This is a picture of Dolly as a three year old in a horsemanship class at a show in Lander Wy. We've come a long way since then. She is now 8 years old, no she will be nine this spring. How time flies!

Just wanted to share a quick story about riding Dolly yesterday.

We were cantering along a fence line, and on the other side of the fence is a tree line wind break. I was working on cantering with straightness doing point to points. She was doing great head low, nice cadence, relaxed, ears pointing straight forward. All of a sudden I realize that there is a branch lower than it was last summer and it is about to smack me in the face, at a canter. Knowing it was going to hurt, I ducked and shifted my weight. I didn't try to slow her up or turn her in anyway. The reins remained loose. With a fluidity I have never felt before with her, she did a perfect flying lead change. She never missed a beat and stayed in the same cadence, and emotional stability. It was so fabulous because it was so natural.

I only wish that I could reproduce it every time I ask for one. As I arrived at our point to rest, I sat there chewing on what just happened as I allowed her to graze.

The big AAHA is that the reason it was so good is because it was so natural. There was no force, no resistance, no pressure (mental, emotional, or physical). There was only pure harmony of movement between horse and rider. She felt my shift and did in her body exactly what my body did. It was joyous.

I know it was an accident but it doesn't take away from the feeling it gave me. It reminds me of what I have heard some great trainers say, "take what the horse offers you and mold it." Now if I can just figure out how to do this.

The other AAHA is that I know the reason I have trouble reproducing this on command is that I brace and get very demanding . As soon as I start thinking it she feels my body tense up and she thinks "oh no here it comes, she's going to slam me into it. "

I do get flying lead changes with her, but never with the ease and comfort that I just experienced. It was a real lesson on being natural and riding with fluidity and harmony instead of pressure.

If I can train my brain to think, move into the lightness instead of away from the pressure I believe I will begin to get better results. I also have to convince her that I will give her the confidence and feel she needs to do it without resistance.

Another AAHAA, happened when we were again, cantering for straightness going point to point. I like to stop in front of our big poop pile. Behind it is a fence and more trees. It was about our third time to stop in front of this pile. I was confident and relaxed because she has an awesome stop. Just as I asked her to put on the brakes a barn cat jumps out of the trees. Well, you can probably guess that it startled both of us. Dolly did the most beautiful canter sideways to the right, and I stayed right in the middle like we were doing a dressage pattern. It only lasted about 4 strides and then she stopped and relaxed.

I was so proud of her, because she faced the scary cat the whole time. She didn't bolt. She simply stayed in cadence while going to the right, and then she relaxed quickly. This was a perfect controlled catastrophe on her part, all I did was stay in the middle of the saddle and stay off her head. I was the balanced passenger and she took care of me.

The AAHAA is that I have been working on lateral trotting and starting to move into canter with her. But the canter wasn't going well. I now know how it should feel, because again we did it naturally. At least I know we can do it well. It will just be a matter of me being able to approach the request in such a way that she understands and doesn't feel the need to resist it. Right now, I know I am expecting too much too soon. If I will build the steps a little at a time I know we will have better success.

"I've spent most of my life riding horses; the rest I've just wasted." --unknown

Happy Trails,

sherry

This is Jess (Bay Stallion) and his gal Starlight (gray mare). They have had some nice foals. They both belong to my friend Nila. I love this picture!

I will attempt to explain my personal belief on why horsemanship may be considered natural in as few of words as possible. It may make sense to some and then it may not. Anyway it is just that,” my belief." I'm not suggesting that you or anyone else has to believe it.

I believe for some reason man and horse have a special bond. It often seems there is a mystical quality about why we are so attracted to this prey animal. It's almost as if God made us to be together in some sense. The horse seems to be the only prey animal we have this strong desire to bond with. "Bond”, appears to be ther correct word. Many humans are driven to know this animal, to make friends with it, to teach it, and to learn from it as well.

I often wonder when this relationship with man began. I've read about certain accounts and theories. I do know this, it has a very long and sometimes not so pretty history, as well as miraculous and inspiring stories.

