This message is from: Doug Knutsen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Tinkerbell is here! Hi Everyone! I'll attempt to keep my intro short as I want to share a bunch of other info with you this time. I adore all of those hooved fuzzies we commonly call horses; I believe they always deserve more than they get simply on account of their essence. (no, not that kind! Do you really think I'd talk like that first time on the Digest!?) Regarding relationship(which I've noticed life is all about: I find I'm always in some kind of relationship with something) horses have such an awesome amount of wisdom-and joy- they offer to share with us in relationship(there it is again!) to this, our lives. Due to this adoration of mine, I currently find myself in a position called "trainer"(by the people, anyway) at Knutsen Fjord Farm. Owned by Peg and Doug Knutsen, we have Fjords coming out of our ears here. Ok, so there are only 3-well 4; I saw #4(who will have a real name in about 7 months)with the ultrasound. So I hope you catch my drift, I find the find Fjords particularily delightful and that goes for their people, too. Show me your horse and I will tell you what kind of person you are.....(old English proverb, I'm pretty sure) So, in reply to those of you hunting for good info, what I would like to do is share with you a list of some of my favorite books, et c. They have become favorites because I find the information correct, comprehensive and well written(easy to read-I don't want to decipher languages, I want to spend time kissing my horse!) The Body Language of Horses by Tom Ainslie and Bonnie Ledbetter For anyone who has anything to do with horses. The Man Who Listens To Horses by Monty Roberts Same as above. I was deeply moved by his autobiography. Incl. in book is language of horses he calls "Equus". Website: montyrroberts.com Breaking and Training the Driving Horse and Drive On! by Doris Ganton Excellent. Probably good review for the exp. driver, too. Commonsense Horsemanship by Littauer If you sit a horse's back, read this. I put off looking at this for years because of it's tome-like appearance. It's because it is so incredibly full of well organized, easy-to-locate information without getting lost in what does not necessarily apply to you right now. The Complete Training of Horse and Rider by Alois Podhajsky As complete and marvellous as Com. Horsemanship, but with direction for collection in later training: this is the method used at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. Horses are Made to Be Horses by Franz Mairinger Holds a very special place in my heart. Is the method of the Spanish Riding School presented from Franz's point of view which is full of a wonderful sense of respect and sensitivity for the horse. The Art of Horsemanship by Xenophon An oldie but a goodie. Training Your Horse to Show by Neale Haley Just that. Preparing horse and rider physically and mentally, show etiquette. Very handy and helpful. Basic Equitation by Cmdt. Jean Licart A gem. Good pictures, tells what, how, and why. I stress that, because when I discovered it ages ago, it was the first book that did. Thrilled me to pieces. Centered Riding by Sally Swift If you sit a horse, read this one too. Superb for hunting up fun solutions for specific technical(or emotional!) difficulties. Think Harmony With Horses by Tom Dorrance Deserves to be gilded. He conveys the feeling of the magic that can be. He shows us how, and it's real easy. The Complete Herbal Handbook for Farm and Stable by Juliette De Bairacli I hold in extremely high regard. I have remedied some nasties that those used to doing the drug routine would freak at with the knowledge and wisdom in here. Everything we need is in our own back yard. The Complete Horseshoeing Guide by Robert F. Wiseman If your horse has hooves, add this to your library. Any books by Margaret Cabell Self Hers are anectdotal, practical and fun to read. To find these: Some are common enough to find in your library, The Book Stable, Inc., 5326 Tomahawk Trail, Fort Wayne, IN 46804, has a high quality selection, and Chamisa Ridge- www.chamisaridge.com-has an illumined selection of books, herbs, gifts and those kind of cool things. Of course try your tack and book stores, too. These are a few of my favorite things. I did my best to address the various subjects I recall (correctly?) some of you seeking info on. I'll stop myself here (there are so many great sources of help and info available now it is easy to ramble on), but I'm more than happy to recommend more, or help you locate a particular one. Hope this helps!
Ingrid Ivic, Tinkerbell rides a Friesian. In fact, she is my business partner and helps me train baby stallions, et cetera(every thing else that needs doing on a farm)... Please bear with me as I express a few other ideas I felt I needed to at this time? One: A reminder I really wonder if any of you need: There is so much info out there, I use this method of discrimination: does it hurt the horse?(mentally, physically, or emotionally) If yes, stop. If not, progress to: does it work? If yes, use it! Two: From a "trainer's" perspective: Regarding handling Fjords, they are different than other horses. Just as sensitive and intelligent(perhaps more so, in some cases) but because of their wonderful thick skins, they require that "please-re-focus-your-attention-on-me" action (body language and/or voice, depending on the specific requirements of the situation) from us to be a yell! If you are in a situation where you risk getting smushed, don't be afraid to yell at them! But, I encourage you to first whisper, instilling in them and yourself, the proper training(my definition for one aspect of the training phenomena is "a common language") we need to understand each other, so we only ever need to whisper. Part of my contribution to world peace is education of horses and people( that includes myself) with the goal of eliminating yelling. (That is supposed to be funny, but it is true, too.) Three: re: longeing I personally believe this to be a remarkable way to "train" with our horses. From personal experience I have connected strongly with many horses and achieved immense amounts with them on the longe, sometimes loose in a round pen, sometimes with a line. This said, I also wish to share with you what my coach has noticed over the years. She commented on how quickly this has unbalanced perfectly well balanced horses, and also the abnormal amount of torque this puts on their parts. So, it is not what so much as how. Flitting off for now - Tinkerbell
