Ronda
That may be why there are so few really good trainers that can take a horse from being a foal to a straight up in the bridle horse. It takes years not months or days.
On thing that sore of bothers me is when I see a horse make tremendous progress in wither a video or a live demonstration. Particularly when Monty will correct a seemingly bad horse and get it to behave and act correctly. He then tells the viewer that he has only worked with the horse for 20 or 30 minutes. I think that sets the viewer up to think that they can also accomplish the same thing in a short period of time. In actuality the truth is that it is Monty's god given talent in dealing with horses that makes it so easy. He has has years of experience and has trained thousands of horses both successfully and I am sure at times he was not so successful.

The one thing that is consistent with Monty is that he tells the view that patience and calmness are the secret to successful lesson with your horse.

More people should have your statement posted at their barns and stalls so you start the day with the right mindset

Cheers

You Know Dennis,
When Monty gives a lesson I have heard him often say, this problem is by no means solved but it is a start.
I love that about him, he being what he is and still is a humble man.
In his new video on Abigail, while working on the bit acceptance he says how long would it take to undo all of this, just a few seconds.
There are times I have to do things over and over and over again and feel I am making no headway but then I say to myself, what does it matter, Rome was not built in a day, and if I want a sound horse then it will take that time and patience you are speaking of.
From the Maritimes,
Ronda

When I am working in the roundpen people usually watch what I am doing for about 5 minutes then they change to the place where they do show jumping. Thank you, Ronda, that means that I must be a very good trainer! Honestly: Maybe the same thing happens in the dressage where you don't see the cues. Another idea: I think the training should not be boring for the trainer and neither for the horse. And last remark: Should we try to explain what we do to those who are watching us?

Hi Ronda, I like this quote very much :-) Its so very true.

That is so true Rudi,
We should not be boring and you probably are a great trainer.
Keeping things interesting for our horses can be a challenage but we don't want to look like circus trainer either, right.
Montys way is so subtle, perhaps that is why he explains as he's going along when he is demonstrating his techniques.
I know for me I certainly would not always pick up on what he is doing.
When my housekeeper is watching me, somedays, I have asked her not to ask questions or speak while I'm working with STAR. I don't want the distractions for her or me.
After, I tell her what I was doing and why.
I'm just not experienced enough with Montys ways to talk while I'm trying to apply his methods.
Plus my short term memory loss doesn't help, that's why I have to watch the videos over and over and make notes.
So maybe we are patient painters and I believe if someone is seeing us have great results with our horses they will ask.
Donna is fascinated when she sees Star do something pretty special and that makes me very proud of STAR.
So you go right ahead and explain, if they listen then you have helped one more horse.
The very best to you all,
Ronda

I have another quote for you all:
"PUSH WITH PRAISE."
This quotation is from the Gracie-Bullyproff Program.
It is a form of jui-jitsu. It teaches how to defend yourself without punches, kicks and only HELD with the Gracie jui-jitsu. It is the gentle way!
The grandmaster is Helio Gracie who has 10 children and they all practise this, very gentle.
I thought we could all benefit from this.
Rather than pull our students like most trainers do, we push them to perfection with our praise.
So often I hear Monty say, " What a good boy/girl you are", and they lap it up because when we say this we feel it, they cannot understand us but they feel our emotions when we are saying this.
I guess we could take this one step further by saying to people how great they are or even if it is to ourselves by looking in the mirror and saying," I'm a good person." And prove it by our deeds.
Bye y'all,
Ronda

Good quote Ronda and good comments from everyone. I think time and patience are very important ingredients. We are really lucky if we can have a foal and then bring it all the way to a bridled riding horse. We know exactly what has happened to that horse on the way through and we have spent the time with it. It is a long slow process but really worth it. So much harder to have a rescue horse like My Star and then try to undo the damage that has been done but time and patience will hopefully win through.

I hope so Maggie,
My health is deteriorating every day and I just don't have the gusto I had before.
I would hate to see such a high spirited horse wasted as a pet in the pasture, groomed and feed and lead like a puppy.
But I'm so fearful to sell her to someone.
What if they did not understand her and harmed her in some way, I could never forgive myself.
My daughter has offered to come and help with her training but she is so busy with her own farm, I don't know.
Ronda

So sad to know your health is deteriorating Ronda. I don't think My Star would be wasted as a pet in the pasture as I am sure that owning her helps you through your days. She is lucky to be with you and she is helping out too. If your daughter has offered to help with her training I would accept that offer. I am sure that it was a genuine offer and even though she is very busy she no doubt knows how important My Star is to you and wishes to help. Even if she helped out just once a week that may make things easier for you. I too worry about what will happen to my beautiful horses if I am unable to care for them. Especially my Tricka as she has such a strong personality that if not treated appropriately she would fight back and then get herself into heaps of problems. I have two horses I can no longer ride but cannot part with them as I fear what will happen to them. So many horses have such awful lives so again My Star is not been wasted while she is with you.

Ronda
Like Maggie I am very sad to hear that your health is such a problem that you are thinking of selling My Star I told my wife that as long as I can hold up my head I will keep my horse.
Emotionally he bring peace and calmness
No matter how bad my back gets I know if I can sit my horse my back will be ok after riding him

I know that having a horse has brought you great happiness and even if you just groom your horse that contact helps your horse security and well being besides we would all miss your insights

Cheers and Best Wishes