Natural Elements Horsemanship

09/12/2024

If you’re looking. I’ve been around her and seen how she’s handled and how friendly she is.
Pictures don’t do her justice.

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08/15/2024

"Someone who doesn't know anything about the ways of the horse could be fooled into thinking the approach is all cosmic or mystical. It's not. Anybody can do it who has a passion to do it and has put in enough time. These people are horsemen and horsewomen, not whisperers." - Buck Brannaman

Good words! Take the “wow” factor out and put the “work” factor in. Be observant and teachable…that animal will help you understand their language and culture.

08/01/2024

I can attest to the “country” method!
How did YOU learn to ride?

07/23/2024

Teetle time;
Started out with an electric toothbrush to get him accustomed to the feel and sound…similar to clippers.
Much easier/cheaper than dropping a pricey clipper on the ground.

By this time I had spent enough time with him, we had some mutual trust.
Btw, he let me hand-clip his ears just fine.

If you notice… A couple times, when I want his head repositioned/lowered, I'd say, “head please”. It’s not only speaking to the mule but to myself. “Please” helps keep my ask an “ask” rather than a force…which can easily create a brace or lift.

07/20/2024

"We must never forget, every time we sit on a horse, what an extraordinary privilege it is: to be able to unite one's body with that of another sentient being, one that is stronger, faster and more agile by far than we are, and at the same time, brave, generous, and uncommonly forgiving." William Steinkraus, Olympic Gold Medalist

07/15/2024

You can get to the point where you’ll almost see the thought bubble over their heads. Don’t take a delay away from the animal, interpreting it as “disrespect 🤮”. Take it as a pause …when that animal actually realizes…you are trying to have a conversation rather than just telling them what to do.

If you pay attention…they will indeed try to “speak” in a way that YOU will listen.

Took me years to even begin to understand the concept of conversing.
The program I was once with presented the horse/mule in a very superficial way…a living sack of skin functioning by instinct. Eat, p**p, drink, breed on one hand and as marvelous “horsenalities”
on the other.

It’s a dance and a conversation…not submission and servitude.

07/14/2024

Memphis sessions;

Heat index of 158° means we did a lot of walking in the cool of the timber. (I should have said, “heat stress” index)

Only went out for a few miles, exposing Memphis to everything we can find.
Rode down the road for a bit, too. He’s not bothered much by traffic.

He’s adjusted to the feel and sounds of the saddle without bolting, bucking or rearing. Putting together the form of the body and support of the rein.

His anxiety is almost non-existent. He’s learned to read me as he would any other herd member…now realizing, though I’m not a threat…I AM the alpha (assertive without being aggressive).

He stands for clipping, feet, fly spray, hosing him off.

He’s the kind of mule that makes you earn every hair…but once you have, he’s honest about it.
Everything I’ve done with him has been done through herd-dynamic social interaction…getting his trust and regard (not “respect”)
and building his “want to” and willingness rather than subduing him.

It matters to me HOW they do something. Willingly? Trustfully?
Confidently?

I guess I’m backward from most.
I don’t get to the mind through the feet…I try to get to the feet by motivating the mind. Thought should precede the act. Take the guess out the equation as much as possible.

Create a thought, engage the mind and the feet will follow.

07/04/2024

Today, we commemorate the ratification of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, establishing the United States of America.

50 years after the signing, John Adams
and Thomas Jefferson died…both died on July 4.

07/03/2024

Here’s a post I tried earlier but it glitched, somehow.

Mr. Paul Harvey;

PAUL HARVEY'S LETTER TO HIS GRANDCHILDREN
We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse. For my grandchildren, I'd like better.
I'd really like for them to know about hand me down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover meat loaf sandwiches.. I really would.
I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated.
I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car.
And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen.
It will be good if at least one time you can see puppies born and your old dog put to sleep.
I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in.
I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother/sister. And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room, but when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because he's scared, I hope you let him.
When you want to see a movie and your little brother/sister wants to tag along, I hope you'll let him/her.
I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely.
On rainy days when you have to catch a ride, I hope you don't ask your driver to drop you two blocks away so you won't be seen riding with someone as uncool as your Mom.
If you want a slingshot, I hope your Dad teaches you how to make one instead of buying one.
I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books.
When you learn to use computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head.
I hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first crush on a boy / girl, and when you talk back to your mother that you learn what ivory soap tastes like.
May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on a stove and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole.
I don't care if you try a beer once, but I hope you don't like it... And if a friend offers you dope or a joint, I hope you realize he/she is not your friend.
I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your Grandma/Grandpa and go fishing with your Uncle.
May you feel sorrow at a funeral and joy during the holidays.
I hope your mother punishes you when you throw a baseball through your neighbor's window and that she hugs you and kisses you at Christmas time when you give her a plaster mold of your hand.
These things I wish for you - tough times and disappointment, hard work and happiness. To me, it's the only way to appreciate life.

