Heart and Desire

Unemployment Issues - for Horses, that is!

Looking through the reports and studies one will find that there are approximately 120,000 neglected equines in the USA.  Some studies claim as many as 170,000.  This epidemic of neglected horses is only a SYMPTOM, however - the result of a greater dysfunction.  The American Competitive Trail Horse Association (ACTHA) set out to understand the CAUSE of this shameful epidemic.  Some of the studies point to the new slaughter laws.  Other studies strees over breeding and lack of education on the cost of horse ownership.  The poor economy definitely took the horse world in a new direction. And there are several other foundational logical and statistically correct observations and statements.  What ACTHA also learned in their research was that 50% or more of the ‘forgotten’ horses  taken in by rescues are “sound”…hungry, sad, confused… but sound!  What happened!?

ACTHA believes - and I agree - that a very large part of the dilemma is “Equine Unemployment.”  These solid equine citizens lost their jobs:  their rider went to college, couldn’t pay the feed bill, a dealer couldn’t sell him, there was no place that a race owner could sell their slower horses, etc.

"But that horse was fit to be ridden. As unromantic as it sounds, it’s a basic economic problem of valuation and market demand," says Tom Scrima, one of the founders of ACTHA.  Tom and Carrie Scrima founded ACTHA because they both felt that horses had given them so much, it was now time to give something back.  And reducing Equine Unemployment seemed like a great way to start.

 "Here at ACTHA we want to give these horses a job!  Carrying you on fun rides and winning prizes in our Competitive Trail Challenges.© The jobs we have are fun, natural and it’s a come one come all atmosphere.  Almost any horse can enjoy and participate in our rides.  It’s, in essence, a laid back, untimed 6-mile trail ride! Sure it will be even more fun if you and your horse learn some skills, or win some prizes, but just showing up and seeing what’s out there is most the fun."

Critics may say ACTHA won’t make a difference. Consider this:  Currently about 20% of the horses competing in ACTHA events have been rescued by their owners. (Our members tend to walk the talk).

If ACTHA’s growth continues and they have 1000 rides this year as planned, then about 50,000 horse/rider teams will mount up.  Most ACTHA members ride multiple times, often with several horses during the year.  Therefore many of the horses are repeat performers. "Best estimates are we’ll have 20,000 individual horses show up to ACTHA rides over the next 12 months... performing, volunteering or just checking it out. That’s 4,000 rescued horses being “valued” by their owners," says Tom.

ACTHA’s best estimates are that ACTHA will max out at 5,000 rides per year and average attendance will grow to the point where 300,000 horses are registered with ACTHA (this also gives them value).  With a 9 million horse universe that is just 3.3% of the horse population in America. The main limitation we face is the calendar. There are just so many rides that can be held in a 2 day week, Saturday and Sunday.

Tom has really done his math now, and adds, "Assuming our membership continues seeking the good calm trail horses found in many neglected situations 60,000 horses will be saved and put back to enjoyable work in loving homes."

What about the horses that aren't suitable for ACTHA rides or for any real "job."  That's ACTHA's "ulterior motive", Tom says, "Our current infrastructure of legitimate rescues and sanctuaries are well-equipped to handle the remaining horses not up to the task of a CTC."  And with a huge portion of the money raised by ACTHA rides going directly to these rescues, the bills will get paid as well.

"Here at ACTHA we work around the clock racing towards this end result and feel privileged to steward such a wonderful solution. We serve the horse and vow to honor our unwritten agreement with all equines:

"...allow us on your most vulnerable place, your back, and carry us to sights unseen, plow our fields, stand by us and die with us in war, build our tunnels and carry the riches to us from below the earth, give up your freedom to roam, teach us; and we in turn will take care of you."

So call us optimists, call us PollyAnna …but just call… and sign up for a ride.

“….We do not discard that which has value…and all of us know the value of a good trail horse.”

ACTHA, “…not JUST a trail horse anymore!”

“Save a horse, ride a rescue!”

To see a ride near you go to www.actha.us
 
ACTHA's Mission
To provide an enjoyable venue showcasing the wonderful attributes of the great American trail horse, granting them the recognition they so richly deserve.
To maintain a registry open to all breeds and a point designation system which will stay with each horse for its lifetime, thereby adding to their value and distinction.
To enable the humane treatment of horses in need.

