I recently had the opportunity to work with horses belonging to someone else. It was me or the rodeo guy down the road with the more 'traditional' ropes.
I was making good progress and also gently trying to introduce the owners to the concepts of the dually and join-up. I gave them info and suggested this university. But they decided they wanted to free up some grazing and sold three I was working with off to the rodeo guy. I felt sick. It was like I had taught this horse to trust me and then had to let him go to goodness knows what kind of training. Now I have just as much difficulty trusting those humans as the horses do! It's like that saying - you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink. Some humans just don't see the need to learn. :(
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What I say to my friends who don’t understand why I’m doing this
Horses are easy it's humans I have difficulty with
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Never give upon Monty's vision of making the world a better place for horses. I'm sure you made a positive impact on the three horses you worked with. You might even strike up a conversation with rodeo guy. Something wonderful might happen...you don't know until you try.
Best Wishes from Oklahoma
Hi KD
It is incredibly frustrating when people just dont see "the better way" but there are many many reasons why they cant/wont change and sometimes the reasons can surprise us. When I was younger my Dad used to say to me, "Vicci, it's better to stroke the face than slap it"; this was his response to me getting so cross when other people "just cant see sense!", but as I learnt to listen more to people's stories and walk in their shoes a little I realised that people, with some understanding can change; course, I'm no saint, and sometimes you just have to say what you think, even if you end up apologising for it afterwards ;-) So keep smiling KD and as legacy says, something wonderful may happen!
KD, I know what you mean, horses seem to be more predictable then people.
Hi KD,
I know just what you mean! if i am ever disappointed in someone or something or if i feels "down in the dumps" then i always find that the best people for me to talk to or to see are my horses. They just make me feel like no matter what happens out there i always have my own little world where i really feel appreciated,
Ellie
KD I share your frustration and disappointment here. I am sorry that you had this experience. It is always hard working with other people's horses as ultimately they have control. I also fear what might happen to the horses you started but remember that they did have that special time with you which should help them.
KD
I understand your frustration and disappointment in having the horses go elsewhere. I would like to say that being in the rodeo or being a working cowboy does not mean that the horse will not be treated with respect and patience. Many of my friends started to compete in rodeos as teenagers and some of them turned out to be world class trainers (Dennis Reiss started riding bucking horses as a teenager) I rode with Dennis a couple of times when I had my quarter horse and you could tell then that he understood and was able to connect with horses with our 'cowboying' them.
Hopefully you will find satisfaction in the work that your were able to complete with those horses and continue to do the good work.
Those of us that want to learn will, and those that don't will never be any better than they are right now!
Cheers
Just remember that you have given those horses a positive start; an experience that they will always remember; and it may have set them up positively for the work that they will do with the "Rodeo Guy". Maybe this is a door opening for you to strike up a conversation with the Rodeo guy, and provide you with an opportunity of working with him to develop a great partnership with his horses. You have no idea how life moves things around a little, to present different opportunities that we may at first be afraid of. Hope this helps. best wishes Chantal
@Dennis
"Those of us that want to learn will, and those that don't will never be any better than they are right now! "
Unfortunately you are right. The sad aspect in this story is, that there are other creatures that are suffering under their ignorance.
Hi KD,
I have just the same problem as you:) i live somewhere where this girl owns an amazing pony but shenever spends any time with the mare!!! i SO frustrates me coz i would LOVE to own a pony like that but she just takes it for granted!!!! she doesnt even look after her properly! i went up to see her today and i found LOADS of dung which hadnt been cleared up so i cleared it up myself because i felt so sorry for her:( poor mare
i hope you will be able to influence the Rodeo Guy to use some of Montys non-violent methods:)
Abi