06/30/2024

A nice trailer that is BUILT!
Five-hinge doors, heavy duty tie loops. More trailer than what we need for our day trips.

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06/30/2024

My friend Diane sent this to me. She’s hosted and attended several of our clinics and BootCamps and has heard me speak about the “thought process” of horses/mules.

“There’s more to them than what we know”…is an oft repeated phrase of mine. This short list says it much better than I can.

🐴 Here are 15 interesting facts about a horse's brain:

1. A horse's brain is relatively small compared to its body size, and accounts for only about 0.1% of its total weight.

2. Despite their small size, horses have very complex brains, with a highly developed cerebral cortex, the part of the brain responsible for conscious thinking, decision-making and memory.

3. Horses can learn and remember complex tasks, such as navigating a jumping course or performing a dressage routine, through a process called associate learning.

4. Like humans, horses have a left hemisphere and a right hemisphere in the brain, each with specialized functions. The left hemisphere is responsible for the processing of logical and analytical information, while the right hemisphere are more involved in emotional processing and creative thinking.

5. Horses have a great memory and can remember specific people, places, and experiences for many years to come.

6. Horses can learn by observation, and they can often acquire new behaviors and skills by simply observing other horses or humans.

7. Horses have a very sensitive sense of touch and can detect even the slightest pressure or movement on their skin. This helps them respond to subtle cues from your driver or guide.

8. Horses can process visual information very quickly and accurately, allowing them to avoid potential hazards and navigate their environment with ease.

9. Horses are social animals and depend on non-verbal communication to interact with other horses in their herd. This communication is facilitated by the horse's brain, which can interpret subtle changes in body language, facial expressions and vocalizations.

10. Ultimately, like all animals, horses have a unique personality and individual traits that are shaped by their experiences, genetics and environment, all of which are reflected in their brain function and behavior.

11. Horses have a strong sense of smell and their odor bulb, which processes smells, is relatively large compared to other parts of their brain.

12. The brain, which is responsible for coordinating movement and balance, is also relatively large in horses. This is because horses must be able to move quickly and efficiently to escape predators or navigate difficult terrain.

13. Horses have a very high pain threshold, which is believed to be related to how their brains process pain signals. While this can be beneficial in some situations, it can also mean that horses show no obvious signs of pain, making it more difficult for their caregivers to detect and treat the underlying health issues.

14. The hippocampus, a part of the brain involved in learning and memory, is particularly well-developed in horses. This allows you to remember not only specific experiences, but also general concepts and patterns that can be applied to new situations.

15. Finally, studies have shown that horses, like other animals, are capable of experiencing emotions such as fear, happiness and anger. These emotions are thought to be mediated by the limbic system, a group of interconnected brain structures that play a key role in regulating mood and behavior.

06/26/2024

Training vs facilitating;
There ARE some things we train mules to do but honestly…it’s usually something they wouldn’t do on their own (being ridden and all that often goes with it…leads, halters, saddles, bits, etc.)

We have to build that language that bridges our two species in understanding. But some things cannot be “trained” or forced.

Teetle was not fond of the equipment in or near his paddock, at first. I’ve ponied him out and exposed him to traffic but the tractor and mower…in his opinion was a bit much.

I pulled through the gate and left the tractor running while closing up, turned around and just waited. Teetle, on his own, stretched his nose and checked it out on his own.

This is instinct. Even though he may not be exposed to a tractor or equipment, where he left, wild or feral… The expression of curiosity is what matters. When he makes first contact acting out of instinct, his first impressions, and the impact of exposure will be much different than had Iforced him to stand as that tractor came at him, or tried to lead him up to a tractor when he was hesitant/fearful.

As I ran the spring rake and tractor around his paddock, he was much more relaxed. He followed me and a couple times I had to stop to let him move off as he was standing right in my line of travel…just watching me.

Curiosity…that expression of instinct is what we NEED to allow without interference when possible. It settles the animal in a way nothing else does.

06/26/2024

Temp index @ 110° today so we had early morning and evening sessions.
Nearly every night the deer drop by to watch for a bit.
Time and patience to build understanding, confidence and conduct.

Lots of Gatorade and sweat, too!

06/25/2024

Even the mules said, “Bob, don’t you think it’s a bit warm?”
We did an early morning session but may be all for the day.

06/25/2024

Mules are smart…more analytical than a horse and learn both good and bad equally as well. Be mindful of what you do with them. I didn’t say be afraid…I said, mindful.

The things those youngsters learn in the developmental stage, in my opinion/experience, become part of the mule…you may not be able to “un-train” some of what they’ve learned from and about humanity.

06/19/2024

Some reality…
Btw, mules even more so…

To replace a good horse!
The best horses are built over years of hauling, hard work, tough times, good times, bad times, big spooks, little spooks, their mistakes, our mistakes and continual love and care.

