Mind vs Feet

Mind Vs Feet

“Connect with the Mind and the Feet will Follow”

‘What do you mean by that Katherine?’ 

I will say this, I spend a lot of time listening and working with horses.  Experience allows me to answer with conviction.  Many so called ‘trainers’ can get a reaction or have a horse submit to demands.  Many ‘accomplish’ this by becoming the “dominant” leader.   

But what goes on inside their minds, I often ask myself, when we introduce implements such as a whip, sticks, ropes or even spurs?

I often give a description to this as follows, “This is no different than turn on your car, open the door, roll down the street, then proceed to run after it and jump in”. This can really never have a good outcome all the time, most often than not, the end result leaves us with injuries along with a bruise to our ego.

The Introduction from human to horse starts with a trusting partnership.  Certainly, both the mind and feet need to be addressed, but they need to be looked at as an entire entity.

A horse’s mindset, has been such, that they are prey to all the territorial pedators for hundreds of thousands of years, where life preservation is their first thought. The humans have tapped into this fear and now become the “dominant leader”. I would prefer to be the horses “nurturing leader”.  The reason being, I would be the one they would trust and mimicking as a herd member.

Connecting with the mind allows you to achieve what you are looking for, helping the horse set up for success. When I ask a horse for participation in a ride, they are more than willing to be an equal team member.

Not communicating with the mind can result in our partners voicing their displeasure. The lack of understanding, demonstrated as confusion and frustration, becomes the precursor to many behaviors such as biting, bucking, rearing and kicking.

Once communication is established, the feet can now follow direction with less resistance. Understanding   a horses movement components, allows us to direct them to follow in a dance like fluent motion. Even when eventing in the saddle, less pressure is needed more response is shown.

We should never forget, we have not created the method in which the horse’s feet move.  Horses in a natural herd are taught at an early stage of life. Unfortunately when we get involved, their balance, movement and timing are compromised.

 This process of working the horse’s feet, after you have connected with the horse’s mind, resolves and eliminates stress. Challenge of authority and resistance to perform, are now minimized. 

Allowing you and your equine partner, more time to enjoy each other, sharing the compassion of one living being to another. Discovering new journeys with your horse having the ability to ask instead of tell.

Fall is Upon Us

Wet season is here everyone. Don't forget to pick your horses hooves to prevent thrush. Brush the horses fur to help the sebaceous glands develop a thick winter coat and prevent rain rot.
Remember to clean out stalls and paddocks to help the ground dry, so your horses are not standing in wet mud all day long.
Connecting with your partner, so that both are on the same page. At last, ride to help all muscles and ligaments stay warm and flexible. Ride safe and be well.

                  Romeo's Day

Romeo my horse has been diagnosed after many months of off and on lameness, with a navicular cyst. It has been a “head scratching” episode because he has successfully over compensated his body so that he was able to mask it up till now. After bouts of false predictions of Lyme’s disease or even arthritis finally broke down and seriously asked my horse to help me and admit I needed help of his intelligence. He in response lifted his right foot repeatedly and kneeled. In response I had tears in my eyes, and called a lameness vet to come look. He took x rays of my horse’s right front hoof. It was then that I was reminded once again how a horse really does give everything to their partner and I was going to do the same back as usual. There are many procedures and medication available and I chose the natural way. I started natural pure calcium to see if we can encourage the bone to fill in and harden. For three months re x rayed and found no change to better or worse and was then approached to try Tilden injection. I did my homework and found no conclusive evidence that would say it works only that horses that were getting it were on a pain management series as well. Then of course there was nerving him and that in my eyes was not an option. Then I approached a farrier who would work with me because I trim naturally, to stay as much in that realm as possible. We decided to place conservatively, egg bar shoes on my horse’s fronts. We didn’t have to square the toe no pads just the shoe. Now I have him on a “Spring Training”to strengthen his ligaments, muscles and allowing time for Romeo to get used to the change of having a shoe for the first time. I will say for the first time in a long time he is walking and tracking well, trotting and cantering straight again!!

