Almost four years ago my friend IM and I headed north to buy horses. Two for he and his wife, one for me. I had high hopes. It was a long-time dream coming and the time seemed like now or never. Truthfully, it might have been a bit late but this is when the pieces all fell into place so this is when it had to be.
We brought home yearlings and embarked on what was -for me - a pretty epic journey. Injuries, hospital time, discouragement, self-doubt, discovery, learning, finding help, finding myself... I don't know, that might pretty much sum it up.
Along the way I've learned a lot more about people and horses. I've watched Stacy Westfall's magical ride on the mare Roxy countless times.
I've watched Buck Brannaman ride, inhaled his teaching methods and can now hear his voice in my head as I ride. I've got Bill Dorrance's book at home and notes from clinics that I carry with me. I've got diagrams and sketches. I'm a horsemanship freak now. I want to know what my horse is doing every minute I'm riding him or her. I am now the alpha mare more than ever in all the years I've been riding.
I'm learning to trust myself so that she has something to trust.
I'm scared to death every day that I'll screw it up, but so far so good. I'm getting good about watching other people and getting help. I'm a little overly-cautious but I think I'm growing out of that as I realize that a horse needs precisely the opposite. Firm consistent direction and no wishy-washy riding. Ride every ride.
And it is happening. The most incredible feeling of trust and understanding growing between two distinctly different species.
Oh, it isn't anywhere near fully developed yet and we have a long ways to go. But it's there and it is all I ever hoped it might be. Finding a place in a horse's life is like nothing else in the world. It takes so many elements I did not understand at first. It isn't about food or intimidation or repetition. It is about confidence, practice, response, sensitivity, and most of all, time.
“Horses are consistent and logical. The horse will do what is easiest for him. If you make it easy for him to buck you off, kick you, and run away, that’s just what he’s going to do. And more power to him. But if you make it easy for the horse to be relaxed and calm and accurate — and also have it be a beautiful dance between you and the horse — it won’t be too long before he’ll be hunting for that just as hard as you are. Whatever you make easy for the horse, that’s what he’s going to get good at.”
Buck Brannaman
