tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916893495636077786.post1827009299210529801..comments2024-02-24T22:35:38.566-05:00Comments on Mill Swamp Indian Horse Views: The Truth Is In There: The Round Pen As a Model For Self UnderstandingSteve Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05178816218499735580noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916893495636077786.post-39091829305077207572018-04-28T12:32:37.215-04:002018-04-28T12:32:37.215-04:00To the above comment about schools being "Pet...To the above comment about schools being "Petri dishes for bullies" you really nailed it. I took my child out of public schools for that very reason. It wasn't just the children, but the teachers as well here. I've found that the top salespeople in New Home Sales were also equestrians almost without exception. It gives a child confidence and control over emotions, communications skills, and a friend that never lies or judges.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916893495636077786.post-38659042483596901582018-04-28T12:03:45.365-04:002018-04-28T12:03:45.365-04:00To Anonymous #2 April 25th comment, Train your hor...To Anonymous #2 April 25th comment, Train your horse to come when called: walk to a point beyond your horse. Do not walk straight to him ever, always on a vertical off to the side a bit. Once you are 20 feet or so from your horse (if he is evading you, you are too close), turn 45 degrees facing away from him. Horses are naturally curious, but be prepared to spend 20-40 minutes out there just to get him curious. To help him "want" to know what you are doing, take something crunchy that you can munch on every now and then. I like crunchy carrots with the tops on because the horse can see/smell it better. Also, a dried ear of corn can work wonders, just never leave the entire ear of corn, your horse may be new to it and choke on the cob. Hold the cob at both ends when he approaches and allow him to bite off just a couple rows, say good boy, (don't touch him the first time, but 2nd or 3rd time try to give him a rub while he still chewing, if he backs off even a little bit, do not attempt to touch him-you will need to really pay attention! If he runs off-the session is over!), then put it away. Turn slightly from your horse, 45 degrees or so. But, stay out there. Allow your horse to approach as many times as he'd like. Each time, only pet and talk to as he is engaged and eating, or you run the risk of him running off and not coming back for the day. End the session when the ear of corn is depleted. Start again your next time out, or as many times as you'd like. I find two days of this, and when you sit out in the field near your horse and say his name, he will come over. Once he eats a couple rows put the corn away out of sight. If he stays, on the third day, just pet and talk to him until he walks away. Start calling him back over every 5-15 minutes (you need to be the judge here, you want him to came each and every time, so don't do this so quickly that he isn't interested yet) and allow him to eat a couple rows of corn each time after you have pet him... this teaches him to come when you call his name. He'll start walking over when you don't call him. alternate petting without corn, then petting with a snack. Pretty soon you won't need any snacks at all, and he'll just "like" to see you, get kind words and attention. It's really that easy. You must make the time at first though, and have patience, and be relaxed. You can also do things once he starts coming on his own, like putting a rope around his neck, then just take it off. But really, he should be following you around at this point and most likely would walk unaided to the gate and out. Good luck and have fun with your horse. Keep it simple, safe, and positive.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916893495636077786.post-986963207409276992018-04-25T07:23:29.884-04:002018-04-25T07:23:29.884-04:00Can't catch my horse even in a round pen unle...Can't catch my horse even in a round pen unless he's cornered with a corral panel would be a good horse to do a demo with he rides good after and when u catch him thanks steveAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916893495636077786.post-78654456768022845132014-08-05T06:45:24.509-04:002014-08-05T06:45:24.509-04:00Hmm...another course application which could have ...Hmm...another course application which could have some very long reaching effects. <br />No parent is without need of some reinforcement and support.<br /><br />I have had a whole slew of conversations with Nelson, and two of the ones that stick out in this light was about the "hover parent" phenomenon, which might very well be the single most damaging influence on younger generations..it seems like most adults don't know how to really live (do any of us? Is it even possible in this day and age of fast life, and ever increasing societal complexity? Hint:life begins at the canter.) and many cannot allow their kids to learn to live. Let em fall off the horse..better they fall now and get back on, than to fall later when there is no support. <br /><br />The other conversation was about how (I am not going into the root causes here..too early to pick fights at any rate) our schools have become petri dishes for the cultivation of bullies..Kid starts out afraid of the bully, then gets nailed for "tattling" then gets nailed for trying to defend himself or herself. To be blunt..that is beyond stupid. Speaking for myself and my little (bigger than me) brother, and our cousins..we were of course, never allowed to pick a fight, but failing to finish one..or defuse it, had unpleasant consequences..<br />Horsemanship will certainly build the confidence in a young person to help them cope with such adversity...after all, one who can move a 900 lb animal around with eyeballs and attitude should not have nearly as much trouble with a schoolyard bully. -LloydAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com