Most 'navicular cysts' have been with the horse since birth and are OCD (osteochondrosis dessicans) lesions that cannot be directly linked to unsoundness. Adding calcium to the diet or even using Tildren will not resolve OCD. The offending cartilage has to be surgically removed and the cavity filled with stem cells to resolve the situation. This is a very difficult procedure to do in this area and since this is not a common seat of lameness, would not be helpful for the horse.

WHISPERING HOOVES ALRIGHT

Whispering Hooves alright:

I knew of my associate and dear friend’s talents with horses having worked side by side with Katherine on numerous occasions. 

I watched as she gentled a strong mare in demonstration at a National Day of the American Cowboy event.  That mare kicked through the wooden boards of the arena fence in an attempt to bolt even before Katherine entered the ring.  Multiple rearing and fore legs jabbing required her firm control and she exorcised the demon out and within fifteen minutes had a supple, comfortable and responding horse.

I’ve seen her ease an adopted, at sixteen years old, BLM Mustang with serious human trust issue.  From backing away from, too, forwarding and following closely without lead or cue other than body language.

I listened as a jovial clinic participant declared Katherine a ‘whisperer’ after attaining a theretofore unattainable result while astride her horse.  Truly there was methodology employed yet the communication that she imparted to horse and rider made them a better team. 

Once, I followed her as her mount bucked, spun, bumped into trees, reared and nearly rolled as both were swarmed by bees from a ground nest.  They escaped safe, sound, controlled, and calm.

But one recent instance made me a, yet, bigger believer than before.  Granted, like many, some skepticism to the very mention of ‘whisperer’ is part of my DNA.  Perhaps less than others, because as a horseman, my greatest pleasure with horses are the relationships.   I digress:  While in attendance at the Women’s Horse Industry Network (WHIN) conference I happened to the vicinity of Broadway in the heart of Nashville’s tourism and live music venues.  With Katherine, I strode from the undisputed home of traditional country music in ‘Nash-Vegas’ (Robert’s Western World - highly recommended) to another spot.  Being ‘horse-people’, we had previously noticed and commented on the condition, gaits, and looks of the many tourist-toting, wagon-walking, draft-crosses sharing Broadway.  These dragen 'share’ the roads with darting taxis, blaring sirens, horns, pedestrians, musicians, peddlers, and tourists.  While walking the opposite side of the street, Katherine commented…not so much to me, but sort of.  As the words ‘he’s hurting’ slipped from her mouth, the gentle giant with blinders, from forty some odd feet away slowed, turned, and nodded directly at Katherine.   Katherine briefly stopped, though I don’t think she realized she had.  For a few seconds it seemed everything else halted too.  There was still honking cars, and music escaping the walls and doors of bars, and people streamed by, but a trans-fixation was interrupting the moment.  I remember closing my eyes, shaking my head as if to stop a rattle, and opening my lids to a furrowed brow.  I, we, walked on.  I told Katherine I’d never seen anything quite like it and that I recognized her gift and talent.  Now, Katherine’s not under confident but also not boastful as she repeated naturally and with concern, ‘he’s hurting’.   He went the way his driver drove and we went on about our way to dinner.  As happenstance would have it, as we released from ‘twang’s’ grip later that evening, we met head on with the dapple Shire awaiting his next passenger street side.  Adjacent the banjo player, there in the greasy street, with noise, commotion, and darkness interrupted by neon, Katherine met him again.  I engaged the carriage driver as Katherine communed with her new friend.  Surreal, ethereal, but ‘true as rain’ (that’s a Katherine-ism) they conversed.  She greeted him, he responded.  Enough time lapsed that I met yet another transplant Nashvilian minstrel.  Katherine’s soft speak continued.  Eventually moving to his flank, his neck flexed and followed Katherine as it had from across the street earlier.  She checked brisket, belly, and stifle.  Returning to his stomach the draft indicated confirmation of her diagnosis and upon mentioning so too did the amiable carriage cowboy.  That hack driver jawed on to Katherine about ‘this particular fellers’ issue and it was as she suspected.  I made my way to greet this ‘old boy’ as a couple approached, he then had to go to work.  We parted in opposite directions but I’m certain this experience traveled with me and Katherine. 

