| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Quarabian |
Posted - 09 Sep 2013 : 08:27:27 AM
While replying to a private message I just realised how much horses have taught me over the years. I think horses are sometimes sent to teach you an individual lesson, but on the whole I think they are telling us to slow down. We humans are far too busy trying to reach some goal or other. If we slow down we will probably get there quicker and have a more fulfilling experience.
What have your horses taught you?
Smokey has taught me that control is not physical. She is as light in a halter as all my previous horses have been in a bit.
Lyna taught me that I can go faster than I want!! and it is fun. |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Barefoot Unicorn |
Posted - 17 Sep 2013 : 6:01:10 PM
They taught me that morphine is almost heavenly........
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| justine |
Posted - 17 Sep 2013 : 5:33:08 PM
They have taught me to watch peoples reactions when talking, it becomes obvious they are lying/in pain/ scared etc
A recent example of a mare trying her best to tell me something and I didnt listen -
Maiden mare foaled, all was ok. Over the next hours she turned against her foal and my Lord he was stunning! I thought the mare was having afterbirth pain so I treat her and stood while the foal suckled. She became NASTY! the foal was kicked and kicked until he did nothing but stand in the corner with his head down. The mare had to be tied up 24/7 and I had to stand with them to allow baby to drink every two hours. After being told by many people `do not give up`, I did! the foal was put in the next stall and drank formular out of a bucket which was wonderful. The mares face was so sorry but she was unable to tell me why she had chosen to reject her foal. At 10 days old I had the vet. The foal had problems that only the mare knew about. He was drinking, playing etc. That day we had hime PTS. The poor mare had been trying to tell me all along. This was one of the most saddest days of my life.
Expressions and body language of human or animal have become very important.
These days my vet dreads my calls because he knows 9/10 Im correct, from cancer to mardy mare days I can see through my horses eyes and expessions/behaviour.
How, many blame an in-season mare for losing a competition or acting stupid? maybe she is saying she has cramps? and or a natural instinct to want to mate? |
| Quarabian |
Posted - 15 Sep 2013 : 6:09:14 PM
So to it seems horses have taught us patience, kindness, to trust our intuition, how to give and accept unconditional love, to be innovative, how to listen and that speech is totally overated as a form of communication, to have a sense of humour, they show you who you really are, softness, self control, that experts are not always right!,that puddles contain crocodiles and sharks,that broken hearts do mend,and most of all humility.
I hope I didn't miss anybody out. Thanks for participating |
| Ari |
Posted - 12 Sep 2013 : 9:26:15 PM
I have enjoyed this post, all positive and like minded. We have listened and learned to our wonderful horses and overcome issues as a partnership. By nature they look to us for leadership and we have achieved that through intuition, innovation, kindness and love; yes we have done good. |
| Quarabian |
Posted - 12 Sep 2013 : 8:07:35 PM
Nice one Alyth
I am enjoying reading all of these posts |
| Alyth Long |
Posted - 12 Sep 2013 : 08:05:27 AM
Every one of these posts are brilliant!! Horses teach us SO much!! But then you should all pat yourselves on your backs because you were all willing to listen to what they wanted to say to you!! |
| Pasch |
Posted - 11 Sep 2013 : 10:12:09 PM
I have started a reply to this post several times but never managed to write one.It seems so easy but every time I was at a a total loss.Fact is,there are too many things and most cannot easily be put into words.
I would say Pop's and Callisto's definitions are closest to what I think,but really horses have showed me who I really am and,especially in these latest years since I started riding and taking care of them again after a long pause,they have changed my life and brought me back to my real self.
Not very clear but as I said it's difficult to put magic into words! |
| alison |
Posted - 11 Sep 2013 : 4:12:42 PM
Yes unconditional love, joy, happiness and definitely sense of humor, which I most definitely need today as being bombarded in work by horrible old witch. Luckily I think of escaping to my horse's- smile and try and ignore her (grumpy old bat)    |
| Callisto |
Posted - 11 Sep 2013 : 10:17:42 AM
Love, humility and sheer joy
Which is why I can cope with staggering around in the winter in the dark lugging water because the pipes have frozen, forgive them when I end up a bit battered and bruised, ignore the seemingly constant drain on my bank account, and get choked with emotion when they give me their all, or we just share a private moment.
Oh and they definitely have a sense of humour  |
| Pop |
Posted - 10 Sep 2013 : 9:40:47 PM
I have learned that speech, as a means of communication, is totally overrated.
And, of course, very many other things, including unconditional love. |
| Arachnid |
Posted - 10 Sep 2013 : 8:53:10 PM
Humility!
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| Sharea |
Posted - 10 Sep 2013 : 8:46:53 PM
I think they are teaching me patience, self control, softness and love, to name but a few! |
| Meggie-Lu |
Posted - 10 Sep 2013 : 3:35:05 PM
Mouse taught me that just because your and old man doesn't mean you can't keep up with the young ones oh and that push bikes are terrifying! |
| applause |
Posted - 10 Sep 2013 : 10:46:42 AM
I also think that we as humans think and learn to do things slower as we grow older, somehow patience improves us a people and i'm sure that horses teach us that we have to be patient.
