Equitana had given me a lot to think about!
As we headed into 2010, I started to read Georgia Bruce’s book on clicker training. I attempted a little bit with Magnum – he was very keen for the food and very interested. However, he was soooo tense taking the food! The click scared him sometimes – and if I made any sudden movements, he was off!
I didn’t see how on earth I could train him like that!
I tried to put myself in his shoes. What if someone had my favourite chocolate – I could have it if I just looked a certain way – or took a step back. But what if that someone suddenly decided not to give me chocolate – but to hurt me – or tie me up. Is is worth letting my guard down just for the chocolate? The answer was no…
But he still wanted to have a go! He was so tight in his body – it must have been so difficult for him – trying to put his fear aside and hoping he would be fine and get the treat.
The other horses were also interested and I started dabbling in a little bit of clicker training with them… but I didn’t follow through. There was so much to read and learn – and it seemed quite complex. Still, I liked the idea of it.
I really think as I was still involved in our business – I put it all in the ‘too hard’ basket. I wasn’t prepared to spend the time needed. To be honest, I was looking for a ‘quick fix’ – and this all seemed too hard.
I guess that’s human nature – to want a quick fix for things. We dream of someone just waving a magic wand and fixing it all – saying, here is your answer, simple – all done!!
I think I was convinced that someone out there had the answer – that they were so good, they could tame any horse! I had gone off ‘cowboys’ but – maybe there was a ‘horse guru’ or a horse magician out there.
Maybe I was trying to find a knight in shining armour – who knew exactly what to do!
I was convinced you needed special skills and abilities, which I didn’t have, to tame wild horses – and to just be with horses.
There were horse gurus appearing on YouTube – and there were plenty of beautiful books also out there. Now this was much more appealing to me than a set of instructions and scientific theory on behaviour!!! I loved the romance of it – the fairytale!
This appealed to my creative side – and of course I had my own animal communication skills – but communicating with horses was different to actually doing physical work with them.
Deep inside I wanted the ‘happy ever after’ ending of every pony book I had read as a little girl.
At age 7, I had put money into a wishing well. My parents had told me to make a wish… I told them I wished for a white pony. I really thought when we returned from our outing it would be there in the back yard… it wasn’t of course – I was devastated.
That longing was still there – in a different form – I wanted to ride with my horse as if we were one – ride off into the sunset. I wanted to tame wild horses – I wanted to know all the secrets of how to do this.
I had invested in this longing all my life…. I was convinced a Horse Master would be able to tell me all the secrets I needed to hear.
COMING UP – THE MASTER APPEARS
IF YOU ARE NEW TO THIS STORY, PLEASE START AT THE BEGINNING HERE – Part 1 – An Introduction
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I love your blog! Definitely following!
~Equus from Your Horse Your Pony
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Thankyou!!!
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