#58 Ships in Bottles & Horses in Hula Hoops

#58 Ships in Bottles & Horses in Hula Hoops
The hula hoop came from the dollar store.  Lots of fun for a buck !

Just for fun try this and send me photos to Smilla13@gmail.com

Dusty is always so happy - he makes no secret of it.

Adventure Horse Riding in NYS            Smilla13@gmail.com  (Mary Dixon)         www.RideNYS.com

#57 A Touchy Subject !

#57  A Touchy Subject  !

This is a touchy subject when it comes to riding - but it is something I have seen many times over and it is from these observations that I am writing.  

And, it has to do with fear, nervousness, and lack of confidence & maleness and femaleness.

There are more woman than men riding the past 2 decades than ever before in history.  AND, the "fear" or "nervousness" thing is just not discussed because we are too embarassed to talk about it and are afraid of looking like a sissy or a baby.

So, why is there so much fear among females when it comes to the little darlings and riding ???

It is very simple and easily explained.

As a rule, woman don't have that "male ego" thing that is what makes men get into fights and into challenging each other and bragging and being #1.  It's just not us.

(this is not an absolute statement by any means - but it does seem to hold true for the majority)

AND, we don't have the testosterone which is responsible for the above.

Nor, do we have the physical strength.
And, we never had lots of crashes like boys when we were young.

Nor do most of us love that big adrenalin rush that men thrive on.  

So, it is those things that we battle - and struggle with.

As was noted before - riding is not for the feint of heart.

I love scaring the bejesus out of myself - and overcoming that fear - when I am working with an outlaw horse or training an unbroke horse, but let me tell you, I am not having a good time.  I am a wreck. But when the day is done, I am tickled pink and know that I had a ball.  But only when the day is done and I am still alive.  I thrive on it and so do lots of other females, but I daresay there are tons more females out there that don't want a thing to do with it, and when faced with it become a wreck, and/or after a crash won't ride again.

We are just different than men.

Most of us are able to overcome it and / or  we simply learn to deal with the nasty fear because our love for the darlings or for the sport is just too great.

And, some just can't do it.

It is nothing to be ashamed of.  We are just different.

It is the nature of the beast.

Adventure Horse Riding in NYS            Smilla13@gmail.com  (Mary Dixon)         www.RideNYS.com

#56 Elephants and Darlings

Henry & Dusty'

#56   Elephants and the Little Darlings

The little darlings have an incredibly short attention span but one heck of an  excellent memory  (if only we could be so lucky !)

That being said translates into "once taught, they never forget.)

Too often we inadvertently teach them the wrong behavior because we just give up and/or do the release at an  inappropriate time.

It is our responsiblity to be AWARE of whatever it is that we are doing & or around our horses.
  This is pretty tough to do but if we keep trying to be aware, we'll get the hang of it.

Adventure Horse Riding in NYS            Smilla13@gmail.com  (Mary Dixon)         www.RideNYS.com

#55 Just One Step

   #55  Just One Step
   Pix are not Dusty, but a different horse - Beau

You may get bored reading this and you may get bored doing this method but  read on anyway.  What the heck ? 


I want my horses to be brave and confident so I ask quite a bit of them.  This most recent quest was terrifying to Dusty, my Tennessee Walker (he's always been a very nervous nelly)

Our creeks are very rocky, and deep, and have about 2 to 5 inches of hard ice on top and snow on top of the ice. Our other horses cross them and are calm when the ice makes the cracking sound and they drop down into the dark, cold water and the ice cracks again with each step.  They just deal  with it.

.  Not Dusty, though - no way and no how. (actually I don't blame him !) 

Day 1     He just couldn't stop pooping when he realized what I was asking of him and he also got the shakes.  So, we were both happy IF we just faced the creek and took one step toward it and simply stayed there for a spell (the release or reward).  We did this about 4 times - not 4 steps  .  This  was no easy task at first.  (1/2 hour)

Day 2  Went back to same frozen creek - he was getting nervous & pooping just going there - and we did the same thing as Day 1 - didn't take long at all, we would just stay there little bit,  and then I asked for  "just one step" and then one more step and one more step, etc,  to get him to the EDGE of the creek.  We did this nice and slow with rests between each step - and, alas,  he finally got there at the edge and stood there. But, he sure wasn't going to go one inch farther.        (1 hour)

Day 3    A repeat of Day 1 and Day 2 - much, much easier and quicker than  
before and got to the EDGE of the creek relatively quickly.  He had his confidence up in himself and in me because I didn't push him over the cliff (didn't shove him into the water)  I tried the just one step, ain't happening, and I just knew it wasn't going to happen,  so we turn around and away, then approach again and just one step, nope, and again and again and again and nope nope nope (I was wanting him to get on the ice)

BUT, he lifted his foot out and over the ice. Great!  I gave him a treat and we went back home.  (45 minutes)

