I gave myself two presents this Christmas. No surprise, both were DVD’s about horses: Carolyn Resnick’s “The Waterhole Rituals” and Stormy May’s “The Path of the Horse”. I recommend them highly. “The Path of the Horse” includes not only Resnick, but Mark Rashid and Linda Kohanov - all my favorite teachers.
Stormy May is also organizing a teleseminar that starts this Saturday and goes on for five sessions with the horsepeople who are in her documentary. You can find out more information at thepathofthehorse.com. It’s a wonderful thing to do on a cold winter afternoon. I’m so pleased that Carolyn Resnick is participating in the first one, along with Anna Twinney. The response to the teleseminar has been very enthusiastic. It is really exciting to find a growing commitment among like-minded horse owners to create a kinder, gentler, mutually beneficial way to communicate with our horses. Seeing success with horses that enjoy their training and interactions with humans without using gimmicks or offering unrealistic promises is really inspiring to me.
Silk and Siete have been very patient and calm all week while we’ve had some dangerously icy conditions. For a couple of days, I wasn’t even able to turn them out because it was too slippery. In the past, they would become really restless and irritable if they couldn’t run around. This time, they seem to understand that it’s for their safety. Today, when I was finally able to put them in the snow-covered pasture for a couple of hours, they didn’t go crazy. Silk trotted around and around in big, graceful circles. Siete ran across on a diagonal, but when she realized that her footing wasn’t solid, she stopped short and went back to eating the hay that I had left in one corner. I think they somehow have learned that I really do have their best interests at heart.
Watching Stormy May’s documentary, I had several moments when I felt a re-awakening of my love for all horses and especially my own. It came at a time when I needed to be reminded of their gifts of insight and acceptance and the deeper understanding that they are willing to give me when I am open to it.
7 comments:
Thanks for the heads up about the programs. Newest Pony Cousin Gracie and i may need some fine viewing for our time together.
Our snow is gone now, but there is fresh snow on the mtns north of us. My ponies were frolicking in the big corral this afternoon. The temp got up to 40 and they sure looked like they enjoyed it.
Isn't it wonderful when your horse realizes that you are the herd leader and your job is to protect them. When they accept that fact it sure goes a long way to furthering your partnership with them.
Those moments of affirmation are the greatest, aren't they? We know we love horses and the surges of passion experienced throughout the journey are amazing. I love reading Mark Rashid and I am going to look into your suggestions. I really enjoy your blog!
Sounds interesting, I'll have to check it out!
I'll have to check out those DVD's and the teleseminar. It all sounds very interesting.
I love that Silk, being the older more experienced horse, is so sane and careful when she is turned out and that Siete is learning too. You're a good herd leader and I'm sure the girls
can appreciate all you do for them to protect them. Be careful of that ice, it's wicked slippery out there today.
Thanks for the recommendation, now I've got to watch The Path of the Horse. It sounds like a must-see.
Great DVD, The Path of the Horse -- glad to see you mention it. Anything that awakens our quieter selves and helps us connect with who our horses truly are... those things are what I would call divine.
Mark will be in NH for about 10 days in May!
Post a Comment