The WildHorse Blogsite

Love of Horses

Tip! Learn Patience - Horses are like children themselves, and training a horse is much like teaching a child. When your child has become a confi

Tip! Learn Trust - Horses must be able to trust their handlers. One of the first things that your child will learn about handling and riding horses is to be trustworthy and dependable, because if the horse doesn’t trust its handler it will not obey him/her.

dent and skilled rider, letting them help train a horse will be an excellent experience for them.

My love of horses began at the age of 11 when I worked every summer at a ranch. My twin brother and I would walk about ten miles a day in circles taking children on pony rides. I had never really thought much about horses before that but I was soon hooked for life.

Interestingly I found out years later that my husband’s name, Philip, actually means ‘love of horses’ in Greek.

I, like so many others, discovered the beauty and intelligence and strong connection you can have with horses. They have their own personalities like we do, and if you care to really look, you’ll see they convey a wide range of emotions. They can be happily prancing, angrily stomping, they can demonstrate sadness, and even apathy and defeat. How a horse reacts is determined by how we treat and care for them.

During one of my summers, there was one pony in particular that was docile with people riding him when he had a saddle on his back, but woe be it to anyone who would try to ride him bareback. I found out the hard way when at the end of the day, I took off his saddle and hopped on. Before anyone could say anything, he was off, bucking wildly and trying to bite my legs. I hung on for dear life (it was my first experience being bucked). Of course in the end, he got me off by slamming me into a tree. I had a bruised leg for weeks. That same week I realized he was out to get me! He demonstrated quite a bit of slyness and would suddenly strike out and kick me as I walked past or if I got near he would try to bite me. I realized for the first time that horses were not just work animals and that he was expressing his displeasure with me. I was amazed and developed a new- found respect. I resolved to establish a relationship, and by the summers end, we were working as a team. There was no more kicking or biting.

Throughout history, horses have been loved and revered by pharaohs and kings alike. There is evidence of domesticated horses going back thousands of years. In fact, in ancient Egypt, it is thought that horses were treated better than the Egyptians and that they would even be fed before the Pharaoh himself. This was due to the ancient Arabian horses incredible beauty, speed and endurance and having saved many lives during war. This animal could withstand the harshness of the desert and maintain its beauty and strength.

The Lipizzan Stallion is another incredible beauty, powerful, yet docile horse. It was said that this was the horse Napoleon choose to ride during war. He was not a large man; therefore his stallion was bred to jump straight up in the air so that he could get a better view of what was going on in the field below.

There are so many different breeds of horses, and they are being bred for different things, speed, beauty, work etc. To me they are beautiful, even spiritual and I know there are so many others out there that feel the same as I do. There are even many beautiful horse posters available to adorn ones walls. I think this relation of man and horse will always be there. Enjoy them! I sure do.

Willie Jones

Willie Jones is a freelance writer, researcher, floral designer, and artist. “When Art Inspires, Dreams can Become Reality”. http://www.artinspires.com “Make sure you enroll in the free motivational poster drawing. All winners receive a free framed print.”

Hunter Jumper Horses

Make Easy Money From Losing Horses! How To Make Consistent Profits From Laying Horses.

Jumper courses are very demanding, calling for technical accuracy on the part of the rider and absolute obedience from the horse. Connecting with the horse from the hind legs, through the back to the bit will prevent most of resistance problems that horses have with jumping. As the riders head toward the jump, they focus on the rhythm of your horse’s strides.

Elements of successful show jumping include riding lines, related distances, bending lines, and jumping off of turns. Competitors in jumper classes are judged on number of faults caused by knocking down or refusing to jump obstacles and on speed. A typical jumper course is 8-12 fences consisting of natural as well as brightly colored jumps. Most jumper classes consist of a first round (or two rounds) followed by a jump-off among all riders with clear first rounds. A jump-off course has fewer fences than the jumper class.

Penalty points are assessed if the horse refuses a jump, or brings down the highest element of an obstacle. Additionally in the jumper ring penalty points are added if the allowed time limit for the course is exceeded. Riders near the end of the starting order have the advantage of seeing how the first riders complete the course.

