Why?

[cheyenne]

I would like to ask all those out there, one question, and here it is.

Do you feel that you can communicate with your horse? And I mean as in understand! be honest!

If you dont, ask why!

[Boudica]

I think for some of us we can with some of our ponies - and it depends what they are doing - when Moll and I were regularly out and about we had a total connection. the Huntsman's wife called her the dales polo pony as she was so manoeverable - mostly just by my thinking about what I wanted her to do - rather than giving any clear instruction, friends would ride her when we went out with my old stallion, and one girl was walking along on a loose rein (about 8miles from home) saying about Moll ''this horse is totally knackered Rebecca, she's on her knees, its not fair'' I dismissed her concerns and she continued to let the poor old pony slob along hardly able to lift up her head then suddenly she took off - the friend lost hat, stirrups and face but didnt fall off. I knew she was conning her but Rachel really couldnt tell.. the tired pony then bounced all the way home

Moll is an old beggar and has a semi retirement job as an occasional broodmare, she is herd leader and will take opportunity to lead her family into places I dont want them, but she is still the one (when she was taking half a dozen of them off down the lane to pastures new ) that I rode home bareback in the middle of the herd as I know she will be OK.

[glenatron]

We have some pretty subtle communication in some respects, but the "quit trying to bite me" message still hasn't entirely got through.

I mean, I can judge what he's thinking most of the time because horses don't really distinguish between thought and act so much and when he's not having a stroppy teenager moment he can be very subtle indeed. But then my main deal is trying to be really clear in what I am asking so that my horse can always understand me. That's the most important thing in horsemanship as far as I'm concerned.

[jinglejoys]

We are working on it I love it when Malaga starts asking ME questions and then goes all cocky cos he's got the right answer

[Ann Kibble]

What are you getting at, Cheyenne? There's more to this question, but your not asking it.

I've had the privilege of understandings with two horses - I wouldn't say total understanding because that doesn't even happen between humans. You may remember I've talked about Prysor Bach, my 'hearing horse'? Now, that really was horse to human and human to horse understandings.

It's strange you've asked this now. Do you remember I got another horse - a pony that had been left tied-up? He's obviously not been ridden much or been ridden badly, and needs company to ride with, is not used to being ridden on his own - which is what I have to do, so I'm ground training him Western style and he's a quick and willing learner. However, I've had to get trust from him first which must include some understanding. We've certainly got communication between us.

When a horse is always ridden by one person, the horse gets to know from the rider's muscle contractions or weight shifting what he is going to be asked to do but is this understanding or routine communication?

[cheyenne]

Thats a good one Anne. I dont know the answer. As for the question? I ask it in the ever present hope that the answer will be heralded.

I have one very difficult horse......she is a strong one, an individual and courageous. But she never lets me get too close. However, if I am kind to her she ignores me, if I am off hand? She is all over me like a cheap suit!!!! Funny that!

[Ann Kibble]

Do you have somewhere to do Join-Up?

[cheyenne]

I have a small square arena, about 60 foot x60, to play about. Its not perfect, but does the job. Or I play on the concrete yard.

[Ann Kibble]

I that 'yes' or 'no'?

[cheyenne]

Its a yes/no? I dont have a round pen, yes I have somewhere to train them.

[Ann Kibble]

Have you ever done Join-Up?

[cheyenne]

If by that, you mean the Monty Roberts thing? No. But I have achieved something akin to it. More by accident than design. A few years ago now, but I do remember it very well. I was, to say the least, very surprised when what happened did happen.
So now I look for the signs, I dont always get what I`m after, as it does depend on the horse, if they show submission then fine, some dont totally give their soul away.

[Ann Kibble]

Why don't you try Join-Up? It can need to be done 4 - 6 times. Make sure you're well practiced in both body languages before you do it with a horse.

[cheyenne]

Going well?.............. Yes it was. The trouble was, it was at about this time, while we were congratulating each other on the ease of it all, that I started to have this nagging doubt! I couldnt shake it off. Anyway I digress.. I was worming time, and as I like to change wormers on a regular basis, I had got a pack of a well known type. I was going to do the young ones and Bobby was doing the mature types!

About halfway through, one of my wormer syringes stopped working, for some reason only about an inch of the stuff had gone in. I called to Bobby, and as he was busy, I wandered over, all the while trying to get this infernal tube to work.

Bobby had a go, and then I had another, nothing! He, Bobby was worming Cassie, and as we have another large horse, Bruno, staying for a week, he was on the list to worm also.

Now this is where it gets interesting...............The tube that wouldnt work, was still in my hand, Bruno was tied. So I thought I`d try this faulty tube once more. (Can you guess?) As I was facing Bruno, and we were only about one foot apart, I thought things would be ok.

No!……. All of a sudden, and without any warning, the tube plunger shot down the tube, out came the worming paste, and hit poor Bruno in the face! Well!!!! He got a shock!

Bruno, bless him, shot back, he hit the rear stable wall and then lurched forward! It was at this point that I realised what the nagging doubt had been all day! Bruno`s left foot came down on my right foot, now Bruno is a substantial chap! He is a Clydesdale x TB! Not a small animal!!

My foot is a small thing! (contrary to my wifes thoughts!) Yes the nagging doubt was my footwear! For the first time in over a year, since I invested in steel toe capped boots! I had forgotten to put them on. Needless to say, there was much profanity, and much pain! Bruno is fine, he got wormed.

I on the other hand spent a few solitary hours in the local A&E. Two toes on my right foot are broken, and there is bad bruising, but I`m fine!

There is a motto to all this, although at the moment I cant think what it is!

As a “foot note”, Ha! My toes will be fine in a week or so.

[Ann Kibble]

My Bad Fairy has travelled your way! Don't worry, only the 3rd thing to go wrong now and it'll soon be April 1st!