Subject: moonwalk

[Kimberly Price <PLOUGH1@ix.netcom.com>]

hi Chelle,

Congrads on your new horse!  She sounds pretty responsive and calm
already for a six year old.  There are a few perspectives I would like
to point out to you about what you wrote.  Having trained a wild horse
from age five there are some things that helped me to succeed.

Look at the positive in what she is doing.  She is trying her hardest to
listen to you and overcome her fright, and she doesn't even know you
yet!!  How you respond to her fright will set a basis for your future
relationship in her (ie: trust).  It is sooo important to gain her trust
now for your future adventures together.

You do not mention her background or yours.  Of course, the post would
become very long with every detail.  I am a huge believer in natural
horsemanship.  There are all flavors, my favorite for a youngster (or
any horse in need of refreshed training), is John Lyons.

One of the many goals of the John Lyon's roundpen training is to teach
the horse "how to spook".  It is ok to spook...just don't move. <g>  His
methods teach the horse to look at the object that is scaring him, not
turn and flight, nor back up.   He can even jump if he wants, just land
in the same place!  This gives you the time to give the horse direction,
which can include a cue already worked out that tells the horse to calm
and trust you.  It gives the horse's mind back to you and keeps that
flight instinct from taking over.

This is one of the many goals achieved by Lyon's flavor of NH method.
Steps cannot be skipped, nor can they be half learned, if you are to be
successful.  This training helped me teach Mystery to obey me on the
ground, in the saddle, not run me over, trailer load, spook calmly
(because they will spook, period), and obey me in the saddle, all
without intimidation and with a very willing and personable horse.  He
also knows where I am at all times...example, I was stupid enough to eat
lunch in the middle of the trail the other weekend, while he is on a
long lead enjoying grass.  Something spooked him, he jumped and when he
landed, his front hoof came down on my extended leg.  He felt it and
continued the jump, not putting any weight on my leg.  If he had put
weight on it, it would now be broken severely, and all my fault!  He
then put his head down to my leg because he knew what had happened.
Unbelievable.  Maybe not just J.Lyons training, but I'm pretty sure it
helped.

To find out more, many tack stores rent out his video, roundpen
training, or you can buy them cheaply.  Email me privately if you want
to know more details.  Good luck with your new jewel!

Kimberly & Mystery the Morab
Pt.Reyes, CA