Horsemanship - a cowboy hooey or an art of horse sense?

Is horsemanship only some cowboy hooey for the western addicted and the trailriders or is it something all riders can benefit from? From its origin, horsemanship was the interaction between a rider and his horse. It was about reading the horselanguage, it was about a horseman being able to understand the horse’s actions and reactions, and from that utilize it in his work in a good manner. The art of horsemanship has taken some strange turns over the years, and many people are making good money on basically ruin perfectly good horses in the name of horsemanship. They invent methods and techniques that brings on invasive and horrifying results for the horses. The results are a dead broke horse or a killing machine. At cost of many horses, they keep on spreading the shit instead of spread the word about something that could be so great. The art of horsemanship is being toxificated and unpured.


To practice horsemanship you don’t have to own a ropehalter, a cowboyhat or western saddle. The genuine horsemanship is within you. This is where your humanship meets horsemanship. Horsemanship can be practiced within all branches of riding; racing, showjumping, endurance, dressage, voltage, driving, trailriding and western. It is about the interaction with the horse, it is about seeing the horse for what it is – and meet the horses’ needs from what it is, not based on our needs. Then we start humanizing it. A horse is a horse is a horse.



Foto: Morten Flaten

 I have personally never been a horsemanship apprentice, I use Maritship. Many have asked me what I do, how I do things. I have never been able to answer those questions. I have been told I should give lessons in horsehandling – people want to learn to do what I am doing. These questions – and more importantly – the lack of answers to them, made me think. What am I actually doing? After a long while, studying my own thoughts, emotions and actions when being with horses, dogs and people I came to a conclusion. I am not doing anything. I just am. That is what Maritship is all about – I am. In every meeting I have - with myself, with horses, with dogs or with others - I just am.

I can’t teach others not to do anything, but I can teach others to be the great they are – and how they can use it with horses, with dogs or with other people. Through being the great you are you can find your own way in the horsemanship world. Then you can develop your own beautiful art of horsesenseship – where both you and the horse still got your spirit, and experience fun and good results.

Think less, analyze less, observe more and act from your heart.

Keep it simple!

THE MEANING OF WORDS

Last week I had a little incident with my horses. Having two horses in leadroap behind me and the dog on a leash in front I enjoyed the walk from the pasture to the stable when the dog's leash made a strange sound. Well, not to me or the dog, but my Danish Warmblood, who is a bit jumpy these days, got scared and jumped forward and right on my back. After all, being close to Mum is the safest place in the world. For a second it felt like she was actually sitting on my shoulders. On her way off of this splendid seat, her hoofs landed on my ankle. It all happened fast, and after a few minutes we could continue our walk. However with some really beaten up neck-muscles on my behalf. The following days I was pretty sore and couldn't move my head much. After a week, the ankle started to hurt. I went to the doctor's to check it, and was sent to the hospital for x-rays. When it was my turn, a nice radiographist came over to me, smiled and said "So, the horse was mean to you." I stopped and looked at him. "No", I said, "she was frightened, her natural reaction was to get away from what scared her, and I was in her way."

His comment made me start thinking of how we use words without being aware of the meaning of the word.

Being mean, to me it means that you on purpose do something that will harm others. That you intentionally want to hurt the other. This not-thought-through sentence started a chain of thoughts in me. Well, I had the time, sitting on the hospital waiting for results for some good long hours. Are we really aware of the meaning of the words we use in our everyday language? Are we really aware of what kind of impact the words we choose have on us and on others? Taste the word "mean - being mean to", notice what it is doing to your emotions. Is it a word that makes you feel stronger, or does it bring your energy down?

This brings me over to another word used daily, all over the world - deadline. Taste the word. Take it in, feel what it does to your body, mind and soul. Imagine this - you've got a new exciting project, you feel how energized you are about it. Take a moment and feel how the excitement and the energy works in your body, you can't wait to get started, and to do your absolute best. And then - "the deadline is at the end of this month". Feel the energy now. What did that word do to you? Can you feel how the energy drops to the floor, instead of bringing the energy further? The word kind of put a stop to it. Maybe it is about time to replace that word with something else - something more positive?

By looking into your own patterns of speaking, pattern of choosing words, you will become aware of what you say and how it affects you. If you want a change in your life , if you want a more positive outcome, this is one of the most important things to look at. Become aware of the intention behind the words you are using, become aware of the meaning of the words.

I know the radiographist just wanted to start a conversation, it was maybe his way of showing me he felt sorry for me. His choice of words suprised me, because I would never think in that direction. That explains also my respond to him. I know that horses don't intentionally want to hurt people. They are driven by their natural instincts.

My Rowena didn't intentionally mean to hurt me. And this I can say, if that horse could speak Human Language she would have said all the way up the hill to the stable "Marit, I am so, so sorry. I didn't mean to! Sorry, Marit, sorry!" All the way up her muzzle touched my arm like if she wanted to show me how sorry she was, to be assured I was ok. To be certain that her and me were ok. When we go for a walk she normally holds her head up high - as the majestic horse she is.

She worships my ground - as I worship hers!

And the ankle - no fracture or tendon rupture, just an inflammation in the achilles tendon...

