Horse news fall winter 2016

Rocky Springs Ranch, LLC

HORSE NEWS

FREE 2221

Fall/Winter 2016 - Vol. 3, No. 2

Dennis Reis training program coming to Rocky Springs Ranch

By Joan Kibler, Editor Rocky Springs Ranch LLC is hosting a “No-Dust” threeday weekend seminar with Dennis Reis, a horseman with more than 30 years of professional experience teaching horse handling methods and principles. Training sessions will be held Oct. 21-23 at Rocky Springs Ranch.

horse to make his own decisions without restraint or force. I also teach skills that enable students to act as herd leader to their horses. Because my students work with the horse’s nature instead of trying to control it, they have willing, happy, safe horses.”

“Dennis Reis is a renown horseman,” said Claudia Swisher, owner of Rocky Springs Ranch. “Based in California, he brings his training program to locations around the country. That he is coming to our area is a wonderful opportunity for local horse people to truly understand how their horses think and react.”

The workshops are universal for all horses and owners.

Swisher said, “They are non-breed specific and all disciplines of riding are welcomed. The workshops will benefit all horse people, from the novice to those who have years of experience handling horses.

Reis’ training sessions will feature The Techniques of Universal Horsemanship from Ground School to Mounted Work. The seminars will include problem solving, confidence building, leadership skills, balanced riding, horse psychology, ground school awareness and more.

“My Universal Horsemanship workshops are taught in an environment where the horse is allowed to express himself,” according to Reis. “Students learn about the horse’s true nature through exercises that encourage the

The training sessions are truly focused on understating the horse,” she continued. “Dennis doesn’t use tricks, gimmicks or gadgets to make the horse move. In fact, the training program is called ‘No Dust’ because the methods are quiet and easy, with little disturbance – not like the training programs that rely on running the horse around the arena until he’s exhausted, thus allowing the trainer to conquer him.”

Participants may bring their horses and experience the training first hand, or people may choose to audit the training.

Preregistration is required for individuals bringing their horses. Cost is $750 for three days of concentrated, hands-on training. To register, call 800-732-8220 or go online at http://www.reisranch.com/clinics/no-dustweekend-seminars.html.

Those needing overnight stabling – or needing more information – should contact Claudia Swisher at 540-858-3090.

Registration is not required for those who wish to audit the course. Cost is $25 per day and can be paid upon arrival at Rocky Springs Ranch. Children 17 and under may watch for free. Bring a chair.

Training sessions run each day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

2/HORSE NEWS Contents Page 1

Rocky Springs HORSE NEWS

Dennis Reis

Fall/Winter 2016

Vol. 3, No. 2

3

Prepare for Winter

Publisher/Designer … Claudia Swisher

4

Q & A with Dr. Detamore

Editor ………………. Joan Kibler

6

Olivia’s Story

8 BRCTH Update 9 Balanced Awareness 12 Learning by Observing 14

Valley of Tears

16 Directory Listings

Advertising Rates Full page Half page Quarter page Business Card

$260/per issue $140/per issue $70/per issue $35/per issue

Advertisement specifications: 1. Submit as a jpeg, pdf, or hard copy slick 2. May be full color or black and white – your choice 3. Ad can be changed but not the size if you paid for more than one issue.

4. With every ad, you will receive free listing in the directory.

5. Contribute a story as a business and you will receive a free directory listing in the issue in which your story appears.

Deadlines:

Feb. 15 – Spring/Summer issue Sept. 15 – Fall/Winter issue

Equine Classified Ads Individuals – 25 words or less: Free Businesses – $30 or use the Directory Listing Calendar Listings Free Directory Listings Two categories - $70 per year More than two categories - $5 for each additional category To advertise, contact us at 540-858-3090

Rocky Springs HORSE NEWS is distributed on Issuu, Facebook and Twitter. Copies are free to the public.

Contact the Publisher to have copies available at your place of business.

Views and opinions of contributors or advertisers are not necessary those of HORSE NEWS or the Rocky Spring Ranch, LLC. The Publisher reserves the right to edit submitted stories in accordance with acceptable journalistic practices and the publication policies of HORSE NEWS. Copyright© by Rocky Springs Ranch, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this newsletter may be reproduced or copied without written permission of the Editor. HORSE NEWS assumes no financial responsibility for errors in or the omission of copy.

HORSE NEWS Rocky Springs Ranch, LLC 116 Pinetop Road Gore, Va. 22637 540-858-3090 rsr.cswisher@gmail.com Contact the Editor: jfkibler150@gmail.com 540-722-2581

HORSE NEWS/3 Preparing for Winter Emergencies with Your Horse

By Claudia Swisher, Publisher Autumn is finally here, and the beautiful foliage and harvest time bring fun and happy times. Our spare time may find us making apple butter, gathering pumpkins and other fall crops, and touring the countryside to see the trees as they change and prepare for the winter to come. This time of year also brings trail riding and enjoying crisp mornings and cooler days with your horse.

