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Post by tigersmandy on Jan 6, 2012 10:30:36 GMT 1
Just learning to work at one with your horse in a non violent but sensible way. I'm new to IH and it seemed very confusing at first ie using body language etc but once it clicks, it clicks big time.
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Post by Lorraine L on Jan 6, 2012 11:29:31 GMT 1
I told my niece ( when her new, green pony ) arrived to remember how she felt at the first day at Big school. You arrive in a place that you don't feel comfortable in, because of everything being new. You look for a calm, welcoming face, perhaps in the teacher or older pupil to take you by the hand, and show you how and why things are done. If you are given the time to reflect and gain your confidence rather than be hurried along, you can fit in and begin a relationship with everyone in the enviroment. On the other hand, if pushed and rushed, you feel like turning tail and running back home.
Her approach to the pony was immediate. She told me " She wanted to sit in the field for a little while incase he wanted company or felt sad ! "
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clarita
Elementary Poster
Posts: 65
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Post by clarita on Jan 6, 2012 12:42:09 GMT 1
By trying to understand the motivations, desires and fears of a horse, IH helps us work WITH our horses rather than against them. Its a constant process of listening, learning and understanding. cheers clarita c
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Post by 2 bays & a grey:D on Jan 6, 2012 14:02:33 GMT 1
It's sometimes hard to explain to people the concept of something other than what they've always known. Maybe not hard to explain, rather hard for people to get their heads round as it may be a completely new set of ideas for them. I think the best way is to just let them see IH in action. A lovely lady at our yard said to me a while back "it's so nice for Sandy to have someone who actually gets her". It's often easier to explain to non-horsey people because they have no preconceptions about it all, 'normal' riders sometimes don't like to be told their ways are 'wrong' even if nobody's saying they are, so each person has to be judged individually as to how to state the case, I think. I call it falling on deaf ears.. only just the other day I was told to basically get rid of my horse rather than try and understand why she behaves a certain way.. i gave up and walked away... to be honest I couldn't be bothered trying to explain anymore... they will only listen when they are ready... if they ever will be!
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Post by rosemaryhannah on Jan 6, 2012 14:03:30 GMT 1
Somewhere into the above should go the fact the IH is efficient. That by working in harmony with the horse's understanding of the world one can teach him new skills and new behaviours in the most efficient way, since he is not confused or afraid.
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Post by marsayy on Jan 6, 2012 14:30:51 GMT 1
I usually explain quite simply that IH techniques are a kind and gentle way of training and handling horses with no aggression or violence towards the horse. Understanding their non verbal communication and working to gain an understanding of how our actions effect the horse. Working as a partnership rather than myself dominating the free will of the horse, trying to work with them rather than against them almost. Gaining and understanding of their flight response rather than our human fight response can help us to understand their reactions to strange or scary things rather than whipping them with a crop to get past that scary wheelie bin, understand the reaction and not chastise the horse for being scarred or the fact that it was only doing what is natural etc.
Most people think it's something you use for troubled horses but they have no idea of the joy when the horse accepts you into their herd. It is an amazing feeling and one I can not imagine ever being without. I had a few instructors who didn't understand why I wanted to know about how my actions effected the horse and was told to just give a "Few extra pony club kicks, if you don't get what you want" then I saw Monty on H&C channel and I knew that was what I was looking for and to be honest I feel like a whole new world has opened up to me.
Thanks Kelly and Monty you have changed my life and that of my horses for the better.
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Post by holi on Jan 6, 2012 14:43:57 GMT 1
For me its about questioning the belief that the horse is naughty, playing up, doing it on purpose and reacting differently having looked at the problem from the horses perspective.Also to question yourself and to ask what I am doing wrong and how can I right the situation. Its also about trying not too hard and brining fun back into a relationship
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Post by Catrin on Jan 6, 2012 16:34:47 GMT 1
Intelligent Horsemanship is a change in the way you think about horses that makes you do things so much better.
You don't have a problem horse, because you understand why he behaves like he does. You don't have a problem handling your horse, because you have learned how to keep him calm and safe. You don't have a problem riding your horse, because you can control him on the ground. You don't have a problem feeding your horse, because you know how to meet his needs. You don't have a problem you can't solve, because Intelligent Horsemanship is a team.
Intelligent Horsemanship puts all the problems behind you and let's you enjoy the funĀ ahead.
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Post by Hazel on Jan 6, 2012 16:37:36 GMT 1
Children often say things in the most simple, and yet the most intelligent way. Their logic is often flawless. Nice one Emily I often think What better way is there to communicate with horses than in their own language? If done properly, there can be no chance of misunderstanding. I read a comment once from someone (I can't remember who or where, but it could well have been on this board) saying that it should never be the horse's job to have to try and understand human language and behaviour. It is the human that makes the horse live with him, and the human that has the superior brain capacity and the ability to learn many languages. So why not one more? Especially one that is in essence so simple and logical and practical. But often, if it's possible, demonstration is far more effective than description can ever be.
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Post by specialized on Jan 6, 2012 18:38:00 GMT 1
It is another tool that helps you understand your horse, working with common sense, sympathy and empathy.
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Post by holi on Jan 9, 2012 17:11:57 GMT 1
Just thought of another - it about seeing the grin on people's faces when they try something like join-up and it works!! I thought my friend's face would split in half lol!!
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Post by dalesfan on Jan 9, 2012 18:49:14 GMT 1
It's about power without force, understanding without over sentimentality, thinking yet at the same time feeling, and a knowledge deep inside that you're doing the right thing.
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Post by heather on Jan 9, 2012 21:35:04 GMT 1
Agree Jen!! It should indeed go in the mag! What a lovely little girl sunnylynn11- you must be very proud of her.
I think Jennyb has summed it up pretty well for me, Kelly!
Heather
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Post by ruthp on Jan 10, 2012 10:11:59 GMT 1
For me IH is about treating horses intelligently. It's about realising that horses, like people, are individuals and that they, like us, all come with their own baggage. With a human you might discuss their issues and try and help them work through their worries. With a horse you have to pick up clues from their behaviour and use your brain (and if required the help of the IH team) to come up with ways of overcoming their fears. Obviously Kelly, Monty and co. have given us a number of tools and processes that we can emulate for specific situations - loading, clipping etc. but in our daily lives with our own horses we will continue to encounter new challenges that we just have to try and work through calmly and intelligently.
It's as much an intellectual exercise as it is a physical one, and for me that's what makes it so fascinating.
The other true value that IH brings for me is the concept that you never stop learning, and that no one "knows it all". There are many people, in all walks of life, who think that once they have achieved a certain standard they no longer need to learn anything new. The IH approach is that your knowlege and skill set are always evolving - this concept has helped me in far wider fields than just horsemanship.
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Post by curlytobiano on Jan 10, 2012 22:20:10 GMT 1
I love Emily's answer too I am very new to IH but when I tried to describe it to my non horsey other half I said something like 'it's a way of handling and dealing with horses so it's easier for them to understand what you want, and of making sure that what you want is ok for them to do' ..... No - Emily's is still best!
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