A story about the mare Haldi (tori and hanoverian cross) with whom we used to walk together happened 22 years ago (in the early 90's). I have to say I didn´t and don't know anything about body language or any other modern methods and I have never trained Haldi or any other horse in my life to respond to the commands or gestures.
Briefly about our friendship. Should I say- in spite of my 'old-school' style:).
Haldi was nearly 3 years old when we met, unridden, and I was also warned she was stubborn but of course she wasn't. I began to ride her very soon (using a quite common old jumping saddle and a loose ring snaffle bit) without any groundwork except maybe one week or even less of lungeing.
Since weather grew colder and ground was covered with ice the riding became unsafe. So I decided to go for a stroll with the horse. A grazing season was over and there were no other horses outside. I let the horse (completely naked:)) out from the stable and went slowly away. Haldi was confused, neighed and trotted towards me and back to the stable once. I gazed at her and walked on. Few minutes later she gallopped after me. By that time we had known each other for some 4-5 months. After that event a halter was very seldom required for she always comprehended somehow what to do, where to go etc. It sounds mystic but I have no reasonable explanation to it.
Life carried on and we went walking or riding almost every day. During our walks I never controlled or troubled her. I had no whip in my hand or carrots or other goodies in my pockets. I never took a halter with me. Haldi never run away and she never let me out of her sight. She was curious about people we bumped into yet never followed them. When I sat down just to gaze at some beautiful sight, she sometimes came and remained beside me in complete stillness.
During grazing season (at least 6 months) Haldi lived in the herd of 15 horses on the large pasture round-the-clock. When I went to take her with me she left the herd voluntarily without any hesitation and easily followed me. My hands and pockets were empty except for that small piece of dried 'hello-bread' and 'goodbye-bread'. After our walk or ride she similarly left me and returned to the herd.
We always rode off the beaten track. In the course of time I lost interest in further training or jumping over the fences. A few fallen trees to jump over, a creek to splash through, an ordinary gait, trot and galop, a subtle sign to change the direction or tempo. What else did we need? I had nothing to teach her. All my skills and knowledges had been set to zero. She had taught me to be a part in something that human and horse can both equally 'understand', value and enjoy. And nothing, absolutely nothing can be more beautiful than that in a relationship with a horse.
I don´t like to humanize animals but they have far more emotions and feelings and understanding than we can imagine. Connection with a horse is not so much about doing, its more about being. In order to perceive the world no one needs verbal thinking or actions to the purpose. And that which remains is the place where real meeting between a horse and a human can occur. Of course if we yearn for it at all. Usually we are too fixed to the ideas what the horse should or shouldn't be and do.
So...
Won't you take a little walk with your horse? :)
With Love and Best Wishes
Kaija
PS Thank you Mari for editing :)
23.01.2013
PS Thank you Mari for editing :)
23.01.2013
