umm with regards to heathers apology...

[Bootyfulcobs]

i'm confused... am i stupid, or has natural horsemanship not promoted sending away the horse, once he is halter trained - i have bought books by various trainers and they advise this method- someone please update me :(

[Bebe]

That was my understanding also, you can't do the join up thing unless you send away at some point.

Personally, I didn't think Heathers post warranted an apology, she didn't say anything that didn't come from personal opinion and experience and we're all entitled to those aren't we?

[Heather]

Thanks Amanda- I get flack quite often but my attitude is 'if you can't stand the heat.........' I would be a very unhappy bunny if I took to heart everything that was said about me on the Net in various places- you develop a thicker skin after a while, believe me, but Max and I have made our peace again.

There is certainly a better way than sending away- Mike Peace does it. I could describe it but will ask him to do so and post it here as it will probably make better sense than me doing it!

Heather

[fizz21]

May I ask you who is Mike Peace is?

[Bootyfulcobs]

he's a trainer alon the natural horsemanship lines he works with the horse, rather than against them, and with great success - he's website is : Michael Peace homepage (http://www.thinkequus.u-net.com/)

hope this helps :D

[Kerry's Partner!!]

I agree. It's strange that us ordinary folks are allowed to have a personal opinion but others don't seem to have that privilege. I suppose I get around this conundrum in my non-equine working life by using a kind of precise: "My personal opinion is ......." BUT it's a real challenge to remember to say this sometimes!!!!!

Frankly, I believe that the equine industry can only benefit from those willing to add that extra "challenge". After all, from such challenges things usually advance - in all walks of life.

Sandra

[Heather]

HI All,

My answer is that if I don't stand up for what I believe in and occasionally 'Speak the truth and shame the devil' the horse won't have a voice.

I have always said to anyone that they are welcome to turn up here at any time, without prior appointment. If we are too busy to talk to you at that time, you are welcome to sit in the school and watch. No one here will ever be doing anything that woudl hurt a horse so there is nothing to hide.

There are some trainers out there, who just do not practise what they preach, and I have first hand evidence of it. I hate hypocrisy worse than anything and anyone who does this sort of thing deserves to be taken to task, whihc is not what I felt I had done to Max, ( apart from his rising trot that is!).

However, I have been in touch with Sam Maxwell and all is now amicable again.

Heather

[FRED]

Hi Heather,that would be great if you could get Mike Peace to explain his method.
I have read a particular book and I'm confused about this sending away bussines.Originaly I thought that this was used only in the training of wild horse to establish who is 'leader'.

Richard Maxwell did have a clinic in Staffs last year that I missed,he was working with a friends horse Cloud.

Recently I got a exellent book by the late Bill Dorrance, there are a few ace quotes about horses and us humans.

Take care,best wishes from Fred.

[KarlR]

Thank-you for pointing out the Michael Peace website. I had searched for this but hadn't found it until now.

I will certainly look forward to any advice that he can give us - my firm impression so far is that he is a talented and sympathetic "equine behaviouralist"** who is currently without equal, certainly within the UK.

I would also say from my limited exposure that he is also a rider of some talent, which I'm sure will be even better following Heathers intervention! :)

**Sorry - I hate the other term - too abused.

[ros]

I find in my work that, invariably, those who are constantly on the defensive are those who either don't know what they're doing or have a guilty conscience. It always makes me suspicious.

[Joy Esau]

I agree with Bebe in that I can't see anything in Heathers original post which warrented an apology.

This forum would be so much the poorer if we all (particularly Heather) had to analyse every posting to see if there was anything which a sensitive sole could possibly take umbrage.

Joy