Am I Just Too Old Fashioned?

I am beginning to wonder about horsemen and horsewomen insisting on "playing" with their horses.
When I started out riding, people did not play with their horses. It was heavily discouraged because it ENCOURAGES DISRESPECT. If you wanted to get your horse fit, you WORKED him properly, schooling him in a well thought out program.
If all a horse does around you is play he starts thinking that he does not have to work at all unless he feels like it.
You have to TRAIN a horse to obey you.
Am I just an old fashioned fuddy-duddy?

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Permalink Reply by Fiona Hill on September 8, 2009 at 1:10pm

Well ... I confess a few years ago I was there desperately searching for answers and i went down that road, but I found i didn't like it and I found another road! It wasn't about PNH being wrong per se, just not right for me. For many many reasons it didn't sit comfortably with me, although at another level it helped me to not get killed by my horse. Of course, I am now the proud owner of an orange stick I don't know what to do with (in fact I can't lift it) and a few long ropes that occasionally come in handy when I don't need a lunge rein but want something longer than a lead rope. Oh and a thing called a savvy string that I have no idea what to do with.

God I feel so much better for sharing that!

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Permalink Reply by Geoffrey Pannell on September 8, 2009 at 9:54am

This will probably get me hit with sticks, but here goes. Jackie is sort of right with her comment about the link between Parelli and natural (small n) horsemanship. He has been very successful in that marketing tool, and it is just that , a marketing tool. Have you ever heard of Un-natural horsemanship?? IT'S JUST PLAIN HORSEMANSHIP!!! Grrr. The marketing has been so successful that it is almost a religious experience for some people. They think it is so magical to get a horse to do some of these things, and they don't have the experience to know any other way so it becomes THE ONE TRUTH . I can feel those sticks hitting me already( the orange ones). When you challenge this new found knowledge, the devotee gets upset that you seem to be a non- believer ,so they try and convert you . In this they get "hyped up" when you don't blindly follow along. Now, I'm not trying to be inflammatory!!! Nor be-little anyone. All I can say is what I have said many times, not every horse , not every system, will suit every persons skills or needs. As a horseman (small h) I have a set of skills that are evolving, and I take great pride that most times I can read what most horses are going to do. It's not something I read in a book, but learnt at my fathers knee, at my brothers side, and on many , many horses, watching others ride and work their horses. It is something that is a growing thing that takes substance from all areas of the media. So before I get hit with more sticks, I'll take my leave and say explore in your search for the one Truth evermore as it is everlasting. ( cue theme from Twilight Zone)

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Lamm on September 8, 2009 at 11:16am

I've been on sites chatting about horses for 5 years..... and this really seems to be a nice group... I've actually made friends on line. :) so interesting.

I find it interesting too that there is so much information about horsemanship, horse trainers, horses... books and books and books, videos, c'd's........ the new horse person like me is so bombarded with information that it just seems impossible to actually get a horse to do anything for you.... it must be so hard, look how much work you have to do to get there..... I never read this much or worked this hard in my science classes in school..... that's why I just vowed for the time being, to not spend any more money, but time.... and do like an old timer whose book I've not read yet said, "get the feel of the horse".... T. Dorrance..... never even read the book but that one phrase means a lot to me.

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Permalink Reply by Fiona Hill on September 8, 2009 at 1:03pm

Jennifer, if I had my time over, I'd read fewer books, watch fewer useless DVDs and do more experiencing! You go girl! :-)

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Permalink Reply by Shirley on September 8, 2009 at 1:31pm

I'm sure glad the books and Dvd's are there but I agree with you...enough is enough! Just do it!

Permalink Reply by Ferrous on September 8, 2009 at 12:34pm

Geoffrey, you could have pulled that post directly from my brain (did you? *more Twilight Zone theme*). I agree completely. How about I buy you a drink so that you don't feel those "carrot sticks" pummeling you? *lol*

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Permalink Reply by Shirley on September 8, 2009 at 1:49pm

Okay you guys and gals! We are only suppose to use the carrot stick for pummeling or whacking when the horse is being naughty. Otherwise it is only an extension of our arm. If you are not being naughty you have nothiing to fear! Now you might get a platic bag shook at you...LOL!
Cheers to all!

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Permalink Reply by Ferrous on September 8, 2009 at 6:22pm

If anyone does shake a plastic bag at me, please make sure that it has cookies in it! ;) *lol*

Permalink Reply by Fiona Hill on September 8, 2009 at 12:59pm

Geoffrey, I am beginning to think you are a very sensible man. It's so true what you say about it being almost a religious experience for some people - I think you hit the nail on the head. I would also add that there is a fine line between finding religion and joining a cult!

Ultimately the 'one truth' depends on each person - we all have our own 'truth' and no-one else can find it for us! What I think happens is that people look for answers outside themselves (just like religion) and latch onto something that seems to fit with how they view the world - whether that is from a position of truth, or from an illusion about how the world is. Either way will do, as long as they don't have to be on their own! Because sure as eggs is eggs, the ones who do step out on their own are going to be ridiculed, or challenged - or hit with orange sticks!

(The truth is out there ... cue theme from the X Files!).

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Permalink Reply by Shirley on September 8, 2009 at 2:13pm

I kinda see what you mean but can we learn anything without looking outside ourselves? We don't live long enough to learn everything all on our own from scratch??
But then there are some people that overdo and get too one-sided and closed minded to others ideas....never a good thing. I lived with that for way too many years with way too many people.

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Permalink Reply by Fiona Hill on September 9, 2009 at 4:01am

No that's true. The point I'm making though is that we already know in our hearts what is right for us - but yes, sometimes we need people or experiences to point us in the general direction. The problem comes when we start to believe that those people have all the answers for us - and we latch onto them, putting them on pedestals and say 'show me your way so I can do it that way too'.

Often we are attracted to people because they fulfil what we believe we lack in ourselves - hence hero worship and 'falling in love' with the 'one best way'. Other times we might be attracted to people because our truth resonates with theirs and we see things in them that we already like in ourselves.

The challenge is to recognise the difference! :-)

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Lamm on September 8, 2009 at 3:31pm

:) sometimes following one way is a really concise and clear way to learn. then when it works they get all excited and want to share it.... the reason why I don't join in one religion or another or one trainer or another all the way is because it doesn't make sense to me when I listen. I think Chris Irwin has helped me the most with myself and my own trainer most with my horse because he knows mustangs.... if I'm shaking my head yes, then sign me up. :) I've signed up for things before and gone the whole route. That is how you get a masters degree. :) but no one trainer has made me go all the way. My girlfriend, she is all into Ponyboy and the indian way and all that and I don't get that either.... but I want to do all the exercises in the book if I can...... but if you don't stick to one thing, as in myself included, who knows if we are getting the true benefit of it all.... :)