A caveat:
Please, please, do not make the mistake to allow an
"unknown" (quality of approach and technique) have "carte blanche" with
your horse. A million years ago (or so it seems,
actually it was only nine) when almost everyone knew more than I about horses, I
hired a person who claimed on his advertisements to practice "Natural
Horsemanship". Granted, he was a very good rider. He had attended some Pat
Parelli clinics and figured he could be a trainer, too. He even came with some
"word of mouth" recommendations.
I will not bore you with the gory details. Needless to say
that every day as I groom my now fourteen year old Taj, and brush over the still
ruffed coat which covers the once horrid rope burns, caused when a frustrated
"trainer" attempted to force a panicked four year old to lie down (in 90+ degree
heat) so that he could be sat upon, and when I massage the scar on his pastern
where he kicked back at the flag on a stick and kicked through the barn wall,
cutting himself, I silently apologize to him for allowing the abusive treatment
he suffered at the hands of someone who knew a lot less than he
thought.
When you see someone doing something to or with your horse
that doesn't look or feel right to you....SAY SOMETHING. I wish every day that I
had just said," Thank you but I do not want my horse handled in this manner.
Here is your pay and goodbye".
When a stud chain or more rope, or harsher means to
"force" the horse come into play, I think it is probably time to step back and
reassess if where you want to go will be best achieved with such treatment or if
perhaps taking more time and consistent methods would best serve the interests
and well being of your horse. There is a reason that John Lyons and Clinton
Anderson and Buck Brannaman and a myriad of others' methods continue to achieve
proven results. And I cannot think of even one of them who recommend outright
force or intimidation. Your horse is a very special individual. Please be as
good to him as you know how to be. Don't put yourself in the position of having
to apologize for what you could have prevented.
'Nuff said.
Pat Super