"Advice is kinda like a fresh pot of chili"

"... You should try a little of it yourself before you start passing it out to friends."

Well, hello again.  I found that little expression the other day and posted it on my magazine's Facebook page.  Then, as I was counseling a friend on how to break through the frustration she was having about writing - finding the time, getting focused, etc.  I told her "JUST WRITE!"  Then I heard my own words replay LOUDLY in my head.  I needed to take a big spoonful of my own chili!  So... I'm writing.

Are you still with me?  I hope so and I think so, because I do continue to get very sweet and generous e-mails from folks asking, "Where the heck ARE you?"  It touches my heart more than I can express, so I'm trying again to be of service with bits of inspiration, ideas to get movin', and anything else I can come up with that will give you something to think about at night.  And maybe something to use while you're 'feeling' during the day with your horses.

Right now, I'm working on something kind of exciting - a Guinness World Record Trail Ride Competition that will raise money for horse rescues across the USA.  Each ride manager will select a local rescue to receive $500, plus that rescue will become eligible for more grant money beyond the initial grant.  I suggested the idea to Tom Scrima who, along with his fabulous wife Carrie, are the founders of ACTHA - the American Competitive Trail Horse Association - Tom and Carrie started their organization as a 'fishing pole' for horse rescues to be able to raise funds, but also as a way to give horses JOBS!  Tom and Carrie both believe - just like Pat Parelli has so often said - as soon as people aren't having fun with their horses, that's when they become expensive.  But if you're having a great time with your horse, it's a lot easier to say, "Well, I don't need to go to the gym, or the therapist!  My horse listens to me AND gives me a great workout!" "My horse is my recreation!  My horses are the center of my social life!" 

If you want to help raise money, raise awareness about horses in America, and if you believe that there's no such thing as "JUST a trail rider," c'mon out.  You'll have a great time with a great group of people AND put your Parelli Principles to Purpose by getting your horse out and presenting you both some interesting challenges - sign up for THIS RIDE!  It's June 13th and you could be part of World Record history!

Each ACTHA ride is 6 miles of trail with 6 obstacles.  There is a judge at each obstacle and ACTHA has gotten sponsors together to offer plenty of great prizes if you have a predatory urge to WIN stuff! (like me!)

Even if you don't sign up for an ACTHA ride, be sure to create your own challenges at home for you and your horse.  Remember that you need consistency and variety.  Consistency teaches, variety keeps your horse interested in learning.

On that note - here's a GREAT BOOK for your reading pleasure.  "Animals Make Us Human," by Dr. Temple Grandin.  I was lucky enough to interview Dr. Grandin at the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo in Denver, CO earlier this year.  I've read almost all of Dr. Grandin's books and have to admit that I was absolutely star-struck by her.  She's a Big Fan of Parelli, by the way.  If you read "Animals Make Us Human" you'll understand why - Dr. Grandin explains how horses think.  Basically, humans start with the forest, horses start with the leaves.  Horses (and other animals) notice and pay attention to the details, the specifics, and use them to create a "sensory picture."  Then they 'file' these "sensory pictures" into 'safe' or 'death' files - like on your computer.  As more and more "pictures" go into a file, the horse creates a generalization about something.  Which is why it's so important that every NEW experience is handled correctly.  When you introduce your horse to the tarp for the first time, for example, you really want to keep things slow, easy, and safe from the horse's point of view.  Once a 'file' is marked 'death' though, you're pretty much sunk.  It's way more difficult to undo a fear issue with horses, than to do it right in the first place.  Like Pat Parelli says, "Slow down, I'm in a hurry!"  Read more about it in Dr. Grandin's fabulous book. 

(and no, I don't get a penny for this sales pitch!! ha!)

Now... let's see if I can keep this up!  And be sure to tell me what YOU want to read about, what kind of support would help you here, and what you're doing with your horses!

Weekly Task and Happy Holidays!

From Michelle -

Weekly Task Challenge: Playing Catch-up!

Since it is a holiday week, your challenge is simple. Play catch-up! In between visiting with family, making dinner, and opening gifts, try to carve out a little time to watch a DVD, read a Mastery Manual, or listen to an audio CD. Happy Holidays everyone!