We sometimes get caught up in the fun things and the fall beauty and forget there are chores at the barn to take care of in preparation for the winter to come. They may seem simple, but now is the time to prepare for the cold weather that will be here all too soon.

Here is a list of things to consider as you walk around your farm:  Make sure you are storing enough hay or see if your supplier will hold enough for you to get through the winter. Have a plan to get your hay in before a bad storm, too. Consider buying extra hay in case the winter is especially harsh.  Then walk through your barn and look for things that need to be repaired – walls, gates, windows, hardware, etc.  Check fences and gates for any necessary repairs.  Check your water supply and the condition of tanks, heaters and hoses. Can you access everything you need to supply your horse with water in case you are snowed in? Do you have a plan for fresh water, to keep it from freezing, in the coldest months?  Do you have a way to dig out to your barn so that you can get hay, feed and water to your horses?  Can you get your horse out in the case of an emergency, and can your veterinarian get in to work on a sick horse?  Are your gates easy to access, and can you clear them and the paths easily?  Do you have an emergency plan, generator and emergency phone numbers?

These are just a few things to think about as you plan your winter strategy, and I’m sure more will come to you.

You also may want to take into account these considerations:  Have you talked with your veterinarian about medical supplies you might need in case of an emergency if they cannot get to you?  Do you have an older horse that might be close to going to horse heaven? This could be a big (like 1,000 pounds) issue if you are not prepared for it.

What about dealing with elderly or ill horses?

Talk with your veterinarian. If your horse is terribly compromised, you will need to consider how you best care for the animal and how you can make it more comfortable through the winter. While we don’t like to talk about the possibility of having to euthanize an older or ill horse, we must recognize the impact that winter has on them. Your veterinarian may even recommend that you consider that option. That is far more humane than having your horse go down in the middle of a threefoot snow storm or having him go down and be unable to get up in sub-freezing temperatures. The animal could lay there many hours suffering and freeze to death.

Talk with your veterinarian and develop a plan to deal with the loss of a horse. That is far more effective than waiting until the emergency is at hand, while you’re also dealing with your emotions at losing your equine friend.

Having a good plan for dealing with emergencies benefits you, your horse and your family.

4/ HORSE NEWS Water, body scoring, joints, salt blocks: Q&As with the Veterinarian

By Cheryl L. Detamore, DVM How much water does an equine require?

The average equine requires half a gallon to a gallon of water for every 100 pounds of body weight each day to maintain proper hydration. This includes equines of all sizes, regardless of species or breed – from donkeys and mules to miniatures and drafts, the formula remains the same.

However, during cold weather, water consumption naturally declines, predisposing to dehydration colic. Without a doubt, lukewarm water encourages intake during winter months, lowering the risk of constipation and impaction. Water between 45 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal.

While buckets and tanks with heaters are efficient in almost any situation, ensure they pose no electrical hazard; indoor automatic water sources are another alternative. But, whatever method you choose, make sure you can approximate how much water your companion is drinking every day.

What is body condition scoring, and how does it work?

Weight has forever served as an assessment of overall health in the horse world and has been a

controversial issue for just as long. Numbers can be misleading and opinions vary – what seems desirable to one can have the air of neglect to another. There is no such thing as a body mass index for horses, and weight tapes can only offer a vague estimate of weight since they do not compensate for differences in breed, age or sex.

However, the Body Condition Score is an objective assessment of general health and is considered the industry standard for determining appropriate level of condition for horses. The system assigns a numerical value, or score, according to fat deposition on various places on the body. This is done by assessing fat, both visually and by touch, in each of six areas – loin, ribs, tailhead, withers, neck and shoulder. Horses accumulate fat in these areas in a set order, and the order is the same regardless of breed, age or sex.

Scores range from one to nine. Most consider five to be “ideal.” A score of one is classified as “emaciated” and nine as “obese.” The score will not indicate how fit your horse is for training or performance since it does not measure muscle.

This system was developed to eliminate subjective opinions that have different meanings to different individuals. It is considered a scientific form of evaluating condition and is accepted in a court of law. References on body condition score are readily available and easy to interpret with a bit of practice.

HORSE NEWS/5 What causes a horse’s joint to ‘click’?

