The Equine Mind...

While I would jokingly say Chaos and Dayo both think: "Hay, grain, hay, grain, grain, hay, hay, hay... carrot?" I know they are much more complex than that. Horses mirror their riders, coaches and trainers - mine are mesmerized whenever my coach is explaining something, and will stand patiently for as long as it takes for me to understand. This article explains how, and illustrates what makes horses so marvelous, and sometimes cuddly :)

Take a deep breath and just relax!

Winter is a time to work through schooling issues, to develop balance, hone flatwork skills, and prep for the upcoming show season. This year, it has also been a season of working through frustrations and behaviours (largely associated with a long winter, too much ice, restrictions about riding in the sand ring, and poor turnout). It's easy to get frustrated, to over-think, and to worry about what's happening and why. Not surprisingly, when I stress about a situation, Chaos' behaviour magnifies it one hundredfold.

So we have been working on relaxing. Whether it's an issue in the cross ties, a refusal to stand still at the mounting block, a general friskiness due to restricted turnout, a piece of equipment that "wasn't there the last time", or a small drift of snow that has blown in through a crack in the east end of the arena wall (something Chaos feels is so evil that it has to be approached from the left, the right, and the centre with incredible trepidation, much snorting, balking and, if possible, flight), I have found that a deep, heavy and loud sigh, followed by audible chewing on my part, can help us both refocus, and relax.


The minute his body tells me something is not quite right, I stop what I'm doing. I take a heavy, deep and loud sigh, and I chew (think cows chewing their cud). If Chaos doesn't relax, I repeat the process until I get hear a heavy sigh from him, followed by chewing. His reaction is followed by a release of tension, his head comes down, his eyes soften. No frustration. No argument. Just a peaceful way to refocus him, to regain his attention. It also relaxes me, refocuses my energies, and helps me to problem solve for a positive outcome, rather than a reactive one.

Relaxing is a win-win. It eases tension and stress, it reassures, it helps us succeed in the task at hand. It builds trust and confidence. It centers us both, and enhances our ability to communicate.

A deep breath. It's the difference between this...

... and this

So the next time you ride, or you find yourself face to face with an evil snowdrift, take a deep breath and relax. Your horse will thank you, and your body will too.

Ever wonder how they get the Budweiser Clydesdales ready for the Super Bowl?

Have you ever wondered how they get the Budweiser Clydesdales ready for the Super Bowl? This video shows clips of their training leading up to the shoot. The Budweiser Clydesdales are super stars! A crazy fantastic video. Well worth the watch!

Deconstructing Ponies

Every day has a subtext. The challenge is to deconstruct its meaning, find the messages, and understand how it will help me live more meaningfully, elegantly, effortlessly, and intentionally.

Today's horoscope focused on finding inner peace through connection. As I contemplate the nature of friendship and family, a conversation about the wild ponies of Chincoteague and Assateague comes alive. And two videos appear, almost simultaneously.

Jean-François Pignon and his horses in Avignon

Honza Bláha and his horses in Srbice

Establishing an intimate connection to other animals is unique and universal to our species, and it is highly possible that this animal connection has played a crucial role in human evolution. While it initially may have focused on developing relationships that domesticated certain animals as constructive tools to be used for hunting and later for food, the relationship between humans and animals has evolved as we have. (The Journal of Science offers a very interesting overview of this: http://bit.ly/HMnkK3).

The Institute for Human-Animal Connection (IHAC) is an internationally recognized centre for research and training. Devoted to the education, clinical training and scholarly development of social work students, IHAC’s programmes focus on the ways animals and people intersect across lifespan and context; the ways animal-supported experiences can promote human and animal well-being, and reduce human physical and mental health problems; and to encouraging and empowering people to gain understanding of the interrelationships among themselves, their families, and their communities, including the natural environment and its non-human inhabitants.

Studies show it, and people know it. The human-animal bond is integral to a person’s well-being. If it is positive, it is nurturing, healing, forgiving and compassionate. Relationships with animals are unconditional. They are constantly forged and re-forged in the present. Both Jean-Francois Pignon and Honza Blaha kn ow this, and they have devoted their lives to marrying natural horsemanship with equestrianism to promote a clearer understanding of the horse, and to share the incredible connection and spirit of cooperation absolute trust in another being can achieve. 

I am remembering a recent thought about the importance of being "seen". The nature of these videos, the cooperation, is the result of the absolute respect these horses and these men have for each other, reflects my thoughts on how we become whole when we are seen and accepted as the incredibly wonderful, fallible people we are.

Today, then, willl focus around this lovely thought, "You are beautiful - not for the shape of the vessel, but for the volume of the soul that it carries."And of course, horses :)

Peace.

Feeling down? Saddle up

Or at least, check out these very funny videos in celebration of the horse!

How to Hide a Horse (I Love Lucy)

French and Saunders: Ponies

And always remember, "A horse doesn't care how much you know, until he knows how much you care." Pat Pirelli

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! The Pony Express is hot off the stands

The weekly edition of The Pony Express is now available online!

At All About Ponies, we understand that life is better with a horse. Whether you are a serious competitor, a pleasure rider, an instructor, coach, taking riding lessons, or just someone who knows that someday they will have a horse - because they must! - The Pony Express is for you! Every week, The Pony Express rounds up information on the web about horses, and it is the most direct means of getting highlights of the week's news and events in all areas related to the horse: Equestrian Sports, Wild Horses, Equine-Assisted Therapy, Equine Health, Natural Horsemanship, Horse Rescues, Horse Welfare, Horse Properties, Horses for Sale.

Follow @AllAboutPonies on twitter to receive the weekly edition, and to tweet your news and passion for horses (we promise, we will follow you back).

Check our blog, The Pony Express, for regular news, stories, thoughts on the world of horses - we welcome your comments and ideas.

Like us on our facebook page, All About Ponies, and share stories, experiences, knowledge and adventures with your pony or horse.

Horses make the world a better place. Spread the word!