The Listening Post

Magazine for the Intelligent Horsemanship Association Spring at last! SPRING 2009

In this issue Spotlight on Ian Vandenberghe Perfect pastures www.intelligenthorsemanship.co.uk Presents: Sarah Weston A day of Intelligent Horsemanship To be held on the 19th April 2009 from 10am to 4pm At Henden and Lanhill Stud, Sparrow Farm, Lanhill, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 6LX Sarah Weston is a Recommended Associate of Intelligent Horsemanship and the holder of the Monty Roberts’ Preliminary Certificate in Horsemanship. She will be demonstrating a variety of techniques from handling untouched to training youngsters to desensitising spooky horses. The Caspian is a rare breed of small horse standing around 11.2hh originating from . The Henden and Lanhill stud is the base for the Caspian Breed Society which aims to preserve and promote this wonderful breed. Come along to meet these fascinating small horses and enjoy an exciting demonstration of Intelligent Horsemanship! Tickets are £15 per person (£10 for under 16yrs) including lunch Caesar - our ‘Little Star’ will be looking and must be booked in advance. for a new home in June Book now by sending a cheque (made payable to the Caspian Breed Society) to He can be viewed at the May Masterclasses. Angela Leadbetter, Redroofs, CHAPS registered 5 years old and around 14.2 hh. Lancaster Rd, Preesall, Poulton Le Fylde, Father unknown. Great mover, excellent feet and open to Lancashire FY6 0HN any vet. The right IH home will be our main consideration. or by telephoning 01253 810305. Contact the IH office at: [email protected] or 01488 71300 and speak with Lou. Limited numbers available! Make sure no-one misses Kelly Marks’ May Masterclasses! If you have any other ideas to get the word out – do get in touch! Your chance to be part of the team! Volunteer at the May Masterclasses. We love (and appreciate) IH members coming to help us at demonstrations. There’s quite a band of loyal helpers that turn up to a range of demos now but if you’ve never tried it before, don’t be shy, everyone is friendly and 1. Please email your friends with the demonstration you’ll soon feel part of the team. Plus you’ll get to meet American Pie and details from our website. his ‘little cousin’ Caesar! 2. Please pin up Kelly’s tour leaflets/posters, available It’s a great opportunity to experience what goes via the discussion group and the IH Office on ‘behind the scenes’ and so next time you 3. If you would like extra leaflets just contact the hear something crazy like ‘all the horses are office on 01488 71300 or email [email protected] You can also download them from our website on trained beforehand’ or ‘they only chose the the Demonstrations page. You can then pin them easy ones’ you can give your first hand report of up EVERYWHERE local riding club, saddlers, feed what really happens as the owners and horses arrive! stores, livery yards, show centres, doctors surgery, We ask that helpers stay to help pack everything up and bus stops, traffic lights… your evening should finish by 12 midnight. Yes, hard work 4. Don’t forget to tell your local gossip and swear but fun! If you are interested in helping, please email her to secrecy! [email protected] or call the IH Office on 01488 71300.

2 The Listening Post Letter from Kelly

Hi Everyone Advertisments Page 2 I hope none of you have been Letter from Kelly Page 3 letting the doom and gloom on the news get you down too much. The almost perfect Page 4 If we look for some positive aspects of this ‘credit crunch’ it Your letters Page 5 might be that we all appreciate more what we do have and what’s Feeding fibre at grass Page 6 most important to us rather than constantly worrying about getting IH Courses 2009 Page 8 ‘more’. Maybe we’ll have less money but more time to spend Wip Wop or Giddyup? Page 9 with horses and people so let’s make the most of that. Ask the experts Page 10 I’ve already planned some great things for 2009 and I’m looking forward to IH members joining me. In May Pie and South Africa 2009 Page 12 I are competing at Royal Windsor (see page 19) and later in the month we have our ‘masterclasses’. We have our IH A of an issue part 1 Page 14 Garden Party planned for the 27th June. I hope we can be as lucky with the weather as last year. I’m travelling to every Remedial loaders and travellers Page 16 part of Britain for the BHS this year and looking forward to introducing ‘Intelligent Horsemanship’ to their instructors. The Equus competition winner Page 18 Monty and I recently had a fascinating time doing preliminary science trials at Hartpury College comparing Announcements Page 19 Join Up with other methods and look forward to continuing Journey towards Stage Two Page 20 with that effort. We’re also in discussion with Horse and Country TV to provide more film footage to support their Spotlight on RA channel which has such great potential for us horselovers. I Ian Vandenberghe Page 22 hope you’ve got great things planned for 2009 – if not make sure you at least come and join us having fun! Riding with confidence Page 23 Best Wishes and see you this year I hope. Contents Do you have a contribution for the Listening Post? Do phone, email or send your carrier pigeon to the IH office! Intelligent Horsemanship Office: Address: Lethornes, Upper Lambourn, Hungerford RG17 8QP Phone: 01488 71300 Fax: 01488 73783 Email: [email protected] Website: www.intelligenthorsemanship.co.uk On the cover: American Pie (Kelly Marks) and Caesar (Louise Austin) enjoy a canter on White Horse Hill. Photo by Matthew Webb.

The Listening Post 3 The almost perfect pony By IH Recommended Associate Sally Hamilton

Tilly was a horse who I felt would benefit now there are four people who Tilly will hugely from Join Up™. But the farmer had allow to stand beside her in the field – and specifically banned any form of loose touch her head. schooling in the sand school, and all the fields Two more pieces of the puzzle fell into place. were big. So I decided to take the risk of The first was that Anne noticed that as she using tall fence posts and a double circle of was stroking Tilly round her head, she kept white tape. There are definitely safety issues flinching on the near side, and there were with this method of working, but I feel that occasional clicking noises coming from the with a horse who has a calm outlook on life atlas bone, just behind her ears. She took and knows that white tape is usually phone advice from an experienced equine electrically charged, the benefits outweigh vet who diagnosed trigeminal neuritis. Anne the risks. had had it herself, and knew that it caused The first Join Up we did was classic. Anne excruciating pain, explaining why she would videoed it, and was astounded that I had be so sensitive sometimes but not always. achieved a reasonable Join Up with some nice follow up circles. However, the next two times I tried she would not come to me. I had efore I met Tilly last August, I had to decide whether in the circumstances it been e-mailing her owner for two was justified to send her away for more than B months. So I knew that despite five minutes, but chose not to - Tilly had almost perfect ridden behaviour, she had one become expert at avoiding humans and I did problem. She hated to be caught and had not want to stress her unnecessarily. The arrived with a ‘health warning’ to this effect! breakthrough came with the fourth Join Up. Her owner Anne tried every method of This time I did some foundation exercises in catching she could find. Tilly had improved the sand school before we moved to the from the terrified little mare she tried to round pen, so she had completely accepted The other connection that Anne made was catch on the first day in her new home, but me as her leader. I also gave her a long stroke when she noticed there was a definite each year brought several lapses and Anne and spent some time standing quietly with correlation between her feeling angry was tearing her hair out. Rewarding her with her before I unclipped. So when I did, she and Tilly keeping her distance. The anger pasture mix in the stable brought about a stuck to me like glue. It would have been would be nothing to do with Tilly but if remarkable change in attitude, but after a pointless to send her away, so I just walked, anything had rattled Anne, hyper sensitive month away on holiday in July when she and wherever I went, the brown horse came Tilly would react. At some stage in early life allowed no one near her at all, it was clear too. It was a very touching moment. someone had taught Tilly that angry humans that was not to be enough to solve the Phase one of making Tilly want to be caught are dangerous. problem and I went over to meet her. was desensitising her head and body. Anne Now we are in January, nearly six months on. My first impression was of a little dark horse soon took over the work of stroking her all Tilly now stands still long enough to be with huge, worried eyes trying to make over with a variety of plastic bags, and also walked around in arcs and responds herself invisible in a loose box. Even though constructed a line of strings hanging above predictably and precisely to body language. If she was wearing a headcollar, my first her stable door so these stroked her ears Tilly is suddenly unwilling to be caught, Anne problem was to catch her. As I walked when she walked in and out, or stood with is more tuned in to factors such as her own through the door her adrenalin shot up, and her head over the door. By December she was mood, or a possible bout of trigeminal she cringed away from me. Before long I able to report that she could wave the bags neuritis. This little horse has always been managed to touch her shoulder, but her all over her while she stood loose in a big happy to be clipped, shod, handled by vets head was a no go area. She eventually field. By January the ‘scary stick’ had become and dentists - we will never know what or allowed me to clip on, but it was obvious a mix of bag strips, strings and tinsel. who destroyed her trust in humans in a field, that one of our first challenges was to allow So what next? I felt that we had achieved as but with love and understanding Anne is well someone to touch her head. much as possible from formal join-up, so I on the way to restoring it. When I led Tilly into the outdoor school and moved on to circling around the horse in a started asking her to follow me, stop when I field, described in Kelly’s book ‘Catching Trigeminal Neuritis is also known as stopped and back up, she was extraordinarily horses made easy’, where your goal is to get mandibular paralysis. It is felt as a good. Anne had followed the advice in Perfect as close as possible without the horse combination of burning pain, numbness Manners, and done a super job in teaching moving away. Anne struggled with walking or tingling when the trigeminal nerve Tilly foundation exercises. Tilly was obviously a in arcs around her – she said ‘it’s hard to do (which wraps around the face and very bright cookie with a strong desire to that when she is galloping across the supplies the jaw, face, ears and eyes) please people. Frustratingly, that seemed to diagonal of a 10 acre field!’ But we becomes inflamed. include a belief that humans wanted to spend persevered. In three sessions, I progressed two hours trailing around the field prior to her from not being able to approach closer than surrendering for big rewards. Somebody 20m, to 10m, then finally to her touching my Sally Hamilton is IH Recommended somewhere had taught her that humans hurt hand and allowing me to stand within arm’s Associate for South Oxfordshire and you, especially in the field. length. This was continued by friends, and Berkshire. Telephone 0118 941 5498.

