PSA-PBS Show "Equus" is on Wed. Jan. 16

[caffeinated]

@pAin't_Misbehavin'

I thought it was terrific. I watched it this morning on my on-demand service.
Loved the Eohippus animation, and I thought the biomechanics part from the racetrack was fascinating. I also was very interested to see how different horses had the same expressions in reaction to the pictures of people’s faces.
And of course the cowboy colt-starting at the end was the best.

If you liked the biomechanic stuff, there’s a FANTASTIC episode of “inside nature’s giants” that shows how a lot of that works, using dissection and various experiments with body parts (like showing how much energy gets “stored” in the tendons, how much air the lungs can hold, etc).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feAj2aspkIE

(I think you can also stream it on PBS website, but can’t get that link here.)

It’s really fascinating (though it does feature a dissection of a euthanized racehorse, so if you’re not up for that, might not want to watch)

[TMares]

@LaurieB

I watched the first part, I won’t go back for the second.

Maybe if I had never seen or interacted with a horse in real life, I might have thought the show was interesting. But as a horse owner myself I found the narrator’s equine “discoveries” to be naïve to say the least. (Wow, I had no idea that horses had facial expressions! And that they actually interact with people! And that they are social animals!)

I also thought it was funny that almost every “expert” he consulted was described as “legendary”. Umm, not in the real world. It was entertaining to see several people I knew pass by. But beyond that, even my only mildly horsey husband–who was made to watch the show with me–was rolling his eyes.

#Humblebrag

it was a bit hyperbolic in places, sure, but worth it to learn about the prezwalski horse herd, and the mechanics of breathing at speed.

[TCA_Arabians]

I too wondered how many days the colt breaking segment actually took. Great editing there. I learned a good bit in the segment on breathing at speed. The photography was wonderful. The Nature series always has great photography. I’m guessing Pt. 2 is next week. We’ll be watching.

[Bluey]

@TMares

#Humblebrag

it was a bit hyperbolic in places, sure, but worth it to learn about the prezwalski horse herd, and the mechanics of breathing at speed.

A bit more than hyperbolic:

"Horses don’t need to be ridden, you know … " maybe such out of place comments, out of the blue, should not have been in that kind of documentary.

Will be interesting to see how the second part is presented and ends.

[TMares]

@Bluey

A bit more than hyperbolic:

"Horses don’t need to be ridden, you know … " maybe such out of place comments, out of the blue, should not have been in that kind of documentary.

Will be interesting to see how the second part is presented and ends.

That’s not hyperbole. Hyperbole was gushing about how the western trainer was 'Legendary" and such as that- I follow the ‘natural horse peeps’ a bit from Martin Black to Jon Ensign to Buck and Ray and the Dorrances and I was like wait, who?

If the woman who saved the Przewalski horses from extinction wants to wax poetic on them being wild and unridden, so be it.

[Bluey]

@TMares

That’s not hyperbole. Hyperbole was gushing about how the western trainer was 'Legendary" and such as that- I follow the ‘natural horse peeps’ a bit from Martin Black to Jon Ensign to Buck and Ray and the Dorrances and I was like wait, who?

If the woman who saved the Przewalski horses from extinction wants to wax poetic on them being wild and unridden, so be it.

Sure, on a documentary about them and her opinions.
Maybe not in a general documentary about horses, in today’s fractioned environment.
Leaving such comments there I think shows lack of knowledge of what the real horse world is, or what the controversies are and why and then taking a stand for some, against others, maybe not what the documentary was about?

We will see if that was an oversight or part of the story when we see the rest.

Just one more comment on a beautiful documentary, that it was, truly.

[TMares]

pfffft - molehills

[goodhors]

There is actually a part 3, which is supposed to be shown on Nova in Feb. I will watch both of the upcoming films, see what they show us! I just went with the speaker being excited to show horses to many people that did not know a lot about them. He was both endeavoring to show horse beauty and unique things we are now learning after our long relationship of many years with horses. Slow motion on how legs flex and fold in running let us see the amazing reason horses can go so fast!