Classes are broken into a variety of sub-groupings. Amateur owner jumpers must be ridden by amateur owners only. Adult amateur jumpers must be ridden by amateur rider, but do not have to actually own the horse. While Junior jumpers must be ridden by riders under the age of 18. Schooling jumpers may be ridden by anyone.

In the jumper show ring, style does not count; jumper classes are purely athletic tests of speed and strength. Competitors in jumper classes are judged on number of faults caused by knocking down or refusing to jump obstacles and on speed. In addition to the faster speed of jumper class competition, courses in jumper classes are also composed of more varied obstacles.

The dynamics and beauty of horse and rider soaring over fences makes jumping a thrilling sight.

Rob Daniels has been an equestrian rider for 25 years. He has studied various disciplines additional articles are available at: Riding Stable - http://www.riding-stable.com and Horse Stall http://www.horse-stall.net

It’s Spring and the Horses are Running

Tip! Learn Respect - Children will learn to respect their horses and themselves. Horses are large, dangerous creatures and they demand respect, yet in order to be handled safely they must also respect their handlers.

When spring returns to Kentucky, so do the Thoroughbreds (I’m talking horses). Native Kentuckians say that Kentucky is the home of beautiful horses and fast women and great Bourbon. Anyone who has ever lived in Kentucky knows that spring is Kentucky’s best time of the year. The forsythias, azaleas and dog woods are in bloom, the temperature is perfect and the grass that gives the Blue Grass State its name will soon be going to seed. It is at this time, that the blue of the grass is most apparent to the eye.

Given all of the above, the biggest event of spring in Kentucky is the opening of the racing season which starts with Keeneland’s Spring Meet (Lexington, Kentucky) in mid April followed by the running of the Kentucky Derby (Louisville, Kentucky) on the first weekend of May.

I particularly love going to Keeneland not only to watch the races but to see the ladies of Lexington dressed in their finest, wearing hats that would make the Queen of England weep for joy.

If you are lucky enough to be in Lexington during the spring meet at Keeneland, you should plan to get up early in the morning when the dew is still on the grass and go to the track. Admission at this time of the day is free and you will be allowed to visit the horse stalls to see the Thoroughbreds who will be running in the races and will possibly get a chance to talk to the owners, the trainers or even the jockeys. You will be able to observe and time the early morning work outs of the horses. Finally, you will be able to go the cafeteria to eat along side the men and woman who make racing the Sport of Kings. The atmosphere in the restaurant is warm (a nice change after walking around the field in the cool of the morning) and cozy (or crowded, depending on your definition). The breakfast menu is a complete working man’s meal in the true cafeteria tradition: greasy and tasty and the conversation (if you care to listen in to the surrounding buzz) can be salty, informative and hilarious (and perhaps you‘ll pick up a hot tip for the race). And the check for all this is CHEAP.

Tip! How to Learn From Our Mistakes - When your child first starts learning to ride and handle horses they will make a lot of mistakes and will learn quickly not to make the same mistake twice. That is what horsemanship is all about.

On the other hand, if you are in Kentucky for the running of the Derby and do not have tickets to the Grandstand at Churchill Downs, I would advise you to visit this historic track on a day when there are no races or when the races are not of great import. During Derby day, the track is as crowded and as crazy as Times Square (NYC) on New Year’s Eve. You will not be able to see any significant part of the race. You will not be able to find a bathroom quickly and when you do find one you will wait and wait and wait for the opportunity to relieve yourself in private (a particular problem for women). You will not find a place to eat although there are vendors on the outside of the track where you may purchase a hot dog (the heart burn that sets in later is part of the charge). However, if you are in the mood to mingle with drunken frat boys and their girls, (the campus of the University of Louisville is a short walk away) the in-field may be your cup of tea. Otherwise, you can see the race on TV or you can get yourself invited to the ubiquitous parties that are held by native Kentuckian’s all over the Commonwealth. Don’t worry about finding an invitation to one of these since you can just start a casual conversation with any native and you’ll probably find yourself invited to one. No matter where you see the Derby, don’t forget to catch the singing of “My Ole Kentucky Home” at the end of the race (guaranteed to bring a tear to the eye of any listener, especially if you‘ve been drinking Mint Juleps. Mint Juleps are a particular tradition on Derby Day in Kentucky).

