“What if horses, along with other animals, are trying as hard as they can to find a way to communicate with us in a positive way, but because we’re so stuck on seeing ourselves as ‘superior’ beings, or because we have to feel our theories are right, we don’t even give them a chance? Well, for me, it seems that would be one serious lost opportunity. And I guess that’s an opportunity I’m not willing to let get past me.” — Life Lessons From a Ranch Horse by Mark…

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I’ve been thinking about the words we use to label our relationship with the animals in our lives. It isn’t politically correct to say we own a horse; instead, we are its caretaker. That dog doesn’t belong to you, you’re its guardian. Swell.

Referring to an animal as a family member is the norm; it’s common to hear someone in the barn refer to themselves as Big Red’s Mom, or say that Bandit is their fur-child. No shortage of Fur-Daddies either. I understand the intention and if the…

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You’ve seen it before (maybe you’ve been there yourself?) – the horse/human tug-of-war scenario:

The person is trying desperately to keep the horse in a particular position

or

the person is leading the horse somewhere

and all the while,

the horse is moving, imposing, and once in a while, running over the doting human being!

*        *         *         *          *

Once you know how to listen to your horse, a whole…

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One of the things I see missing most when people talk about the horse-human relationship, whether they specifically mention that term or are talking about anything concerning horses and humans, is an understanding of what relationship is really about.  Most of the time, people focus on training a horse to do a certain task – stand still, move, trailer load, change lead, you name it – without recognizing that everything we do with a horse revolves around the relationship we have with our…

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I have noticed this a lot recently, I don't know if it is me looking at the world through adults eyes, or whether it is just becoming more and more common, that so many people are buying and riding horses as they would buy and drive a car, let me elaborate.



My mare Navara, I have had since November, and have barely ridden her because I feel her confidence and ability to cope mentally with being ridden is not as high as it should be, she is receiving reiki, and is also having a… Continue

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