Seeing the success of the newly returned horses in Mongolia was heartening, I have been tracking them over the years on several paper sources. Finding the drive behind their return was mostly one woman pushing, connecting people with rare specimens, was news to me! BUT bless her stubborn presistance to allow us those herd pictures in their native setting. From the 12 animals in private hands, to wild, free-roaming (small yet) herds is amazing progress in a very short time! If it was because she likes to see them run, it works for me! Non-horse folks need to see these animals, know they are a evolutionary step in reaching modern horses that we love. AND I finally learned the proper pronunciation of their name! Not even close to my guesses.

Watching the “natural trainer” raised some questions to me, but the (carefully edited) progress of young horse, visible changes in letting himself be handled, were rather eye-opening. Husband is also horsey but has not “read up” on natural training so a lot was new to him. I think things went very well for an intense one-day session of an unhandled horse. Young horse was stressed, showed sweating, but was doing well. I kind of ignored the adjectives about the man, but he did a good show in not pushing too hard, gave the young horse space for rewards. Gave horse some equine company as needed, while still getting needed responses to do the next step in learning. I did like his personal horse, well built, well trained, a huge help in training the young horse, which has to make training easier on everyone. Man’s job is getting young, often unhandled horses ready for working lives, without hurting them or himself. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but great progress from old-time, rough breaking methods, for producing confident, reliable horses to ride.

The woman studying behaviour was very different thinking to me on the tiny points of horses cuing off humans. Not approaching “angry face” photos, going right up to smiling photos, give me much food for thought!

And then the eye-candy parts. Probably very appealing to casual viewers, seeing pretty horses spot lighted, yards of CLEAN mane and tails flying thru the air at normal and slow motion speeds. I dId get tIred of seeing the fat ripple on the back of the big grey horse running at us. Could not look away! Muscle in action is so much prettier. Running groups of multi-colored horses running free are lovely too. But these are the type of pictures that appeal to general audiences, as shown in all nature films.

So I will be watching to see what else is shown on the next two films they present to us. It was different than what I expected, but well worth watching.

[Sparrowette]

@WildLittleWren

I missed it :no:

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/equus-story-of-the-horse-about/16877/

Full episode 1 available.

[Sparrowette]

@LaurieB

I watched the first part, I won’t go back for the second.

Maybe if I had never seen or interacted with a horse in real life, I might have thought the show was interesting. But as a horse owner myself I found the narrator’s equine “discoveries” to be naïve to say the least. (Wow, I had no idea that horses had facial expressions! And that they actually interact with people! And that they are social animals!)

I also thought it was funny that almost every “expert” he consulted was described as “legendary”. Umm, not in the real world. It was entertaining to see several people I knew pass by. But beyond that, even my only mildly horsey husband–who was made to watch the show with me–was rolling his eyes.

Well, you also have to catch the little parts where they talk about most people thinking of horses like motorbikes - no feelings, opinions or personalities of their own, just get on and go. This is where we see who their target audience is. And I thought he did a fair job of explaining horses to laypersons.

It’s like them telling me about lions. I’ve seen them in zoos, and on TV. I’ve never interacted with one and probably never will. But I think they’re cool and the information presented about them is valuable.

And I’m very glad of it. In almost all cities around the world, almost no one anymore has even met a horse. When I talk to non-horse people there are always myths that need to be debunked. We’ve had whole threads on that here on CoTH that can be pretty funny.

I’ll allow a bit of hyperbole (Really, who IS that guy and why is he legendary?) if it teaches laypersons the miracle that horses truly are, and that if we are fair to them, they are happy to be with us and have us on their back along with all the other things we do together.

I just watched a video on “Throwback Thursday” of 2017 winner “Pato Muente on Zera”. In the video, Zera’s face is calm, alert, relaxed. That’s not the face of a horse who wants the rider off. It’s the face of a horse who is happy to be playing with the human. “C’Mon! Let’s jump things!”

A non-horseperson would never be introduced to that idea except for shows like this.