Tip! If you choose to work with green horses (youngsters) you have to recognize that you are taking on the role of teacher/parent/disciplinarian and in that role, anytime you lose your temper you cause more work for yourself down the road and you confuse the horse. It is specifically for this reason that I don’t recommend HOT clubbers purchase green stock.

When you are in Lexington, I would advise you of the following: go to desha’s (a restaurant in downtown Lexington) and get a piece of their Cornbread with Honey Butter (recipe to follow); and make sure you go to Roger’s Restaurant (a bit out of downtown on Harrodsburg Road) for their Wilted Lettuce Salad (recipe to follow). Roger’s is an old Lexington landmark and a favorite with old Lexingtonians and some in the race horse industry. I am really not recommending the food in general, although I’ve had worse…but I really like that salad.

While in Louisville, treat yourself to a meal at the Brown Hotel. This is an old Louisvillian landmark and a fabulous Hotel with a good restaurant. It is also the creator of the Kentucky Hot Brown sandwich (recipe to follow). I’ve never seen the Hot Brown served outside of Kentucky, but it is a great sandwich which can be had in just about any restaurant in Kentucky.

Tip! Learn to be Open Minded - Every horse is different and will have to be handled differently. A good horseman never stops learning, even experts and trainers will admit that they learn something new everyday from their horses.

And finally, while I am sharing recipes I will offer one for the Mint Julep (see below). This particular recipe comes from an old Kentucky family’s private recipe file and as this drink goes this is a pretty good recipe (although to be truthful, I don’t really like this drink), but, as I said, it is a Kentucky Derby tradition and as they say: “When in Rome, do as the Roman’s do” or as they do in Lexington and/or Louisville, Kentucky.

California Horses 2 Win Best Horse Handicapping Info on the Net.

RECIPES

desha’s Cornbread

3 cups self rising corn meal
 1/3 cup sugar
 6 eggs
 1½ cup vegetable oil
 3 cups sour cream
 2 and 2/3 cups cream style corn
 1¼ cups softened butter
 ½ cup butter

Combine first 6 ingredients in the order listed and mix well. Pour into greased 9 by 13 inch greased pan and place in preheat oven (350 degrees F.) and bake for 30 about minutes. Makes 12 good sized squares.

Honey Butter
 Mix equal amount of softened butter and honey together. Serve with warm cornbread.

Wilted Lettuce Salad

6 generous handfuls (about 12 cups) fresh leaf lettuce
 2 green onions, sliced thinly
 6 slices thick-sliced smoked bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
 ¼ cup cider vinegar
 2 teaspoons sugar
 Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Wash and dry the lettuce thoroughly. Place the lettuce and onions in a serving bowl. Fry the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and let it drain on paper towels, leaving the bacon drippings warm in the skillet over low heat. Add the vinegar and sugar to the bacon drippings, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat to high and cook the mixture until it is very hot, but not smoking. Pour the hot dressing over the lettuce and onions, tossing to coat and wilt the greens. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately after pouring the hot dressing over the lettuce and onions because once you do this step, the salad won‘t keep. Makes 4 servings.

Tip! Self Discipline - Horses take a lot of time and work, so your child will have to be dedicated to learning how to ride and handle horses effectively. I have found that dedication is rarely something that children lacks when it comes to horses.

Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwich

6 tablespoons butter
 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
 3 cups milk
 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
 1 egg, room temperature and beaten
 Salt and black pepper to taste
 1/2 cup prepared whipped cream
 8 slices toasted white bread, crust trimmed off
 1 pound cooked turkey breast, thinly sliced
 Grated Parmesan cheese for topping
 1 (2-ounce) jar diced pimientos, drained (optional, I don’t like pimientos)
 8 bacon slices, fried crisp

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Gradually add flour, stirring constantly, until smooth and free from lumps. Gradually stir in milk until sauce comes to a gentle boil, stirring constantly; remove from heat. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and well blended.

Tip! Teaches Sensitivity - Horses can be very sensitive creatures. They have keen senses, and can sense if someone is afraid, angry, happy, etc.