The instance came to the fore in our conversations since.  Though it seems common-place for her, it was an extraordinary circumstance for me.  Perhaps too, an extraordinary destiny for Katherine and the horses she whispers with.   

A TRAIL TALE

Back some time ago when I was managing a barn that offered Trail rides, I took an appointment on the phone that had me chuckle in surprise. A woman had called to arrange a party of three to ride on the trail that day and had a couple of questions for me before there arrival.

First she asked the most popular question it was about how much land we ride on and about the horses then asked what kind of saddles we used. Answering her questions to the fullest I told her that we only use western saddles in the trails for the clients safety. She then asked, "what is the difference between a Western and English saddle?" I replied well.. the western saddle has a pommel and a horn . With a gasp behind the phone, a response was given as such"Well if there is so much traffic on your trail, I do not care to ride them." then abruptly hung up. I stared in the air as if I saw a Ferris wheel, thought for a minute, and started laughing with disbelief of what I heard.

If anything it has lasted all these years and is a favorite told on my Instruction Trail Rides.

Enjoy all!!!

Whispering Hooves: 70 Mile Treck By Horseback

Whispering Hooves: 70 Mile Treck By Horseback: "Distance by horseback sharing roads, land and towns was a great experience. In August , after a long spring and summer riding every day for ..."

70 Mile Treck By Horseback

Distance by horseback sharing roads, land and towns was a great experience. In August , after a long spring and summer riding every day for on the average of 25-30 miles a day, I decided that why not share with folks that horses and humans can share the roads, land and towns without being treated like a machines. Matter of fact maybe even to my deepest hopes let people go back settle down and enjoy life the way it was. This will all be for the horse they make it possible!! I decided to make a trip from Jamesville, NY to Camillus, NY and settle down for the night and camp out with my horse by nine mile creek.

The discovery of new pastures, new roads, new towns was amazing to say the least. With my trusted stead ears perched forward relaxed head and happy calm motions told me lets go.
We stopped and talked to folks about their horses and lending a helping hand when needed. Coming across children with their incredible joy towards the horse, I stopped for them to say hello and get a chance to just connect with this majestic creature. Then into busy town major streets, of course paying attention to the rules of traffic, slid my hat and nodded to the local police and sherfif. The police officer cocked a smile a wished us a great day. Upon my eyes I say a Denny's and with the noise my stomack was making my horse and I couldn't reconize whos stomack it was so we decided to stop for a grand slam! Unpacking my horses hay and tied him to the tree for shade. before I could turn , one of the waitress' came out with a tray full of water for my horse. I was so pleased to see that people do care and made my horse that much more confortable. Throughout the trip I had stopped at other places as well as traveling through streams unmarked and pastures that were grown with tall grass always being mindful of farmers crops.
When coming across to the destination of the nine mile creek I unpacked my horse and let him graze on the green grass and set aside hay for his enjoyment. The creek was flowing and I walked with my horse to get some water. Something about running water, how peaceful. As the horse was enjoying himself I set up camp hanging my pad, saddle and halters for proper drying thanks to the sun.
The next morning after a night of being awoke by the howling of cyotes, I packed my horse and headed out to the return to home. The ride home was just as exciting with the public knowing I would eventually return through the area, sent me off with a cheer.It was the most beautiful site of the most magnificent sunset as I returned home. My horse being a bit tired and me a bit wore, unpacked him brushed him down fed him and put him back in the pasture with alot of extra hay! He told the other pasture mates about his adventure they winnied at me thanking me and went off to play with his friends.