Caroline
Grand Prix Poster
Intermediate Poster
Posts: 2,277
|
Post by Caroline on Nov 6, 2009 20:12:43 GMT 1
we mustn't forget that education is the way to really change things... I agree. Let's leave it there. We've all said our piece and expressed our opinions. We are never going to all agree about everything. I think we agree about most things though.
|
|
|
Post by dismith on Nov 6, 2009 20:19:46 GMT 1
What has not been mentioned so far is the level of domination that Woody tried to show to Monty. He had dominated his owner - he had then come across a professional and "upped his game" bucking when a rider got on board, but I think he recognised something even greater when he met Monty and when the saddle was put on really stood over him as if to put him off going any further. This is one very clever horse - but he was nearlt too clever for his own good. One of the new owners has mentioned that they may not be able to rehome him even after he has been rehabbed. I think that given the right circumstances he could revert.
|
|
|
Post by heather on Nov 6, 2009 20:21:43 GMT 1
I too would like to leave it there, too as frankly, although my hide is as tough as a rhinocerous, has to be to have survived as long in this business as I have, it still rankles that some folk will simply not accept that this was a last resort. Mandal, you are right, I wish my life too, was as black and white as Caroline's. Heather
|
|
|
Post by aero on Nov 6, 2009 21:19:56 GMT 1
Hmmm, At this point a little prayer I once saw...and never forgot..... springs to mind..
Grant me the strength to change the things I can The serenity to accept the things I can't And the wisdom to know the difference.
Everyone has the right to their own opinion, and to express it, but, come on Guys, at the end of the day what we all want is a better and kinder world for every horse and I am sure that we can do that without hurting each other in the process ...can't we?
|
|
cloud
Elementary Poster
Diploma in Equine Iridology
Posts: 54
|
Post by cloud on Nov 6, 2009 21:58:00 GMT 1
Got to agree with Aero, this war of words is not helping anyone. I feel so upset because you both are doing wonderful things for horse's in general, and I feel that you are both strong enough and capable enough of better things than getting into a situation such as this. Why don't you both take five minutes to think about what you have both been through [and still going through], and maybe it is the stress of the last few days you have both been under that is making you and the situation appear worse. Heather, you have done a wonderful thing in helping save Woody, Caroline, you too have done wonderful things with Foalie and [hopefully] Lakota. You two have too much love and care inside you to let it be soiled by one isolated situation. Please, take five minutes, it won't hurt. think about the good things the other has done, and is continuing to do. Don't waste your energy on this fruitless topic, it's done with now, Woody is safe and Foalie and Lakota are safe - That is down to the both of you. Three wonderful horse's are safe and hopefully have a loving future ahead of them - YES you both have done that. I think you are both wonderful sensitive people. You both deserve praise not ridicule by the masses and by each other. We should all work together and only then will we build a better future for horse's and people too [M.R.]
|
|
|
Post by june on Nov 6, 2009 23:42:32 GMT 1
I now feel marginally uncomfortable about the demo situation but I would never have found out about IH if it hadn't been for a Monty demo probably 15 years ago now, if not more! That demo completely changed the way I dealt with horses and that, and working with RAs since then, has given me more tools than I even knew existed before that demo. So, in my case it fulfilled its purpose as an eductational tool. I suspect I'm not unique in that. It isn't perfect but it does get the message out to a lot of people in one go and I'm quite sure that because of that it makes the world a better place for horses, or for some horses at least. We can't save them all but we can do our best with the ones that cross our paths.
|
|
dptc
Olympic Poster
Posts: 557
|
Post by dptc on Nov 7, 2009 18:35:01 GMT 1
I never felt comfortable with demos and still don't, hence this was the first time I went to a Monty one as I never liked the idea of working with horses in such a intense environment, mostly due to the fact I witnessed one once (not Monty/IH) and ended up dealing with some very traumatised ponies following it, however those horses that have been part of the Monty's demos have showed many thousands of people another way to work with horses and so have improved so many horses lives, if they weren't there I am sure many people would not have had their eyes opened and know about Monty & Kelly's work and got people questioning the way they do things and so those few horses that have gone through it and come out the other end have each helped more of their kind - and even helped themselves in saving their own lives...!
I have had many battles within myself about demos and workshops, in trying to show the work we do at the DPTC, I never wanted to do demos as such and so working with Sarah Weston we came up with a day format that is not too pressurised but is enough to get some work done and show what can be accomplished in a shorter than ideal time, and I am reassured in the knowledge that I know Sarah will pick up immediately if it is too much for a pony and stop. I am quite excited that next year we will be doing it over 5 days so the pressure will be minimal and the education maximum!
|
|
|
Post by rj on Nov 9, 2009 13:57:29 GMT 1
Demo's = traumatisation? Why? Someone with Monty's skill gets the horses attention on, & tuned into, him pretty quick, and the outside influences are dimmed down - as proved by the heart-rate evidence. There were fireworks going off outside Towerlands on Sat night, but they didn't affect the horses heart-rates, because they were where they felt safe. They felt safe because someone was controlling their speed & direction, and so they trusted that person to keep them safe. Their heart rate went up when they were being led out of the arena into the unknown, which has to be true in any situation away from home, I'd have thought? Why is a demo more stressful than a competition? One of the 'bad-loaders' was being loaded onto the lorry to go home, while we were stacking round pen pieces, chairs boxes etc, all quite noisily behind him. My friend said ' I bet that won't help' so I said 'just watch'. Adrian had the pony's attention on himself, which is why when he led it up the ramp it followed calmly ignoring the noise & activity behind. When I used to take part in NH clinics it was the basis of our relationship with the horse, and we carried on a clinic with a firework display in the grounds, leaving the top door of the school open, much to spectators surprise. None of the horses were scared or paid attention as we kept them focussed on us. What happens when a horse leaves a demo is another question, but you really can't take responsibility for everyone else!
|
|
dptc
Olympic Poster
Posts: 557
|
Post by dptc on Nov 9, 2009 14:42:08 GMT 1
Depends on the demo and who does it, they can be life long traumatising for the pony in question - You should have seen the demo I saw with ponies in catatonic states and giving up on life....
|
|
|
Post by june on Nov 10, 2009 15:30:31 GMT 1
I think the reason I find demos marginally unsettling is the time factor. They somehow suggest that there's a quick fix. Monty always says that the demo is just the beginning and recommends the RAs but people love quick fixes so I suspect that is what sticks in their minds. However, as I said, I only find them marginally unsettling. The horses at the Monty demos do not appear to be traumatised and do seem to find Monty a safe person to be with. I think they have a place in spreading the word and I'm not sure anything else would do that as effectively.
|
|
|
Post by handsonhorses on Nov 14, 2009 20:00:12 GMT 1
evening all sorry its been a while since the latest woody instalment - been away for a few days and then super hectic since i've been back!! just wanted to let you all know that woody is coming along really well, i have been treating him and he is already loosening up in the important areas! he is certainly in quite a bit of discomfort which i totally believe is where all this bucking has stemmed from. he is moving in the right direction though and dan is gonna start working him now that we have dealt with a little bit of the 'pain' issue. i spent time just grooming him and generally pampering him yesterday and he loved it! fell asleep while he was being brushed he is a very happy chappy, beginning to feel his feet a bit more now, a sure sign he is feeling a bit better. we are all really happy with his progress and with how contented and settled he is. more updates soon!! lots of love to all, katharine xx
|
|
|
Post by jamesb on Nov 14, 2009 20:46:07 GMT 1
Good news Katharine, very pleased to hear it! Please keep us informed if you have the chance.
|
|