One thing that inspires, draws, and amazes me about this wondrous creature is how it is so capable of making incredible changes. That's why they have probably survived millions of years of abuse, conflict, and friendship with the ultimate predators on earth. To think that they can trust us to not only capture them but ride on their backs is just short of a miracle of nature in my eyes.

You don't see us obsessing, going around trying to ride a bunch of cows or other prey animals like deer, elk, etc. Why is that? It's just not natural to want to ride a cow, unless you are a Bull rider (which means you may have too much testosterone).

Horses have my vote of respect, and I want to return their enormous spirit by being as natural with them as humanly possible so that I don't break that spirit! Natural meaning: Not expecting them to think and act like a human. But rather putting myself in their skin. Then learning more about how they think, act, feel and play, so that I can have a more understanding relationship with them.

I believe that horses are nature in it's finest form. So that is why I say horsemanship is natural.

There seems to be something deep inside us which draws us naturally to this beautiful species. It's somehow different with other pets, like dogs and cats because they are also predators. I do have a dog and I love him. I have cats too, but there is something so different inside me with a horse that I can't really put it into words. I know that a lot of other people know what I'm writing about with great inadequacy. True natural horse lovers are shaking their head right now in agreement. Maybe it isn't necessary to try to write it down, because it may be best left in our hearts.

It totally humbles me when I realize an animal so in tune with nature could be willing to accept me as his Alpha, or his partner. To feel close to nature is to be with a horse.

To say horsemanship is natural is a very inept way of trying to describe the thing inside of us that we can't let go of because it somehow makes us complete. It's that unexplainable natural attraction and affection that goes on forever and ever. It's not a technique, a competition, or a success, it's an unexplainable LOVE!

"Power consists in one's capacity to link his will with the purpose of others, to lead by reason and a gift of cooperation" -- Woodrow Wilson

Happy Trails,

sherry

www.heartinyourhand.com

Over the past seven years my equine friends have been my partners in a rapid emotional growth and development program which has changed my life. These dynamic and powerful yet fragile animals have required me to demonstrate clear communication, assertiveness, confidence, persistence, patience, forgiveness, empathy, justice, problem-solving, leadership, responsibility and relationship skills.

They have given me a regular report card about my progress or lack thereof as a savvy horsewoman and decent human being who is able to give love and compassion. Through direct observations of my behaviors and those of my horses I have seen patterns emerge which have guided me toward much needed character changes. I have allowed these magnificent creatures to be my therapists. They have mirrored me through their reactions, showing me both my strengths and weaknesses.

It is as if from each horse's mouth I have heard the whispers of my heart. I have listened to their requests and found some ways to follow their nature. I have wondered at their expressions and realized that I may never understand it all. More than anything I have discovered a joy and passion for life that leaves me speechless every time I am given the privilege of making a small connection with one of my equine friends.

A horse lovers journey that started at 2 years old is now a full fledged obsession which is giving me more blessings that I can count. A thank you will never be sufficient for all the good things that horses have given me. I feel indebted to help ensure their lives are as good as mine.

Tonight, I am feeling so grateful for all I have learned and experienced from horses that I wanted to let it be known. If you are a horse lover, you know what I am talking about, even though I am having trouble putting it into words. I hope that I can give back half of what I have received both to horses and any person who has a desire to cross the same path that I am traveling.

Happy Trails,

sherry

PS:

"The secret of success is constancy of purpose." -- Benjamin Disraeli

www.heartinyourhand.com

Cisco and I having a laugh. He is my buddy forever! Shortly after I got him I started learning about natural horsemanship. I found him on a radio program. Feed store owner was selling him. Somebody didn't pay their feed bill and gave him this horse instead of $$. Their loss and my gain!

I have had a horse since I was 2 years old. After 40 years of owning and loving horses I now feel like I may be starting to understand a little bit about them. It wasn't until 7 years ago when I discovered some people practicing what they called "natural horsemanship" that I found ways to be consistently effective with horses. Now I do things with horses which I never even dreamed were possible.

I owe my transformation into a more natural savvy horseman to a teacher friend who
kept insisting that I needed to go to this "natural horsemanship clinic". I thought, "how does he know what I need ? He hasn't ever watched me ride a horse."

