Marv's challenge : and a riposte

["Tracey" <tracey@tbt.co.za>]

>Gather a large number of spooky horses (no matter how spooky), as many
different spook objects as you want and a crowd of unbiased spectators in
one place.  I will use any chosen object to spook the horse to demonstrate
spookiness.  I will work each horse for 30 minutes at liberty in a round
pen.  At the end of the 30 minutes I will use any of the objects, the same
or something new, no matter, in any non-injurious way anyone wants.  At that
point have the spectators vote whether or not there has been a **DRAMATIC**
positive change in the horse's acceptance level.  Pay me $50 for every horse
that makes the vote.  I'll pay $300 for every horse that doesn't make the
vote.>


Marv, unfortunately I am too far away from you to participate, and my horses
don't spook, so I can't offer either of them.  However, I believe that at
the end of your session, your horses will be "spook-proof" in the round pen.
I am still skeptical about whether this will make them bombproof on the
trail, or in the school.  I am sure that they will be less spooky, because
of the handling they receive, but I honestly, and I don't mean this in a
nasty way, or to start a pissing contest or anything, believe that horses
who are "desensitised" in a more natural environment (ie OUT) over a longer
period of time, are safer horses at the end of the day.


Contrary to what people have said, I am not blinkered to other
possibilities, and of course I'd be happier if 30 minutes in a round pen
could achieve the same results as one year on the trail, but I have yet to
see it.


>I stand ready, anywhere in North America, to accept ANY equal-risk
challenge to put up or shut up any of the concepts *I* use.>

Drat.  Nothing in South Africa?


>I am unable to explain NH to anyone mostly because that is a catch-all
title for a wide range of practices.  Even the "devotees" of it often are
unable to answer it.  It took me over a half-century to become a natural
horseman.>


Perhaps we should refine the question : explain why the round pen is a more
effective, long-term learning environment than any other.


>Have a good horse day.>


You bet : going riding, as opposed to working!


Tracey