tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post952199965314166470..comments2024-01-06T11:22:03.305-08:00Comments on Equestrian Ink: Geting from Green to Broke--and HayburnerJami Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05259390150273030284noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-10708602316494306382012-05-14T01:48:19.956-07:002012-05-14T01:48:19.956-07:00Working with a green broke horse can be challengin...Working with a green broke horse can be challenging, but it can be rewarding as well. Purchasing a green broke horse gives you the opportunity to train your horse just the way you want. Be ready to have some <a href="http://www.abler.com/products/Abactive" rel="nofollow">horse probiotics for their health</a>.Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16642319333299649490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-15270214572135717262012-04-18T07:21:14.934-07:002012-04-18T07:21:14.934-07:00lytha--When I was younger I enjoyed working with g...lytha--When I was younger I enjoyed working with green horses and pretty much always had a "project". Now that I'm in my fifties, I'm just not up for the inevitable "drama days". But I've read your blog and you sound as if you can handle the drama just fine. Though I know you must be spoiled after having such a long and happy relationship with Basha. I hope you find just the right horse.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-58207474626757482862012-04-18T04:21:18.223-07:002012-04-18T04:21:18.223-07:00i'm going to look at some 3 year old arabs sat...i'm going to look at some 3 year old arabs saturday and really really don't want a green horse but they are the only ones that are affordable and i'm stubbornly sticking to my breedism, at what might be a financial regret. (by affordable i mean at the top of my price range). you've written a good post and i am drawn to the challenge of starting another horse but at the same time i'm so lazy!lythahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01719586193059362084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-45338301096071566802012-04-14T08:00:30.354-07:002012-04-14T08:00:30.354-07:00Alison--I really like that cover, too. Artwork is ...Alison--I really like that cover, too. Artwork is by the talented Peter Thorpe, who has done most of my covers.<br /><br />Terri--Yep. Couldn't agree with you more. I didn't talk about choosing a job which is suitable to the horse or making sure the horse is healthy or setting appropriate boundaries and being clear and consistent with them--but those are all great points, and I appreciate your bringing them up.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-45362972559759888362012-04-13T19:08:10.144-07:002012-04-13T19:08:10.144-07:00Laura, I could not agree with all of your advice m...Laura, I could not agree with all of your advice more. The basic approach I take with all horses in my training program is this:<br />1) They need clear boundaries and expectations of what is acceptable or not acceptable behavior. 2)They need to have, like and understand their job which is suitable for their capabilities and 3) they need to be happy and healthy. With those 3 basic things plus the miles you referred to, horses want to please and become great partners for their riders. <br /><br />To me this is so simple but it is element that seems elusive to many others. I think that all common sense horsemanship is natural and all that Parelli does is make a lot of money off of horse owners who lack, or have never been shown, common horse sense. Did I really say that? Yep, I did.Terri Rocovichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08222380250153504890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-62479943583160264212012-04-13T18:54:45.647-07:002012-04-13T18:54:45.647-07:00Love the cover of "Hayburner" Laura!