Joints are enclosed in a capsule and bathed in a slippery liquid called synovial fluid. This substance, along with articular cartilage, allows a joint to move with ease. Without adequate lubrication, joints become rough – a product of age, wear or conformation. If not addressed, articular cartilage begins to erode, followed by inflammation of underlying bone surfaces and, ultimately, arthritis.

Once you hear noise coming from a joint, avoid taking the wait-and-see approach; pain and lameness may be close behind. When it comes to joint degeneration, it’s easier to prevent a process, or slow it down, than to correct it once established.

Joint supplements provide the body with natural components that have been lost with time and use and are a good option to prevent dryness or replace viscosity in the early stages of degenerative joint disease.

What's the difference between white and red salt blocks?

White blocks generally contain salt only, while colored blocks typically contain both salt and trace minerals. With so many choices, it is imperative to choose a product made specifically for horses.

Never use a product created for cattle or multiple kinds of stock. Indeed, each species has different needs, and what is good for one can be harmful to another.

When choosing salt and minerals for horses, read the labels carefully and choose a supplement that corresponds to the needs of your area. For instance, there are regions of the country that are deficient in selenium and, thus, require additional supplementation. Meanwhile, other regions have excessive selenium in the soil, and adding more to the horse’s diet could result in toxicity.

While blocks are convenient and easy to use, loose salt and minerals are actually better for horses, which, unlike cows, grasp food (or any substance) with their lips rather than their tongues. Although horses that eat a balanced diet don’t generally have salt or mineral deficiencies, make them available throughout the year – not just during the warmer months of spring and summer.

Look for a product that contains at least MSM and vitamin C (ascorbic acid); added glucosamine is a plus, but something with hyaluronate is superior.

And since nutraceuticals are not closely regulated, purchase a reputable brand to ensure quality and consistency. Most products recommend an initial loading dose, followed by a maintenance dose. It may take a month or more to see results, but most supplements become more effective over time. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Cheryl L. Detamore, DVM, has practiced equine integrative medicine in Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia for more than 18 years. She now resides in Kansas. Learn more about her honey-based healing salve at MeliHeal.com and follow her blog at horsedoctales.wordpress.com

Lessons, boarding and training are just part of our services for the horseman.

We also do tack and saddle repairs and saddle fitting.

We are proud to carry Meliheal in our shop along with many other fine products and supplements for your horse.

Located at 116 Pinetop Rd., Gore, VA 22637 540-858-3090 or visit us on Facebook and like our page.

6/HORSE NEWS Without Fear: The Journey of an Autistic Girl into the World of Horses and Life

By Olivia Williams When the public at large thinks of horseback riders, several images might come to mind: a graceful competition in which jumpers sail over courses; the baying of hounds in an English foxhunt; highintensity turns around a barrel that leave one with vertigo; and that of a small schoolchild bobbing faithfully along on a stodgy pony to make some farfetched dream of Olympian status a reality.

However, rarely do I find that the average Joe thinks of me.

As a not-yet diagnosed autistic, body language was a complete mystery to me at six years of age. A quirk of a brow and the downturn of a mouth were like a foreign language I had not yet learned, one that came maddeningly easily to my school peers in the second grade. Throughout the week, any pride in myself I had managed to rummage up found itself dribbling out whenever I faced the prospect of yet another social interaction in which I sailed without a rudder. From even that tender year, I had a sense of my own inadequacy as compared to the rest of the human population. Despite their well-meaning efforts to aid me, the stares of the few friendly classrooms and untrained teachers left me feeling more alienated. Of course, the only one who could recognize this was my mother – I had not yet gained the emotional awareness necessary to make such a determination.

A year passed before I found myself suddenly thrown into a horse obsession. This was no mere phase that a small child might go through when their roving brains comb hobbies for pleasure and identity. Indeed, my fascination with all things equine left a lasting impression on my mind and led to an unquenchable desire to see a horse in person.

Seeing the cresting necks and sturdy back of the animal in the lens of a camera was no longer satisfactory. This let me to seek out my parents in search of a satisfactory horseback riding experience.

Although it took some trial and error, eventually a

stable in my area had an opening, and I was taken to a horse stable for the first time.

At first, the many stimuli were overwhelming.

However, something about the environment resonated with me. I realized that everyone at the stable shared a common interest with me, and something inside me drove me without fear up onto the back of a horse. At first, I was unsteady; my thin legs strove mightily to grip the saddle so I did not fall off. The wobbling of the horse’s withers in front of me allowed no room for hesitation, and, somehow, I felt my fear ebb away as the cues were explained to me. Here was something I could do.

After my first ride was over, my mussed psyche carefully raked through all the information I had received that day. Although it all was a large blur of color and sound, the sense of unusual trust I felt for the long-suffering gelding I rode that first day was unprecedented. I simplistically contemplated the implications of my visit, and found that my breath came more easily. Compared to activities I had done in the past, everything about horseback riding had all been so much easier.