*Weekly tasks are based on many different Parelli resources I have studied as well as my own ideas on how to proceed through my journey. Some of the content was copied to make it easier to put up in a timely manner. Please consult parelli.com for any official instructions or materials.

Read more of Michelle's writing here

From Norma -

I hope you all have a fabulous holiday season and I'm definitely looking forward to the new year!  Wanted to share a quick "Boy, am I glad I study Parelli" moment with you.

I have been taking out my Thoroughbred (Leroy - here on the left with Gordon) recently, getting him fit again after a long recuperation/semi-retirement.  And we headed for the "big trail" the other day - a big winding loop through hundreds of oak trees and hillsides. 

As we approached the first set of gates, he got nervous and skipped around a bit, so we went off to the side in a grassy area and circled, bent, played, got him relaxed and then headed calmly past the fences and gates.  But on the other side, he realized two horses were coming up the trail toward him and started skipping around again.  One of the riders called ahead to say, "Watch out, my horse is being a little wild."  So Leroy and I circled and changed direction, I bent him this way and that, slowly and calmly, chatting with him as the other horses passed us.  The other rider's horse continued to skip, crow-hop, lurching around the gate and finally went up with her and then bucked several times on the other side.  She yanked on the reins and shouted at him.  I had gotten Leroy to stand quietly by then but seeing her, I thought, "When do you get off?  The moment you think of it!" and I stepped down.

Leroy and I continued on the trail for a good long walk together and when we completed the loop, I climbed back on (he's 17.2hh, so it was fun looking for a step up!).  A nice walk home through the neighborhood and we passed through the local show barn, where the riders I had met on trail keep their horses.  I stopped to say howdy and the woman says, "So, did you see me get thrown off?"  Now this is a woman of, shall we say, a healthy stature, so she had some 'padding' on her backside.  But she admitted that she landed hard on hard ground and would be feeling the pain for several days.  She had seen me get off and move my horse's feet and even commented, "You were putting him to work!"  I asked why she didn't get off herself.  "Get off?  And let him think he'd won?!  No way!" 

Now those of you who know me even the tiniest bit, know that for me to be speechless would take a great deal of something!  But I could not put two words together to respond to her.  Leroy and I went happily, calmly and SAFELY back to my barn...

    

Weekly Task

Weekly Task Challenge: Knots to Know!  (from our Task Mistress Michelle!)

Do you know how to tie your knots and what they are for? This week study and learn about your knots. Start by listing the know, search on Google, the Parelli Savvy Club Site, your local library and learn what application the knot is suited for and how to do it. Then go get your savvy string or leadline and practice! This is something you can easily do indoors if it is too cold out (it is negative 2 degrees Fahrenheit here tonight! BRRR):If you need help, just contact me arabhorselover1@yahoo.com

(From Norma:  I've included a start for you and a couple of cheat links! There are some great YouTube video how-tos and photo instructions when you click on "Images" in your Google search) 

TASKS:

How to tie the lead line around your horse's neck

How to retie your natural hackamore

How to properly tie a rope halter

How to tie the knot on the rope halter when placing it on your horse

How to retie your reins on the horseman's bridle

How to tie a clove hitch and understand why/when it is used

How to tie a half-hitch and understand why/when it is used

How to tie a bank robber knot and understand why/when it is used

How to tie a stockman's bowline and understand why/when it is used

How to tie a square knot and understand why/when it is used

How to tie an overhand knot and understand why/when it is used

How to tie a figure-8 knot and understand why/when it is used

How to tie a slip knot and understand why/when it is used

 *Weekly tasks are based on many different Parelli resources I have studied as well as my own ideas on how to proceed through my journey. Some of the content was copied to make it easier to put up in a timely manner. Please consult parelli.com for any official instructions or materials.

Weekly Task

From Michelle:

Weekly Task Challenge: Mounting Practice!

This week's challenge is to practice mounting. Now this means from both sides, bareback, with the saddle, from a fence, from a mounting block, and from the stirrup if you can. Be careful for yourself and your horse! Click here for some rider fitness links if you'd like to work on your physical fitness for mounting.

**Be aware that some studies suggest stirrup mounting is not good for your horse. Click here to download a study on this subject. 

Bonus Task: If you are great at mounting, then practice your emergency dismount at all gaits and from both sides!

