tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post1975591826817861785..comments2024-03-26T05:15:39.663-07:00Comments on Equestrian Ink: Picking a FightJami Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05259390150273030284noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-34957045335860593062010-04-10T08:24:10.809-07:002010-04-10T08:24:10.809-07:00Susan, That makes sense, but none of my other hors...Susan, That makes sense, but none of my other horses test me in this way--only Sunny. And Sunny tries the behavior on other people...and horses. I also totally did not expect him to act this way...I thought he was a lazy, gentle horse. So i'm thinking that whatever is happening here, it is arising at least to some egree from Sunny. Of course, I probably react to it more than his previous owner--by what I could see, she either ignored/was unaware of a lot of what he does. I am very aware of a horse stepping into my space...etc, and I recognize the game Sunny is playing, so that creates a different dynamic than if I just ignored him or didn't realize what was happening. I do require my horses to behave with proper respect--its a safety issue. Therefore Sunny and I have our routine.<br /><br />Horse Of course--Thanks. I enjoy getting your insights about horses. I'll try and find out about Charley and his "stuff".Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-29637149318268625602010-04-10T00:23:46.894-07:002010-04-10T00:23:46.894-07:00Hi Laura! Thanks for visiting! The post was back i...Hi Laura! Thanks for visiting! The post was back in January (The character of a horse), you can find it here: <br />http://tinyurl.com/y2stl9tHorseOfCoursehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15907659164579327290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-89356768403517336272010-04-09T21:00:57.223-07:002010-04-09T21:00:57.223-07:00Could Sonny's behavior be the result of an exp...Could Sonny's behavior be the result of an expectation coming from you? We have a lot of "children are naughty and have to be disciplined" beliefs ingrained in us. I know I've had this come up in my life and it reminds me of my parents' behavior.Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04986249712144982103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-45761829595474703432010-04-09T14:06:02.213-07:002010-04-09T14:06:02.213-07:00I don't know if the horses come into our life ...I don't know if the horses come into our life with a purpose, but I do know that they have an impact on us, just like people do.<br /><br />I had a post a while back on my daughter's pony, Charlie. <br />He is such a charming horse normally, but he played up with a girl that rode him twice a week. <br />As Sunny, he just has to test out things. <br />But it makes one think, doesn't it?<br />It's like when we were teenagers, and assessed every new teatcher to find out if this was one to play tricks on or not.HorseOfCoursehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15907659164579327290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-70670359025776225562010-04-08T14:54:27.854-07:002010-04-08T14:54:27.854-07:00Oh, and Mikey, tell Mercy I said hi. I have so enj...Oh, and Mikey, tell Mercy I said hi. I have so enjoyed the photos and stories of her on your blog, especially the last bit I read about your long, hard ride fixing fence. Tell her my little boy and I just got back from gathering the cows on our horses. Nothing like so big and wide open as where you are, I'm afraid. Here where I live gathering the cattle just means herding them into the roping arena from a fifty acre pasture. Nothing fancy. But fun, anyway. Especially when they run off and hide in the redwood forest (!)Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-47366186649765784442010-04-08T08:09:55.108-07:002010-04-08T08:09:55.108-07:00Topaz, Joy, Mrs Mom, and Mikey--Thank you, your co...Topaz, Joy, Mrs Mom, and Mikey--Thank you, your comments were a joy to read. It is really fun to have this kind of a dialogue with such insightful horse people. I have come to believe we get the horses we have for a reason--I guess I'm just trying to work out what it is that Sunny is here to teach me. Whatever it is, I'm open to it. Its "sunny" today and my son and I are off to go gather cattle and ride at the roping arena for the first time this spring, so Sunny and Henry will get a bit of work. Thanks again for the great comments.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-52498910496588880262010-04-08T06:53:36.539-07:002010-04-08T06:53:36.539-07:00Well Laura, sometimes I htink my Sonny came into o...Well Laura, sometimes I htink my Sonny came into our life not only to get me back on the horse track (after being a broodmare myself for our boys,) and to remind me of a few things:<br />1- Calm consistency does wonders for horses and kids<br />2- being Boss Hoss is a GOOD thing (so that the 1100 pound Boss Wanna Be does not run me into the dirt)<br />3- He Makes Me THINK.