[Sparrowette]

@goodhors

There is actually a part 3, which is supposed to be shown on Nova in Feb. I will watch both of the upcoming films, see what they show us! I just went with the speaker being excited to show horses to many people that did not know a lot about them. He was both endeavoring to show horse beauty and unique things we are now learning after our long relationship of many years with horses. Slow motion on how legs flex and fold in running let us see the amazing reason horses can go so fast!

Seeing the success of the newly returned horses in Mongolia was heartening, I have been tracking them over the years on several paper sources. Finding the drive behind their return was mostly one woman pushing, connecting people with rare specimens, was news to me! BUT bless her stubborn presistance to allow us those herd pictures in their native setting. From the 12 animals in private hands, to wild, free-roaming (small yet) herds is amazing progress in a very short time! If it was because she likes to see them run, it works for me! Non-horse folks need to see these animals, know they are a evolutionary step in reaching modern horses that we love. AND I finally learned the proper pronunciation of their name! Not even close to my guesses.

Watching the “natural trainer” raised some questions to me, but the (carefully edited) progress of young horse, visible changes in letting himself be handled, were rather eye-opening. Husband is also horsey but has not “read up” on natural training so a lot was new to him. I think things went very well for an intense one-day session of an unhandled horse. Young horse was stressed, showed sweating, but was doing well. I kind of ignored the adjectives about the man, but he did a good show in not pushing too hard, gave the young horse space for rewards. Gave horse some equine company as needed, while still getting needed responses to do the next step in learning. I did like his personal horse, well built, well trained, a huge help in training the young horse, which has to make training easier on everyone. Man’s job is getting young, often unhandled horses ready for working lives, without hurting them or himself. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but great progress from old-time, rough breaking methods, for producing confident, reliable horses to ride.

The woman studying behaviour was very different thinking to me on the tiny points of horses cuing off humans. Not approaching “angry face” photos, going right up to smiling photos, give me much food for thought!

And then the eye-candy parts. Probably very appealing to casual viewers, seeing pretty horses spot lighted, yards of CLEAN mane and tails flying thru the air at normal and slow motion speeds. I dId get tIred of seeing the fat ripple on the back of the big grey horse running at us. Could not look away! Muscle in action is so much prettier. Running groups of multi-colored horses running free are lovely too. But these are the type of pictures that appeal to general audiences, as shown in all nature films.

So I will be watching to see what else is shown on the next two films they present to us. It was different than what I expected, but well worth watching.

Your comment made me think of something. There was a day some time ago, when I was very upset about something, and started bawling about it in the barn aisle while my mare was tied and could see me crying. Another person at the barn understood, and gave me a hug. While all that was happening, I looked at my mare, and she was staring at me, turning her head as far as allowed by the tie. Afterward, I wasn’t sure, but was wondering about it at the time, she seemed to be more - I guess you’d call it nurturing to me. Softer, easier, more low-key than she is normally.

[Foxtrot_s]

Sparrow - they DO know - when a family member died I took my big, normally somewhat feisty mare for a ride to get out in the fresh air. People asked me to join them on the trails, but I wanted to be alone - so help me, she treated me like gold that day - so soft and willing. Loved her for that. Dogs, too have it.

[goodhors]

Have to agree that at times a horse you are very close to does seem to know you need some special attention. No face making involved with my old horse, but she never acted up when I rode her while pregnant. Thru 3 pregnancies I rode until about 7 months along and she never did any of her common, having fun, skittering along a trail, looking for boogies in the bushes, got her softest gaits. She was back to herself after baby arrived! She also was like that with the kids while young riders, took care of them gently, non-reactive to things. She did make them ride properly as their skills improved, made kids watch ahead for possible scary things!

[dotneko]

I agree too, that your horse knows when to treat you with kid gloves. When I was undergoing chemo, Fabian was fascinated by my do-rag and bald head. He wanted to lick it lol. When I was able to ride him, he treated me like I was glass. This same horse, when I was feeling well, would throw in a buck or shy. On the rare occasions I came off, he would stand and look at me like 'dude, I totally miscalculated your ability to stay with me there. Not when I was sick - never a foot wrong.