THE WILD HORSES' DESTINY

Horses – our companions through centuries. They are a symbol of freedom, a symbol of power, and a wonderful symbol of strength and sensitivity going hand in hand. Horses have served humans for centuries. Of all the domestic animals, horses have been of the most important ones through all times. They have been more than an animal, they became part of the family. Because of them man could move over longer distances before an other horsepower took over. The horses became a be or not to be for farmers, without good horses it was difficult for the farmers to run their farm. They have been through wars for us, they have run across country carrying the messenger with important messages, and they have been the one to trust in difficult situations. Today we don’t need horses like we once did, but they still have a special place in human’s heart. All over the world there are herds of wild horses. They are the real symbol of freedom. They are an important part, not only of history, but also of the symbiosis of nature. Every creature has a mission.

Foto: http://www.best-horse-photo.com/

In America’s west, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is running aggressive roundups of the wild horses. The horses are removed from public land to holding facilities where the best ones are being adopted and the rest is sent for slaughter. The number of wild horses has decreased dramatically just in a few years. Why? Corporate oil, gas and mining companies need the land. When watching videos about the roundups, reading articles and hearing about it, I question - who are they to go in and make this anti-homeostasis? The ones in charge of this – who are they to stir up the symbiosis of nature? Yes, today’s community requires oil and gas, but to what expense? What are we willing to sacrifice? Are we willing to let the wildlife die to have a comfortable life? Do we want all the green lungs to be developed for corporate companies? How far ahead are the ones in charge thinking? I wonder how it would look like if they started to think more holistic – what is human kind without having an open land, forest or mountains to go to? We are also a part of the symbiosis, we need the diversity of nature and wild life. If this development continues in the same speed, we will not only have destroyed the wildlife, but the land – the free, untouched, wild landscape will also be destroyed. We destroy our children’s inheritance.

The horses that meant so much to our ancestors,

don’t we want to take care of the inheritance?

Don’t we want to pass it on to our children and grandchildren?

How the roundups actually are being done is another aspect. Helicopters are being used to chase the horses into the direction of the paddocks. The horses are fenced in together with horses from other herds in small paddocks. Herds are being split. Frightened horses fighting for their lives, stressed mares losing their foals. Live transportation to the next destination – a truck so filled with horses they can barely move. The horses ooze of fear. Again I question, who are these people to do this to another living being? What are they made of, don’t they see the fear? If the ones behind the decisions for one moment could put themselves in the same position – what would that be like? How would they react to that? And what about the ones that actually do the work, those who have the close contact with the horses. Don’t they see the fear? I wonder if they ever question their job.

Watch the new trailer of "Disappointment Valley... A Modern Western Day", a documentary made by James Anaquad Kleinert about the roundups of horses in the west.

 It is time to change the story. It is time to raise our voice.

NOW IT IS TIME TO SAVE OUR WILD HORSES!

Foto: http://www.best-horse-photos.com/  

WHAT'S IN IT FOR THE HORSE?

Many question the use of horses in competition and racing, and what the horses' benefits are in this. For the welfare of horses it is important to address how horses really are in the human world. In my inbox I have received numerous of articles discussing this, and for some reason all of them conclude that there is nothing good for the horses in this. The horses are victims of humans' ambitions and greed. These articles made me start thinking. I become curious of the article-writers's own stories, what are their baggage and what are the conclusions based on? How can we know that horses don't enjoy racing, how can we know what horses prefer? Are all horses the same, do all horses prefer and need the same kind of activity and stimulation?

On my journey of personal and professional development, I have spent a lot of time with horses in various settings. I have been so fortunate to closely follow horses kept the natural way, competing horses on amateur level, high level horses in dressage and show jumping, and racehorses on international level. I have spent time observing the horses and the interaction with the owners, working with the horses and treated them.

Spending time in one of the most successful racing-stables in the US gave me valuable information of horses' life in stressful situations. These were top trained athletes working hard, traveling a lot and competing often. What I met there was satisfied horses, happy horses, playful horses. The stable had a relaxed and calm atmosphere despite the hectic traffic in the aisle with grooming and showering horses, shoeing and massaging horses. The horses gave an impression of peaceful accept, joy and lifespirit intact. 

In contrast to this we find the ones who dedicate their life to give their horses a natural living, or as natural as possible. One of those I followed closely for a while was very into doing everything by the book when it came to proper natural feeding, pasture, the herd, treatments and training. The owner was very careful to follow guidelines from gurus within training, alternative treatment and naturla horsemanship, her drive force wasn't money to earn but the best for the horses. What did I meet there? I met horses with no spirit, no playfulness and horses who seemed bored. They were doing their job and excercises without passion and without impulsion. 

According to the articles it should have been the other way around. To me this is an important message; 

It is not about what you do, but how you do it. 

In all disciplines you find the success-stories and you find the sad stories.

This brings me back to the question of what are the platforms of the conclusions. As I see it, it has two aspects. The owner's and horse-handler's role in the interaction with the horses; it tells a lot more than if the horse is used in racing or as a trail-buddy. But for this story, more importantly; it is about the article-writers' point of view.