<br /><br />Nothing much with this horse has been straight forward. Nothing. Everything- hoof care to riding- has been from a different angle with him, and he has broadened my horizons tremendously. <br /><br />Maybe your Sunny is there to keep you on your toes, too? He sure found you for a reason ;)<br /><br />(Yes, I know.. sounds a little "out there" to say our horses found us, but I really think our critters DO find us, as we need them to.)Mrs. Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15269132012512166439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-907236785225843022010-04-07T22:28:33.891-07:002010-04-07T22:28:33.891-07:00I think there's a lot to be said for strong le...I think there's a lot to be said for strong leadership. One of you has to be the strong one, and that *should* be the person. It's a very interesting concept you've written about, and I do believe that horses can teach a person dang near everything you need to know about yourself, if you're paying attention. <br />I have one mare who's very dominant. Came out of the auction 10 yrs ago, skinny with huge attitude, ran me right out the pen with teeth bared, no fooling. I wasn't going to quit trying, but I felt a bit out of my league. <br />One day I was showing my mom where NOT to touch this mare (on her fresh brand that she came with) and that old girl nailed me. I touched her at the shoulder, her hind foot came up and double tapped me in the back of the thighs. I never moved or flinched. Mom gasped "Are you ok?" and I was. But at that moment, that mare realized that I just might be tougher than her. I didn't react like another horse would, by moving away. I just took it and continued on like nothing happened. It was a pivotal moment between us and things got a lot better after that. A new respect was forged. Today she's a kind eyed spooky old boss mare who gets ridden once a year whether she needs it or not. (the vet recently referred to her as ancient and told me I should really considering collecting old cars instead) But there's a lot of love there, after working thru the leadership issues. <br />Excellent post!!<br />PS - my daughter saw your book on the site and said "We have that book!" and I said yes, Laura Crum wrote this right here (pointing to the post) AND this book. She then wanted to know ALL about you and Sunny :)Mikeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03574914465998507310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-64594159575808498352010-04-07T21:11:33.219-07:002010-04-07T21:11:33.219-07:00I read this this morning and thought about it all ...I read this this morning and thought about it all day. I reflected on horses I've known and how they changed me. It's clear to me that horses are intuitive. They are never wrong about what we are feeling. Even when we lie to each other as humans about it. "how are you?" "I'm fine, and you?" "oh I'm fine" uh huh<br /><br />Example, I went to the barn one day a few months back very upset and was trying to feel anger instead of feeling my true feelings of sadness. I got out Willie, saddled him up and took him to the arena. Every single time I took him into the lope he bucked. Not the I WILL get you off of me buck, but not the fun dolphin buck either. He was as pissed off as I was pretending to be. <br /><br />We ended our day early and both were relieved.<br /><br />I take care of a friend's horse, Jimsey. This is The Perfect Horse. No doubts about it. He reads each and every single rider perfectly and I noticed, interestly, reflects their emotions. Immediately. But in a hugely kind way.<br /><br />They are so sensitive, our horses.<br /><br />And yes, they will mirror us if we are willing to look and notice.<br /><br />I had this exact conversation with a barn friend a month or so back. Yes, sometimes you get the horse you want. Sometimes you get the horse you need. Sometimes, magically, the horse you want is the horse you need. And sometimes, sometimes, your horse gets the human it needs. I have seen it time and again.<br /><br />I have a good friend, a young lady who starts colts. She is amazing. She worked with my own Willie when he was only 3, before I owned him. She agrees with me on this. She said that she's probably ridden 250 or more horses/colts and they have each one changed her. Some in huge ways and some in very subtle ways.<br /><br />I think that this is the gift they give us. If we will listen, and look and just pay attention, we will grow. And maybe (hopefully) become better riders and horsewomen.<br /><br />I am constantly amazed by these generous creatures. And I have been changed forever by a select few who were generous enough to give to me and show me a pathway to that change.