> Robyn and others have mentioned on this list over and over and over again, > and I don't think can be said enough, given the amount of new-comers to > the > breed and/or horses we likely have on this list: > > Make sure the talk matches the walk. If a clinician, instructor, > "expert" > is saying all the right words, but can't produce what he/she says in the > saddle or in practice, Run, don't walk away.
I have this on one of my old old websites, by Robyn Hood: "I always encourage people to look at lots of things and find out, not only what works for them but, what feels okay for them. You can always make any method better. I have a suggestion for anyone observing a clinician/trainer at work-- ask yourself the following questions: Is what they are saying and what they are doing really the same? (I read many books and all the methods sound nice but in reality are not always like that.) How does it feel to you in your heart and in your gut? If you were in the horse's shoes-- how would you feel or what would you be learning? And one of the most important questions: What do they do when their method doesn't work? Do they have other tools or do they just continue to escalate the pressure? If you are watching a video-- turn off the sound and see it without hearing the words and you can also do the opposite - listen to it without seeing - you might be surprised at the incongruencies that occur. " > Actions ALWAYS speak louder (and more honestly) than words. Walk the Talk: http://www.doyouwalkthetalk.com/ Do it for the horse. Man and his ego can take care of themselves. We need to stand up for the horse. Judy http://iceryder.net http://clickryder.com
