Thursday, July 16

Today I would have liked to spend time with Phoenix and Destiny again to follow-up on what seemed like a connection made but today Mona has me working with Captain. Nice enough horse but maybe it was the ground work that I found boring or frustrating.  I was learning to drive him with two reins as if we were with a cart.  Mona told me when I want to guide him through cones on the ground or to make a turn, that I should look where I want to end up and move my hands as though I were riding a bicycle.  Didn't seem the same as a bike and mostly I swung wide and missed the cones.

Sharon and I both longed him but again. I didn't have the concept down. You need to get their shoulder in a certain place and then twirl the end of the rope to get them moving while leaving slack in the other hand--and walk forward rather than backwards which is the direction I was moving because Captain kept coming closer to me because he is confused about what I want - so am I. If I "ask for his shoulder" what does that really mean, yet knowing that I want him to turn?

Later in the afternoon I groom Tenaya and then work her some but couldn't do any better with the longing.  Mona is adamant that Tenaya can do lots of things, unlike the write up by the previous owner about her abilities and personality. She's sweet and wants so much to please you and feels like a failure when she doesn't get it or understand.  Kindred spirits she and I!

I told Mona that I was feeling teary today.  It first happened when Chris Lombard the trainer was working with Koal. Chris had trained him pre-adoption over two years go and today found him to have matured and that "his ground work is impeccable." Koal seemed happy with Chris who really got him.  After the ground work, Chris put his weight on his back in increments to see how he would respond before he slid up and rode him bareback. Chris said he could tell that Koal felt a little weird with that, maybe because he's used to a saddle. Chris was paying attention to eyes, ears, muscle tensing, head, neck - the whole body language.  Chris said he'll make a great horse for someone.  Since I had teared up watching them together, Sharon may have, too, I asked Chris, "Why don't you take him?" There's a few reasons why it won't work for Chris right now.

Then Chris worked with Brave Heart 'cause Lydia was having trouble with him.  Chris says that Brave Heart is a very confident horse.  "If the horse doesn't want to work with you in the way you want, work him in a different way so that being with you is easier." He said, "Submissive is the classic word but I don't like that word."  I think acceptance is a good substitute.  Chris is both a horse and a people trainer.

Chris moves on to Cheyenne who I was told he loves.  He'd adopt her if he could.  He was really pleased with her and said Sharon has done great work with her. They've been working on clipping the lead line to her halter and sometimes it goes well and sometimes not.  Mona says she still holds onto her independence and Mona loves that about her.  She still spooks through gates although this week Sharon was able to lead her through at a walk into the ring in her pen.  Other times she gallops out the open gate all in a frenzy.  

Chris spends a lot of time moving and shaking her halter as though he's putting it on over and over so she learns that he won't hurt her face.  He also does a little trimming of her hoof to get her used to having her feet handled so the farrier can properly trim them.  Horses need their hooves trimmed or they can run into big trouble.  I think in the wild, the terrain naturally trims them.  Chris showed Sharon other ideas about working with her but said, "Don't copy me 'cause you need to find what works for you."

So much of what he said is transferable to other aspects of life.  Things I know but it feels good to be reminded again.  Good to see how things that apply to horses applies to babies, children, peers, work place. Relationships.  Trust and respect.

Chris finishes up with Mona at the picnic table.  As he's leaving, he and I shake hands and I thank him for the opportunity to watch him work. I join Mona and Sharon who are leaning on Brave Heart's fence. Mona hands me a signed copy of Chris' book Land of the Horses. I'm touched and grateful for the gift and feel teary. I think I'm also aware that tomorrow is my last day at the Rescue.  Live in the moment, Eileen!

Mona tells me that they all have read it and most read it through once just for the story and then read it again to get the lessons.  I'm shocked to read that Chris did not grow up with horses as I had assumed.  He came to horses after a break-up and has learned from the horses to be a whole and better human.  There is no hidden agenda with horses.  What they feel is what you see.  People need to be transparent with them as well to build the trust.  Vulnerability.  Trust and respect.

Chalupa and sidekick join us for lunch and beg
from Lydia and Sharon. 

On my own for dinner, I grab takeout at Goldthwaite's, drive back to the public beach, pull off my boots, and slide my toes in the sand as the waves roll in.