Greg thanks for sharing. I was the proverbial "Accident" as my mum told me when I was about 13/14, Im only here because she knew I would be born at the end of March!! Occasionally it still kills me, but explains alot of the put downs from both my parents & elder brothers! Parents are both dead & I don't speak to the brothers I don't need them! My nan was my best friend growing up, until I got my first pony at 10,& that was thanks to her saving up for me!

Thank you for shearing your story. Your words of wisdom that I have read many times here on the Uni forum have been very insightful. Even if they were issues that had nothing to do with Alex or me. I'm sure Mr. Roberts over the last 50 years has heard many story's like yours and mind. But it helps others that may have not. Hay, even Mr. Roberts shares when ever he can. And if you will allow me TNT (hope its okay to abbreviate that Tiggy, Tears ). I want to say this to those that have never had to experience a bad or difficult child/adulthood like yourself and myself(which I don't think exist): Your great experiences as a child and or adult are just as valuable and needed to hear! Whatever it is that made your life's experience “pain free” is something we all can learn from and hopefully duplicate. Thanks again Greg.

Thanks for your openness Gregg. The beauty of animals is that they accept us for who we are; they don't care whether we are fat, thin, old, young, black, white, asian, gypsy, or any other creed, colour or sexual persuasion. Nor do they care what we have done in our lives. The only thing they as is respect and calm - my horse forces me to be 'in the moment' and to be calm, no matter what stresses, strains, and emotional pain that is running through me, 20 minutes standing in the field with my boy and his two Shetland pony companions brings me back to centre and reminds me where I'm trying to get to. Use their peace and acceptance Greg and find your centre. Enjoy :-)

My Old Dragon was always such a good listener!! Id jabber away when we were out, I'm sure people thought I was probably insane talking to my horse!! But those gooey eyes love me totally and make it all worth while!

Hi GregG,
Words like yours make this forum to a community, thank you for sharing what's so deep inside! Whatever phisical or psycological abuse we've been through, finding others to share with and to trust, is exactly what we recognize in horses. You have found your path with Alex and Monty's methods of training, like we all on this forum did and still do. I think it's a choice that needs renewing everyday, maybe until it becomes second nature. Even then, like Monty does, speaking about what you've been through can help you and help others to make a conscious choice agains violence. To me "Violence is never the answer" means everyday, every choice, every situation.
May I suggest you try to explain to your wife why working with Alex is so important to you?
Here's a choice with only a win-win outcome!
There's so much to learn and thanks to people like you who have the courage to speak out, it's a ever-rewarding process!
With deep respect,
Miriam

Well done for sharing everyone, it takes courage to tell what has happened even if in small details and part of moving on to something more within our control.... Our horses play a big part in helping us move on and have respect for ourselves and those we meet both human and animal.
X

I love your story. I've been around horses since I was born. Anytime I felt depressed I always turn to them for comfort. In in a pretty volatile marriage at this time and when things get bad I walk out to my horses and they know right away and come to comfort me. If I didn't pay attention to them especially my gelding they make me pay attention and melt my worries away. Thank you for sharing

Thanks for sharing. it's so comforting to know there are like minded people out there, even if across the globe! My partner doesn't seem to get why I spend so much time with woods. I tried to explain the other day that I feel safe. No judgement (well most of the time!) no criticism, no one making me feel bad about myself or draining me. If there is an issue we need to work on we do it together. Yes sometimes we get things wrong or we're on the wrong page but working together, meeting each other half way, looking our for each other.... He is the biggest pain in my butt but the greatest love of my life along side my dog(don't tell the bf!) I don't know where I would be without him.

Thanks for sharing your stories. I also come from a very abusive background (emotional, physical and sexual abuse) add to that being misdiagnosed as bi-polar for 25 years when in fact I have ADHD. I have always found comfort in my animal friends that I have had the privilege to share my life with. We bought my Frisian mare, BenteB, 2 years ago, when she was just 8 months old, after being without a horse for 20 years. We bought her just a couple of weeks after losing my wolf-hybrid companion of 17 years to cancer at the age of 19. My husband tried to talk me out of buying a horse the entire 4 hour car trip to look at Bente. He didn't succeed, of course. :) The moment he saw us together he understood that I needed her. He still doesn't understand the reasons behind that need but he knows that it is there and when I am having a tough time due to stress, the ADHD or am depressed from the constant onslaught of pain I deal with he will pack me up in the car and take me to see her. She is in a baby herd so I have not been allowed to take her out of the herd and work with her but just being able to go out in the pasture and hug her and rub her is a humongous help to me. It's been a long 2 years but next week we will be moving her to her new home where I can go play with her every day. We are already have a strong bond with each other and I am looking forward to building that bond even more.

I always say the horse chooses us Nika, they see in us what other do not see and the mutual benefits of that are enormous. I look forward to seeing you both develop together :D
Much love to you, you're doing well!!
Mel
x

Thanks Mel. I agree with you 100%. I'm sure I will be posting in the forum more often once we get started with training.
Nika X