HORSE NEWS/7 For me and many others like me, horses broke through a wall that day that humans had failed to recognize in me since a young age – the barrier of social interaction. Horses had only a few parts to look out for when one needed to discern their body language. Their eyes sparkled with a certain skeptical intelligence that held a certain undercurrent of unstable trust beneath them, something I could identify with in a heartbeat. On their backs, I feared no judgment from them, save when I actually fouled up. Yes, the various cues were complicated because of the abysmal sense of proprioception I had at that point, but it all seemed accessible. Although the grip of perfectionism remains tight to this day, I felt much freer on a horse’s back than in a world hostile to me from birth.

Through horseback riding over the years, I met many adult friends who aided me in the tough emotional growing pains that came with the entrance into middle school, a place where I happily found some companionship. Surprisingly to even my mother (a person with extensive experience in special education), I found interacting with others my age more bearable. Through having to deal with the various idiosyncrasies of nervous horses, I learned ways to resolve conflict that seemed to work even on angry teenage boys (no easy feat!).

Stubborn horses and the ways in which I worked with my trainer to incrementally soften and harden my legs on their sides reminded me that you cannot push resistant people to do what you want by brute force without causing a conflict. Instead, you must work together with them to compromise and come to a joint solution.

I am now much more confident around people than I was in years past, and I now take up a new challenge: facing the medical field with enough confidence to perform possibly lifesaving work.

Until very recently was I aware that a major prong of my solution for combatting the various limitations placed upon me by the instinctive emotional immaturity of the autistic mind was not unique to me. Web searches now bring up many stories of the mentally retarded and clinically depressed finding consolation in the quiet company of our equine friends. Many more people with disabilities seek out equine activities for a sense of momentary wholeness and enjoyment than did when I first began my journey with the lives (both equine and human) that have now changed mine. I only hope that the wider equestrian community is willing to accept that not all riders have a thirst for power and notoriety; after all, some may be simply seeking a home among the wonderful warmth that comes from being by a horse’s side.

To this day (under Claudia [Swisher] and other riding teachers in my home state), I continue to seek out the backs of horses to connect with others although I must admit I have very little in common with those with a need for speed while riding!

Olivia Williams is a near-lifelong equestrian and student of medical laboratory sciences who enjoys swinging up onto a saddle whenever she gets the chance. She currently lives with her family in the Lone Star State. She is 16 years old.

8/HORSE NEWS Therapeutic Riding Increases Students’ Confidence

By Marjorie Youngs Here are just a few examples that demonstrate why we do what we do at the Blue Ridge Center for Therapeutic Horsemanship (BRCTH).

Jack is new to horses and riding, having just started lessons in September. Near the end of his first mounted lesson, he proclaimed, “I think I am a natural!” Another of our students, Ayla, confidently stated while grooming Classy, “I’m grooming like a professional.” And Andrew, during a pole-bending game which required planning and communication with his pony, exclaimed, “I’m really good at this!” We couldn’t have said it better!

Our certified instructors (by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International), dedicated volunteers and remarkable equines work (and play) hard to make every lesson and activity fun as well as therapeutic. Our move last December to Marley Grange Farm at 644 Lime Marl Lane in Millwood has been so positive for our program. A fully functional barn, adequate and well-maintained paddocks, and a large arena with superior footing have all added to the quality of the services we provide.

Summer is gone but not the memories. In June and July we welcomed 12 campers, ages 7 to 12, to two weeks of Fun with Horses, an Adaptive, Recreational Day Camp.

Each day, the children participated in grooming, horsehandling and riding activities; interactive ground exercises with equines; and art projects with horse and Native American themes. Our instructors, equines and volunteers teamed up to provide our campers with a rich and memorable camp experience.

A chill is definitely in the air, and our fall session is in full swing with 17 students and clients participating weekday afternoons and Saturdays in both our Therapeutic Riding and Equine Assisted Learning (EFL) programs. Therapeutic riding instruction includes grooming, handling and knowledge as well as mounted activities. EFL emphasizes psycho-social learning through observation of and interaction with horses in mostly unmounted ground activities.

On Oct. 22-23, BRCTH will participate in the 28th Annual Therapeutic Riding Association of Virginia (TRAV) Horse Show at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington. Four students will participate this year in Equitation, Dressage, and mounted games classes. We will take our Belgian gelding, CJ’s Teddy, and our paint mare, Classy, to the show, along with several volunteers who will be working hard both inside and outside the show arena. This show welcomes about 100 participants from a dozen or so therapeutic riding centers in Virginia and North Carolina. It is a fun and uplifting family event, and we anticipate a good time for all.