*Weekly tasks are based on many different Parelli resources I have studied as well as my own ideas on how to proceed through my journey. Some of the content was copied to make it easier to put up in a timely manner. Please consult parelli.com for any official instructions or materials.

You can read more of Michelle's writing here - Check it out!

Cool - Plastic Pedestals

From the former Parelli "Equine Relocation Specialist" so many of you will remember, Susan Pritchett...the hard working blonde in the black hat that was always one step ahead of Pat at the tour stops and Savvy Conferences.
Susan is the founder and owner of the company "Toys for Horses" home of the aluminum pedestals and Tuff Balls!!

From Susan:

Hi to all,

The plastic pedestal is going to be available Spring 2010. The pedestal will weigh 22-25 lbs and will support the weight of a horse up to 2500 lbs. It will be able to stand up to the harsh winters as well as the crazy heat of the south. Available in 3 colors: Natural, Black and Green.

Natural $350(+shipping) Black or Green $375(+shipping)

Shipping will be available Worldwide.

You may reserve your pedestal now for $175. You will get an invoice for the balance prior to shipping. Simply go to toysforhorses.com to place your order.

Thank you all for your patience and support.

We are looking forward to the much anticipated launch of the new Plastic Pedestal.

Thanks again,

Susan Pritchett

REMEMBER - If your horse is recreation for you, can you be recreation for your horse?

Happy Thanksgiving, Michelle's Weekly Task and an Art Project!

Happy Thanksgiving to my USA readers and Happy Thursday to everyone else!

As I wrote last time, Michelle is sharing her ideas for Positive Progression with a Weekly Task - you can read more of her writing at her blog.

From Michelle:

Weekly Task Challenge: Limited Time, What Would You Do? 


Suppose you only have 10 minutes to play with your horse. What would you do and why? This week's challenge is to come up with a plan and then give it a try. Write down what you'd do in your ten minutes including why you chose each action. Go out and play with your horse. Then, come back in the house, look at your plan, look at your reason for its design, and now reflect on what happened. Score your success in achieving what you were looking to do using a three number system, 1=didn't achieve, 2=did okay, 3=did awesome. Be sure to make additional comments as you see necessary to complete your reflection. This is only Day 1. Try this for at least 5 days this week and at the end of the week, review everything you've done and written. Have fun, stay safe, and keep it savvy!

*Weekly tasks are based on many different Parelli resources I have studied as well as my own ideas on how to proceed through my journey. Some of the content was copied to make it easier to put up in a timely manner. Please consult parelli.com for any official instructions or materials.

From NORMA - I wrote about ways to spend 10 Quality Minutes with your horse for Horse Illustrated Magazine last year, if you want some more ideas.

MEANWHILE ---

I found this little ART PROJECT for winter blahs when you can't be outside with your buddies. 

Here's MY first attempt. 

The link will take you to Ann Wood's blog and her original project - she created a different horse every day for 100 days!  She has a "cardboard stampede" - and generously includes a downloadable pattern for three different horses - but if you're artsy, you can draw your own (I used her patterns!). 

There are complete instructions.  I bought a cheap set of watercolors and white acrylic paint and cut up the empty dog biscuit boxes from my recycle bin.  If you need extra inspiration, she has photos of EACH member of her herd.  I love that she even named each horse.

I put individual photos of each of my horses in the photo library on this blog's website and I'll continue to add to it as create more.  If you create any horses, PLEASE send me photos and I'll include YOURS!

Goodness Again!

Wherever do I keep wandering off to?  Well, it's a long story that I won't trouble you with.  But suffice it to say that I've asked for help.  My son took my darling horse Gordon to Pennsylvania and is working on his cancer there... 

Isn't it funny that Asking For Help is often one of the last things we will do for ourselves.  I am certainly one who is often bound and determined to Figure It Out For Myself - often having to completely reinvent the wheel in the process.  Instead of asking questions, talking to people, getting online and doing some research, reading a book, ordering a DVD, finding a teacher, the list goes on and on.  Isn't Studying Parelli the best way we've all found to Ask For Help when it come to our horses?  And it looks like Parelli has come up with MORE help (because they've taught us to get very good at asking for it) with their new product - I don't have the details... but it's a-comin'.  Hint: The LEVELS are back and better (of course).  And their website is all fancied up and worth a lookie-loo if you haven't been around lately (like me). 