This wise friend knew then what I now realize, "Everybody needs more natural savvy whether they know it or not!" I didn't say everybody wants it, I said everybody NEEDS it. If you could ask horses they would probably tell you "I wish my human had more natural savvy."

I was one of those who didn't think they needed it and therefore didn't want it. The ridiculous things is I didn't really know what it was that I didn't need or want. I didn't understand what I was missing until I witnessed it with my own eyes.

As I look back on this time in my life, I would qualify myself as a "know it all ". I had the belt buckles and trophies to prove it, or so I thought. What I didn't know was that my relationship with my horse was broken, at least in my horse's mind. I didn't understand why I got frustrated, mean and mad with horses. I just accepted these problems as a normal part of the dealing with horses.

I thought I could ride most anything because of my athletic ability, even if I couldn't get along with them. I had a big ego with a closed mind, spurs, whips, chains, and very little understanding of why horses behave the way they do. Therefore, it was always the horse's fault whenever I had a problem.

Even though I loved horses, much of what I did with horses was about winning. So I didn't think to0 much about what the horse was going through as long as I was reaching my goal of proving I was better than the next guy.

Thankfully, this teacher friend kept bugging me to come to one of the clinics he was hosting. I was a real skeptic, and like most people didn't want to dish out any money, especially when I didn't think I needed what they had to offer. The funny thing is I didn't even know what they had to offer. My friend would not leave me alone and in order to be sure that I would attend, he paid for me to audit the clinic.

I arrived late. In about 1/2 hour I was blown away. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I had fought and struggled for years with horses to do the things they were doing while riding. And they made it look so darn easy. Plus the horses were not only willing they looked like they were even enjoying it.

Since I was late, I missed the ground work portion of the class. This was something I had never done with horses. I was a saddle'm up, get on and ride kind of girl, even with an unbroken horse. My attitude was, "if you can't do it on their back, it's not worth doing. " Never mind the
dangers of an unprepared horse. Wasn't that just part of the risk you take with horses?

I went home that day rethinking my whole life with horses. I went home with a new attitude! The change started in my heart that cold March day in Wyoming. Those people were dedicated to developing natural savvy with their horses. It was freezing cold and they were all bundled up in their coveralls having a blast with their horses. I knew right away this was for me. I also realized I had a lot of holes to fix in both my philosophy and skills. It was apparent that this trend called "natural horsemanship" had the answers I needed in order to become excellent with horses.

The next clinic I paid my own fee to audit. I still wasn't willing to part with enough money to participate with my horse. Heck, since I was 14 years old I had trained every horse I had ever
owned by myself. I even rode colts for the Howard Pitzer ranch right out of college. I had never paid a penny for any horse education. My learning was all through the school of hard
knocks. But that day I paid the $50 for two days with a smile on my face. It was the best $50 I ever spent.

I went home and started experimenting with what I had learned, and everything I did worked better than I dreamed was possible. I was amazed. I didn't even have the proper equipment and I still got the job done better than I ever had before.

At the next clinic I had to participate with a horse. By now the cost didn't even phase me
because I was so excited about what was happening in my horse life. After that clinic I still wasn't convinced that I could control a horse without a bit at home, even though the instructor had made us ride with a halter during our lesson. So for the next two months I rode my horse with my bit, but I put the natural rope halter over the top. That way, just in case I couldn't control my horse with the halter I would still be safe because I had the bit for extra control. Now I laugh like crazy at myself. It's hard to break old habits and even harder to change a persons mind which has been made up for years.

I was convinced before the next clinic the halter was safe and effective, because I realized I hadn't touched the reins attached to the bit in two months, even in the pasture. From then on I knew it was me who needed changing more than my equipment.

One last thought, the other day I was introducing a snaffle bit to "Sorry" and I put my halter on for "safety equipment". I knew I could control her with the halter. Ha Ha!

Why natural horsemanship? Because it will transform your life and you will become a better horseman than you ever dreamed possible. You will be safe and have more fun than is legally possible with your horse, and your horse will love you for it. All the other horses will be asking your horse, "where do you get a human like that?"

Happy Trails,

Sherry Jarvis

"An ignorant person is one who doesn't know what you just found out." -- Will Rogers

Heart in Your Hand Natural Horsemanship