I was recently at a clinic where two people were riding schooling horses. Although this may not be the case with all bonds formed with schooling horses, the bond was not there with these two pairs.
The horses were all about getting their job done. The riders were just interested in riding, for an hour, two hours, whatever, and there wasn’t much relationship there, other than simple kindness to the horse.
Many people lease a horse or would like to do something for a horse they don’t own. It makes sense economically because the cost of horse ownership is so high. It is also an avenue by which people can get involved with horses, without the initial purchase or boarding and care price. It can be a good arrangement for the horse, especially if he/she will receive additional positive attention.
Some horses are always being used as school horses and others are leased by particular people for specific lengths of time. Sometimes they are leased in the hopes that a nice person will buy them.
If you get attached easily, this may be a difficult relationship to have with a horse. The situation can get awkward as you get more attached to the horse, but may not be ready to buy him or may not be planning to buy him.
Perhaps he is a schooling horse used by many other people. Your influence over him may be small compared to that of the others who are in his world. Sometimes the horse becomes an important stepping stone in your entry into the world of horses, where there is a lot to learn to own one. It may appear easier to lease someone else’s horse so that you can enjoy the experience. This may not be the horse you buy, but the time you do spend will be appreciated by the horse.
If it’s possible for you, with permission of the owners, to sit with the horse and read a book, to take him or her for walks, to just spend time, the horse will grow in gratitude and his life will be greatly improved.
Horses love attention. On our gelding Patches’ halter, one side is inscribed with “I love attention.” It was my granddaughter Ariana’s idea to put that on there. He does love attention. If you don’t notice him, he will come over and put his big head in front of you, ready for a pet or carrot.
At clinics and in lessons, I work with many horses I don’t know at all. It’s amazing to me how quickly they can come into relationship with the Liberty Foundations, without having previous experience with me and the students. Sometimes a horse will “claim” me and decide to stand with me for awhile, happy to just hang out with me in that time period.
For those who don’t own their own horses, this is a wonderful experience to share with a borrowed horse. The horse will then go back to its life and feel lighter hearted, because someone has “seen” her or him, someone may have taken interest in who she or he is, without an expectation.
At our upcoming Liberty Foundations clinic held in Jones, Oklahoma, you do not have to own your own horse to participate. There a horses to work with who will appreciate your attentiveness and help you learn.
Enjoy this video of liberty enthusiast Karen Corn working with a palomino mare she had not met before at one of our Oklahoma Clinics.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2M0IJFvy6aU&w=560&h=315]*****
Keep an eye on the calendar as more events will be added as they are planned.
Services: Bodywork: (Ortho-Bionomy for people, Equine Ortho-Bionomy, Equine Positional Release (EPR)): private sessions, tutorials, phone consultations, Horse & Rider sessions, clinics, distance healing communication and gift certificates
Liberty Coaching: clinics, mini-clinics, workshops, private and semi-private sessions, tutorials, consultations: by appointment: 505.501.2478 or emailing susansmith@orthohorse.info Scheduling now. Contact me for details.
Let me know if you want to do a clinic in your area. Prices will vary according to location & travel costs.
April 10-12 – Spring Liberty Weekend in Oklahoma — Susan Smith and Ruella Yates, co-instructors. Contact either of us: susansmith@orthohorse.info or ruella@libertyfoundations for further details.
Photo credit: Catherine Sobredo PhotographyApril 25 – HOLD YOUR HORSES! AN INTRODUCTION TO EQUINE POSITIONAL RELEASE
Time: SATURDAY 9AM – 4PM $130 Early Bird paid before April 10 – $140 after April 10. Payments are non-refundable after April 10.Learn how to do some effective bodywork in this introductory course.Equine Positional Release, (EPR), is a non-force modality devised by founder Zarna Carter, from her training in Ortho-Bionomy and Homeopathy.
EPR works with the body’s ability to self-correct. By giving the body specific choices, it finds available corrections.EPR can effectively address acute and chronic injury patterns, structure, tendons & ligaments, illness, organ imbalance, fluids, lymph, neurological imbalances, lameness, and much more.Susan Smith is a registered advanced Ortho-Bionomy practitioner, Equine Ortho-Bionomy and EPR practitioner & Teacher Trainee with a
practice for both people and equines.To enroll, please contact Susan at 505-501-2478 (cell) or 505-983-2128 (home) Email susansmith@orthohorse.info.
A PayPal option will be put on www.orthohorse.infoSpace is limited; please contact Susan for an enrollment form and to arrange payment.
Who will benefit from this work?
All horses and humans, but specifically:
- Horses who have not responded to traditional natural horsesmanship
- Horses who have been frightened, abused and in other ways traumatized
- Horses who may be aggressive or too passive in their herd situations
- Horses who have problems with humans
- All humans who may be puzzled about relationship with horses and want to deepen their connection.
December 7-11 Sahaja 2015 5-Day Clinic on the island of St. Vincent in the Caribbean – Susan Smith & Stina Herberg. See details:
Independent Liberty Trainers Network
Susan & Stina Team Up to Make the Sahaja Clinic an Unforgettable Experience
Susan is a member of the Independent Liberty Trainers Network. libertytrainersnetwork.com/