So Message Number One for this post is "ASK FOR HELP."  And, of course, be sure to ACCEPT the help once you get it.  Work with the information, give it your dedication and perspiration in order to make the most of the education! 

On that note, if you live in AZ, NM, CO, TX or WY, give me a shout out!  I am the new owner of Today's Horse Trader Magazine and I want to support the horse community in the region.

Message Number Two - I'm going to be posting WEEKLY TASKS from another author that I've gotten permission to share with you.  Michelle has a neat blog that you might want to check out and she posts her weekly tasks there each Wednesday.   (Michelle, correct me if I'm wrong about that)

Meanwhile, thanks for sticking with me - and now with Michelle as well.  Happy to include other inspired and inspiring writers - drop me a line!

Drum Roll Please!

From Michelle-

Weekly Task Challenge:  Back Up!

As you know, being able to back your horse is a very important skill. It takes patience, persistence, and savvy. This week's task is to practice backing your horse. First practice backing on the ground, through gates, barrels, cones, between you and the fence, and other obstacles, from close -up and far away, then (if possible) work on backing while in the saddle/bareback, in the round pen, arena, field, on the trail, and anywhere else you can think of! Be sure to try this task using all of the 7 games and techniques you have learned from Pat and Linda Parelli. Remember, obstacles, hills, and other challenges wil help increase your skills, your horses's confidence, and make you both a success--be creative!

*Weekly tasks are based on many different Parelli resources I have studied as well as my own ideas on how to proceed through my journey. Some of the content was copied to make it easier to put up in a timely manner. Please consult parelli.com for any official instructions or materials.

Go and Be Awesome

I

f you want to be awesome with horses (or anything), it's going to take an incredible amount of work.  But where does 'being awesome' start?  Tony Robbins says that if you want to be ahead of 85% of the other people just show up.  Pat Parelli calls it "try."  If you want to be ahead of 90%, show up on time.  Show up on time with a plan and you've just out-paced 97% of the pack.  That is, as Pat also says, "Simple things, done with excellence."  Show up.  On time.  With a plan.  Try doing that consistently and there's no end to what you can accomplish - just ask Rebecca!

A favorite blog of mine, by Chris Guillebeau, "The Art of Non-Conformity" has some equally good advice: 

"I'm sorry you feel bad about not meeting your goals-- what I would suggest is that you begin meeting your goals, in order to feel better."

As well as this:

“The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.” ~ Ayn Rand

Come to think of it, that's an excellent question:  Who is going to stop me?  I hope it isn't.... me.

Go and be Awesome.

QUICK FUN:  one of the advantages of running my magazine is that I get sent all kinds of cool advance information, which I'll share with you.  Here's something - this gal, Tracey Elliot-Reep, rode horseback from Mexico to Canada, photographed the journey, and created a very cool book ACROSS AMERICA - click the title to check out her website because she's made many other amazing rides as well.

Savvy Spotlight Story

I

ran across a post from Rebecca on a Yahoo group - there are a LOT of regional Yahoo groups, if you're looking to connect beyond the Savvy Club forum.  She was so excited by her Spotlight experience, I asked her to tell her story.  Get yer hankies ready! 

In her own words:

An Amazing Journey

 
A little over a year ago a new teacher entered my life.  Little did I know that this new teacher, who took the form of a beautiful 16.2 hh Hanoverian, would teach me about the more subtle things in horsemanship, feel and a new level of leadership in particular.
 
Aramis (lovingly known as Arie) came to me a labeled biter, kicker, man-hater and was said to be dangerous, vicious and unpredictable.  He would charge while in a stall with ears back, teeth bared.  When given shots he would try to bite, strike and rear and his neck would swell up to the size of a grapefruit.  As a yearling he was physically held down by 4 grown men so the vet could administer shots, but only after they had attempted to twitch him and put a chain on him.  He had been through 2 professional predators who forced and pushed him and still couldn't do anything with him.  His owner sent him to an equine behaviorist to "have him fixed" and Arie did well with her because she was more natural, but he still had a lot of issues.  When the behaviorist didn't have time for him, his owner tried to sell him with no success and was going to put him down because of his aggressive behavior.  A friend suggested she donate him to a college for their riding program before she made that decision.  That only made things much, much worse.  No one, aside from a Parelli student and the vet, was allowed to handle him.  It was so bad that any time he was brought out into the hallway he had a metal muzzle on to prevent him from biting people.  The owner was going to put him down for sure this time if no one wanted him.
 