Mark your calendars: Our Vera Bradley/Silpada/ThirtyOne Bingo Fundraiser is on Nov. 12 at the VFW Social Hall in Berryville. Details can be found at our website, www.brcth.org, on our facebook page, or by contacting us.

Interested in finding more about our programs, volunteering or registering a student? Contact me at 540533-2777 or at brcthinc@hotmail.com. BRCTH is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization that relies heavily on volunteers to help with lessons and in many other roles.

We would love to hear from you.

Marjorie Youngs, M.Ed., is Executive Director of BRCTH. She has been involved with therapeutic riding since 1987.

She served as president of TRAV from 1998-2005 and started BRCTH in 2006.

HORSE NEWS/9 Balanced Awareness Horsemanship: An Interview with its ‘Author’

are important elements in the program, which are done on horseback, and I incorporated some yoga movements as well.

By Joan Kibler, Editor

What are the techniques of Balanced Awareness?

“I think I was born wanting a horse. My grandmother would tell me stories about their horses. I fanaticized about them. I drew pictures of them, wanting to become an equine artist. My first horse, at age 18, was a palomino paint Saddlebred who reminded me of Mr. Ed. Her name was Dolly Mae, and she would do the cha-cha and the rumba – which I later learned was piaffe. She made me want to learn. Our mare, Blossom, who has had such an influence on our herd, was out of her.” – Claudia Swisher

Claudia, at age 18, and Dolly Mae. With more than 40 years’ experience with horses, Claudia Swisher, owner of Rocky Springs Ranch LLC talks about her Balanced Awareness Horsemanship method of riding.

What is Balanced Awareness Horsemanship?

Balanced Awareness Horsemanship is a teaching style that focuses on becoming familiar with the movement of a rider’s own body as it correlates to the horse’s movements. Teachings incorporate balance, awareness of the rider’s influence on the horse, the horse’s reaction to stimuli, riding lessons, and understanding your horse.

It is a teaching style that I developed as a result of my life’s experiences with horses. Stretching and exercises

The techniques emphasize riding and working with the horse’s harmony. Instruction includes:  Working the horse on the lunge line to observe its movements.  Stretching and exercising while on horseback to improve balance skills. I developed exercises that were both artistic and biomechanical and which other trainers hadn’t used before.  Correct use of seat, legs, hands and body weight.

Students need to understand how shifting their weight on horseback affects the horse.  Teachings on human and horse anatomy through use of analogies and visualization techniques.

Understanding the horse’s biomechanics enables the rider to recognize how riding movements affect the horse’s movement.  Learning to breathe properly. Breathing is helpful if a horse gets tense and fearful. Proper breathing will help a stressed rider.  Discussions about equine psychological profiles to help the rider understand how a horse thinks.  And in-depth instruction on bit fitting and saddle fitting.

Lessons are individualized because each person learns at his or her own level. Everyone can take in information, but they do it in different ways: some grasp concepts quickly but may need more time to learn how to carry out the techniques; others may not grasp the concept well until they actually perform the technique. Everyone learns differently, so I gear their lessons to suit their needs.

Age isn’t a factor in this method of learning. I’ve had students from age 3 to 93.

10/HORSE NEWS Is it trademarked?

Yes, Balanced Awareness is a registered trademark. I registered the program in 1995.

What caused you to develop this method of riding?

It grew out of necessity. I started teaching in 1984 and quickly realized that the more I taught, the more I needed to know. I had several students who had been rejected from other riding establishments because they were unable to learn in the manner in which they were being taught. They wanted to ride but had trouble ‘getting it’ physically.

My own riding limitations had an impact as well. When I started riding, I was clumsy and overweight and had a hard time riding like others did. That made me look for ways to become a competent horseman. I started reading the Spanish riding books which taught classical horsemanship. I learned from Buddy Artrip (Pony Heart Farms) about conformation, halter showing and western pleasure riding. I took lessons from Donna Germelman at Pigeon Hill riding school and learned gymnastics and preparation for jumping. I worked with Shirley Grubbs for 15 years, and she studied in Portugal with Nuno Oliveira who is recognized as a master horseman. I learned the saddle fitting and repair from her as well. And, finally, I started working with difficult horses that others didn’t want to fool with.

How do you employ the techniques in the training scenario?

I start with one-on-one work in a round pen. The rider feels comfortable because the environment is contained, which helps to avoid issues or problems. This environment helps the rider build confidence from the start. I do an initial evaluation about the rider’s fitness, emotions and mental awareness.

After that, we progress to developing a better seat. The seat is the center of contact – the whole center of riding.