Day 4  By now, naturally, I think this is going to be many days to get the job done but I knew it and accepted it because I know my horse.  Geez, talk about patience!  So, the day was a simply a repeat.  He did go quickly to the edge of the creek and we just stayed there & when he picked up and stuck out his foot again, we just went home. I didn't ask any more from him.  (10 minutes)

Day 5  Back again doing the same thing, balancing on the edge of the creek  but this time we stayed even when he picked up his foot and stuck it out over the ice.  I did nothing and said nothing - just sat there.  So he did it again, then again, then again, and then put one foot on the ice !  I just sat there, didn't say a single word.  He put weight on it, took it away, did it again a few more times,then he put the other foot on it so now both feet are on the ice.  I said nothing  and did nothing.

Then the ice makes a noise and cracks, and his 2 feet go right down into the freezing water rushing among the rocks under the thick ice.  I said nothing and did nothing.   He just stayed there - didn't do a thing.!


  And, then, FINALLY, he crossed the freaking creek - ice breaking all over the place.    We then re-crossed the creek and rested, then did it 3 more times back and forth with no problem at all.  Then we found 2 other places and he crossed those with no hesitation.  He seemed quite proud of himself.
So we finally got the job done !!!!!!!!!!   (1/2 hour)


The reason for this blog is simply as a reminder about baby steps and  time and patience.
Rome didn't get built in a day & Dusty wasn't going to cross a creek in a day.                         

      *   The "time it takes and it will take less time"  - 4 days and tons of patience (more time) - he now goes thru

           any and everything with no hesitation whatsoever - even a frozen pond (less time)

• Trust - he knew I wouldn't force him to do it (push him over the cliff)
• Confidence - in me and in himself
• Patience - Omg, the patience !
• Baby Steps - reward the slightest try.
• Consistency - he always knew how the lesson was going to go and that it was lesson
• Persistence - I just didn't give up or get frustrated or impatient 

Adventure Horse Riding in NYS            Smilla13@gmail.com  (Mary Dixon)         www.RideNYS.com

#54 The Meaning of Crashes

#54 The Meaning of Crashes

A friend of mine (a different one than who I wrote about earlier) got thrown off or bucked off a while back.  I think she was worried that maybe she just wasn't doing as well with the darlings as she had thought.  So I wrote her this note.

What your crash probably means - it is simply a reinforcement to you that you need to stay more  aware of  the importance of communication and understanding of the prey/predator relationship between horses and humans.  We have such a tendency toward complacency and achieving goals - and the darlings always, always, always remind us that they expect more from us and will not tolerate anything less.

I have to re-learn and get re-taught on this at least once a year - always a great exercise in humility - and it sure kicks me right back to the reality of the prey animal and that I'd better have my brains on while in their company.

Remember - the darlings are MASTERS at teaching us fear, disappointment, discouragement, humility & they are also masters in teaching love, compassion, patience, partnership, and understanding
.

 And, it's the kick in the ass by them to us that reminds us of this.

Adventure Horse Riding in NYS            Smilla13@gmail.com  (Mary Dixon)         www.RideNYS.com

#53 Journeys

#53  Journeys

What is the quickest way to the pond?  to the picnic spot ?  to the creek?  to Zelda's farm?

What a job it was to teach him how to count;  to get him to leave the barn;  to stop jigging back to the barn; to stop grazing; to stand still; to lower his head; etc

For most horse folks, it is the pleasure of riding the little darling and developing an incredible bond between you and him.  Pretty much that is what it is all about.

But we get caught up in the end result - not the process or the journey.

Some of my friends used to drive me absolutely crazy - we'd decide to go someplace and they would want to figure out the quickest, easiest, or best way of getting there.  As though that was the purpose of the ride !

 I didn't give a hoot whether I went to Carmichael Hill or to the Pond or Raspberry Hill  or how I got there.

So, when you catch yourself doing that - remember that your purpose in owning Sweet Pea or Trouble Shooter was not so that you could go to the Church Hill - it was in the fun of getting there with your buddy.

It's not the destination, it's the journey.

Adventure Horse Riding in NYS            Smilla13@gmail.com  (Mary Dixon)         www.RideNYS.com

#52 Your Crash Buddy

#52  Your Crash Buddy

My good friend got bucked off the other day - she is fine.  She was really angry about it - meaning she was furious with herself and the horse and was embarrassed and mortified.  She is, I am sure, now on her way to what I call debilitating fear.

 I went and found a log she could stand on to re-mount and as we were walking over there she stated:   he bucked and I could feel him getting wound up.  I asked "what should you have done?" meaning either circle him or whatever to get his brains back on or just tell me immediately to stop.

So, here is what I did wrong.  I should have just kept my big mouth shut and discussed it with her later that day or another day.

