Another great article by a fellow blogger. It really helped me understand the psyche of horses. I can see how Rachael uses this in her training. My barn family uses it in our day to day interactions with the horses. Good stuff, worth the read.
“Affiliation, not dominance, is what results in leadership, and true leadership, not dominance, is the relationship that we want to achieve with our horses.”
“Both mares would patiently wait their turns for water — not because the foals were dominant to them but because they deferred to the foals’ desire for water and youthful ignorance of the very concept of dominance.” This explains Warlock’s status in the herd.
” We can then experience genuine self-esteem and the associated feelings of accomplishment, confidence, success, and achievement. Our horses will see us as agreeable friends and leaders, rather than intimidating dictators, and they will willingly defer to and cooperate with us. We should not be trying to achieve status through dominance. Our goal should be to achieve status through prestige. Dominance earns fear, not respect. Prestige earns trust, respect, deference, and cooperation, and it is the status of a true leader. True leadership, not dominance, should be the relationship that we strive to achieve with our horses.”
Interesting perspective and comparison of horses and humans by a fellow blogger.
“Being prey animals, they have a keen awareness of their environment. Humans are blind, hairless mice in comparison. But if we spend enough time trying to understand and communicate with horses, slowly our senses improve. Balance and body awareness changes first, we have to learn that in order to ride. Slowly, our use of the limited senses we have improves. “
Usually she rides Casey but during this lesson we decided to try something new: Cuervo. He is one of my rescues and best described as an ornery old man. He is great, loves trails but not a big fan of the ring. In fact he isn’t really a big fan of being told to turn. BUT he looks good! We finally got the roof of the barn painted.
Nice pic of Chex’s beautiful colors
The Donkeys… I haven’t posted about them in a while. They spent some time up in the front pasture with the goats because Izzy kicked them out of their stall. This week with the weather so nice I brought them back to hang out with the horses. They seem much happier here, even though they don’ have their stall any more.
The walk to the front pasture. The 8 barn horses (my 4 plus 4 boarders) are hand walked up the front pasture for grazing. This time when I was following 2 Chestnut butts (Izzy and Sunbun) they decided the would spook at the new tarp. But Rachael had it under control!
I got a new tractor last week. Yup after having my first Ford for less than 2 years it decides to die on me the Mechanic said that the repairs would cost more than it is worth. So sorry credit card but farm comes first. I didn’t take any pics of it because it looks the same only bigger than my last sexy beast. but you can see it in the background here.
“You don’t break horses… You come to an understanding with them” ~ Phil WestFunny that I came across this picture today after my plog from a few days ago. The originator of this quote works with wild horses, so I would say he might know what he is talking about.
This week during our regularly scheduled Saturday morning trail ride Rachael decided to take Chex on his first trail ride since joining the farm.
He was joined by Apple, Cuervo and Nash.
Chex’s mom joined us on Nash. Her first time on him.
The weather was good to us. It wasn’t too hot and we stuck the the cut part of our neighboring fields. The horse flys and bugs were out and bothering the horses despite being doused in fly spray
Summer is in full swing here at the farm. It is keeping me busy so this update is going to be full and all over the the place.
It is not all about work though, a couple of weeks ago the extended farm family went to a country concert. It was a great break from the farm work and a good time was had by all!
Lessons are continuing I am now scheduling them for early morning or late evening to beat the heat. This is my youngest rider, she is coming along by leaps and bounds. Last week we were trotting with out a saddle!
We are also taking on new riders and beginners. I got Nash out for this lesson, he was great and is such a sweet horse for first timers. The other day, I was telling folks about how much of a lover he is and then I recieved a big lick up the middle of my face!
July 4th was a fun filled day OFF too. We went for another trail ride around green lane. I got Casey to jump a log for me. I think he liked that.
Lastly some shots of when the ferrier was here. Nash didn’t think it was fair to bring apples to the barn and not share.
The donkeys were brought up to have their hooves trimmed too. Frodo said hello to Izzy. It was funny after they were done and brought back to their pasture with the goats Cuervo kept whinnying and calling for them to come back. It is amazing the bonds they share.
Warlock who is now affectionately called Baby cause he is only 2 is going through training to be ridden. (Why do we use the term break and broke? I guess it goes back to when trainer did break the horses down to submission. This is not the type of training that goes on at the farm so I will stay away from those terms.)
Rachael has been working with Warlock and his dad Chex since they came to the farm at the beginning of March. She has done wonders with them. They now mind their manners are are coming along great with the riding aspect. Rachael spent last summer as an apprentice to a Josh Lyon certified trainer and now she is doing it on her own.
In these pictures Baby has the saddle and Rachael on his back fro the first time ever. He did so good! Was not upset, worried or nervous. His head was low and his ear were up. I even caught him licking and chewing a few times which is a sign for horses thinking and processing.
How are your Pastures?
Hard to think about pastures when all I have is a soppy mess, but taking care of your horses pastures is like grown a crop of vegetables. I don’t have a green thumb but am trying to give the Farm horses the best quality grass. Here is where you start.
Golden Spike Farm's Plog 
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