No, your breaker can not turn your young prospect into your old faithful in 30, 60, 90, or even 365 days. It takes years.

I’m plagued with the problem of trying to impress on people how long it truly takes to build that dream partner. There’s not a smooth paved path. Your green horse will embarrass you, frustrate you, and maybe even hurt you. For some of you, buying a $20,000-$30,000 horse is going to be worth it and SAVE you money. Even that more finished horse will take a year or more to sync up with.

Cheap rate for horse training is $1,000 a month.
1 year of training: $12,000
2 years of training: $24,000

Many of you won’t believe this but your dream horse is on the other side of two years of training. In reality, it’s likely around two years of training and two years of seasoning (hauling them to town). Will that horse still make mistakes? Yes, they all make mistakes until the day they die. But that horses mistakes probably won’t put you in serious danger and that horse will probably pack your grandkids around.

If you’re trying to decide between a $3,500 prospect or a $15,000 proven horse. My advice is to do an internal inventory and figure out what you want. Buying that prospect is like the first roll on the Jumanji board. You’re entered up, get ready for a journey of ups and downs (possibly quite literally!) If you’re buying that finished horse decide what you really want, get ready for a lot of shopping and painfully overpriced sh💩tters. Take a friend or a trainer on this journey with you and try to double your budget (that’s right, 30k). Be smart and buy something OVER 8 years old. Don’t buy that pretty 5 year old they only want 20k for. He isn’t old enough to be proven for you. Lots of horse traders are trying to flip horses, anything under 8 is likely twice as green as he looks in the video. Maturity, both mental and physical will be key when looking for a safe horse.

If you want a project and a challenge I’m not hating, that’s what I want in a horse too, so I buy young ones. If you need a safe one, bring lots of money and quit thinking you need a 6 year old. You probably don’t have what it takes to mentally support that 6 year old through new situations.

The biggest reason I bring this up is because as folks retire their old faithful they are so far removed from when that horse was green and did dumb stuff. They forgot how tough those two years were back when he was 4-6. They only remember the amazing horse he was when he matured. The 3 year old they just bought is YEARS from filling that horses shoes when it comes to training level and safety level. I see people hate on trainers because the trainer couldn’t make their young horse, “finished” in 90 days. It’s honestly the biggest reason I like taking colts for 30 or 60 days. The expectation is shockingly lower than when I take one for 90 days. It’s weird what people expect from a 90 day start. Most people should commit to sending their young horse out for a full year. Two years would be even better.

Green horses do green horse things, don’t blame others for the challenge you bought yourself. Accept the challenge or pay the price for one further along. No matter which path you choose with horses, it’s going to cost you.

(I didn’t write this one I’m not sure who did, however every word of it rings true)

Edit, author Craig Moore

06/04/2024

Dr. Janet Joerger (Sears as some of you may have known her)…THANK YOU for your kind attention and accommodation this morning in sending Clare on ahead.
Glad you’re here!

06/03/2024

Teetle sessions;
Noise and motion, sack of cans.
Notice, he’s at liberty. Always good…

06/03/2024

Teetle sessions;
Tarp exposure

06/03/2024

Memphis sessions;
Noise and motion/sack of cans.

06/03/2024

Memphis sessions;
Tarp exposure.
I don’t start out small…it is what it is…a good size tarp.
I try to explain as we go.

06/03/2024

Clare;
It’s a special thing…that attachment you can get to critters.
I’m posting this because so many of you who attended BootCamps, Clinics or visited knew them as, “the girls”. Our two mini-Aussies, Martha and Clare.
Ages 11 and 10 respectively, full sisters from litters one year apart. it seems like they have always just been here. A part if our daily routine but more a part of the family…how we move through life.

Clare was put to rest this morning after a fairly rapid decline in brain faculties. (We suspect a tumor)

She was one of the smartest dogs I’ve ever known, always alert and especially fond of Chris. She will be missed but more importantly…she will be remembered as an absolute pleasure… to have shared 10 years of our lives with such a loving, trusting faithful little dog! Irreplaceable.

Thank you, my sweet Clare…

06/01/2024

Don’t be just a “human
food delivery unit”.
Everything you do around your mule, every interaction affirms your position in the “herd”, whether that be higher or lower in status.
We tend to limit our “training” to time in a round pen, on lead or under saddle.
Every interaction with our animals has an impact on how they view us.

Memphis;

06/01/2024

Don’t be just a “human
food delivery unit”.
Everything you do around your mule, every interaction affirms your position in the “herd”, whether that be higher or lower in status.
We tend to limit our “training” to time in a round pen, on lead or under saddle.
Every interaction with our animals has an impact on how they view us.

Teetle;

05/31/2024

Memphis.
More of what I’ve been up to.

05/31/2024

A bit of what I’ve been up to.

05/28/2024

Another nice one…handled well right from the start and out of a good-minded mare.