In a small bowl, beat egg. Gradually add 1 cup of hot sauce, 1/3 cup at a time, to the egg, stirring constantly. Gradually add egg mixture to remaining sauce, stirring constantly until well blended; add salt and pepper to taste. Fold in whipped cream.

For each Hot Brown sandwich, place two slices of toasted bread on a metal (or flameproof) dish. Cover the toast with a liberal amount of turkey. Pour a generous amount of sauce over the turkey. Sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese. Place entire dish under a broiler until the sauce is speckled brown and bubbly. Remove from broiler, sprinkle with diced pimientos (optional, as I said, I don’t like pimientos), and cross two pieces of bacon over the top of the sandwich, and serve immediately.

Makes 4 servings of two open-faced sandwiches each.

Mint Julep (special thanks to k.a.s., of Oldham County, Ky.)

2 cups granulated sugar
 2 cups water (branch water is best)
 Fresh Mint (this grows like a weed in Kentucky gardens)
 Crushed Ice
 Kentucky Bourbon (2 ounces per serving) (Note: I like Jim Beam, but any good–and they’re all good–Kentucky Bourbon will do).

Tip! Learn Trust - Horses must be able to trust their handlers. One of the first things that your child will learn about handling and riding horses is to be trustworthy and dependable, because if the horse doesn’t trust its handler it will not obey him/her.

Make a simple mint syrup by boiling sugar and water together for 5 minutes; cool. Place in a covered container with 6 or 8 bruised mint sprigs. Refrigerate overnight. This makes enough syrup for about 44 juleps. To “bruise” mint: Put some leaves or sprigs in a cup and press the leaves lightly, a time or two, with the bowl part of the spoon. This releases the minty fragrant of the leaves).

Make a julep by filling a julep cup or glass with crushed ice (NEVER ICE CUBES), and then add 1 tablespoon of your mint syrup and 2 ounces of bourbon. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost outside of cup or glass. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig.

Mint Julep Tips:

1. Always use premium Kentucky bourbon (I can’t stress this enough)

2. Use crushed or shaved ice and pack in cup (Never, never Ice Cubes which would be Barbaric).

3. Add a straw, cut to protrude just above the rim of the cup, and serve. You should be able to get a faint smell of the mint sprig when you’re sipping.

4. Keep the covered syrup in the refrigerator (after removing the mint leaves) if you don’t plan on drinking all the servings.

Maureen R. Sinclair is an American (via N.Y.C. and Lexington, KY). who currently resides in Nova Scotia, Canada. Educated as a Registered Nurse, she holds an M.S. in Psychology. Ms. Sinclair has traveled widely and has many interests. She is an accomplished artist and writer currently writing for onlinecooking.net. She may be reached at mrs3371@hotmail.com or msinclair@onlinecooking.net.

Some Observations on the Colour and Mark of Horses - Info from 1751

Tip! Learn Trust - Horses must be able to trust their handlers. One of the first things that your child will learn about handling and riding horses is to be trustworthy and dependable, because if the horse doesn’t trust its handler it will not obey him/her.

Having recently been lent an original copy of the ‘Treatise on the Diseases of Horses’ written by William Gibson, Surgeon, in 1751, it has been interesting to compare horse lore then to now. This article looks at one of the early chapters on the colour and marks of horses. Beautifully written in expressive old English this book is a real pleasure to read.

We would still agree with Gibson today that ‘so much of the beauty of a horse depends upon his being well marked and of a good colour’ and also that ‘we often meet with good horses that are very ill marked and of bad colours and sometimes very bad horses, that have almost all the beauty that colour and marks can give them’. Reading this chapter from three centuries ago it becomes obvious that then marks and colour were taken to determine the character of the horse, and that much store was put on good looks. It is obvious, for example, that a gentleman in 18th century England would never be seen on the type of coloured horse which is becoming popular today! Some pictures from the book are reproduced at http://www.limebrook.com/1751horselore.html

Bays, Gibson suggests, are ‘perhaps so called from their resembling the colour of dried bay leaves’. In his opinion the bay is ‘one of the best colours, and horses of all the different kinds of bays are commonly good, unless when accidents happen to spoil them while they are colts’.

