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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by seldomseen on November 19, 2007, at 10:30:36
For those of you that don't know, Andrew was all set to be my very first horse. On halloween he threw me and injured me quite badly. We were just in the middle of the process of "bonding" between horse and rider that is necessary for developing a good working relationship.
I'm off Andrew (doctor's orders) until the first of the year. I didn't know if I could ever even see him again. For the past times I've been at the stables, he was having shoe problems and couldn't be worked. I made no effort to go see him or even try to spend time with him. I just couldn't.
Well today when I arrived, my instructor had caught him and already had him in the barn. She's really an intuitive, good instructor. She knew I had to face him.
He came up to me and nuzzled me. I just started to cry. I mean just bawling my eyes out and I just held on to him and petted his eyes (horses love that) for a long time. He was very quiet - unusual for Andrew because he's got to be doing something all the time.
I know it upset Andrew that I was hurt (don't ask me how, but horses know), I know it upset him to see me on the ground not moving.
We've got a long way to go, and we've been set way back, but I think we came a long way today in forgiving each other for the harm we did to each other.
We worked a little while in the dressage arena, just doing "in hand" work (not on horseback). My instructor was by my side the whole time in case I freaked out (which I did with another horse last week). But I didn't. About half way through I quit crying and began to enjoy watching Andrew move again. He is just pure joy in motion.
I can't say for sure that I will ever be able to ride him again. But today we took the first step.
Seldom
Posted by Dinah on November 19, 2007, at 10:35:51
In reply to I worked with Andrew today for the first time, posted by seldomseen on November 19, 2007, at 10:30:36
Posted by 10derHeart on November 19, 2007, at 11:40:06
In reply to I worked with Andrew today for the first time, posted by seldomseen on November 19, 2007, at 10:30:36
Posted by Phillipa on November 19, 2007, at 12:49:42
In reply to I worked with Andrew today for the first time, posted by seldomseen on November 19, 2007, at 10:30:36
That's great. Phillipa
Posted by rskontos on November 19, 2007, at 15:43:53
In reply to I worked with Andrew today for the first time, posted by seldomseen on November 19, 2007, at 10:30:36
Seldom, you will be back in saddle in good time when you are ready. I told you that Andrew didn't mean to hurt you. They know and don't mean too. I am glad you two have begun the healing process give it time that is all you need love will do the rest!!!
I am glad you are better....rk
That is a good instructor......
Posted by Racer on November 24, 2007, at 13:32:02
In reply to Re: I worked with Andrew today for the first time, posted by rskontos on November 19, 2007, at 15:43:53
My "Bitch-Mare-From-Hell" -- a/k/a Jellybean -- used to get upset with me if I came off. Fortunately, I was never hurt coming off her, but she was the nuttiest horse when it happened. I think it scared her more than it scared me, so she'd get mad at me for scaring her.
Horses, in my experience, really do not want to hurt us. They may want to get away from someone, out of fear -- ask me about when my horse kicked the shoer in the head -- or they may just want to have some fun and not realize that losing a rider may be a consequence; they may be trying to say something, which maybe we don't quite understand; but it's a very rare horse who actually intends damage to someone. Some horses are almost comical, the way they want to "apologize" for knocking off a rider.
From a horse's point of view, being a part of the herd is the most important goal in life -- that's where safety lies. We become part of the herd, and we outrank them in the herd -- or we should outrank them, for many good and just reasons having to do with brain/body ratios and opposable thumbs -- so they want to have our approval, they want to have us on their side. So, when we come off, they're sorry and they're confused. How can the big strong herd leader come off the little tiny horse?
I'm glad you worked with him again. I'm sure it was good for both of you.
Have you tried round pen work? It really can make a difference, both with the relationship between you, and with just having a chance to see his reactions to the process. You can learn a lot about a horse that way. Plus it's nice to get a chance to do that whole animal-observation thing, they're fascinating critters.
Sorry for the tangent -- it's the lecturer in my soul coming out...
This is the end of the thread.
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