<br /><br />This is why I started my own blog. I had to write down what Willie has done for me. The biggest thing is learning to live not one day at a time but one moment at a time. Mindfulness. Being present.<br /><br />I'll stop now. I could talk about this for days and days.<br /><br />And Laura, Sonny got the human he needs. I look forward to your insights in the future. It interests me very much.Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00977898784588176802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-16234260053173789502010-04-07T20:29:35.782-07:002010-04-07T20:29:35.782-07:00I have no doubts that Penny Pony and I needed each...I have no doubts that Penny Pony and I needed each other and were meant to come together. She needed someone to spend time with her and give her a job. I needed something with a good brain that would up my broken confidence. I would have never thought a green pony would help with that, since it's the opposite of what is most often recommended. But, its worked for the two of us. Since I've been training her (with help from my trainer, but I've done all the riding) every accomplishment is mine too. I can't begin to tell you all how much I needed proof that I'm doing good things. I love the moments where everything comes together and is lovely, especially since not so long ago she didn't steer or anything. In our lesson on Monday she picked up the canter as soon as I asked and stayed the same speed the entire way around the arena. I taught her how to do that, though it helps that she's naturally awesome. We never cease to amaze the ladies at the barn with how far we've come in the last few months. We started as a confidence-broken person and a barely saddle-broke pony with people issues. Now in three weeks we're going to our first horse trial in the pre-competition division (walk-trot dressage test, ground poles cross-country, cross-rails stadium.) I didn't think at the time I got her that she was really what I wanted, but she was absolutely what I needed. And at this point we're so connected I wouldn't sell her for any amount of money.Topazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03166628263326286450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-22275927072450594802010-04-07T17:12:02.346-07:002010-04-07T17:12:02.346-07:00Shanster--Got there and read your review. Thank yo...Shanster--Got there and read your review. Thank you--I'm glad you liked the book. I will try to leave a comment on your blog if I can convince my recalcitrant computer to behave and interact nicely with blogger. Hmmm...maybe my computer is a bit like my horse. Sounds like you had a great clinic with Sera. I dunno--maybe you were just agressive enough. Anyway, thanks again for the review. Cheers--LauraLaura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-54828559966387718822010-04-07T14:17:21.779-07:002010-04-07T14:17:21.779-07:00Shanster--Too bad we can't combine our persona...Shanster--Too bad we can't combine our personalities--"we"d probably be pretty balanced. I know my straight forwardness is a result of how I was raised...ya know, the old "conditioning". I used to be really too tough on my horses--I'm much mellower now. But Sunny just seems to require this.<br /><br />stillearning--Sunny has a good home, at any rate, with someone who loves and values him. I guess that's all a horse can ask for. If he wouldn't keep testing me, I'd be glad to stop smacking him. But for whatever reason, he has to keep trying it.<br /><br />Kate--I thought it was interesting, too--Joy was the one who brought it up to me.<br /><br />Ecolicious--Maybe ask Jami about the contest. And yes, I smack Sunny in an effective but somewhat perfunctory way now. There's not much emotion in it. Perhaps that's what I'm learning?<br /><br />And Shanster--I did see your comment, and I could not get my dumb computer to go to your blog. I will ask my husband (who is much more techie than I) to help me go there this evening. But thank you for reviewing my book--I will get there yet to read the review.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-14745116974193913012010-04-07T14:01:17.900-07:002010-04-07T14:01:17.900-07:00I think what you say can be very true. My Dawn is...I think what you say can be very true. My Dawn is a challenging horse for me precisely because she and I share many of the same traits - very strong-willed, want to lead and not follow, trust our own instincts over those of others, are sensitive and reactive, good at figuring things out but sometimes figure them out wrong and will stick to that no matter what - I could go on and on. Hmm, I may have to do my own post on this as it's such an interesting topic!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-32335914767576473042010-04-07T13:53:32.582-07:002010-04-07T13:53:32.582-07:00here is a theory (if I am totally off the base hav...here is a theory (if I am totally off the base have a chuckle, ok?)...maybe your lesson is how to confront "in style" without hitting the fan?