When I arrived to pick Arie up, that night I thought, "What have I gotten myself into?"  I was questioning my savvy level and had no idea if I had the skills necessary to deal with a horse who had these horrible feelings toward people.  I decided that I was his last chance and if I couldn't handle it I would find a Parelli Professional to help me.
 
You know that saying, "Be careful what you wish for?"  That is very true!  I wanted a horse who had issues like trailer loading, clipping.....I didn't get that.  What I got was another level of issues, extreme issues that I had never encountered before.  Arie had extreme behaviors in each quadrant of the Horsenality chart: biting for LBE, aggression for LBI, catatonic for RBI and bracy for RBE.  I figured the RBE would go away once he settled into his new environment because he is an innately LB horse, and I was right.  So he turned out to be tri-polar!  Those first couple of months were........very hard to say the least.  It was hard letting go of his past, I was thinking of him as this broken horse.  Once I let it go, that is when I started making big progress with him.  Hmm, how interesting!
 
A lot of firsts started happening: the first time he felt comfortable asking me a question; the first time he didn't go catatonic when I trimmed his feet; the first time he walked over a ground pole with confidence (he had been pushed very hard in eventing training); the first time he had shots with me and he only swelled up in 2 spots the size of a quarter which were gone in 2 days; the first time I had enough confidence to ride him with leadership.....I had told myself that I didn't have to ride that horse for 2 years if that's what it took.  It took me about 3 months before I rode him.
 
Fast forward to this year: Arie and I got accepted to participate in the Savvy Spotlight at the Kansas City, MO Celebration!  I did Level 3/4 online with him and it was the most amazing experience!!  I was SO proud of him!  He exceeded all of my expectations (well, I didn't really have expectations, I was just going to address the horse that showed up) and the day before the Celebration I was riding him around bareback in the arena!  HUGE for both of us!  Our class went really well considering all the scary predators in the stands! haha.  Pat gave me a lesson on how to improve my drive (I had too much draw) and I couldn't believe Pat himself was standing right there next to me, teaching me!  At one point, while Pat was loving on Arie (whose head was buried in Pat's chest, eyes closed) I told him he was a said "man hater" and he and the audience just laughed.  Pat was disgusted when I told him he was going to be put down if no one had wanted him.  The rest of the weekend was AMAZING!  Each time I played with Arie he offered me more and more, simply because of fixing my drive.  His play drive came up, he was more positive.....he even offered me, according to a Parelli Professional, Level 4 Liberty!
 
Since the Celebration Arie and I have been having way more fun, on the ground and riding.  It's amazing how fixing one simple thing can fix so many smaller things.  Pat's a master, no doubt about it!  What he taught me was exactly what I was missing.  I mentioned earlier how Arie helped me with feel and a new level of leadership; feel is hard to explain, you really have to experience it yourself, but I feel things (the rope, the reins, my energy, his energy) differently now, and I've found that perfect level of leadership for him.  Again, this is hard to explain, with Arie things can be very subtle and precise, but he's never put his heart into things like he does now.  That speaks more than words.
 
A new degree of firsts are happening: the first time I jumped him under saddle; the first time he really "got" Freestyle riding (he had been micromanaged A LOT in his past life); the first time I felt that complete harmony when we did lengthening at the trot and canter in our Finesse play......all of this is happening right now.  It makes it hard to think that at one time I was afraid of this amazing horse.  Feeling success with Arie has given me a lot more confidence in myself and in my skills and savvy.  It's been a hard and sometimes scary road, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.  I've grown as a person and as a horse woman from what he has taught me.  I feel more empowered than ever before and I have Arie and Pat to thank for that.  Pat gave me a gift when he gave me that lesson at the Celebration.  I will be forever grateful to him and Linda for what they have done for horses and horse lovers all over the world.  Parelli is literally saving the lives of horses.  Words cannot describe how deep my passion goes for this program and for doing what I can to spread the word about Parelli.
 

Rebecca Eddins, Kansas City, MO

Heck, yeah! Rebecca, you did it!