I couldn't start to explain how much horses have influenced every part of my life in some way through the years. |
| pippic |
Posted - 10 Sep 2013 : 09:06:06 AM
gosh what a wonderful post. totally agree, patience and also self belief. Once you and your horse bond then remembering the `experts' are not always right. Listen to your gut instinct.
Also not to worry about what other people are doing with their horses and feeling inadequate.
And because my boy is a late cut gelding that if I want a fight he's totally up for it, if I want a discussion, want to explain what I want him to do then he'll try his heart out for me. I can't actually put into words how privileged I feel to have him in my life.  |
| firstlady |
Posted - 09 Sep 2013 : 11:57:08 PM
over the years they continue to amaze me and have taught me loads but i think the most valuable lesson has to be that
they have taught me to listen to them  |
| Vik1 |
Posted - 09 Sep 2013 : 9:28:50 PM
They have taught me dedication, thirst for learning/developing and achieving, patience, body language, thinking outside the box and I am braver than I thought.
Other skills learned over years include wound management (christ, I had enough with Velvs legs over years), how to develop selective hearing (was deafened by Velvs shouting at times when she didnt get what she wanted), mucking out with a hangover (not so much now Im older), how to feed/cloth myself on a pittance, recycle everything, that I can do Tough Mudder every winter and grass skiing! |
| Ari |
Posted - 09 Sep 2013 : 8:15:40 PM
Ari has always been very gentle but was not easy to start and he has taught me more than any horse that I had to learn to see things through his eyes to build trust. Although still at times loopy on spring grass, hates being in during summer months and when younger he did scared big time he has always taken care of me on foot or in the saddle; he has never put me in danger, showed aggression or hurt me even accidentally.
His gentleness towards me made me up my game to match his commitment and help him through his fears. I have learnt more from him (since being 50) than all my years of riding but boy is he worth it.
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| Pasha |
Posted - 09 Sep 2013 : 11:48:07 AM
Shesky has taught me that whatever I think I know, I actually know nothing! This horse surprises me everyday and just when I think i've got him, he does something completely unexpected! Good and bad!!!
He is the most mercurial horse i have ever come across and we absolutely adore each other! He is also adored (and feared) by everyone who knows him and when he gifts you with a rare moment of affection, it is very special!
This weekend he taught me not to continue to groom him when he has reminded me several times already that he is not in the mood! This resulted in a well aimed (he always hits the spot) kick to my knee cap - perfectly executed as to not hurt me, but hit my funny bone to make me feel very sick and remind me of who is really in charge!
Later on that day he reminded me that I do have to actually ask permission to enter his stable! Not doing so results in a head butt to the face!
Yesterday he was a sweetheart and even sucked Teresa's (my friend who was looking after the yard yesterday for the YO) hair when she skipped him out! Little monster |
| moonlight |
Posted - 09 Sep 2013 : 11:22:45 AM
Every day I think they teach us that love is the answer, tough love sometimes, but how much bigger are those horse hearts than ours which are too often bossed around by our busy, over thinking brains?!
On a less philosophical note Sparkle the Welsh pony has taught me how much fun it is to be a big kid and trot down the field bareback in a headcollar even when - or perhaps especially when - the Arabs suddenly joined in - at the gallop from behind us! |
| Mags |
Posted - 09 Sep 2013 : 10:58:56 AM
I think the most important horses in my life have taught me patience and self control and most importantly I dont HAVE to do something. Relax wait and let it happen. |
| AnnaMaisy25 |
Posted - 09 Sep 2013 : 10:49:39 AM
Nichole... I think Africa must be related to my Splash some how... They sound like twins!!
And yes, puddles do indeed contain crocodiles... Sometimes even sharks. Obviously! xx |
| Nichole Waller |
Posted - 09 Sep 2013 : 10:37:35 AM
Africa has taught me that Welshies are very stubborn and opinionated and that she is always right and its best to do it her way
Ozzy has taught me to listen when he tells me something isn't right, that scary objects aren't that scary if I let him look at them and that puddles definitely contain crocodiles |
| Offira |
Posted - 09 Sep 2013 : 10:21:40 AM
When I was 19, I passed my driving test, passed my AI, I was working in a dealing yard and thought I knew it all. My next move was to buy a part bred Arab. He taught me that in fact I knew very little and he drove the point home by sending me through the air and sliding along on my face in front of lots of people.
I got up and thought, "OK a good point well made".
I had him for 33 years and never fell off him again, so lesson learned. |
| Quarabian |
Posted - 09 Sep 2013 : 09:30:59 AM
I like what I am hearing so far.
I have just edited this for spelling. One of my mistakes was in the sentence If we slow down we will probably get there quicker and have a more fulfilling experience.
I had originally said get their. perhaps that is what I really meant. |