4 The Listening Post Yourletters letters

Dear Listening Post, Dear Listening Post, Just wondering if anyone else experiences Just thought I would share an experience I had ‘The Monty Effect’? recently with you. I have a share in an event horse, a 5 yo who competes at Pre-Novice level. Every time I attend an event with Monty He is a lovely horse, part TB, but whatever the other part Roberts, my horse demonstrates improved is it makes him very sensible, while the TB gives him a great gallop behaviour without any conscious changes on for those cross country fences. my part. Never difficult to catch, he now canters up the field to be caught. Sometimes He is kept at an Eventing yard in the Midlands where the other partners live and ride. clumsy to lead, he now pays great attention They have all ridden him and they decided it was now my turn. to where he is walking, stopping when I stop I haven’t ridden for years, having lost my nerve some years ago and had resigned myself then walking off briskly to follow me without to never getting on the back of a horse again but found myself talked into having a lesson snatching at the grass. on Trevor. I’ve always loved him dearly, some would say I was really in two minds about this, but didn’t want to be the only partner who had not too much, but he is now a real treat to own. ridden our Trev, so dug out my riding gear and with growing trepidation set off on the train. I am also very grateful to a very special RA The night before I left I started reading your “Perfect Confidence” and continued on the who put in some strong foundations several train up. I repeated like a mantra your exercises on visualisation and breathing, asked myself years ago. what was the worst that could happen. I pictured myself riding Trevor and enjoying it and by the time I got to Leicestershire I was actually looking forward to it... for the most part. Best wishes, Olga and Charlie I had an “ooh-er” moment when I mounted - Trevor is about 16hh and it felt rather high up. I fought the impulse to jump right back off again and concentrated on my breathing instead - slow and relaxed - and on feeling the contact with my horse. Dear Listening Post, Well, to cut a long story short I stayed on for the whole lesson and didn’t disgrace myself. Trevor really looked after me, and did everything I asked. We just did walking and trotting I just wanted to drop you a note to thank this time, I wanted to get some good paces from him and using those riding muscles again you for the Xmas IH free DVD. I thought this was no laughing matter, but by the end of the lesson I had a two good paces, forward- was excellent and a really nice touch to give going and collected, and best of all could feel how he was moving and felt so pleased with out to IH members. It was especially nice to myself. Feel the fear and do it anyway.....and the cantering can remain an aspiration for see Monty and Kelly chatting on the sofa next time. and the Behind the Scenes parts. I don’t know if I would have stayed on anyway, maybe, maybe not, but those chapters I have learnt so much since I discovered your about basic confidence really helped. So thanks a whole BIG bunch for writing such a RA’s and brilliant courses at Hartsop Farm. If I helpful and inspirational book. think how much I have changed since I first worked at a riding school many years ago, to Gaynor xx the understanding and horsemanship I have learnt from you guys, its amazing. No one told me that everything I learned before was wrong, its just building on that knowledge in a much more aware way and just thinking a StarA signed copy of ‘Ask Monty’ goesletter to the writer of our Star letter bit more about how/why we do things. Previously, if I had a problem with a horse, I always used to keep on doing the same thing and trying harder to achieve my goal, which often resulted in a bigger problem or non Dear Listening Post, achievement. However, you have taught me I finally got around to watching the Christmas DVD enclosed in the last issue of The Listening to try to look for a different way around it if Post yesterday and just wanted to say how much it was appreciated and how much I enjoyed a have a problem, and sometimes by thinking it, it really made me feel like part of a team, whilst still being interesting and educational... of an alternative approach, the problem goes a really lovely gift, thank you! away or gets fixed. Interestingly enough, this is the same in everyday life. I also just wanted to say how much throughout the year I’ve enjoyed Kelly’s articles in ‘Your Horse’ magazine and ‘British Horse’ (the BHS magazine), I am always thrilled when Intelligent I hope to keep learning as you guys have so Horsemanship is included in the “mainstream” as it reflects a change in attitude (albeit much wonderful expertise to give, and I am gradual) where the principles and aims of IH are becoming the norm rather than the alternative. looking forward to the Leading and Loading course I am booked on to in March. Keep up the good work. Best wishes, Sam Davis Best wishes, Claire Hurst

The Listening Post 5 Feeding fibre at grass By Shirley Macmillan

Grazed grass is the most natural and cheapest feed for a horse. right fibre level. Commercial growers are mindful of the number of cuts possible in a Yet many owners simply equate grass with problems from season, or concerned about other more laminitis and obesity to fence chewing and dangerous behaviour. valuable crops. Either way, hay is made much earlier and lacks the bulk and seeds found in IH member Shirley Macmillan finds out that the right sort of grass crops cut in July. actually offers the best type of fibre to suit equines Putting fibre back into the diet and giving a horse its natural grazing environment starts izzy, fat or bored? Does your horse run away from danger at a moment’s notice. with allowing horses room to roam and wind suck, crib bite or chew fences? “Fibre is fermented in the hind gut, so there express their natural behaviour. Preferably If so, it could be that his diet is lacking is no risk of pressure on the lungs or reflux F share grazing with other horses and species in fibre. With so many feed products on the (regurgitation). Even enzymes are adapted to such as sheep (to decrease the worm market, it’s easy to think that feeding horses is fibre. For instance, horses contain just one burden). But most importantly, the grass a complicated business, requiring a finely twentieth of the enzyme amalyse (which they eat should not contain Ryegrass. balanced mix, plus supplements and digests starch) compared to a pig.” “Instead use grasses like Timothy or Meadow conditioners. But for leisure horses, the simple Lifestyle didn’t just make horses incredibly fit: Fescue and allow herbs such as dandelions to basic requirement is fibre, lots of it – and could cope with breeding and grow. They are deep rooting (roots grow preferably found by grazing in the paddock. fighting, while mares could breed and lactate down to two metres) and bring up minerals. “We test grass regularly and it has everything – all on the hardiest, fibrous of diets. Our Hedges are also important for shelter and in it that’s necessary for a horse, provided it horses today are doing less work and have horses like browsing in them, although too is grown well and grown on the right land,” no chance to roam, yet are on richer diets, many hedges can restrict airflow and says Jane van Lennep, nutrition director for higher in soluble carbohydrates. “Horse encourage flies. Trees offer a nice the Simple Systems feed company. “A horse owners are being offered alternative environment – and a scratch factor, but be on decent hay and grazing doesn’t need a methods, rather than traditional knowledge. careful of acorns and horse chestnuts as they vitamin supplement. Vitamin C is made in Agricultural feed manufacturers have are starchy.” the liver; vitamin D comes from hay and targeted their grain handling capacity to the Only once these requirements have been being outside in the sunshine; while gut bugs horse market, hence more soluble addressed, can we consider supplements to produce vitamin K.” carbohydrates and carbs send horses screwy. fill any missing gaps. Even then Jane believes We also see more overweight than With feeding, the key thing to remember is they should be based on natural fibre underweight horses these days. Years ago that evolution designed the horse to eat sources: “For instance, lucerne is good we had some simple golden rules about what it found naturally in the wild. Jane because it is deep rooting, so can replace feeding that seem to have lapsed. The first explains that horses came out of the forests natural herbs. It is also naturally high in fibre was ‘no work, no corn’ (also known as cereal and onto the plains, prairies and savannahs (30-35%), low in sugars, and a good source or grain), however, today’s manufactured 30 million years ago. They developed teeth of vitamins A and E.” feed contains some form of grain. We also to graze grasses, herbs and low lying shrubs used to say don’t give grain to . Now, In the wild, horses have to bite to eat. When which were fibrous and woody (soils and there seems to be no differentiation between a leisure horse doesn’t get enough fibre in its climate were too poor to support trees or horse and pony feeds.” diet, when it is fed soft hay and something luxury growth) with plant seeds full of oils out of a bucket that matches its nutritional not carbohydrates: “So horses naturally had An added problem is that many fields bought needs but needs no biting, it will look for more omega-3 in their diet,” she adds. or rented from farmers for horse grazing something else to do to satisfy its natural have been drilled with finely-bred, highly With room to roam, horses would cover 25 urges. This is where ulcers and unwanted productive, agricultural grasses: either miles a day just looking for food. They would behaviours (chewing fences, crib biting or Perennial or Italian Ryegrass. Many horse migrate according to weather patterns and wind sucking) creep in. But if we put owners then have to deal with the feed availability, share grazing with other traditional grasses and herbs back into consequences of grazing these high-sugar species (which helped to reduce worm paddocks, we can supply the right diet and species. Plus many people, including Jane burdens) – and regularly have to flee natural conditions for happy, healthy horses. van Lennep, feel that the art of traditional predators. The result, therefore, was a It’s cheaper too! haymaking has been lost, resulting in a digestive system not only well adapted to winter forage that no longer contains the digesting fibre, but which allowed a horse to 6 The Listening Post Managing small paddocks © Jane van Lennep and Simple System Ltd. Feb 2009