Although Chestnut mares have a poor reputation in the 21st century, it is interesting that this treatise does not mention this, although he does say that ‘when a chestnut horse happens to be bald or party or to have white legs…such horses are not very agreeable. Chestnuts, however, were preferred by most people to the sorrel, both ‘in point of beauty and goodness’.

The brown horse is described as a colour not so beautiful as the bay or chestnut, and ‘plain brown [horses] are esteemed more ordinary. Many of them are coarse, but strong and serviceable, fit for draught, for burden or for the wars’.

Tip! Learn Respect - Children will learn to respect their horses and themselves. Horses are large, dangerous creatures and they demand respect, yet in order to be handled safely they must also respect their handlers.

Gibson is impressed by black horses, finding them ‘very beautiful, especially when they are of a jet shining black and well marked, and have not too much white’. Too much white, apparently, adds ‘nothing to their goodness’. A little white, however, is good. A star or blaze, ‘sometimes a white muzzle and one or more of the feet tipped with white always looks beautiful and lively, and is no diminution to the goodness of a horse, but most think an addition’ although some ‘form an opinion that horses with mark are generally stubborn and ill-conditioned’. He has however ‘found many of the English black horses, especially of the largest breeds, not so hardy as the bays and the chestnuts etc. However, if they are black brown they are ‘generally the strongest in constitution’.

Of greys he states; ‘The greys are so diversified in colour, and so common and well known that it would be a needless curiosity to describe them particularly’. The dappled greys are ‘reckoned the best and are founding most parts of the world.’ Silver Grey is ‘extremely beautiful’, Iron grey has a ‘gay appearance but are not accounted the most hardy’, the light plain grey and pidgeon coloured grey soon change and turn white.

Of the roans Gibson notes that ‘many of them turn out much better than they appear to be’. Many roans make ‘good road horses’.

There are so many colours of horses that Gibson states would be ‘no great use to describe’, But ‘sometimes horses turn out very finely spotted, some like leopards or tigers, some like deer, with black, red, yellow or other gay colours, and when these happen also to be comply in shape and appearance they are generally reserved as present for Princes or other great men’ but ‘others again as so disagreeably diversified in their colours, and in such a remarkable manner, that no Gentleman would care to be seen upon their backs, or even suffer his servants to make use of them wherefore such are usually condemned to the meanest drudgery, and no properties they can have, will be sufficient to recommend them to any other use.

Tip! If you choose to work with green horses (youngsters) you have to recognize that you are taking on the role of teacher/parent/
disciplinarian and in that role, anytime you lose your temper you cause more work for yourself down the road and you confuse the horse. It is specifically for this reason that I don’t recommend HOT clubbers purchase green stock.

As Gibson fails to describe coloured horses (piebald or skewbalds) one can assume these are those which no Gentleman would ever ride!

As to the markings on horses Gibson says that some have reckoned horses to be lucky or unlucky by the way in which they are marked, but in his modern times of 1751 ‘believe few persons in our times are so superstitious as to regard such things’ He does follow this up by saying though that some people ‘denote all the good or ill qualities or a horse form his marks’. He himself though thinks that a ‘horse always looks the more beautiful for being well marked’.

The most common mark is a star, and an artificial star is often used when it doesn’t occur naturally. Gibson describes marks: ‘When the white descends pretty broad towards the nose it is called a blaze; when it descends into a smaller line it is called a snip; and when most of the horse’s face is white he is then said to be bald. All these marks are beautiful when they are not to extreme, for a very large star is not reckoned so beautiful as one that is of moderate size, neither is that baldness that spreads over a horse’s whole face and cheeks any ways becoming. As it gives him the looks of an ox, and such horses are often plain headed.’

Tip! Learn Patience - Horses are like children themselves, and training a horse is much like teaching a child. When your child has become a confident and skilled rider, letting them help train a horse will be an excellent experience for them.

Unfortunately Gibson has strong views about some horses: ‘where a horse’s pasterns, hoofs and all his four legs are white, especially when the white rises about the knees or hocks, it looks ugly, and a horse thus marked has too much of the pye-bald, which are seldom fit for gentlemen’s use.

Of feathers he is more a fan, saying, ‘wherever they happen to be, they are almost always signs of goodness, and some of them are exceeding beautiful’.