You must have the seat right before working on the legs and hands. The rider has to have a loose lower back to follow the horse. The seat – the core – must respond with the horse’s core to achieve core balance.

Once the seat is right, then we work on the legs and hands to get them in the proper place and to learn their proper use for control. This gives the rider a natural manner that the horse understands. That’s following by teaching timing, pressure and release. Pressure is the “ask”; release is the “reward.”

For example, when you squeeze with the calves of both legs, the horse walks forward. As he steps forward, release the pressure. The horse knows you want him to walk.

Or you can use your seat to stop by stopping your motion – the 1-2-3 movement. We drop the tailbone slightly and stop moving with the horse; we prepare our legs and feet by putting our heels down; and we close our fingers on the reins. The horse learns to stop by these movements.

Hands are always last thing to teach with. This is classical riding like the masters taught – without hands and feet as the primary aids.

What’s important for a horse in this learning environment?

As an instructor for the person and a trainer for the horse, my role is to pass along techniques that will help riders become better horsemen. I want to see a horse that is soft, kind and willing. Mares can be very nurturing. Their instincts for caring for the herd can be used for caring for their people. The mare relates to a person like she relates to her foal.

HORSE NEWS/11 It’s hard to teach a person to ride if the horse is fearful, so you must help the horse get through the fear before you can help the rider. Horses are what they are at the core. A horse may be a good school horse, but not all horses have the disposition to be school horses. A horse may be great as a one-person horse or a family horse. Others are good at showing or competing. So part of Balanced Awareness is learning what the horse’s characteristics are – what kind of a horse is he, or does he want to be?

In conclusion, Balanced Awareness Horsemanship is more than just learning to ride a horse. It is a study in life skills. It is understanding ourselves and how we influence everything around us through our thoughts and movements. The more you know about yourself and your horse, the better you will be able to communicate with each other.

What results have you seen?

I have seen people work through their fear issues and develop good horsemanship skills. I have seen people develop their love of horses. I have seen people with disabilities thrive around horses – horses help them understand themselves better and then the people cope better in their environments. Learning about horses has helped people learn about themselves and apply that learning to everyday life. Getting that 1,000-pound animal to do what you want will help you communicate better in your life.

Most horses are misread and misunderstood. They are being perfectly honest with their behavior and actions, and we as humans are supposed to be smarter. Horses have compassion and understanding. Horses can communicate. As humans, we need to look into their souls instead of trying to ‘master’ them.

Claudia Swisher is the founder of the Balanced Awareness Horsemanship and owner of Rocky Springs Ranch, LLC. and the publisher of Horse News.

12/HORSE NEWS Learning by Observing

By Claudia Swisher If we learn about the horse's mind, we can understand how they see things and why they react the way they do.

To train the horse, we must use very simple, clear and consistent cues. You must use a building block-type teaching method. Good teaching is introducing and doing one simple thing at a time.

Understanding the individual is important. Being able to try things in many different ways until the horse can understand what we want from them can benefit all.

Having shorter sessions can help. The horse learns not as much from pressure but from the timing of the release of that pressure.

Some horses are just more trainable than others. We must ask ourselves why we are having trouble training them.

That is why it is important to look at the individual. This is not about making excuses for our horse but about understanding where they are coming from and how we can resolve any issues that arise.

Knowing the history of the horse is helpful, too. What has happened in the past as to what injury or pain they have experienced can give us direction about how to help them overcome their issues. With a young horse with no previous bad experiences, you have a cleaner slate to start with. When you are working with a horse that is older or has been started or ridden and now has problems or bad habits, you need to go back to find the place where they started having difficulty at work. You must create a better and more solid base to work with.

What do you need to know about the horse’s mind to have a better training experience?

Horses are not like dogs, cats or humans in how they learn. They are herd animals that want good leadership.

In the wild, the horse lives in a herd, and their lives depend on the leadership of the herd – usually a lead mare. The stallion helps with protection and procreation.

The lead mare keeps the herd moving to good pasture and water. She also watches where everyone is and where they are going. No one goes into her space without her asking them to, nobody runs into or over her, and no one disrespects her. Only another lead-type mare will keep trying her authority as she gets older; that happens because instinct tells her she needs to know there is a strong leader. Knowing this tells us to try to discover what kind of horse we are working with and understand where they are coming from.

What’s important are taking things one step at a time and building trust with the horse so that it will allow you to be the leader. If you are taking the role of the leader, then you have to live up to it. You must create a world for the horse where you are their leader, and there is no doubt in their mind. That means you can’t let them push you or run into you or come into your space 100 percent of the time. If you are dealing with a lead mare, then you will have your work cut out for you. They are smart and watch for any drop in your leadership qualities.