Managing a small paddock need not be complicated! You do not breast harness and ropes or chains to connect to the harrow. You will need a bar to put the need a lot of expensive kit and do not need to become a livestock “traces” onto to keep them apart, and join farmer either! Mixed stocking is of course an excellent system, but the harrow to the other side of the bar, known bear in mind that you will need additional acres to support the as a swingletree. You will walk behind, steering with long reins – plough lines. additional animals, and not all of us have access to extra land. Tall weeds such as nettles, thistles and docks here are a few things we can easily do, you have mains electricity available. You can need to be controlled. The best way to do this that will make our use of our land for get suitable units from agricultural suppliers. is to cut them down. On a large scale, this can T horses more efficient and improve the They are rated according to how many miles be done with a topper by your local farmer grazing for the horses. of fence they will energise – if you use two and on a smaller scale, a strimmer is fine. strands, then you need to double the length Once wilted, these “weeds” can be palatable First of all, put all your horses in together so of your fence. and will do the horses good, so you could cut that you can rest part of your land. If they are them down before the horses are moved on, not used to each other remove at least the If you have plenty of land, then you need not if you are absolutely certain there is nothing hind shoes to reduce the risk of injury. It is a collect dung. By dividing the land and resting poisonous such as ragwort there as well. sensible policy not to turn out horses with most of it, most of the time, you can harrow hind shoes anyway. the droppings when the horses move on. If Bald or poached areas can be repaired with you are on restricted acreage, you will need to some grass seed scattered over and harrowed collect dung every day. in, then trodden down. Use a seed mix based on native grasses and free from ryegrass With the pasture divided into at least 3, 2 varieties. You can reseed in the spring and plots will not have horses on them. If they are also in the autumn. Seeds will not germinate horse free for a good 6 weeks in the summer if it is very dry or it is cold. You can get months, then most of the worm larvae will die suitable grass seed from Simple System Ltd. for want of a host, so you will be able to limit (www.simplesystem.co.uk 01371 870 753) the development of the worm burden. In the winter, when the temperature is below 10 All year, walk round your fields armed with a deg. C., worms will be very much less of a risk. spade and a bag. Dig out and bag any Move the horses on when they have eaten all ragwort you see, and slice off at ground level the grass, but in the winter when the grass is with the spade such invasive weeds as spear not growing, you may decide to sacrifice one thistles. Gradually the weeds will be put off, Try to divide up the land so that you have at of your plots and feed hay. the ragwort will decline and the field will be least 3 separate paddocks that can be rotated. more productive. When the horses come off a plot, harrow it as Do not be tempted to put the odd horse in a soon as possible. Your local farmer might do resting paddock or you will undo much of the To summarise: this for you – you will be surprised how little good! You do not need expensive fencing, but they charge per hour! Or you could get a • Divide your pasture and rest most of it; as this will be a semi permanent arrangement, small chain harrow that you can hitch to the it is worth putting in proper fence posts. • Top and harrow when the horses are back of your car and drag this around. Electric tape is very economical, but if you use moved on; Agricultural outlets sell them, or you may be any sort of electric fence keep it energised ALL able to pick one up from a farm sale. These • Reseed bald areas; THE TIME HORSES ARE NEAR IT! Few fences are advertised in the local press and usually are safer than electric fence that is energised; • Remove poisonous plants all the time. organised by local estate agents. few are more dangerous than tape or thin wire with no current as it has no ability to hold If you have the skill and patience, you may Caring for your horse’s pasture need not be a horse – its only strength is in the current in even feel it is appropriate for your horse to high tech or complicated, but will need an it. Run your fencing off a mains powered help maintain his own environment, and get hour or two each week! energiser rather than a battery operated one if him to help harrow! You will need a collar or

The Listening Post 7 Intelligent Horsemanship Courses

The Five Day Foundation Course Feeding and Nutrition and the Horse Psychology with Horse as an Athlete with Kelly Marks This is often where the journey begins! Ian Vandenberghe Based at Hartsop farm in Witney, on this This 2 day course runs over the winter and course you will develop a whole new Every person involved with horses should is extremely popular, places fill very quickly appreciation for the subtlety and have a good understanding of how their so keep your eye on the website for complexity of human and horse horse functions physically. On this course spaces! This is an interactive classroom communication as you step into the round you are able to study horse anatomy and based course which not only gives its pen and learn how to achieve the magical physiology and will relate this knowledge students a huge range and depth of moment of ‘join up’. The course is packed back to our choices in knowledge about horse behaviour, but full of information and revelations, and how this affects the horse’s mentality. also equips them to think their way working with a variety of tutors you will You will learn how to analyse grass through ‘problems with horses’ and so enjoy lectures or practical sessions in conservation, how, why and when to enables them to view their horses in an ground handling, long lining, worm, how the digestive system works, entirely new light. The horses senses, how fitting, riding (optional) leg handling and metabolic problems, functional horse horses learn and the uses of positive and loading. From not-yet-horsey husbands to anatomy, gait analysis, alternative negative reinforcement are just a few of serious equine professionals, we find no therapies, fitness and health assessments the topics covered. matter what background our students are and much more. coming from, they leave having made lifelong friends and with the tools and 2009 Dates inspiration to continue to change their 2009 Dates • New dates to be announced for horsemanship for the better. • June 20 -21 November 2009

2009 Dates • March 23 - March 27 • March 30 - April 3 • April 20 - April 24 • April 27 - May 1 • June 8 - June 12 • July 27 - 31

Handling the Young Foal and Stud Practice with Ian Vandenberghe

Handling young foals is a pretty special experience, whether for stud professionals or horse people who simply want a more complete and thorough understanding of their horses. On this 2 day course you will learn broodmare management, foaling and foal management, disease control, the stages of foaling, weaning, foal growth and hoof care, common diseases and foal behaviour. You will also discuss the ethics of breeding and of course there’s the all To book a place on one of these courses important chance to learn humane foal handling methods yourself. This course is please call the IH Office on 01488 71300 run by Ian Vandenberghe, former college equine lecturer and stud manager, who has had over 22 years experience of stud work and has now foaled over 600 mares! Student Psychology Projects now online! Check out the new ‘IH Research’ section of our website, viewable by members only (register with the website first). It contains a library of horse psychology projects researched by 2009 Dates IH Students so why not have a look at the fascinating discoveries our students have made. • May 2 - May 3 • June 6 - 7 Many thanks to IH Student Charles Graylen, who gained his MRPCH in November 2008, for • June 13 -14 putting together this section.

8 The Listening Post Wip Wop or Giddyup? By Monty Roberts

It seems to me that it was something around 1949 or 1950 that I came to the realisation that certain actions tended to move horses forward better than others. I was doing quite a lot of racehorse exercising at the time and even riding the last of the races that I could make the weight for. I was, none the less, quite well trained in the use of a racing whip.

uring the course of my early carrier I meter long with flat leather clappers on the With a loop at one end for your wrist and a was riding many show jumpers and end of it called a “romal”. It came to us from tassel of unbraided material at the far end for D even three gaited show horses. Spain and was often fabricated with metal in visual encouragement, I felt I had my perfect This was a time of training for what was then the core to add weight to it. All of these so motivator. Everybody that saw it called it a called the horse mastership competition. called motivators caused pain. That was the ‘Wip wop’ and the name just stuck. Recently A contestant was asked to compete in four object, one would hit with the purpose of however people have asked me to remove riding disciplines, huntseat or show jumping, stinging and frightening the horse with the the word ‘wip’ and just call it a ‘Giddyup saddle seat or gaited riding, western idea that that would cause it to go forward rope’. I suppose that is a friendlier name and and western reining. with generosity. it is a friendly motivator. The use of the whip in the western discipline One day I sat in deep thought recognising While the use of the ‘Giddyup’ needs to be utilised a braided rawhide object over a that my horses and most of the horses that I learned with a little practice it is relatively saw others training would respond to these simple for intermediate or advanced riders. tactics in the short term. I observed that in One can use it on their own leg to conclude time they would become angry and resist the that there is virtually no pain involved at all, pain and fear. I suppose it is a lot the same it is the action and the sound that stimulates with children or wives who are physically the horse to go forward. It is gradually abused. Often they tell me that they had just accepted into racing yards globally and had enough and that it no longer mattered horses which have been known as nappers how much pain they would fight back. and gibbers are finding benefit from its use. It is with these thoughts in mind that I Through my encouragement the schools that started to dissect the actions and responses I represent world wide are including the use of whipping horses. I came to the conclusion of the ‘Giddyup’ in their teaching material. that the motion used with the romal was One can use the ‘Giddyup’ while having fun more effective than that of the traditional with your horse and realising that there is no whip. I decided to try to construct a painless pain being caused. Hopefully this will whip that utilised the same left to right (over, become an accepted practice throughout the under) action. What I came up with was a and the world will be a little How the Giddyup rope is used braided object utilising a soft yarn like better place for horses. material which was a meter in length.

The Giddyup rope can be bought online at: www.intelligenthorsemanship.co.uk or by calling the IH office on 01488 71300

The Listening Post 9 Ask the Experts

youngster with. A good idea would be to try the Discussion Group on the website to link up with anyone else who may have a mare Ian Vandenberghe and foal they need to wean so that you can do it together. IH Recommended Associate for Oxfordshire, There are some steps you need to take before Berkshire, Northamptonshire weaning too, in order to minimise the physical Q&A and mental stress for your foal. Make sure he Q: What method and age do you to do it, especially if they cannot see out at is already adjusted to eating hard feed, he has recommend for weaning foals? Do you all. It can also be a dangerous time of life already had his vaccinations and is wormed think the traditional methods such as because the foal will often try anything to and healthy before you think of weaning, it is shutting them up in a closed stable, can get back to the mare and could harm too much for his system to deal with if you do cause them problems with loading, leaving himself. The aim in the way we wean is to all these things at once! other horses and lack of trust in people? minimise the stress to both the mare and the The biggest thing to watch out for with the foal. Therefore, when we separate the mare A: It is difficult to put an exact number on mare is mastitis, as her milk dries up it can be and foal, we make sure they can still see each the best age to wean. I’d say 5/6 months of a painful problem. There is a homeopathic other. Of course it depends on what facilities age is typically a good time to do it. Anyone approach to this type of problem, and udder are available to you, but here at Hartsop we who has been on my weekend course will cream (from the dairy industry) is also useful. can make sure that the mare and foal are put remember that nature ‘weans’ the foal any in adjacent boxes and our stables are The biggest thing to watch for if you are way at about 7 months, because from that constructed in such a way that they inexperienced with young stock and weanlings age the foal does not produce the enzyme can still feel and smell each other. is that you don’t over handle the foals. This is he/she needs to digest the mares milk. Companionship is really important too, you certainly something which will cause a Locking a foal up in a box is a traumatic way need at least one other foal to wean your problem for your horse in the future.

they can still feel and smell each other. Monty Roberts Companionship is really important too, you need at least one other foal to wean your Q: My friend bought a 5yr old highland Or is he traumatised at being shut in? youngster with. A good idea would be to try gelding in the Spring. He was very docile In his previous life he lived out all year the Discussion Group on the website to link up Q&Ainitially although he had only recently been with a group. with anyone else who may have a mare broken. He had some problems earlier due and foal they need to wean so that you can do A: It is difficult to put an exact number on the to being a rig and had to have a testicle it together. best age to wean. I’d say 5/6 months of age is removed followed by a long box rest. typically a good time to do it. Anyone who has There are some steps you need to take before My friend is quite experienced and did been on my weekend course will remember weaning too, in order to minimise the physical ground work in a dually. However he that nature ‘weans’ the foal any way at about and mental stress for your foal. Make sure he suddenly became very bargy in and out of 7 months, because from that age the foal does is already adjusted to eating hard feed, he has the stable although not unmanageable. not produce the enzyme he/she needs to already had his vaccinations and is wormed She put it down to a big shock from an digest the mares milk. Locking a foal up in a and healthy before you think of weaning, it is electric fence at the time. box is a traumatic way to do it, especially if too much for his system to deal with if you do When he moved to my yard he was turned they cannot see out at all. It can also be a all these things at once! dangerous time of life because the foal will out with a group of horses by day. He was The biggest thing to watch out for with the often try anything to get back to the mare and very bossy in the field and got into fights. mare is mastitis, as her milk dries up it can be could harm himself. The aim in the way we Then he came in with a swollen leg which a painful problem. There is a homeopathic wean is to minimise the stress to both the mare turned out to be a cracked splint bone. approach to this type of problem, and udder and the foal. Therefore, when we separate the He has been on box rest for 3 weeks and cream (from the dairy industry) is also useful. had now reverted to his original calm state. mare and foal, we make sure they can still see He is very quiet and docile and seems each other. Of course it depends on what The biggest thing to watch for if you are perfectly content in his stable. facilities are available to you, but here at inexperienced with young stock and weanlings Hartsop we can make sure that the mare and is that you don’t over handle the foals. This is What is going on here? Has he lost his foal are put in adjacent boxes and our stables certainly something which will cause a nervousness and feels secure in his stable? are constructed in such a way that problem for your horse in the future.