Reading this treatise from 1751 it is obvious that much store was put on what colour the horse was - certain horses would be condemned as war horses, or committed to a life of drudgery simply by their colour. Others, more happily marked (sorry, the 18th century language is addictive) end up living with Prince’s. Although today we still value the look of a horse, we do not tend to group them so much by colour, and a good show jumper or dressage horse can be any colour. It is hard to imagine that a horse would fail to make the Olympics just because he was of a colour that no gentleman would want to be seen on!

Trish Haill is the Webmaster for Limebrook Farm Riding School and Livery Yard. This ever growing website is a great resource for riders and horse lovers everywhere. Check out the site at http://www.limebrook.com/index.html

Leave the Thinking to the Horses; They Have Much Bigger Heads than You

Tip! There are a lot of similarities between training young horses and young children; the fundamental difference is about 1200 pounds. As anyone who has raised young children can attest, a 30 pound child can drive an adult out of their minds on a bad day and factor in the additional size of a young horse and you will have a sense of the challenges that can arise when working young, green-broke stock.

The SBS/SAS and Navy SEAL Special Forces Training courses are designed to physically and mentally test the Trainee and how he thinks to the absolute limit.

So much so, that your initial reasons for wanting to become an SBS Combat Swimmer/Frogman, Navy SEAL or SAS operator all but would have dissipated like snow in the sun if it was not for your ability to access the power of the mind.

Once that subtle barrier to the mind has been passed, the Trainees are able to take control of their thoughts. Feelings of fear, anxiety, stress, exhaustion or any other aspect that would hold them back are now being controlled by the power of their sub-conscious mind. They are able to will their bodies to continue indefinitely under any circumstances, while undergoing physical conditions and mental demands that would otherwise be humanly impossible to achieve. This is also known as the power of the sub-conscious mind over the conscious mind or Will-power.

Once a Trainee reaches this Phase in the training, usually nothing will stop him, and he would be able to continue under these circumstances almost indefinitely unless he becomes injured, which sadly does happen from time to time. This Phase in the training sets the stage for a total identity change and a tremendous boost in self confidence. The concept of something being impossible is broken forever. This is why the SBS/SAS and Navy SEAL Special Forces are able to undertake operations and endure physical and mental conditions that for others are all but impossible.

Tip! Teaches Sensitivity - Horses can be very sensitive creatures. They have keen senses, and can sense if someone is afraid, angry, happy, etc.

The trainees have reached the stage in their mind that turns all negativity into positive objectivity with the trained, inbuilt desire to always find a solution that will turn any negative experience or set back into an immediate or long term possible, positive outcome.

Make Easy Money From Losing Horses! How To Make Consistent Profits From Laying Horses.

Leave the thinking to the horses; they have much bigger heads than you. That was the reply from one of the SBS instructors in response to a trainee’s desperate cry in my 1967 SBS training class when he THOUGHT his legs couldn’t move anymore due to sheer exhaustion when doing a forced run through the sand dunes while carrying an inflatable boat or Zodiac with his team mates.

It’s a common trait in most of us and it is a typical human behaviour to hide and suppress the real issues that are troubling us in the back of our mind until it is too late.
 It is a typical trait in most of us to hide behind our follies and blame our weaknesses when the going gets tough and if that doesn’t work to then blame everything and everybody else except ourselves.

We get the conscious mind to temporarily override the sub-conscious even though we desperately want to find a solution to our problems or suffering. So the easiest way is to put the blame with somebody or something else for our inability to continue with the task and for our bad luck in life. Luck, however, is the residue of design and this is very much emphasized in the SBS Special Forces training.

Tip! Learn Patience - Horses are like children themselves, and training a horse is much like teaching a child. When your child has become a confident and skilled rider, letting them help train a horse will be an excellent experience for them.

In the SBS/SEAL training your true self is fully exposed for everybody to see as you are methodically “hammered” physically as well as emotionally and mentally week after week. You can’t hide your emotions anymore and there is no shame in that, because we all have become equal in the eyes of our Instructors no matter what rank we hold, or how big and tough we considered ourselves to be at the beginning of the course. Teamwork then is another factor strongly emphasized in the Special Forces training of the SBS and SEALS. The needs of the many are greater than the needs of a few and failure of one individual can bring the unwanted attention of the instructors to the whole group.