And...Love the cover of "Hayburner" Laura!<br />And good advice to the person who wanted to know about training a green horse. Kind of like trying to explain how to write a novel.Alisonhttp://www.alisonhartbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-77897188759630482392012-04-13T15:47:53.059-07:002012-04-13T15:47:53.059-07:00whp--I think what you said may be over my head (!)...whp--I think what you said may be over my head (!) I just read the scenes I've written and think they sound sort of embarrassingly banal and juvenile, you know. I'm afraid it takes a better writer than I am to do that sort of thing in a way that isn't porn and is well written. I'm good at horses, weather and scenery and OK at human interaction--except bed room scenes, I guess. I struggle with the violent scenes, too.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-1280861606256207042012-04-13T14:44:27.438-07:002012-04-13T14:44:27.438-07:00I'll come around to your second point if you d...I'll come around to your second point if you don't mind. I was talking to a friend today about sex in literature - she is a psychotherapist and set me thinking. In particular we discussed Joseph Roth's "The Radetzky March" where the protagonist has two formative affairs. (We weren't talking about you:) My view is that the author was describing personal experiences or fantasies, perhaps at an unconscious level, but nevetheless those accounts were so intense as to clearly hold some meaning to him. That kind of a place is fertile soil for embarrassment. My limited writing has included a few sex scenes, not all entirely conventional. I would be embarassed, consciously or unconsciously, where I have used material either from some sort of socially taboo interaction or from a personal private fantasy. The latter could well slip out unconsciously. For instance, me being male and describing how a female protagonist seduced a man posted to guard her. I'm not writing from experience so the material has to come from the imagination, that weird place fed from the well of the unconscious. For me any embarrassment is a mixture of two things. First, thinking "just what sort of filth does my imagination contain?" which is all about worrying what other people might think of me. Secondly, getting a frisson of excitement because actually that little fragment of fantasy strokes a nerve, which is a guilty feeling and also about fear of discovery. My psychotherapist friend might comment that repression is busy at work causing that guilt and embarassment.White Horse Pilgrimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18256903307281225327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-47861030033083841762012-04-12T14:32:16.991-07:002012-04-12T14:32:16.991-07:00whp--Brena seems like a fine example of a green ho...whp--Brena seems like a fine example of a green horse becoming a broke horse, and your program with her is very much the way that I, too, would proceed. I've enjoyed reading about your adventures with her--great photos, too. The fact that you persisted through a difficult patch is exactly what I mean about green horses requiring perseverance.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-49204583042691716622012-04-12T14:11:41.290-07:002012-04-12T14:11:41.290-07:00I agree with you that to become well broke a horse...I agree with you that to become well broke a horse needs plenty of regular work. That was the thing that got young trail horses ready for my former riding holiday business. Tiredness and working in a group that included older reliable horses kept the youngsters in line on trails. <br /><br />Brena is now turning into a really nice reliable mare at 8 but still has a little way to go dealing with strange things along the trail. Now she only stops and stares however time and experience will enable her to walk straight past. It did take perseverence to reach this point. There were some awful rides, a bad fall and some heartache through the first six months.whitehorsepilgrimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17336201990231834504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-85978560026592735402012-04-11T19:22:06.404-07:002012-04-11T19:22:06.404-07:00joyce, I agree. Somewhere between 8-10 is the wind...joyce, I agree. Somewhere between 8-10 is the window when most horses can become broke--if they are given the chance. Thanks for an insightful comment.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-67034918855947056142012-04-11T18:56:23.011-07:002012-04-11T18:56:23.011-07:00In my experience, it takes a horse to get to about...In my experience, it takes a horse to get to about the age of 7-9 to settle down and be a broke/finished horse mentally as well as physically. I really could tell the difference in Mocha from age 8-10--by the time she was ten she was clearly a finished horse, mentally, with none of the squirreliness of a green horse. One of the other owners in the barn was complaining about her five year old gelding, who's a bit pushy and lazy. I suggested she'd probably hit a plateau, especially when she said she'd had a really good ride on him just a couple of weeks earlier.<br /><br />BTDT.<br /><br />G used to do a lot of rehab training work. He really wanted to see those horses for 120 days, with owners present for lessons. Even then, sometimes he'd consider the horse/rider combination a walk-trot only, because the horse often needed maintenance and skilled riding at a canter/lope above and beyond the rider's ability.joycemochahttp://www.joycereynoldsward.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-36992981420355958642012-04-11T14:05:41.826-07:002012-04-11T14:05:41.826-07:00Thanks, Angie--glad to hear I'm not alone.