A less dominant or fearful type horse will not be as pushy with you. You still need to make sure they know you are a good leader and are fair.

What constitutes fair to a horse? To a horse, fair is stopping pressure when they do what you want. Fair is also using cues or pressure in growing increments. You always start with the least amount of pressure to get the individual to move, then the pressure increases until they move or give. Always give about three to five seconds before increasing to the next heavier pressure. Then if they are still ignoring you, give the final pressure much more forcefully.

As soon as they give, even a little bit, release all pressure.

Then go back to the first light pressure amount and then the second stronger and finally the last heavy pressure if needed. Remember to release immediately when they give! By starting easy and giving a second, then final third, you are giving them the chance to be light and soft.

If you always start hard and harsh, then that is always what you will have to do, and you have not been fair to them to try to do it with the least amount of pressure.

HORSE NEWS/13 Our old lead mare, her mother and her grandmother were so good at teaching me this by the way they handled the herd and new horses introduced into it. She would give the “look.” If she didn’t get acknowledgement, then she gave the slight move toward, then gave the look again and laid her ears back. If she didn’t get an acknowledgement then, she went after them fast hard and got her point across. As soon as they gave or moved, with their heads low and ears listening to her and tails not switching, she immediately went back to where she was and ignored them again with her back to them.

Hmmm…they then would follow her if she moved away.

This is how horses learn respect of their leader; they give them the chance to learn. This is what a horse sees as fair. Drilling over and over again is not fair. Starting out harsh is not fair. Letting them run over you or push you around is not fair.

You can learn a great deal about getting along with horses just by watching their behavior in the herd, and that horse wisdom translates to better communication between you and your horse.

14/HORSE NEWS The Valley of Tears

By Taylor Swisher Chapter 2.

He couldn’t stop pacing although he probably needed to since his feet were starting to hurt. But how could he, after what Tear had just said? Strike remembered the way she had said that she loved him and then she quickly soared away into the clouds.

Moments later, Strike found himself cantering through the streets. He ran down dozens of roads until he got to a small village. This village was built for all of the lower class horses that live in the Kingdom.

But Strike wasn’t looking for just any horse; he was looking for Puma. Puma was a thin, brown colt with a white blaze on his face. It took him a minute to track his buddy down since he was down by the racetrack.

“Puma!” Strike said, signaling with his head to come over.

“Hey man, what’s up?” Puma asked.

Strike pawed the ground for a while and asked him if he had heard what happened to Tear.

“Yeah,” Puma said, tossing his brown head. “She grew wings and flew away into the wide, blue yonder. Right?”

His friend was always there for him when Tear wasn’t, but right now, he needed her. He needed to find her, and that was exactly was he was going to do.

Meanwhile…

The wind blew through her mane as she and her father soared through the clouds. Tear glanced back at her wings. They were beautiful; the main bone that connected to her shoulder was caramel brown and matched the brown of her body which also had white speckles. Her feathers were also brown with a white streak in the middle.

Tear looked over at Apache, who was scanning the skies.

“So,” she started, getting her dad’s attention, “you never told me what your power was.”

Apache pricked his ears at her and turned his dark brown head. “Fire,” he said. “My power is fire.”

Apache opened his mouth to say more, but a deafening roar stopped him.

“What was that?” she asked in a panic and flapped her wings.

“Puma, I’m going out to find Tear.” His voice was shakier than he wanted it to be, but he saw the priceless look on his friend’s face.

“Snithers,” he said, and then saw the puzzled look on her face. “They are 70-feet long snakes with wings, and they eat us for lunch.”

“Ok,” Puma said, bringing Strike into a corner, “but you are not leaving or doing it without me.” Strike smiled and nipped at Puma’s shoulder. “Come on,” he said, as he and Puma cantered up the road.

Tear gasped as she saw the giant red snake flying closer to them. She tilted her wings and dove down through the sky, with the snake in close pursuit.

HORSE NEWS/15 then flew straight at Apache’s daughter, but Tear stood perfectly still. As the snake drew closer, Apache watched as Tear slowly stood on her hind legs and raised her wings above her head until the sun was between her wings.

Apache watched as the winged snake opened its mighty jaw to swallow his daughter who now had her eyes closed. When the creature was just inches away, Tear’s eyes flashed open, blazing yellow. The snither screamed as the sun between her wings shot a beam of fiery light right into the snither’s heart.

The yellow beam began to fill with a black mist, and the fury in the snither’s eyes slowly disappeared.

Suddenly, Apache was there, but he wasn’t her father any more.

