RE: [IceHorses] Re: Left or Right
While all of us probably have traits from each side of the brain, we can probably categorize ourselves as either pre-dominantly left or right brained. Just within the USA Icelandic community, I see the left-brained versus right-brained people aligning pretty strongly...or at least that's what I think it is. It's always annoyed me no end that so many people in this breed seem to be pursuing the whole Icelandic experience, totally going off on the whole cultural experience...even when it appears to me that what is best for the horses gets lost in the whole experience garbage. To me, a new horse owner first and foremost needs to be practical, and take care of the logical necessities of horse ownership. The facts of horse ownership determines the horse's safety and well being. But, once the basics are taken care of, of course, there's a huge spot (even a need) for use to draw on our intuitive, feeling sides in building relationships with our horses. I suspect to this list I come across as uber-logical...but among the engineering-types I work with, I'm pretty arty - depends on who you hang out with, I suppose. :) Relating this to a journey towards becoming a horseman, I think I've always had an easy time with the logical, factual side of horsemanship, since the very beginning. I think, however, it was more of a struggle for me to open up and allow my intuitive side to surface as well. A couple of things happened to make me realize that logic alone wasn't going to get it...one, there was no immediately logical explanation for the back issues that Gracie suffered with for years, and two...soon afterwards, I met Anneliese, and decided to breed a few horses. I was at a point where I was looking to move to the next step of horsemanship. Anneliese told me so many things to watch for, how to let the horses tell me things, and I think that broke the roadblock I had imposed on myself. I think, pre-Anneliese, I had been stifling my intuitive side way too much, so I met her at the right point in my journey - I think if I'd met her a few years earlier, she wouldn't have had the same effect on me. Karen Thomas, NC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.15.1/1079 - Release Date: 10/19/2007 5:10 AM
Re: [IceHorses] Re: Left or Right / Horsenality
I meant I'm struggling with the way Tosca's training is progressing because she is so very different to work with from Hunter. I actually would not be particularly thrilled to have bought a second Hunter. Under Left Brain: tolerant, unconcerned, confident On the other chart: smart charismatic friendly non responsive disinterested unmotivated/dull easily bored lazy Those things sound pretty negative when listed. She's actually a sweet and charming mare. She seems to learn what she thinks is expected of her and then produces it every time, whether it's right or not. For instance, she was taught that when working in the round pen, she should stop dead on the circle and not move a step in any direction. I could go all over the pen, doing hand stands had I been capable of it, and she would have stood there. Only last week (with carrots) did I convince her that she could come in to me. Then she followed all over the pen at heel, no lead. I was thrilled. She loves treats, but her breeder and his barn man liked for the herd to gather around them for treats. Many of the horses we have met from there are quite pushy over treats. And, yes, I know clicker training would probably be the answer to a lot of this. I just don't feel confident in my ability to work by myself with a training method so new to me. Nancy
Re: [IceHorses] Re: Left or Right
Why do you think horse people are more left-brained? Because most left brained people are more contained and riding allows them to loosen up and be free-er - I think at an elemental level that is a need the horses fill for them. These are generalizations, of course. -- Laree When you're young and you fall off a horse, you may break something. When you're my age and you fall off, you splatter - Roy Rogers
Re: [IceHorses] Re: Left or Right
It would be my guess that more (by a fairly big margin) horse people are left brained They say that left brained people prefer dogs, and right brained people prefer cats not sure where horses fall in there! Why do you think horse people are more left-brained? Judy
Re: [IceHorses] Re: Left or Right
On 10/19/07, Nancy Sturm [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Well, other than being good at sports and liking to read mysteries, by that list, I am WAY left-brained. It would be my guess that more (by a fairly big margin) horse people are left brained -- Laree When you're young and you fall off a horse, you may break something. When you're my age and you fall off, you splatter - Roy Rogers
Re: [IceHorses] Re: Left or Right
Well, other than being good at sports and liking to read mysteries, by that list, I am WAY left-brained. Nancy
