I've been strolling around here for some time and decided to join because my life and my horses lives have taken a HUGE turn this year.
I spent 30 years as a classical dressage rider, and loved using trail work to keep the overall mental and physical health of things balanced. But when i started my newest horse (my dream mare, a FrisianxTB) I ran aground at the first instructor that ordered "make her do it" and 'she'll get over it".
Up to then ground work and riding had been a partnership where she agreed willingly or we did something else. But once I was riding and trying to 'advance' more, I ran into the wall of traditional horsemanship that makes the horse comply with pressure and negative reinforcement. And my mare was not happy. No one else even saw this, but I FELT it and i STOPPED in my tracks.
I was positive there had to be another way, I had felt it earlier on. so I wandered around the internet and found this site and a few others.
Then this spring I took a big leap and started working with http://friendshiptraining.org and I've never been happier! WOW. No ropes, tack, whips, ALL positive , all joy. AND a horse that is more respectful and bonded to me than ever!
My other life with horses includes:
Natural Horse and Hoof Health Care. I am an Equinextion Mentor Trimmer. http://www.equinextion.com
And writing about that in my books. Sometimes very subtly in my children's novels and sometimes more openly in my latest book My Natural Horses, for ages 7 and up, illustrating how I keep two horses in my corner of Canada as natural as possible. http://www.hugahorsefarm.com/mynaturalhorses.html
Is it acceptable to link to my author's website here? If not, let me know
i may be quietly reading here for months now - there is SO much to learn
Anne Louise
- one my books is translated into German
