WHEN I LOOKED UP I SAW 'EARS'

I LOVE THE NEW MEXICO SKY

A NEW JOB

As the school rolls on realistically the time comes that I have to pull an old trusty horse out of service – this summer it was Drafty. By then they have such an impressive resume that when I look into my herd I don’t have a horse that can take their place. So, I begin to check out talents, and attitudes to see who needs to try what next – just like the students.

   This year I have noticed a change in Target to indicate that he is maybe maturing and just might be willing to try some different rider energies. I am always cautious when I introduce autistic and other – what I think of as broken energy – to the horses.

   Target was recently introduced to Tourette’s energy. Inside the barn during tack up he was somewhat uncomfortable with it. However, when we went to the arena, my rider did what he needed to and Target calmed down and they had a really good ride.

   When we returned to the barn, Target was in a relaxed mood and untack went without incident.  

SPECTACULAR TONIGHT

NRG IS A HERO

One of my young riders was experiencing night-mares. As mom told me about it I wondered if NRG could be of help. I suggested that she print out the logo picture size and put it at the child’s night light where it could be seen upon waking. That way there would be light and something familiar and positive if a nightmare came on.

They have had a chance to try it and the report is that it is working. The child can remember the really good horse ride they had and feel protected by the horse. So far, no more coming in to mom in the middle of the night having been scared.

 

This experience has a video so readers can come away with a 'fuller' appreciation of what she rode through.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJEirSR-_j8

 

 



NAP TIME

People ask if horses lie down. Not only do they lie down but I find them in different positions. To me, Midnight doesn't look all that comfortable here.

Cow Girl Up - A Really Cold Day

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



NRG - Change of Attitude

YOU’RE LOOKING AT A CONSEQUENCE

In the picture you see a young man receiving a consequence.

An hour and a half earlier, when he arrived for his lesson, he and mom didn’t make it into the barn like they usually do. I finally went over to the car to see what was going on. When I got there a very low energy boy disembarked, leaned on mom and with long face and slow words informed me that he was tired. I asked him what the point was. He wasn’t sure about riding. My next question was to ask him if I needed to go catch Pepper (who is one of his favorites). His energy began to change, interest coming to his face and he told me to go catch him.

By the time he started tacking up his energy was where I like to see it and he was focused and in a fairly good mood. A few minutes into his ride Pepper shook with him – he grabbed and stayed on and didn’t get scared – in fact he looked pretty pleased because not long ago Pepper shook a rider off. His ride was a good one and mom and I talked about kids, character, life lessons and the ability to control one’s energy. We also talked about consequences, positive as well as negative and that all behavior produces one or the other.

As he was untacking I talked to him about consequences and asked if he knew what they were. He said yes and his first example was of negative. I asked if he had experienced positive consequences too. He said yes. I then told him I thought he needed to experience a consequence for his behavior today. At this point, he looked a bit worried.  I told him I was pleased with the way he got his energy into positive mode and had a good ride. I then told him I thought he needed to go with me on the ATV to put Pepper away – that was his consequence. His face lit up and he thought that was a pretty good consequence.

By the way, do you like my red-neck horse transport?

Thank you Kerianne for the photo.  10/29/12