10 The Listening Post Rosie Jones Q&AIH Recommended Associate for Berkshire, Oxfordshire Q: I’m thinking of starting our youngster handle particularly for sideways spooks, but at home myself this spring. I’m an it also means you don’t pull your horse in the experienced and confident rider and I mouth by accident. For horses – have good facilities but I have never don’t have the neck strap too short, or as the actually backed a horse before. I think horses head goes down to buck it pulls you we have quite a good plan for training, forward out of the saddle! but do you have any riding advice for Here’s another little trick to keep your upper the first few rides? body back – put your hands out in front of A: My aim in training tricky ridden horses is you as if you were holding handle bars, so often to work through the problem in such a your thumbs are close to each other (do it way that there isn’t too much dangerous stuff now – go on!) now tip your hands back so you will find you naturally move with him if to ride through, but, should the situation that your knuckles lift upwards. Notice the he drops a shoulder. Do be sure your energy arise, there are definitely some tips I could effect this has on your upper body – it shifts and focus is still forwards though! give you to help keep you in the saddle. your centre of balance backwards and helps I really do believe a huge amount of ‘stickability’ you avoid slipping into that vulnerable foetal Firstly make sure your heels are well down, if is in frame of mind – as soon as you think your position. Of course, holding the neck strap, your heel starts to rise up and your knees going to fall off, your body starts to adjust to you may only be able to do this with one start to bend you will find your upper body protect it from the fall, and that makes you less hand, but I think you will find a mantra of topples forwards and you are vulnerable. likely to stay up there, so do try to grit your ‘Heels down, Hands back’ will help you to teeth and hang on in there – don’t let your eyes keep that secure position. Secondly, have a neck strap – this can be just wander and find somewhere to land that is an old stirrup leather buckled around the For a ‘duckin’ and divin’ sort of spooky definitely a bad move! Grid work sessions and horse’s neck. Make sure you have a good horse, watching the horse’s wither can be riding on the lunge without stirrups can be hold on the neck strap with one hand – you really useful. If you look up ahead, often you invaluable for developing a secure riding can hold it with two fingers and still have are disconnected from your horse and not as position, and so are useful investments for any hold of the rein, or you could put your reins quick to react when he shies or spins one rider whether you are aiming to hack out in in your other hand if you would rather. This way or the other, by watching the wither, safety or ride youngsters. not only helps you stay safe as it acts like a

Lesson with Monty and May Preparations Under Way!

Well, it’s February now and in on our music choices and obstacle ideas between Monty’s tour dates around and it feels like its beginning to come the UK we are working really hard together. preparing the boys (American Pie I’d say the main point I have picked up and Caesar) for the May from Monty so far has been precision and Masterclasses. focus, it’s no good expecting your horse to Today Monty came to the indoor arena with be composed and attentive if you are not us to see how Caesars training is progressing as a rider! I have been working hard on and give us a lesson. Well, I thought he was allowing Caesar to make a mistake and stopping pretty well, but now we are then correcting it rather than trying to get reaching a whole new level of lightness and it right all the time which doesn’t allow the cooperation. Its brilliant learning from same learning opportunities. We are just Monty, he has such a wealth of experience starting to work on some basic lateral and knowledge, but I have to admit it’s a moves and poles, so look forward to little bit intimidating at times! Caesar and I seeing you all in May to show you how we are trying really hard though, and by the end are progressing! of the session today we had at least managed to stop and steer with a lot more Rosie and Caesar x precision. In the office we are casting votes

The Listening Post 11 South Africa Dear Diary ushered in with an umbrella held Day 1 over us to protect us from the I’m writing this entry from the airplane as we lashing rain we arrive in the bar and fly from Heathrow to Johannesburg. Regular dining area which has clearly come readers of the Listening Post will remember straight out of a murder mystery how exciting I found flying for the first time novel complete with oak panels and when I travelled to Colorado, and it still got a wild games heads on the wall whose mention when I wrote up last year’s tour to eyes follow your every move. South Africa. Well, my bottom is rather numb now and, as 4 am approaches and I cannot Day 3 find a comfortable sleeping position. I wish I The weather has cleared to perfection. had taken up yoga. Flying is starting to lose its A 7am start and we set off in a jeep for novelty appeal. Still – we could put the lack of our private game drive. Absolute heaven sleep down to how excited I am about where to be driven through utmost beauty and we are going! SA here we come! serenity, seeing so much variety of wild life, including all sorts of antelope, hippo and Day 2 the highlight for us: giraffes (Brenda from Arrived at Jo’burg stretched our legs for a the office shed a tear or two). I’m a bit of a few minutes (some more airport Olympics wildlife documentary addict, but seeing the with Kelly) and then got in the car for a drive giraffes in the flesh - all awkwardly elegant to Durban. This time I’m travelling with two and gracefully gangly - left me speechless. mainstays of the office team as well as Ian (Doesn’t happen often!) and Kelly and our organisers Robyn and They said they’d had a ‘horse whisperer ‘ out Hamish. Brenda Whelehan and Linda Day 4 but she would only work with the horse if he Dibbens have been teasing Kelly ever since Last night we stayed at a gorgeous country was sedated – but they couldn’t get near she started going to South Africa about how house in the mountains, it’s pretty hot here enough to inject him! After the saddle went she needed ‘extra help’. Apparently their first so it’s nice to have the pool for some exercise on the owner stood up (it was pure drama!) reaction was shock when Kelly said ‘right get and heat relief! and said ‘but I’ll bet ANYTHING you won’t get a rider on that horse’ (Now why didn’t I take packing in December – you’re coming!’ Demo day today – we are all feeling a bit him up on that?) As I got my body protector on groggy but poor Kelly is losing her voice! I Drive has taken over 7 hours now! I’m not ready to go into the roundpen I felt his owners am trying to take over as much speaking as sure my brain is even still connected to my firm hand on my shoulder, he looked me in the possible to the helpers and owners so that feet. I’m assuming they are alive because eye and said ‘are you SURE you want to do she can save her voice for later – but I have they are still pink. this?’! But my faith in Kelly and the horse was to say I’m really concerned – how on earth well placed. Utah accepted me as the rider The setting, however, is awesome. Right now will she pull a demo off when she can barely with no problems at all. After the demo the we are in the midst of the greatest electrical summon a ‘Hoarse Whisper’? (sorry couldn’t owner was delighted and also told us that his storm I have ever seen! It is hollow blackness help that one!) wife, also in the audience, happened to be a other than the slices of lightning splintering doctor and saw right through Kelly’s attempt the sky, and the rain falls so fast it looks and Demo went great! The star horse of the day to put a brave face on things. She insisted on sounds like thousands of needles. was Utah – a coloured horse who had proved impossible to back, in fact, the owner writing Kelly a prescription there and then and We have just arrived at this grand game announced during the demonstration that said if she didn’t get on antibiotics immediately reserve. Wow! Our welcoming port was although they’d tried ‘everything’ they had she wouldn’t be able to stand up within a few indeed very welcome! As we are each never even managed to get a saddle on him. hours. 12 The Listening Post The loader went very well, A TB called Veni We’re staying at a gorgeous spa. Each of us I have spent the last 10 days talking about Vici, but the trailers here are very low with no have our own little house next to each other. horses, horses and more horses (and front unload – Vici, like many others, had Lovely dinner - I think Ian and Kelly are trying occasionally personal development)! I really clearly hit his head on the trailer roof at some to set me up on a date with a waiter! feel as though we have changed a lot of point and having to reverse out under that people’s attitudes and passed on a huge Cape Town Demo: The helpful kids from the low rim made Vici less likely to want to come amount of information to some very open riding stables had tried to keep the dust back in than horses we do in the high UK minds here in South Africa, I think we have down but accidentally flooded the arena and trailers and unload out the front. Often here affected the lives of the horses we met, but were trying to bale it out like a sinking ship we see horses quickly improve once they also of the horses whose owners were in our when we arrived! The ‘man of the match’ for have been in once, but with Vici it took audiences. It’s great to feel part of such a me was the Section D clipping horse we several more times before he was loading worthwhile and dynamic team. worked with. I love helping Kelly with without any ‘sticking point’ at all, because clipping horses and I think we are beginning As we heard the last call for the plane home knowing he would have to reverse out again to develop the level of telepathy required for and started to sprint, it almost felt more like was off putting to him. This is a pattern we working together in front of an audience! a family. Kelly then got caught by customs would see again with every loading horse in That part of the demo ended up with him with fig and olive jam in her handbag. As she South Africa. following Kelly and the clippers around the begged to be allowed to ‘just taste it’ before round pen confidently. Brilliant! it was confiscated, I had to get firm and demand she leave it and run for the plane At the airport with the rest of us. She is a bit of a We nearly missed the plane home as Kelly responsibility at times but tours just wouldn’t lost her ticket and South African airlines will be the same without her. not let you on without your paper ticket. Kelly explained to us that it would be fine as she was NOT going to pay for another ticket. She was sure the airlines would listen to calm ‘09 reasoning. When she came back she’d not only paid for Day 5 her own ticket but ended Long drive back to Jo’burg again! However up buying another one for bored I get in the car I will NOT eat biltong – a tearful girl she met at a local dried meat snack. It looks and smells the ‘Customer Service’ like a dog treat! who they wouldn’t let on the plane either. Day 6 I think she may be Stayed at Karen Portman’s last night, got up better with horses early this morning to ride one of Karen’s than airlines. horses before the demo. He was a nice big thoroughbred who I schooled in a rope halter following conversations we were having the night before about different types of headgear for dressage. I have to say though, my favourite thing to start schooling in is still the Dually! The sun was rising as I rode and life seemed pretty much perfect! Went to see the Lippizaners Christmas performance which was lovely – Silent night sung by the audience in 4 different languages by candlelight with white stallions dancing in front of us. Magical! Day 7 Johannesburg demo: for me the star of the show was a big Percheron starter, who accepted his first saddle, long lines and rider with no problem at all. In fact he didn’t move a muscle. At all. Even when we wanted him to! The demo became a giddy up demo with plenty of praise when he did find the ‘forwards’ gear, and was great fun. Kelly now happily fully recovered. Day 8 Early start and fly to Cape Town. Spent the last couple of days being tourists – the highlight of which for me was Robin Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, mind numbing stuff.