When you look at something from the outside - which glasses do you wear? What are you looking for? If you go into something to find out, and you look for negative aspects - guess what you will find. You see all the negative things you looked for, and more. You will see what you want to see, what fits you. This is all about your own baggage. Are you able to look completely objective on things you meet or do you put your own stuff into what you see? One of the most common things humans do when interacting with others, is projecting their own stuff to others. This is what came to my mind when I read these articles. Are they projecting their own stuff in this? Do they see clearly? Are they willing to turn the mirror in and have a look? What is it really that triggers them? By pointing out others failure you are projecting your own stuff on others instead of looking in and see why this is of concern for you. This is related to all aspects in life. To have successful meetings with others, you have to find the objectivity in yourself and be able to observe. If you are not willing to let go of previous experiences, this will color your point of view.

"...in order to help another effectively I must understand more thanhe, yet first of all surely I must understand what he understands. If i do not know that, my greater understanding will be of no help to him. If, however, I am disposed to plume myself of my greater understanding, it is because I am vain or proud, so that at the end, instead of benefiting him, I want to be admired..."

Søren Kierkegaard

This quote is about helping others, but is as relevant in this. To fully understand you need to have a deeper understanding for what you are looking into. You must be able to put your own stuff away so you can see clearly. If you look for something negative, you will find it. You can also turn this, if you look for something that can benefit you, you might end up only seeing the positive aspects. This can make you tumble. This is about the duality in life; everything in life has two sides, are you willing to look at them both? Do you accept all angles - the positive and the negative ones?

Horses are unique individuals; they have their own gifts and their own path, just like human beings. I believe that some horses enjoy the excitement of racing, while others prefer a natural living life with no stress, pressure and large amounts of training. Let us see them as they are, not as we are. It is all about seeing the horse, it is about awareness and it is about being objective - put your own stuff away and see it from another angle.

This can be related to your interaction with fellow humans as well. How do you meet others?

Horses are playful and they love to run, horses are in the moment, they are high spirited individuals who enjoy life - if they are allowed to.

So what's in it for the horse? That is up to the horse to decide, it can be a lot more than we are able to understand. It is your responsibility to read the horses you have in your care - see it without looking through your previous experiences. Put your own stuff aside, be objective and make clean observations.

There is a story behind everything - look into the story without shades

LEVEL UP WITH YOUR HORSE - LEVEL UP WITH YOURSELF

To succeed in your connection with your horse - to really succeed in the interaction – the aspects behind the technique need to be addressed. Techniques whether it is horsemanship, traditional dressage technique or other proved methods to train horses can be good tools by hand, but they can be an efficient way of hiding from something that is not so pleasant to feel. Handling horses is not so much about technique as it is about feel and touch.

The handler’s way of treating horses reveals where you are in your personal development. It is common knowledge that horses – and other animals – read you like an open book. It is your choice to decide what to do with the information given to you from the horses.

Are you so focused on doing the technique you have learned from a guru correctly, that you forget to see the bigger picture of you and your horse? Are you trying so hard to do it exactly the same way as your instructor showed you, that the joy of training is gone?

What is the correct method – who can tell?

Some branches of horsetraining are based on keeping the horse distanced from you. With long ropes are the horses not allowed to come close to you, if they do they are disrespectful. Often the ones who are most into working on keeping the horse on distance – and who succeed the most – is the ones who have most distance to self, distance to own emotions. By keeping this distance to the horse how will that connection become? By keeping distance to yourself how will you be able to connect with others – horses or humans? How will you be able to connect with yourself?

Others keep the rope tight to be in control. By controlling everything, can it be you miss something? Miss the crucial sign because you are too busy to control the horse. Too busy to keep the control that you end up fighting the horse? Often those who pick the fights and cling to the ropes, have a tendency of controlling their emotions and end up fighting their emotions.

A good leader is that the one who keep everyone on distance? Or is a good leader the one who have short leash, controlling every step?

A good leader is a confident leader. A leader who can differentiate situations. Who can see if this was a creative stunt that can lead to something positive, or if this is a situation that can lead to failure, danger or damage. A good leader is the one who is able to see the bigger picture and don’t get hung up in techniques. A good leader sees what is needed for this particular team to unlock potential and maximize performance. This is how it is in the corporate world, this is how it is in school and this is even how it is in the stable.

To master your own life you have to take the lead of yourself, you have to become the confident and balanced leader of your life. To become a good leader you have to be willing to improve you, to look into your own patterns. Being open-minded and curious is a good start. The more open you as a horsehandler are to look into your own patterns, the more you open up for the good relationship with your horse. You start to know your horse in a different way, and you got the confidence to find your own way and your own methods, you tailor your own path with your horse.

You want your horse with life-spirit, you want a horse who enjoys its work. Do you sparkle? Does your life-spirit flourish? Do you enjoy working with your horse?

To create a balance in your relation with your horse, you as a horse-handler has to dare yourself, challenge yourself. You have to be true with your own emotions. This is the basis of every connection with horses, of every connection with any animal.

Every individual is unique, every interaction is unique.

Cherish the uniqueness.