First thing, my trainer is NOT a Parelli type, not a slick huckster. She is a long time horse woman, well recommended by traditional trainers for certain situations like mine. She has studied with Buck Brannaman and others like him. She is the real deal.
Anyway, some may recall that we had hoped to take our little Arab, Rocky, and let our granddaughter ride him in Pony Club. Rocky had always been a safe “bombproof” trail horse, so we thought he would be a safe, sane mount for a child … even if not terribly talented.
Boy were we wrong! Rocky is only “bombproof” when doing as he pleases. When pushed or directed, he became very upset and erratic. We tried a “traditional” trainer and he wore her out, they got nowhere except she bedraggled and him belligerent, angry and downright dangerous. I did not know what to do with him. I didn’t even like him anymore!
Fortunately, traditional trainer recommended the natural horsemanship trainer (though everyone hates the term, don’t have a better one). She took Rocky right back down to basics, basically restarting him as if he were a baby colt. BTW, he is about 16 or 17!
Due to our hectic schedules, it’s taken longer than planned because I couldn’t get him over there for “horse school” as often as we wanted. But the transformation in my little horse is unbelievable! I feel so bad that this sweet little fellow was pushed beyond his understanding and to the point that he had to strike back to protect himself. I suspect he had 60 days training 150 years ago, and since he is a good guy and sane, he has just gotten by all these years not really understanding much, but doing his best. Like someone who can barely read, but manages to cope by picking up context.
Anyway, he is back under saddle now, calm and happy. Gone are the pinned ears, the wild eyes, choppy trot, bracing and zoning out. He is almost a pocket pony, he is engaged and listening. He is soft and willing. He THINKS. He stays calm. Yesterday, when getting off the trailer, with two horses loaded, I somehow got myself twisted about and tripped. Rocky was so calm. He just relaxed and waited for me to straighten myself out, no rushing, snorting or wild eyes. When I got myself together, he finished backing out like nothing happened.
He is just a better horsey citizen all the way around. He is happier and so are we.
Just wanted to share in case this might help someone else who is at wit’s end with a horse. Not all natural trainers are lunatics. Not all difficult horses are lost. We are getting our happy ending.