I knew she had some fear working from earlier this year and should have immediately realized that this incident would increase the fear thing dramatically - SO,  she certainly didn't need to be asked or told what she did wrong right then and there.  Naturally, we only walked after that, at least I was kind of smart there. 

 So, be kinder to your crash buddy than I was.

 Adventure Horse Riding in NYS            Smilla13@gmail.com  (Mary Dixon)         www.RideNYS.com

#52 Horns, Horses, & Hangups

#52  Horns, Horses, & Hangups

Well, I am still trying to settle down.  A very exciting, nerve wracking ride I had today - to be sure !!!


I have thousands of hours under my butt when it comes to riding the darlings.  I've been snagged on horns and my girlfriend has been snagged on horns from her hood on branches. No huge deals but enough to be conscious of the danger of getting hung up.


But, never have I had such a terrifying experience as I did today.


I know all about horns - I know when I am training an unbroke horse, riding a horse I don't know well, or working with an outlaw horse, to always keep my jacket open - never, ever closed - and I follow this rule of mine religiously with no exceptions whatever.


But, on my own guys, I just don't think about it.  Duh, duh and duh !!!


I rode Dusty today, my tall Tennesee Walker, and decided to switch saddles.  After riding for about 15 minutes, I went to get off him to adjust my stirrups.  And I got hung up.  My jacket caught on the horn, he is tall, and apparently I was on a bit of a decline, and I am very  short.


I am on tiptoes.  There is so much tension on my jacket that there is no way in heck I can unzip it.  So I tried to pull it over my head.  No go.  Thank the Lord Dusty just stood there


I carry an army utility knife but I was hanging so much that I couldn't even get the knife out.  So, then I thought I'd better give my husband a call because there didn't seem to be anything else left to do and I was afraid Dusty would be getting restless.  I'd been hanging there for quite spell by then.


 I don't really know if I could have even reached my phone, but nonetheless I didn't even try, since, though Dusty was superb I wasn't sure if a 4 wheeler would have disturbed him and  if he even simply started to walk, I was going to be dragged.


Since I couldn't undo myself, I finally asked Dusty to move down the tiny incline just one step - I was scared to death because if he took two steps I was in even more trouble than I already was.  Well, great fella that he is, he did just as I had asked.  Then I asked him for one more step - he did it , and bit by bit by bit, I was able to pull the zipper down an inch at a time and finally was able to fully open the jacket.


Thank heavens, Dusty knows that whoa means whoa with no if's, and's or but's.


And, would you believe, only about 1 month ago I had my husband saw off the horn on my beautiful Circle Y saddle.


So, as aware as I am about horns - things still got screwed up.  I wrote this just to let you know.

This  is Dusty - I owe this boy forever for being so good during the hangup !!!



Adventure Horse Riding in NYS            Smilla13@gmail.com  (Mary Dixon)                                       www.RideNYS.com

#51 When you did what you did !

#51  When You Did What You Did !!!

Your horse will do what he did the last time you released the pressure.

Don't forget it !!!

Adventure Horse Riding in NYS            Smilla13@gmail.com  (Mary Dixon)         www.RideNYS.com

#50 Meanies and Fools

#50  Meanies and Fools

I was reading about Linda Parelli's accident, and then about the death of one of her horses Westie. I could not believe the mean comments I read throughout various forums. They acted as though a Parelli horse should never spook or trip. Are you kidding me?

Which then reminded me of a friend of mine, Jerry, a very experienced rider, who was racing with some others and he crashed into a tree and knocked himself out - well, the consensus seemed to be that he had it coming because he was racing and because he wasn't wearing a helmet.

Which then reminded me of a woman that was lunging her horse, and as she lunged, she let the lunge rope wend its way around her legs. Well, the horse spooked and dragged the woman and I think she died - can't remember - but the response was she shouldn't have been so stupid.

And, 2 years ago, I read about a barn owner that walked into a stall to remove a blanket from a horse, the horse spooked and pretty well smashed up her face with some well placed kicks.

And, my friend who was readying her cow for the county fair, had the lead rope around her wrist as she was whitening her, the heifer got scared and dragged Lori across the railroad tracks and down a dirt road..

And, me, who had spurs on the first time but forgot I had them on and nudged Smokin' Joe over a jump - well, we sure did get over that jump.

And me, again, standing across a creek & holding the lead line to encourage my horse to cross the creek - well, she did cross the creek right on top of me.

And me - lots of other stupid stuff - and, lo and behold - I still catch myself being really foolish.

Stuff happens -  it simply means we were  stupid, ignorant, immature, or simply unaware.  What it does NOT MEAN is that "we had it coming to us."

It doesn't mean we deserved, or our horses deserved, getting hurt. Horse people need to be kinder in their hearts.

Adventure Horse Riding in NYS            Smilla13@gmail.com  (Mary Dixon)         www.RideNYS.com