[Bluey]

When I had shoulder surgery, my old horse was especially careful and watched that the youngsters were also.
He didn’t let anyone too close if they were not very quiet and polite with it.

I was surprised, as he generally would just mind his own stuff and leave directing life to others.

Once my arm was back operational, he again left things to me.

[Guilherme]

@TCA Arabians

I too wondered how many days the colt breaking segment actually took. Great editing there. I learned a good bit in the segment on breathing at speed. The photography was wonderful. The Nature series always has great photography. I’m guessing Pt. 2 is next week. We’ll be watching.

I presume you’re familiar with the “Road to the Horse” extravaganza where three “legendary” trainers race to see who can get a youngster under saddle first and not get tossed in the process? If not, don’t get familiar with it as it will just make you angry!!!

Sure, you can get on the horse and ride around a bit under carefully controlled conditions. And there are some horses out there that can started in a day or so as they just have really docile, cooperative temperaments. But then there’s the rest of the horse world where that’s not true!!!

But as for the youngster in the program, now somebody has to impart in him the basic ground work lessons that horses need to have. It should not be difficult as this youngster was pretty steady even when we was a bit resistant.

I’ll watch part 2 and see what happens.

G.

[TCA_Arabians]

Guilherme - Nope. I’m not familiar with the “Road to the Horse” extravaganza. You’re right though - I’d get angry if it is as you suggest. I get angry at scenes in old westerns that show “breaking” horses. I also love the programs that show the gentling of a horse. Some people are truly ‘horse whisperers.’ Our gelding was trained to saddle using the same method shown in the show. But, it occurred over days - not hours. He didn’t have a pony buddy with him. But, the rest of the process was the same. I have some very funny photos of him with his legs splayed out trying to regain his balance with a rider up. Zero bucking!

The second episode is tomorrow night (1/23) at 8pm. I know someone who did a documentary about the wild horses on an island off Nova Scotia. I’m wondering if those will be included. I imagine many of us will be debriefing here come Thursday morning.

[Guilherme]

@TCA Arabians

Guilherme - Nope. I’m not familiar with the “Road to the Horse” extravaganza. You’re right though - I’d get angry if it is as you suggest.

It is. IIRC Parelli got bucked off his horse at one of them.

I get angry at scenes in old westerns that show “breaking” horses.

I just listened to the overture from the John Wayne film “The Cowboys.” Great flick, terrific music, but the “breaking scene” in the film is one you would not like! Yet that was a way that MANY horses were started in those days.

I also love the programs that show the gentling of a horse. Some people are truly ‘horse whisperers.’ Our gelding was trained to saddle using the same method shown in the show. But, it occurred over days - not hours. He didn’t have a pony buddy with him. But, the rest of the process was the same. I have some very funny photos of him with his legs splayed out trying to regain his balance with a rider up. Zero bucking!

A lot does depend on the breeding of the animals. We’ve NEVER had to “cowboy” a Marchador during the starting process. I am, and always was, too old to start my own horses but I always picked folks who saw a proper start is a way to save a lot of time later (by having to re-do a bad start).

The second episode is tomorrow night (1/23) at 8pm. I know someone who did a documentary about the wild horses on an island off Nova Scotia. I’m wondering if those will be included. I imagine many of us will be debriefing here come Thursday morning.

For sure we’ll watch it. But stuff that’s prepared for the general public should be considered “PR” in most cases, not “how to” clinic-type films. These things NEVER show injuries to humans and/or horses and anyone with any actual experience with horses, particularly youngsters, knows that such injuries are routine. They are not wanted, but they are a part and parcel of the process of turning a 1000 pound feral critter into a good, equine citizen.

G.

[TCA_Arabians]

Ah yes, injuries. It’s funny how practically all programs overlook that part of it. Tho, the part where they were discussing vision in Equus did show where a horse’s blind spots are. It’s also funny that for as many times as I’ve been rolled in the dirt - I’ve done more damage to myself tripping over the housekeeper’s stepladder.

[TCA_Arabians]

Bump - it’s on tonight!