One thing is for sure. You will never win a self softening up contest in the SBS/SEAL training courses and the same principle applies in life.

In the end you will always be the loser. Making somebody else responsible for the inevitable fall out of your own decisions because of your inhibited thinking process and your refusal to learn the lessons, which the SBS/Seal training course is trying to teach you will only make you a victim in the long run and life is no different.

Tip! Learn Trust - Horses must be able to trust their handlers. One of the first things that your child will learn about handling and riding horses is to be trustworthy and dependable, because if the horse doesn’t trust its handler it will not obey him/her.

In the end, you can only blame yourself for failing the course or letting Victory (achieving your full potential) slip through your fingers on the battlefield of life.

Special Forces soldiers are not born, they are created; they create themselves with the help of their instructors, their role models, their buddies and with a lot of self sacrifice. They create themselves to do a Special job that only very few of us can do. That is why they call them Special Forces soldiers. They are special in every way.

You too are special. Which ever way you look at yourself, there is no other like you in the universe. Only you can bring about the changes you so desperately seek in your life. Perhaps it is weight loss, a daily exercise program, a better education or improved health; or perhaps an improvement in your confidence and self esteem levels; ultimately you are the person in control of your life.

Tip! Learn Respect - Children will learn to respect their horses and themselves. Horses are large, dangerous creatures and they demand respect, yet in order to be handled safely they must also respect their handlers.

I believe that the only way you can do this is to go back to the drawing board of your life; to delve deep into the recesses of your own sub-conscious mind. Like the instructors in the SAS, SBS and Navy SEAL training courses do; they take you down to places in your own mind where you have never been before to unearth the ultimate commitment and belief in yourself.

I believe that you should learn and acquaint yourself with some of the short burst energy psychology techniques of EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) and regularly apply these during the course of days and perhaps even weeks to clear the accumulation of negative emotional habits and thought patterns gathered over a life time of experiences.

I also believe that you should make short burst aerobic and weight resistance exercise a standard approach to living your daily life, so you can assist the mental and emotional recovery process using EFT.

The main difference between life and the SBS/SEAL Training is that the latter is of a limited duration and if you believe in yourself, have the right mental and emotional attitude and physical ability and don’t get injured along the way, you know you can achieve your goal and that is to pass the course.

The length of Life’s Training Course is an unknown (thank goodness), which makes it so much more difficult, especially for those of us who have found themselves locked into a negative mindset at an early stage in our lives. This is often because of incorrect emotional interpretations of life experiences in childhood and adolescence. We then lack the ability to overcome our problems and setbacks along the way; the emotional habit of self sabotage takes over and we get stuck in the mud of life forever.

Tip! If you choose to work with green horses (youngsters) you have to recognize that you are taking on the role of teacher/parent/
disciplinarian and in that role, anytime you lose your temper you cause more work for yourself down the road and you confuse the horse. It is specifically for this reason that I don’t recommend HOT clubbers purchase green stock.

Horses may have bigger heads than you, but you have the ability to make choices while horses function mainly by instinct. Choose to think only positive thoughts; banish the negative ones and life will become a whole lot easier to manage.

© 2006. Johan Tonsbeek 58. Learn and apply my short burst mind body techniques for overcoming self sabotage and my unique, university tested exercise program for weight loss, improved balance and coordination. Get my Special Forces traits, Emotional Freedom E-book. Visit http://www.boomeranggym.com

Working With Horses

Tip! Teaches Sensitivity - Horses can be very sensitive creatures. They have keen senses, and can sense if someone is afraid, angry, happy, etc.

Where there are horses there is always work to be found. The job description for a groom will vary from yard to yard, however there are several duties that always go with the job. These duties include feeding, grooming and mucking-out (cleaning the stables). Initially as you begin to fill the shoes of a groom you may realize that it can be hard physical work, especially cleaning the stables.

Your mind and body both need time to adjust to the rhythm and work load. A task that may take you 30 minutes to complete should eventually take you at least half the time to complete as you become competent and efficient.

