riders in all hunter, jumper and equitation over fence classes, including hunter hack, where jumping is required and when jumping anywhere on the competition ground to wear properly fastened protective headgear that meets ASTM/SEI standards or equivalent international standards for equestrian use.  The helmet must also be properly fitted with harness secured.  It is mandatory that all youth wear an ASTM/SEI-approved hard hat with harness during all English classes, including flat and over fences classes.  It is recommended that amateurs wear an ASTM/SEI-approved hard hat with harness in all English classes.”  In all other AQHA classes, exhibitors have the option to wear a helmet with harness.

So I proceeded to ask the AQHA if only English youth were worth saving?  So that means Western children aren’t?  All children and adults are worth saving.

Come on people, is anybody listening to the professional riders who have had serious accidents?  Have they read the news and saw people, who are at the top of the industry, being killed?  Aren’t we supposed to be smart enough to make our sport not only pretty and interesting to watch, but also safe for both the horse and rider.  We have the technology and the intelligence to do this now, what are we waiting for?  How many more brain injuries must people have?  How many more top riders have to die?

I spoke with a friend yesterday who was in a practice ring at a show.  Two Roosters flew out of the bushes and spooked her horse.  The horse went sideways, bucking and she was flung, hitting her head on the rail of the ring.  She’s fine, she had her helmet on.

Once again AQHA is not standing up to the “pretty people” with money and influence, and they are not taking a stand on what is right and safe.  I can’t believe their insurance company isn’t forcing this issue.  If adults make the conscious decision not to wear a helmet, and choose to take a chance, sure fine.  Have them sign a release stating they know the facts, don’t care, and swear they won’t sue.  But let us, step up and save the children who just want to do what the “big guys” are doing.

Don’t give me the “Oh, it won’t happen to me.”  I pray that it doesn’t, but I bet you it can.  Just go on-line and see the odds.  Statistics show that riding a horse is one of, if not the most dangerous sport.

Children have to wear helmets to ride their bikes now.  I rarely see a bike just take off, drop its shoulder, do a roll-back, do a sliding stop, buck, or drag a child.  Horses can, and do.

Okay, now do we have a thinking, responsible adult here?  At all?  In the crowd somewhere?  Hello?  Is anybody out there?  Is anybody listening?  Does anybody care?

AQHA sent a response saying that they are giving my email to the committee to review.

I never wore a helmet when I was a kid, but I do now.  I need to save what little mind I have left.  Again quoting Jane Savoie “I like my brain, I use it everyday.”

If you are not into wearing a helmet, would you like to try Russian Roulette?