The Listening Post 13 A bit of an issue Part 1 Nicole Golding RA, assistant ver the years we’ve met many So I suspect that even if the horse received a people with their horses on riding very good initial education in moving tutor on IH courses since 1998, O clinics, and almost without forward from the leg and stopping promptly also teaches riding clinics with exception they’ve been dedicated, and easily from the rein, by the time people conscientious, hard-working people. There began looking at riding “properly”, confusion her partner Adam Goodfellow, have been all sorts of horses too, from the set in. seriously disturbed, to the slightly confused. I’ve hesitated to set this out in writing before, which have helped hundreds of There have even been a few with no obvious because reams have been written about this, issues at all, who are perfectly suited to their riders over the years. In this, over many centuries, and none of it did owners, and who have been brought along much to help me. I also fear it may all be a the first in a series of articles to improve – in fact, one of our favourite bit technical. Unfortunately, I think to a scenarios. However, over time it’s begun to on the use and understanding degree it has to be, and this series of articles dawn on us that very few of the riders and is my attempt to lay out my understanding as of the bit and reins, she horses that come on our clinics have what it has grown over the last 15 years or so, and we would consider to be the first two I feel it has to be reasonably detailed if it’s to outlines some of the issues fundamentals in place: many of the horses be any use. There’s the theory and the don’t move forward freely in a self-sustaining surrounding how the rider’s practice, too, so I’ll start with the theory way, and many don’t really understand the before explaining how to put it into practice. hand can be used. bit, or respond promptly and calmly to rein requests. Stop and Go, the starting blocks of There are three concepts we discuss on riding, are often not fully functional. clinics that often seem to contradict what people have heard before. The first is Perhaps it sounds like that the hand is the primary aid. This riding clinics involve “the edges can doesn’t mean that we want people to horses and riders be a bit blurred: be hand dominant, and nor does it careering madly around deny the extraordinary effect good our school completely transitions aren’t rider biomechanics can have on the unable to stop, or horses sharp, steering isn’t horse’s way of going. It does, however, parked in the middle, recognize that from the horse’s immobile no matter what accurate, legs perspective, what the rider does with aid is applied. That’s the reins is of primary importance. certainly not the case, at contradict hands There are people who ride without least, it’s the exception and riders can’t rely reins, it’s true, but for the average rather than the rule! It’s rider, the reins breaking would be a more that the edges can on quick responses cause for some concern! be a bit blurred: from their horses” transitions aren’t sharp, Another is the old French Classical steering isn’t accurate, principle of “leg without hand, hand legs contradict hands and riders can’t rely on without leg”, which would be the same as quick responses from their horses. The horses “accelerator without brake, brake without sometimes look uncomfortable or unhappy accelerator” in a car. It’s no accident that the in the mouth. If they’re cantering, they might brake pedal and the accelerator are operated need half a school circuit before they come by the same foot so we can’t accidentally to a complete stop. Ditto perhaps trying to apply them at the same time! With horses, get into canter, and occasionally the whole though, there’s a notion of creating energy thing can look a little like alligator wrestling. and then containing it, which doesn’t really apply to cars, where the options are only For years, I didn’t really understand how the really to go faster or slower, but not with bit was meant to work and why the horse more “expression”. Don’t worry, however, was meant to respond to it. In the lessons I the idea of creating and containing received, it was presented as a pretty blunt impulsion can still be applied, just in a way tool, and the idea was to apply more that involves a lot less force and effort, and Don’t miss next quarters Listening Post… pressure if the horse or pony wasn’t how to achieve this should be clear by the responding. There was never any talk of the end of this series. Don’t forgetIncluding to re-new your membership on release of pressure, and a horse that leant on the hand was meant to be pushed up off it The other concept that sometimes makes time to make– the sure7 tips you you don’t must miss know!’ out. by more leg. The idea that the legs were people stop and think is that contact and rein ‘Creating a safe horse already being used to push the horse into a length are not the same thing, in spite of the restraining hand never made sense to me. It fact that it’s common practice to say always felt contradictory. However, it didn’t “shorten your reins” and mean “have more stop me trying to do it for years, and even in contact.” A horse could be on a short rein the early days of my teaching, telling others and have no pressure on their mouth - think to do the same thing. of an excited horse arching their neck and coming behind the bit, for example, or a

14 The Listening Post “contact and rein length are not the same thing, in spite of the fact that it’s common practice to say “shorten your reins” and mean “have more contact.” A horse could be on a short rein and have no pressure on their mouth”

horse could be on the buckle end and still horse, have a good look in his mouth, and as well as develop problems with the tempo- have loads of pressure on their mouth - think ask if he has any unusual features, like a mandibular joint, which can lead to of a horse bucking, or a pony refusing to pick dropped palate or large tongue that might headaches and soreness. Of course, I’m not their head up from the grass no matter how make a thick bit more uncomfortable than a saying I would never consider using a drop hard the child on board is pulling. We’re slimmer one. noseband, and if I were hunting or eventing working from an assumption that the horse I might see the place for one, but for normal Elwyn Hartley Edwards used to suggest that would prefer to have minimal pressure on schooling, I feel they’re excessive. owners regularly check their horses mouths their mouth. With accurate and careful for bruising and damage, but of course he Flexing at the poll is a dressage-y sort of training, very little pressure is needed to knew that this rarely happened. His point preoccupation, and is not essential for safe ensure clarity. was whereas you would be mortified if you riding, but understanding how to respond to Of course, horses weren’t born understanding saw spur marks and blood on your horse’s the rein is, whatever “discipline” the horse how to respond to the bit. In fact, quite the sides, you might be blissfully unaware of the does. It’s surely even more important that the opposite. We know that horses are “into damage being done to your horse’s mouth. horse who ventures out across unpredictable pressure” animals, and as Hilary Vernon, When you think of what a delicate area the terrain (aka happy hacker) is responsive to the expert on bits and bitting points out, the mouth is, it’s astonishing that we can talk of halting aids than a horse who only ever works tongue is a muscle, so it’s no surprise that the a horse being hard mouthed. Even a small in an indoor school where circling until the horse would lean into this pressure if not rider is capable of applying large amounts of horse runs out of steam is always an option. taught to do otherwise. I’ll never forget pressure to this sensitive area. But it is So, that’s the easy bit: a series of “shoulds” meeting someone who was distraught important to realise that for this not to that many people have told us they aspire to. because her young horse had managed to happen, the horse has to learn to be The horse should respond to light pressure, pull away from her when out on responsive to very light the rider should keep her hands light, the a walk in hand. She felt she had “you would be pressures. Otherwise, the horse should be able to go expressively a particularly dangerous and rider has no choice but to mortified if you without leaning on the bit, horses should delinquent horse because he had apply crude aids and too stop easily. The horse should be comfortable done this even with a on. saw spur marks and much pressure. throughout his body and mind. In the next She had honestly believed it We don’t use dropped articles we will tackle the “hows”. How would be next to impossible for blood on your horse’s nosebands, as we believe it’s much pressure is too much? How do I judge him to do this, and hadn’t sides, you might be important to see how happy it? How do I teach my horse to stop without realised that training would be the horse is with the bit and pulling on his head? How do I re-educate my necessary before he would easily blissfully unaware of the rein aids, and if the jaw is older horse who already leans on the bit? yield to bit pressure, nor how held shut it prevents the horse How do I contain impulsion without much adrenaline would take the damage being from exhibiting discomfort deadening the energy? How do I re-educate over from this training in high done to your horse’s and issues that he may have. myself? How do I deal with an excitable stress scenarios. mouth” In fact, the response we get horse whilst out and about? Once we’ve Although I’m sure that some from people when we ask dealt with all that, we’ll tackle world peace horses go better in one type of them why they have a drop is and economic prosperity for all. bit over another, the biggest change in the usually, “my instructor put it on because my horse’s experience of the bit, bitless bridle, horse was crossing his jaw/opening his head collar or dually comes from what the mouth.” We want to see if that’s happening, rider does with her hands. I would also because a well-trained, well ridden horse recommend careful examination of the bit wouldn’t do it. We also believe they make it Nicole Golding and Adam for rough edges, crude jointing, poor harder for the horse to relax, as they interfere Goodfellow have been teaching shaping, and think carefully about what with the licking and chewing response that ground work and the Intelligent would be most comfortable. Similarly check helps promote relaxation of the jaw, a pre- Horsemanship Riding clinics (now the straps of the bridle – bitted or otherwise requisite for accepting th e bit. It’s also hard known as Integrated Equitation) at – for areas which could cause discomfort for to imagine how a horse can comfortably flex Moor Wood Stables for over 10 the horse. While you’re at it, you might as at the poll if they are tight in the jaw, and a years. For more details, go to their well check the stitching for safety. Next time horse who is forcibly flexed at the poll is likely website: www.whisperingback.co.uk the equine dental technician is treating your to carry tension throughout its entire body,