After the ordeal, Tear and Apache continued flying, but her father couldn’t get it out of his head – the way Tear had held her wings, way out to the side. It hit him again: “I thought only royalty held their wings like that.”

Now, he was on fire. Every inch of him was coated in flames as he attached the creature. But he wasn’t winning; the snake was just too big. Tear watched as the snither turned on Apache, its eyes blazing with fury. The snake raised its massive head, then dove toward the brown stallion.

But Tear felt her coat warming, and she noticed that once again, the sun was glowing. She gasped as an idea hit her square upside the head.

The snither drew closer, and Apache had run out of ideas. He closed his eyes when a voice rang out, “Stop.”

He and the snither looked toward the voice and there stood Tear. She had all four feet planted on a cloud and her wings outstretched. The red snither hissed,

To be continued…watch for more chapters in “The Valley of Tears.” Chapter 1 can be found in the Spring/Summer edition of Horse News.

Taylor Swisher is the 13-year-old daughter of Gary Swisher and Robin Shewbridge Barnhart and the granddaughter of Tom and Claudia Swisher. She responded to the Kids Section of the Summer/Fall 2015 issue of HORSE NEWS, which encouraged youngsters to submit artwork or a story.

16/ HORSE NEWS Directory for Services and Businesses Blanket Cleaning & Repairs Rocky Springs blanket repairs & cleaning Boarding Double J Stables – Full care boarding 388 Vaucluse Rd. Stephens City, VA 22655 www.facebook.com/doublejstablesllc Rocky Springs Ranch, LLC – Full care boarding 116 Pinetop Rd. Gore, VA www.facebook.com/RockySpringsRanch

540-858-3090 540-869-7770

540-858-3090

Clubs & Nonprofit Organizations Golden Horseshoe 4-H Frederick County, VA www.goldenhorseshoe4h.com

540-877-4935

Gore Spirits 4-H Club

540-336-2561

Gore, VA Aneta Swisher

Stars and Spurs 4-H Club

Warren County, VA

Shenandoah Valley Equine Rescue Network 501(c)(3) nonprofit assisting equines in the area www.svern.org

540-622-0390 540-247-2747

Farriers Sue's Farrier Service – BWFA Certified Farrier 703-401-7683 Correct shoeing & trimming for balance and performance HappyHorses1@comcast.net Feed & Supply Stores Southern States - Winchester Cooperative 447 Amherst Street Winchester, VA 22601 Hay Suppliers Jim Michael – Timothy hay (delivery available)

540-662-0375

304-258-5277

Horse and Barn Sitter services ( Be the first to list your service) Heating * Cooling * Water Services Kangen Water Units – Making your water better www.wateriam.com

540-335-1919 540-325-9756

Physicians / Chiropractors /Physical Therapy Cheff Chiropratic Care 118 Fairground Rd Woodstock, VA 22664 www.cheffchiro.com Saddle Fitting and Repairs Rocky Springs Tack Shop - Claudia Swisher 116 Pinetop Rd. Gore, VA www.facebook.com/RockySpringsRanch Tack Shops & Saddlery Rocky Springs Tack Shop – repairs/fitting/sales 116 Pinetop Rd. Gore, VA www.facebook.com/RockySpringsRanch Tack Repairs Rocky Springs Tack Shop - 20 years’ experience 116 Pinetop Rd. Gore, VA 22637 Therapeutic Riding Blue Ridge Center for Therapeutic Horsemanship Therapeutic riding and equine-facilitated learning www.brcth.org Trailer Sales and Services W. F. Artrip & Son Trailers 1726 Front Royal Pike Winchester VA 22602 www.artriptrailers.com Training Team Barlow www.teambarlowperformancehorses.com

540-459-3900

540-858-3090

540-858-3090

540-858-3090

540-533-2777

540-662-5028

540-869-7271

Veterinary Services Cheryl Detamore, DVM - Phone Consultations 785-846-7404 Meliheal creator - Healing Salve for Equines/Canines www.meliheal.com

Instruction/Riding Lessons/Academies Rocky Springs Ranch, LLC Balanced Awareness TM 540-858-3090 Lessons: Western, English, Dressage, Hunter – beginners/advanced 116 Pinetop Rd. Gore, VA 22637 www.facebook.com/RockySpringsRanch Massage Therapy Hope O'Toole - Certified Equine/Canine Massage PO Box 40 Baker, WV 26801 donkeymomhope@gmail.com

304-897-7073 540-878-8060

Schay Swope DVM – Mobile Equine Veterinary Services schswope@gmail.com www.facebook.com/schswope

304-283-7421

__________________________________________________ If you are interested in being listed in the Directory, please contact us at 540-858-3090 or email rsr.cswisher@gmail.com