<br /><br />on another note - EcoLicious Equestrian has recently launched an earth & health friendly fine line of equine grooming products - I'd like to offer to your readers our customers favorite - De-Stress Intensive Restructuring & Detangling Treatment - maybe you'd be interested in running a contest where your readers can win it?EcoLicious Equestrianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14872571045236762447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-35301069975499227942010-04-07T13:41:13.317-07:002010-04-07T13:41:13.317-07:00I do believe that you get the horse you need to te...I do believe that you get the horse you need to teach you whatever lessons you need to learn, at the time you need to learn them (usually analyzed in hindsight, of course). But I'm starting to realize that horses sometimes find the owners THEY need, too. Maybe Sonny needed you more than you needed him?<br /><br />The older I get, the more I find that things are woven together in life in ways you wouldn't have predicted. It's not always logical.<br /><br />I'm glad that you & Sunny found each other, for whatever reason.stilllearninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15917159268881119376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-85319688846284437122010-04-07T13:15:07.799-07:002010-04-07T13:15:07.799-07:00Oh - Laura - did you see my last comment under you...Oh - Laura - did you see my last comment under your escape post?Shansterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04397551985965117012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-47590926606061065262010-04-07T13:13:03.938-07:002010-04-07T13:13:03.938-07:00Interesting thought for sure. I know I am quite t...Interesting thought for sure. I know I am quite the opposite of you Laura and tend to be very NON confrontational - probably pretty submissive in general and a people pleaser. <br /><br />If people begin to walk on me or take advantage I just move on. I don't really shoot from the hip. I may gently say something and if they don't listen or otherwise ignore my request, I move away from that person and spend much less time with them.<br /><br />The same translates into my riding. I was talking to a good friend and she thought my issues with Rosso are because I'm so non-confrontational. I think she's right.<br /><br />I just got back from a clinic today with my mare Sera and I heard more than once that I needed to be more aggressive in my riding. I'm NOT AT ALL aggressive... persistant yes, patient yes... aggressive? Big sigh, not a chance.<br /><br />I really, really struggle with that as I do in everyday life. And curiously enough find myself gravitating to strong personalities... dunno if I'm trying to LEARN from them or what? <br /><br />Dunno what my answer is - keep trying and keep trying - shrug. Interesting!Shansterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04397551985965117012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-25167496615649809742010-04-07T12:33:33.375-07:002010-04-07T12:33:33.375-07:00Mrs Mom and Ecolicious--Do you suppose Sunny is in...Mrs Mom and Ecolicious--Do you suppose Sunny is in my life so I have something to legitimately "beat up", thus I don't need to put that energy elsewhere? That seems kind of odd. At the same time, Sunny is clearly very attached to me--and I am very fond of him, but he requires his little "beatings". Hmmm...by human standards this might not be considered a very healthy relationship. But from my observations of horses, its pretty normal. Curiouser and curiouser...Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-51432601416210819962010-04-07T12:08:55.587-07:002010-04-07T12:08:55.587-07:00great post! there is no doubt my horses (and espec...great post! there is no doubt my horses (and especially my 5 year old filly that I had from a baby)teach me a lot about myself and often mirror my "dysfunctions" - both physical and emotional...<br />for example: I am an ADD and so is my mare (when I exhibit my ADD behavior), she makes me stay present, grounded and focus solely on her, if I don't do it I won't get anything out of her...as for my gelding - he teaches me confidence, he challenges me on regular basis, but with each challenge we move forward - both him and I...so to recap in my opinion our horses are in our lives for a reason...EcoLicious Equestrianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14872571045236762447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-71319724303856133502010-04-07T10:16:35.718-07:002010-04-07T10:16:35.718-07:00Your Sunny and My Sonny have a lot in common ;) Ar...Your Sunny and My Sonny have a lot in common ;) Are we nuts for hanging onto them? (Rhetorical question..lol I already know the state of my sanity.. or what's left of it.)Mrs. Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15269132012512166439noreply@blogger.com