The Listening Post 15 Remedial loaders and travellers By IH Recommended Associate Sarah Weston

ore horse accidents seem to occur patience to overcome it; good and consistent On the IH courses, students are encouraged during loading and travelling than technique can speed up the process. to travel in the back of a trailer (off road) to in any other sphere of horse see just how strange and noisy a sensation it M Work from the point of view that the horse’s activity. A horse that reared and fell over is. Travelling with a horse, you notice just behaviour is genuine - even if he is being backwards with fatal results; a horse that how hard they have to work to stay ‘awkward’ or ‘stubborn’, he has a legitimate became wedged upside down in the trailer balanced, especially around corners. reason for behaving like that. A horse that and had to be released by the Fire Service; a simply refuses to load may have learned that Mental and physical tiredness is a common horse that reared and came down over the difficult behaviour works for him. Other factor in a horse not wanting to load to partition with the owner’s arm trapped horses will ‘tell’ you what has happened to come home – “What, more work?!” underneath; a horse forcing his way through them. A horse that has previously hit his the jockey door. Others going through the head inevitably reaches up to touch the same floor; stabbing themselves on the catches, place in the trailer or throws his head up to hitting their head on the roof or the front bar invite the blow. and owners with skinned hands, smashed fingers or bones sticking out of their feet. Yet A horse that is patently frightened will I still meet people that are in a terrific hurry tremble once he is in the trailer or have a to load their horse, won’t tolerate the least ‘running foot’ cocked at the back (often delay, set about it with a whip or drive too misinterpreted as a resting foot). In extreme fast. I wouldn’t want to get into a confined cases, he might go ‘into pressure’ against the space with someone in that sort of mood. partition, seeming almost to faint, having When I refused to load an expensive gone beyond stressed to distressed; he then dressage horse that was prone to rearing off gallops with his feet along the other side of a concrete surface, the owner sighed and the trailer. These are the hardest ones to help Specific loading problems said that in that case she would just hit and it’s a fine line between persevering and it harder. just calling it a day. Horses that PLANT Some loading and travelling problems stem You may need to think laterally in order to A horse may have perfected the technique of from poor loading or techniques, too address specific behaviour and it isn’t always planting himself with two feet on the ramp, much haste, too little leadership or too much necessary to work with the horse! resisting every pull on the headcollar and aggression. Others arise from one off perhaps dozing off to sleep. It’s tempting to unfortunate accidents such as a faulty front When Kelly’s horse suddenly went on strike just wait until he gets bored but, if you do bar which rolled under the horse’s feet. Full about loading, her first port of call was the nothing, you may train him to do nothing. length and thickness travelling boots are a garage. It transpired that there was a One owner told me that she stood for two common factor – they can make the horse problem with the lorry’s suspension which hours with her horse on the ramp just talking sweat and act as if his legs are tied together; was easily corrected. Low tyre pressure, to him - but then she had to hit him! Good on balance close fitting sports boots may be defective brakes, rotting floors or ramps, and groundwork should encourage the horse to preferable. Physical pain cannot be ruled out loose partitions will all cause a horse to be more mobile so that he can be kept as a factor. feel insecure. moving forwards, backwards or sideways so Tackling a driver about their driving that standing still is not an option. A quarter- Once a horse has developed an aversion to rope can also be useful here to ask him to loading or travelling it takes time and technique may call for great diplomacy.

16 The Listening Post move his hindquarters. Ultimately panels being alone. A net full of hay helps to keep a may be used behind him to encourage horse occupied. forwards movement – the panel is moved Horses that JUMP OVER THE FRONT BAR closer to the horse until he steps forward and then stops immediately to reward him for Recommended Associates have successfully doing so. addressed this problem before by filling the front section of the trailer with carefully Horses that REAR secured bales of straw. A horse that rears can be very frightening Horses that GO INTO PRESSURE and our natural reaction is to back out of AGAINST THE PARTITION OR WALL their way and to give up. The use of gentle pressure and release should avoid the horse This is one of the most frightening scenarios feeling the need to rear but you need to for a horse owner and very distressing for the answer the behaviour if he does; assertive horse. Once again, groundwork helps to body language and backing him up quite ensure that the handler can move the horse strongly should discourage him. step by step in any direction so that once loaded, the handler can encourage the horse For the horse that plants or rears, the type of to finds his balance. The RAs have found that headcollar employed can be influential – it may help to simulate a trailer environment horses are instinctively ‘into pressure’ and away from the real thing and to teach the may pull when you pull. Headcollars made of horse to move away from a plank or a pole thin rope or with metal inserts over the poll, pressed against his side. However, once the may induce the horse to rear or cause the horse has developed a pattern of behaviour, release of endorphins which have the effect it is difficult to intercept once the behaviour of sedating him temporarily, resulting in half- is triggered. Turning the horse’s head quite closed eyes and a drooping bottom lip. strongly towards the hip that has collapsed Horses that go SIDEWAYS into the partition will move his bottom away from the partition but the horse needs to be A horse may learn to manoeuvre himself taught to do this for himself. The most around the side of the trailer especially when successful solution is often to travel the horse the handler then takes him back to ‘position cross-tied without a partition with a full A’ and tries again. He is quite capable of width front and back bar so that he has room stepping on to a shallow ramp from the side. to move his hind quarters and spread his Effective use of pressure and release, and back legs. Drivers need to be aware that they keeping him on the move by working at an need to drive even more steadily with a more angle may persuade him to give up this unstable load. behaviour and panels can be used initially to block off the sides. In an emergency straw It is illegal to travel in a trailer with the horse bales or solid fence panels can be employed and in any event could negate any insurance or trailer can be parked next to a wall; my in force for the vehicle or individual parties; horror stories include horses that have put consideration should be given to working in their feet through or over gates used as a a lorry at least in the first instance to see if temporary blockade. that resolves the problem. A CCTV gives you the best chance of rescuing the horse if it A horse that REVERSES gets into real trouble in a trailer. A horse that loads but shoots out backwards at the least provocation, perhaps someone moving towards the ramp, has to be handled Specific unloading problems carefully. Resisting his escape rarely works Horses that RUSH OUT and may result in skinned fingers or the Commitment horse throwing up his head and hitting it. By A horse that rushes out of the front door It is sensible to practise loading and travelling maintaining a consistent, elastic pressure he may cause grave injury to his handler or to a horse until both he and you feel much can be asked to come straight back in and himself. Each time he rushes out, especially if calmer about it. One off remedial training gains nothing. A really persistent horse can he hits himself, it reinforces his impulse to may work but the handler still needs to know be dissuaded by placing panels in an arc rush. Avoid teaching a horse to load and what to do if the horse goes on strike again behind the ramp so that he is contained and then unload immediately; teach him that and to recognise the importance of a good, this will enable you to stay in position within ramp down, bar down does not mean he can quiet technique. the trailer. Don’t be tempted to put the ramp leave. The food orientated horse may be up without a back bar in place with a horse encouraged to slow down if you lead him I would urge anyone with remedial or that does this. down the ramp with his head in a bucket travelling problems to seek the advice and of food. assistance of their nearest Recommended Associate – we often talk to each other Specific travelling problems Sedation about these problems and can develop new and effective approaches to common issues. I am very wary about working with a sedated Horses that are ANXIOUS horse and wouldn’t load one. A horse needs Recent scientific research has re-emphasised all his faculties to balance himself in a trailer Sarah Weston is IH Recommended the value of a calm companion horse and a and may also react suddenly and violently Associate for Hampshire. mirror may help a horse that is worried about when he starts to recover. Telephone 01725 512 434

The Listening Post 17 The Equus competition winner (see last issue for details)

WINNER ‘Cellehof Tamarind – 17yr old South African with her 2006 filly Applecrosse Willa’ Photographer : Robyn Louw

From “CaymanStar” (Unpublished) - Chapter 16 “Photographer’s Assistant” © 2007 Elizabeth Brown. Some of our favourite entries… My Tail My tail was at the back of me; it was useful for swishing flies away in summer, I clamped it down tight if I was nervous, and held it up high when I was playing. Most of the time it was just there, and I did not need to think about it. I could not understand why Liz wanted to take a photograph of my tail. It was when I was six; she came into the field and greeted me as usual, but then she went behind me. I thought that she wanted me to follow her, she usually wanted me to go in the direction that she was going, so I turned round to face her. Instantly, Liz went behind me again. Wanting to do the right thing, I again turned to face her. Once more, Liz was not there, she was behind me. I could not work it out, so, instead of moving my feet, I just looked round at her in confusion; that is when she photographed my tail.

‘Many thanks to everybody who entered, keep your eyes peeled as you never know when your photo may appear supporting an article in a future Listening Post’

18 The Listening Post BHS PRO-AM TREC Challenge at the Royal Windsor 2009 £1000 first prize! Olympic equestrian jumpers, eventers, dressage riders and glory beyond your soldiers, as well as two well-known grasp? Must you equestrian figures from outside the content yourself with disciplines to a TREC competition at the looking on in Royal Windsor Horse Show (RHWS) in May admiration as the 2009. They will be pitted against two stars show us how it members of the GB TREC Team. So, will should be done? Do they rub in your own David beat Goliath, or will Goliath trample all inadequacies by making it all look so simple? over David as he takes all the prizes? Just suppose for a moment that those of us who scrabble around at the foothills of Our very own Mount Olympus were able to show that NEWS FLASH!!! Kelly Marks and American Pie will be taking we can stand shoulder to shoulder with part, competing against the professionals. these gods of the sport or even prove Any prize money won will go to the ourselves better than them. Intelligent Horsemanship Charities for Well, suppose no longer. The BHS has 2008/2009 which are the Lambourn RDA thrown down the gauntlet! We are and Lluest Horse and Pony Trust. challenging two of each of our top show

You can book tickets for RWHS 09 on 0871 230 5568 or visiting www.rhws.co.uk

ORDERING Ride around TICKETS? Britain reminder I hope 2009 is not being too harsh to us find sponsors. If you cannot access a All members please remember to quote all… I mean already we have the credit computer to get on line and download a your membership number when crunch, rain, mud, frozen water pipes and, sponsor form please contact me and I will ordering tickets for Kelly or Monty’s as I write this, snow to contend with. send you one! demonstrations. However may I remind everyone of a little Remember we would like to see as many piece in the last LP and help focus our people taking part as possible, little ones We don’t want anyone missing attention forward into spring on May 2nd doing laps of the paddock on a lead and 3rd. I explained a little about the Ride out on the special arrangements for rein, bigger ones going for a hack and Round Britain that the Discussion Group members! At Monty’s demonstrations those old enough to do so maybe doing hopes will raise much needed funds for our pub rides or traversing mountain terrains there is a private audience for members two supported charities this year and I hope and their guests before the main if they so wish. As long as it’s fun and this will inspire us all to get out and about it’s sponsored. demo. At Kelly’s demonstrations and join with others to have a fun weekend. members are entitled to a substantial If you would like to take part as an area discount on tickets. So whether you go out for the day(s) organiser or as a rider please either visit on your own or team up with friends the forum on the website and look us up for a pub ride or maybe have enough Don’t worry you can’t remember your or write / phone / text me. I can put you IH members in your area to have an number, the team at the office can look in touch with others in your area. organised even. There are now only it up for you but remember to tell us three months left to prepare and to Thank you, Laura Middlemiss you are a member. email: [email protected] 6 Stretton Close, Hereford HR4 0QN Tel: 01432 351772 or 07779918605

Changes to horse identification rules Under European Regulation 504/2008, all foals born after 1 July 2009 will have to be microchipped, so that their unique identification can be linked directly to a national database, under proposed changes to existing legislation that already requires horses to have a unique life number. The aim is to stop certain animals entering the human food chain, help disease surveillance and aid recovery of lost or stolen horses.