All horse care facilities, yards and stables have a set routine that is carried out from morning to night. As a groom you would perform the routine for more than one horse. A groom can be in charge of three to seven horses. If you manage to take care of a single horse, consider yourself lucky and if you care for more than seven. I hope you do not end up with an extensive list of duties for each horse!

Here is a basic breakdown of possible daily routine when working with horses:

1. Feeding of the horses (breakfast)
  2. Turning out of some horses
  3. Grooms breakfast
  4. Rotating horses to be turned out
  5. Mucking out
  6. Exercising the horses
  7. Feeding lunch to horses
  8. Grooms lunch
  9. Bringing all horses in from the field for the night
  10. Grooming of the horses
  11. Tack Cleaning
  12. Skipping out of stables (taking out of droppings)
  13. Feeding of the horses (supper)
  14. Sweeping the yard
  15. Preparing the feed for the following morning
  16. Yard check of horses and lock up of yard
  17. Grooms supper
  18. Late night check of the yard and horses.

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Every day the above duties will be carried out and there are usually interruptions and additions as the day goes on, such as a scheduled visit from the farrier or an unscheduled visit of a veterinarian for a sick horse. Take each day as it comes.

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Miniature Horses as Guide Animals

Tip! Learn Patience - Horses are like children themselves, and training a horse is much like teaching a child. When your child has become a confident and skilled rider, letting them help train a horse will be an excellent experience for them.

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a guide animal for the blind? Usually we think of dogs. Have you given thought to the use of miniature horses? The number of miniature horses as guide animals has steadily risen since 1999.

The use of horses rather than dogs has several benefits. They are great for horse lovers, those who are allergic to dogs and for the person who wishes to have an animal with a longer life span.

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Ideal candidates for miniature horses include horse enthusiasts who have an understanding of equine behavior and their care. Those who are severely allergic to traditional guide animals benefit from using horses. Mature individuals who have a difficult time dealing with the grief of the loss of a guide animal will be delighted with a horse’s longer life span. People with a phobia of dogs will benefit from a miniature horse. The physically disabled will love the docile nature, which makes the horse easier to handle. A horse is sturdy enough to provide support such as aiding its handler to rise from a chair. For those who prefer their animal live outdoors when off duty, the miniature horse is ideal.

Why consider a horse at all? They are natural guides. In a herd, if one horse becomes blind, one of the other horses will take on the responsibility for that horse, becoming its guide. Historically, Calvary horses are known to guide injured riders to safety.

Miniature horses have several characteristics that make them ideal guide animals. They are cost effective. Their long life span is a demonstration of this. It takes a several thousands of dollars to train a guide animal. A miniature horse has a lifespan of thirty to forty years as compared with the seven to eight year life span of a dog. Horses are better accepted in public places. People view horses as a service animal rather than a pet. Horses tend to be calm in nature. Calvary and police horses demonstrate this well. These horses must be steady in chaotic situations. Guide horses receive the same desensitization training that riot control horses receive. Horses have excellent memories. They instinctually recall dangerous situations decades later. Horses have phenomenal vision. Their range of vision is nearly 350 degrees. They are the only animal capable of independent eye movement and can see clearly in near total darkness. Trained horses are extremely focused and are not easily distracted. Horses are always on the lookout for danger and will find the safest, most efficient route possible and will avoid obstacles that obstruct their path. Horses are hardy and can travel many miles in a single outing. Miniature horses also have excellent manners! They are very clean and can be housebroken. They don’t tend to get fleas and only shed two times per year. And, they will stand quietly while on duty.

Tip! Learn Trust - Horses must be able to trust their handlers. One of the first things that your child will learn about handling and riding horses is to be trustworthy and dependable, because if the horse doesn’t trust its handler it will not obey him/her.

While dogs are excellent guide animals and shouldn’t be discredited, miniature horses are gaining on them in popularity. With so many positive traits to their credit, they are definitely an option to consider.

Nikola lives and writes in Oklahoma. She is active in her local Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni, Volunteers in Policing and Skywarn. She enjoys reading, scrapbooking and spending time with her two dogs. Nikola is an author on Writing.Com  which is located at http://www.Writing.Com/ and is accessible by anyone.