All summer long I spent the occasional morning asking my 5 year old filly to have breakfast on the little 2 horse trailer. She learned quickly enough that the trailer was an okay place to hang out, and we progressed with no issues until the day that I, a non "natural horsemanship" person, decided it was time to shut the back. Well, all I can say, it was good that I had also decided to put up the chest bar. After rearing, screaming, slamming against the back, slamming again, rearing again, crashing against the chest bar, she gave up trying to kill herself, and I mean kill herself, and flung herself on to the floor, giving up to the lions. Those were easily the most terrifying 45 seconds of my life. I'm not really sure how I got her off, but I did have the presence of mind to realize that I needed help, professional help.
So, I called Tony.
And this morning I watched my filly walk onto the trailer, stand quietly, and wait to be asked to walk off.
This, of course, came after 3 hours of some of the most amazing horsemanship I have ever seen. Moved to tears several times, I realized that whatever I thought I knew about horses before, and I know alot, it wasn't anywhere near what there is to know.
By the end of our time together I was throwing a giant tarp over her head, shoving it underneath her, asking her to go over it, and getting lovely flexion.
I am a new convert.
I am posting this because I think it is important for people realize that we have an individual right here on the island who has knowledge that can not only teach a neonate like me, but reinspire those already aware.
I'll be getting out my carrot stick.
Dale Gifford
Dale Gifford