I heard this line in a movie, and it really hit home for me. This is the essence of what I tell people when I teach and how I feel about horses.
“Never judge your kids for who they are now but help them become who they know they can be.”
I ask my students to look at each day, each session, with their horse in a positive light. Don’t look at what’s going wrong but look at what’s going right.
So many times, I have heard horse owners say that when they met their horse, they just knew that they were meant to be together. They said that they could feel the connection and the love.
Some of my students also said that even though they had heard that this horse was a problem, or was dangerous, they could see the horse’s true nature underneath. They could see the kind, gentle, horse trying to come through.
Those stories are just beautiful. I have seen amazing life changing transformations in these horses and in their owners. But it all started with a heart-felt connection and an underlying belief that it was possible.
The last two weeks of blogs have been long, raw, and revealing. Today I just want to leave you with this one line. Something to think about when you go out with your horse and work or play.
I’d really like to know who your horse is now and who you believe you can help them become. Or who they were then and who you did help them become now? Let me know your success story in the comment section below.
Just wondering if you remember which movie you heard that quote from?, about helping kids become who they know they can be.
As far as my horse – she was in a group paddock before and over the last 3 years she has been on her own mostly. Sometimes I wish I could provide a companion for her, but it has not happened yet. Searching for ways to meet her emotional health in the meantime.
I hope you start to feel better as soon as possible – glad you will be able to see your family in August.
Thank you Janet. Actually it was “Flash”. I’m sure your horse is happy with your company and loves being with you. 💕
When I saw the photo of my horse I just new I wanted him. There was a problem with him that I didn't know. They called him a killer.
When I got him home he was ok 2 weeks. later I couldn't lead him and couldn't lunge him.
He was a nightmare and he was getting pushy so I pushed him back and he looked at me as though he was going to challenge me. The eyes wide open, the nostrils flared but he stopped himself.
I gave him a pat, showed some love and took him back to his yard. I went on the internet and looked up his behaviour. I rang the vet, got him scoped and he had an ulcer.
He has helped me understand and listen and I will never stop learning. I just love him and his funny ways.
I call him Sir Ralph. Not just Ralph.
I hear that often and I’m so glad you didn’t give up or label him. You found out why and you fixed it. Kudos! I bet your horse was so grateful that you were able to help him. ❤️
When I adopted my rescue pony, she had been rejected three times by people who would adopt her for a while then bring her back. I knew when I viewed the video on the rescue website that she was the one for me, so the fact that others had rejected her did not deter me. I saw her kind eyes and willing attitude. But the first 6 months were rough. It was clear why others brought her back. She had decided that the best offence is a good defense. Threatening to bite or snapping at me was her routine.
There were times when she came at me with what I call "hate face"; ears flat and teeth barred. It was upsetting, as I had never experienced this before. But I would not give up. I was determined to be her forever home. I found a good trainer and started taking lessons. Soon, I realized that Annie did not need punishment for her behavior, she needed reassurance.
I experimented until I found a way to keep myself safe while working to gain her trust. Little by little, the sweet pony that I knew was inside her started to show. The smart, curious, self assured pony became fun to be with. Annie has taught me so much about kindness, persistence, accepting her needs each day. I'm so glad she came into my life. It made me so happy when my trainer told me that she wishes she had a pony like Annie!
I am so glad to hear that you didn’t give up on Annie and that you learned to listen to her. Beautiful!
Get well soon.
You are Amazing
Thankyou for everything you do for us all