The Listening Post 19 Journey towards Stage Two by IH Student Joanna O’Neill

So, you’ve discovered Intelligent Horsemanship. You’ve completed the Foundation Course and experienced that heart-stopping moment when a horse you met ten minutes ago has chosen to follow you in a small figure of eight going nowhere, while with emotion perilously close you wish you could take him, her, whatever, home with you. You have booked a place for yourself on the next available Psychology Course, and have noted the dates of the other weekend courses ready to clear your diary. You have gone from interested voyeur to committed disciple in the space of five extraordinary days (however will I make my husband understand?) and now you have to become pro-active and take responsibility if you want to take part in the Stage 2. There are ten independent join-ups to be performed, and the clock has started ticking…

hat was me in September 2006. I had reasonably close and runs her own public (Cautiously) “Ye-es…” stumbled across the IH website by relations consultancy, Grapevine PR. The next “Can we borrow them?” T accident and had been enthralled to step was brought about by Mel’s having discover that someone would provide you contacted an upmarket livery yard trading as And amazingly we could. Alan and Judith with a horse and a round pen and teach you Joli Cheval which claimed to have a round pen. Stirling’s horses were for their own private to do that amazing Monty Roberts thing. use, but they generously agreed to lend us TWO, THREE and FOUR Bargain! So I booked and paid and had the both horses and the pen. In the event, the Damascus moment we all share, and then Teyhou Smith, owner of Joli Cheval, was Stirlings spent the whole day with us, returned home wondering when I would get sympathetic to the IH cause and offered us including filming us when needed. the opportunity to try any of this stuff. the hire of three of her school horses and the FIVE, SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT and NINE round pen at a reasonable rate. My lovely Out of the blue, a hot-headed Welsh Section husband Simon (who did seem to understand) C mare called Jasmine arrived on my After a very comfortable night in Judith’s had by now bought me a video camera, and plate, and my account of her lightning beautiful guest rooms, we began a marathon we all met at Joli Cheval for a filming session. transformation from the pony everyone session of each joining up with all five horses. We switched about, and each horse swore at (“She nearly dislocated my shoulder The round pen was very large but beautiful, had one turn in the morning and one after coming in from the field”) to model of built of solid wood and positioned well away lunch. So far, so good. manners always able to keep that smile in from the main yard. Mel and I each performed the line (“I can’t believe it’s the same pony”) a basic join-up with the first two horses, Leila Less helpful was that the weather was wet, was included in ‘The Listening Post’ Winter and Tally, feeling very emotional when we resulting in a lot of video with raindrops on 2006 issue. realised “it works” even with horses who had the lens. We also discovered that all but one never been in the pen before, even with us Two years on, here’s how I managed my ten of the horses were pure Arabs. On top of novices. Then we each did a full join-up with independent join-ups… this, the round pen was enormous and the the last horse, a cob called Sarah, and while footing pretty deep, and the horses waiting ONE Sarah performed beautifully our handling of their turn were in a corral right next door – the tack was not pretty, nor were our attempts rather distracting. Still, we had driven 160 Jasmine herself. I had been doing at being “first riders”. miles to be there and the horses, despite groundwork with her and had taught her floating round with their heads sky-high, all (and myself) to long line, and we were now Although there was a viewing gallery on the responded well - some got stuck on the wall curving around cones and popping over edge of the pen, it was impossible with a but we were able to pick them up and always poles, and one day at the end of the session standard lens to get both handler and horse achieved solid follow-up circles. I went for it. To my surprise Jasmine didn’t in frame together, and a wide-angle lens use the whole school but circled beautifully went onto the “must get” list, along with a Our , lines and riders were once again around me, changed direction like a pro, and breast girth with clips instead of buckles and less than impressive, though – so much came straight in when invited. I forgot to a 20-foot line. harder than it looks in the demos! My best switch sides for the second follow-up circle one was spoiled by the fact that the rain Once again we needed more horses. but even so she came, and I had to resist the came down harder, inducing Alan to walk off Googling “round pen” threw up a couple temptation to hug her. in search of a sheltered spot to protect my offering bed-and-breakfast for riders in the camera, and my lovely grey Arab then One down, nine to go. Brecon Beacons… thought it would be jolly to wander over to Big gap here, while I wondered what favours “You have a round pen?” the fence and talk to Daddy – this while I was I might call in to provide me with more trying to girth up! “Yes.” subjects, and in the meantime met up with So now we had almost filled up the form, one of my fellow students from the “Do you have any horses of your own?” but had no good full join-ups on film. So Foundation Course – Mel Betts, who lived what next? 20 The Listening Post “the point of doing ten independent join-ups is to make you realise just how little you know!”

TEN – and ELEVEN! TWELVE, THIRTEEN and FOURTEEN just as I was role-playing the starter, emphasising that I would never work with a Astonishingly, Mel discovered a round pen Tequila, Pepsi and Sam… and a new “first genuine starter that way, and when much closer to home, belonging to the rider”. Getting quite antsy now, I had permission was granted I went into action. owner of two Western-trained Quarter arranged to do a full join-up with all three Horses, and once again a total stranger horses and was very appreciative of the I had already completed my first Foundation generously hired us pen and horses. Tim services of an amateur helper on the yard to Course as a helper, during which Rosie Jones Laskey’s two mares, Cherry and Spot, were be my jockey. However, this was not a great had demonstrated putting up a first rider. lovely-natured girls, perfectly mannered and day. It was very hot, and I steamed in my IH This was nothing like the legging up I had co-operative. Off we went again, this time with my husband back behind the camera. I did less than brilliantly with my long-lines as I found I was unable to turn Cherry away from me – her changes of direction were invariably face-in and consequently the lines wound round her like knitting yarn round a kitten. By this time I was becoming so accustomed to almost getting it but not quite that it seemed entirely natural to find I had filled up the sheet without having a good full join-up on video. (I had also come to the conclusion that the point of doing ten independent join-ups is to make you realise just how little you know!) … but not yet TWELVE… And now Mel was moving to Devon. Before she decamped, she generously boxed her own horse, Troy, to Lynn Chapman’s yard in Hampshire, where we hired Lynn’s round pen for another attempt. Troy did a simple join- up with Mel beautifully, and then seemed well on the way with me before showing signs of getting fed up with it all. From nice, co-operative horse he became resentful at being sent away, and I decided it wouldn’t be fair to carry on with tack and long-lines, and that was the end of that session. By now I had met up with RAs Zoe Chipman and Sally Hamilton as well as Lynn, and Sally suggested Bradfield Riding Centre, where jacket. The school was huge and even cut been doing, and I went straight back to she had done some of her own join-ups. down to half remained a very big area to Birmingham and passed it on to Milo’s Sally kindly lent me her conversion kit for project my energy around. The school horses owner, Catherine. I put Catherine up to a turning the large indoor school into a pen – were steady (one kept stopping next to the fence several times, and then we saddled electric tape cut to the required length and a mounting block, which was sweet but less Milo and I put Catherine up to him several sheet of instructions regarding mounting than helpful) and I had no time to pause times more. We practised bellying over, and blocks and jump stands! So, on a hot day between horses. My rider was willing but we practised sitting in the saddle, and when in August… almost a beginner, which I had not expected, everything was as good as we were going to and although I got some nice join-ups get it, we untacked again, put up the “round even the best was not great for the first pen” of tape in an empty field, and set the saddle element. camera running. And so I compiled my video and sent it in, This was my accepted full join-up. It wasn’t and (small surprise) had my very inexpert full perfect, but it was good enough. Catherine join-up rejected. So what now? was brilliant and Milo was great, and Sarah Dent passed us all. FIFTEEN! So, with five join-ups more than the ten I had a friend in the Midlands whom I visited asked for, did I learn something new from occasionally to help with her stressy gelding, each one? Absolutely! And do I feel like an Milo. I had often wished I could use Milo as expert? Absolutely not! But I’m determined a subject, but with nothing like a pen there it to get there… was impossible. Then Sally Hamilton told me that Kelly had sanctioned the use of a round Many congratulations to Joanna who gained pen made from posts and tape, provided the her Monty Roberts Preliminary Certificate, horse was confident about electric fencing. I with a distinction in her practical, in asked Kelly if I could role-play the round pen November 2008