An...Thanks, Angie--glad to hear I'm not alone.<br /><br />And yay summersmom--that is exactly the kind of success story that illustrates what I mean. You persisted.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-35689259863312749722012-04-11T11:25:12.440-07:002012-04-11T11:25:12.440-07:00Great post and I am definitely buying your new boo...Great post and I am definitely buying your new book! Great deal! <br /><br />I have owned my horse for just about 5 years now and when I first bought her she was a green 5 year old who's only speeds were fast, faster, and fastest. Things were rough in the first few years but I have found that as I have continued to evolve as a horsewoman and am always searching for answers, we have become a better team. I have come to the realization that everyone in the horse industry has something to offer, whether it is good or bad, and as long as I recognize this and learn from it I will continue to get better and so will my horse. She will never be a Western Pleasure champion but we have recently discovered that reining is both fun and mentally stimulating. Not sure where we will go with it but for now we are learning and enjoying ourselves and that is what matters.summersmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07545553348128321600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-45244039907788024772012-04-11T10:52:48.286-07:002012-04-11T10:52:48.286-07:00Off the topic of horse and onto the sex scenes. LO...Off the topic of horse and onto the sex scenes. LOL I feel your pain, Laura, I also don't particularly enjoy reading my own sex scenes. Editing them is always a chore for me. Is it really bad or is it just my dislike of reading my own stuff? That is always the question. But I somehow get through it. ;-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18370670423819447249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-26086275670231445282012-04-11T10:52:44.715-07:002012-04-11T10:52:44.715-07:00Thanks, Funder. Let me know what you think of Hayb...Thanks, Funder. Let me know what you think of Hayburner.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-71692223685929745912012-04-11T10:03:39.555-07:002012-04-11T10:03:39.555-07:00Wow, what a great post. And YAY Hayburner! Off t...Wow, what a great post. And YAY Hayburner! Off to get it now!Funderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06358687366401205336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-32289088955050990012012-04-11T09:49:23.546-07:002012-04-11T09:49:23.546-07:00Its raining again here, too, kel. Boo-hoo. Our pra...Its raining again here, too, kel. Boo-hoo. Our practice roping is canceled for the week. I hear you about the weather.<br /><br />And yeah, standing tied is a hugely helpful tool in making a broke horse--just as you say.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-52586143599882760392012-04-11T09:08:46.188-07:002012-04-11T09:08:46.188-07:00Spot on as usual. I have three young ones that I ...Spot on as usual. I have three young ones that I am riding right now. One is at the trainer and the other two are home with me and not being ridden near enough. The weather is killing me! The young ones are the first to the gate and seem to want a job. My older broke horse looks at them like they are crazy. <br /><br />And no matter what anyone says - standing tied and learning patience is an invaluable lesson for a young horse.horsegeneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08614136458074519322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-20773768851129301202012-04-11T08:28:07.457-07:002012-04-11T08:28:07.457-07:00Val--that is so true! I would often pretend I was ...Val--that is so true! I would often pretend I was checking the fence when I rode around the pasture on a green horse. I was very serious about it--must see every bit of fence and make sure its OK. Kept my mind on the job--not too worried about the horse. And darn if those green horses didn't mostly settle down.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-41245756261008951052012-04-11T08:16:54.178-07:002012-04-11T08:16:54.178-07:00I rode a friend's young horse a little while b...I rode a friend's young horse a little while back that turns unexpectedly. He tried to turn once with me and then quit. I think that he was just not being given direction where to go, even if it was straight. As soon as I sent him straight, he stopped trying to turn. Like you said, give them a job. If you do not have a job in mind, make one up!Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-37388186301175291332012-04-11T08:03:25.259-07:002012-04-11T08:03:25.259-07:00Thanks Kate. Great comment, as always, and I'v...Thanks Kate. Great comment, as always, and I've been happy to hear how well Pie and Drifter are doing.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-11967428079343152712012-04-11T07:42:10.307-07:002012-04-11T07:42:10.307-07:00All very good advice. I've got one green (Pie...All very good advice. I've got one green (Pie) and one problem (Drifter) horse, and Pie was a lot easier for my trainer and I to get flying right as he had very few bad habits to lose, just new ones to learn. And the spookiness/nervousness needed to be helped by getting him breathing and using his body properly. His training is going very well, now he just needs more experience - the wet saddle blankets you speak of. I think helping a horse get a work ethic is as much the purpose of this as just mileage and experience.<br /><br />I think green horses are benefitted by the company of older, experienced, calm horses, particularly in new situations that might otherwise be scary.<br /><br />And older problem horses can be fixed (within limits - there are certain problems I'd never consider dealing with), but that takes more work, since they not only have to learn new things, they have to let go of old habits and behaviors that have worked in the past or been trained into them. This is Drifter's challenge, and we're making really good progress, but it's hard work for him and us.<br /><br />To me it comes down to riding with intention and focus - you've got to know exactly what you want and be deliberate and matter-of-fact about it - speed, direction, quality of gait/transition, etc. That's why having a job helps many horses - it's not the job itself, it's that the rider is focused on a specific task - it's our focus and attention that gives the horse what they need in order to follow our leadership. (Although I do think certain horses love certain jobs, the way Lily loved to jump.)<br /> <br />Great post (and thanks for the book - I was about in need of one!).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com