The Listening Post 21 Spotlight on Recommended Associate (RA) SpotlightListening Post meets Ian Vandenberghe

got the job! I worked at Witney College for at and invited me to become one of the the next 10 years and during that time I met teachers who started the courses running Monty and Kelly, and also ran my own from Witney College. business starting young horses under saddle LP: You have travelled all over the world and standing stallions at stud at Willow Farm. with Monty and/ or Kelly, do you have a I left Witney College when we began to run favourite trip? IH courses from Hartsop Farm in 1995. Ian: Yes, I have two. I had a great trip to LP: Wow! That’s quite a history. What is Russia with Linda Ruffle (RA) working with involved in a typical day for you now? horses and kids, and also I really enjoyed the Ian: I have a really good back up team here at trip to Namibia with Kelly which featured on Hartsop – my wife Sandy and Jake, who rides the documentary ‘Whispering the Wild’ for us. I don’t really work with home visits any where Kelly started 2 wild horses, Muddy more but just with the horses who come here Waters and Dust Devil. I have travelled to for training, mostly youngsters for starting or almost every continent now! remedial horses. A typical days work here can You can look out for Ian teaching on the involve working horses in the pen, or taking courses, working at the demos, in the young horses down the roads for the first background of hundreds of photos, and of time. Of course often there are courses on course keep an eye out for him in his staring here, many of them I teach on, or I might role of ‘big grey !’ Those of you who even be away travelling with Kelly and Monty have came to Kellys May Masterclass tour last on a demonstration tour. So day to day my year will know what we mean ☺ life can be pretty varied. At the moment we have quite a few stallions here, like a 17.2 stallion who isn’t even 2 yet! He is a shire and is here to be prepared for a grading which will be held here in a couple of weeks time. LP: How did you get into horses? LP: Do you have a favourite type of horse What is an Intelligent Horsemanship Ian: In Belgium when I was a kid our to work with? Recommended Associate (RA)? neighbour had a working farm, with working Ian: Well, its one that not many people Intelligent Horsemanship Recommended farm horses. At 12,13 and 14 years of age I would pick as a favourite – Appaloosas. They Associates are specialists in training and was helping on the farm with the horses, and have a different type of character from many understanding horses, ponies, both young and already developing an interest in the stallions, other horses which means people don’t ‘horses with problems’. They have undergone broodmares and foals. They also had always get on with them but they have an intensive programme of training and exams crossbred horses on the farm which they used always gone well for us here. Also Arabs – in to achieve this status and are the only people for competition – mostly dressage, and so as a very different way – are easily Intelligent Horsemanship Ltd recommend to a 15, 16 and 17 year old I competed in the misunderstood and things can go wrong for assist with the training of other peoples horses. national dressage finals in the advanced them quickly. I think the IH methods work quadrille – as a junior in a senior competition! Using established principles of psychology really well for them and we have always had During this time I also spent Saturdays at a and equine behaviour together with years of great success with some Arabs who have experience this way of training has become farriery school. At 18 I came to England and been quite messed up before they get to us! increasingly popular. Sympathetic to both horses spent a year as a working pupil at a Riding and people our Recommended Associates school which was run by 2 instructors whose LP: Where did you first hear about Monty? have helped horses and horse owners qualifications would be equivalent to today’s Ian: In 1992 I saw Monty at a demo in achieve a better understanding and achieve FBHS. During this time I achieved my BHSAI. Newmarket. There were about 30-40 people their full potential all around the world. I studied at Witney college for a year, where I there – I later found out one of them was Whether you have a young foal or weanling met my wife, Sandy. This is also where I met Sheikh Mohammad. I knew the student who that needs handling; a horse that needs John Onions who would be my mentor and took her horse to be started, so I knew the saddling, long-reining, backing; a horse who have a profound effect on my life for the next horse was genuinely unstarted and won’t shoe, catch, load, clip, needs schooling, 15 years. After Witney college I spent the unsaddled up until that point, and I was hacking out, or anything else you can think of, next 6 years on TB studs handling stallions, impressed with what Monty could do. Not one of our Recommended Associates can and then in 1985 I was invited to apply to long after that Kelly met Monty in the petrol provide you with a solution to get you Witney College as a lecturer of Equine station in France, and following that he came heading in the right direction. Reproduction and Management, no surprise I to meet us at the college Kelly and I worked

22 The Listening Post Riding with confidence thanks to Julia Fisher by Susan Swann front door as I’d been so used to sitting behind the vertical, being aligned correctly felt very odd! I had to learn about core stability. I went away and practiced off horse everywhere I went, at my desk, walking up and down stairs, driving the car. Most of my early lessons were spent in walk and I couldn’t believe how exhausting it was both physically and mentally. But slowly I started to improve and my horse started to show how much he appreciated it. I was no longer moving around on his back and shoving with my seat, no longer constantly kicking him with no control of my lower leg, no longer jagging him in the mouth or holding on so much he depended on the reins to hold him up. My confidence slowly grew and so did his. That was the start of an amazing journey which I am still on and probably will be on for as long as I’m involved with horses. I can now get on most horses and be effective rather than just a passenger. That in itself gives me confidence. I still have so much more to learn, but the door is now open. If this story rings any bells with anyone, please keep believing that there are answers if you keep searching, and the answer isn’t to give up! Julia Fisher is an IH Recommended Associate for Hertfordshire. Telephone 01438 871194

p until 21/2 years ago I couldn’t ride for toffee! I was a rider who felt she U needed to hold onto the reins and grip on for dear life. I could sit on a horse and be a passenger but I wasn’t effective and I didn’t Dear Listening Post feel safe. No wonder the horse felt insecure, I was on top feeling the same. I knew it was all I’d just like to say a big thank you to RA Julia Fisher who has been a wrong but I didn’t know how to put it right. fantastic help to a group of us in her area. I had lessons on a friend’s horse but it didn’t help. I’d come across Julia when I needed help with a polo pony that bit and I then went and had lessons on my loan horse, kicked. Polo ponies don’t bite and kick so I was at a loss as to know what a super TB who was so genuine, but it still didn’t to do about it. Julia was heavily pregnant at the time but she still came out work. I changed instructors to one I saw was on a freezing winter’s evening, and showed me how to establish some getting results with others, but that still wasn’t the ground rules and boundaries, which made a huge difference to the horse’s answer. I so wanted to be those riders. behaviour. A testament to her work is that the people we rent a field from in the summer commented on how that grey horse in their field was one I then got my own horse, a youngster, who I backed of the most affectionate they’d come across. with the help of my daughter and others. I had well qualified instructors teach me and ride him. He went About 3 years ago Julia set up a riding group of like-minded people, most like a dream for them, but with me on his back we of who had horses with issues, or had confidence issues themselves. were useless. Instead of improving I went downhill and Julia organised Nicky Smith, a Mary Wanless instructor, to come over once my confidence plummeted. It was obvious my horse every month or so to teach a riding clinic. She came up with discussion went well for others but not for me and I had to accept topics in the lunch break such as the “C” word (contact for those who don’t that I couldn’t ride. I had several choices - continue as I have sleepless nights over such a concept!), intention, impulsion, was and feel worse and worse about myself, let my competing, dismounted sessions and many more, which always gave us horse become an expensive lawnmower, sell him and food for thought. The group has been an excellent support network for us give up or keep searching for the answer. all and it has been fantastic to watch the people and the horses progress. I listened to my friend June, talking about her lessons Julia spends hours on the phone organising these clinics which can be a with RA Julia Fisher who has been influenced by Mary horribly complex task, sorting out the scheduling to suit everyone. Wanless, but it felt like I had to go back to the beginning We all go off on slightly different journeys every now and then, but the and learn to ride all over again and I wasn’t sure I could Nicky clinics bring us all back together and remind us that we’re doing face that. Eventually though, I knew I had no option if I everything we can to be the owners our horses want us to be. Julia is there was to continue riding. So, I took up June’s offer to have quietly in the background, tactfully pointing out things we’ve missed or a lesson on one of her polo ponies with Julia. forgotten, or just gently encouraging us and noticing and applauding our That first lesson was full of light bulb moments. Julia began successes, however small. by changing my position and noticing where my seatbones Her attention to detail is second to none and without her none of us were and what they were doing. She got me to sit stiller and would have made the progress we’ve made. If anyone has any horsey or suddenly I could feel where the horse’s legs were and how confidence issues Julia is the person you need to speak to! they were moving. I also felt like I was about to fall out the June Scott

The Listening Post 23 Dr Fowlers Fas By Dr Veronica Fowler

The species Today there are only eight species of the genus equus in the family.

Evolution The modern horse (equus cabullus) evolved from a dog sized-four toed creature, called Eohippus (Hyracotherium) which existed 55 million years ago. 1 6

The domestic horse (Equus caballus) The Grevy’s (Equus greyvi)

Domestication Horses were domesticated around 4500BC and are one of less than a dozen animals 2 7 which humans managed to domesticate out The ass or (Equus asinus) The Mountain Zebra (Equus zebra) of more than 4,000 candidates.

3 8

The Kiang (Equus kiang) The Plains Zebra (Equus burchelli)

Not so Did you spot domesticated the difference? There is only one true living There are three breeds of Zebra, they all today, the przewalskii (Equus ferus have the characteristic black and white przewalskii). It is known as a wild horse as 4&5 stripes however can you spot the difference? humans have not managed to domesticate The stripe patterns are unique and hugely it, despite us bringing the breed back from The Kulan (Equus hemionus) differ between breeds. the brink of extinction through captive including its subspecies, the release programs. (Equus hemionus onager)

24 The Listening Post cinating Facts

Breeds and interbreeding Teeth There are approximately 300 breeds of horse today. All members of the horse family Horses teeth are ever growing (hypselodont). can be interbred, however sterile offspring will result unless it is a domestic horse Adult female horses have 36 teeth, whereas cross przewalski. adult male horses have between 40 to 44.

Sweating & Saliva Like humans, horses can sweat using nearly all A horse crossed with a Zebra A donkey crossed with a Zebra is know as a Zorse is know as a Zonkey areas of the body. Horses produce approximately 10 gallons of saliva a day. Tummy Talk Unlike cattle, sheep, goats, deer, camels and hipos which need to rest for hours in order to digest food, horses can eat and run. This is because like Rhinos and Tapias, horses have a cecal digestive system. It takes approximately 48 hours for food to pass through a horse.

Bones, muscle and Breathing cartilage Horses can only breathe through their nostrils. A horse’s skeleton consists of 205 bones. Horses do not have collarbones but instead Lifespan their front limbs are joined to their body Every horse will live for approximately 1.5 purely by muscle, cartilage and ligaments. billion heartbeats. Old Billy is the oldest Horses use a passive stay apparatus which known horse of 62 years (1760-1822) and enable horses to rest standing up. Interesting Sugar Puff is the oldest known pony of 56 years. this allows a horse to burn approximately 10% less energy resting standing up than lying down. Animals which do not have this Gestation mechanism use approximately 10% more A mare is pregnant for energy standing up. However a horse must approximately two weeks lie down to reach REM sleep and a horse short of a year (335-340 deprived of being able to lye down will days).Colts are carried become sleep deprived. approximately 4 days longer than fillies.

The Listening Post 25