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If I were to be put in a time capsule that would take me back just a few years to the horses I owned before I started my natural horsemanship journey. I am positive that they would not recognize me. It would be interesting to listen to their discussion as they compared the horsewoman I was to the horsewoman I am evolving into. They might say things like:
“She was always in such a hurry, what on earth has slowed her down?”
“Now it seems like she could care less how much I accomplish each day. It causes me to feel less pressure and perform better. I sure hope she stays this way.”
“She never used to take time to figure out why things weren’t working.”
“Now when things go wrong, she takes the time to ask me why I don’t understand. It gives me an opportunity to ask her questions so that I can understand. It’s great two-way conversation. It may take a little longer now, but we are both happier.”
“She was very quick to use force whenever I didn’t comply or understand.”
“Now there are phases applied with timing that create fairness. This allows me to comply willingly and understand on a more consistent basis. I feel more like being with her.”
“She used to get frustrated so quickly and it would escalate from there resulting in enough dust to choke both of us.”
“Now she puts her finger on her chin says, “Ohboy, How interesting?” I thought my name was Gypsy, not Ohboy. Then she looks at me with fascination and continues slowly creating little or no dust! It is horse heaven!”
“She had the most horrible timing. I never knew when she was going to release or the purpose of the pressure. I kept trying, but she never improved. Finally I gave up and became unresponsive and dull. She didn’t even seem to notice.”
“Now her body is sensitive to my every move. It seems like she can feel when I am going to respond and we are becoming like dance partners in sync together. It is becoming effortless and I can feel the joyous music playing in our hearts harmoniously.”
“She was such a task master, never giving me a moments peace to absorb what had just happened. As soon as we were done with one thing it was on to the next before I knew what had happened to me.”
“Now she talks about this thing called “wait time”, and she even practices what she preaches. She said she learned it from some teacher. Anyway, I love it when she gives me the time I need to digest my thoughts and so I lick and chew which seems to give her great pleasure. Oh Boy this human is becoming very interesting.”
“She never seemed to know when to quit. It was just one more, one hundred more times, until I was bored or exhausted.”
“Now she just seems to have this instinctive perception about when to quit! Whoever taught this to her is my hero. I am now curious and exuberant about playing with her.”
Now that we have listened in on what I imagine my horses might have said about me before and after my natural horsemanship transformation I can’t help but feel bad for all the horses who had to put up with me before I changed. I know that I am far from perfect still and I am excited about what changes I will continue to make in the next few years. Unfortunately there are still a whole lot of people like the old me out there who don’t know any better. However, thanks to the PNH program “TIMES ARE CHANGIN’!”
Of all of the keys to success “time” is probably the hardest one for our generation to accept and change, because we live in such an instant and rushed society. However, time is probably the most important key that has helped me to be more successful with horses and people. Even though “slowing down and taking the time it takes” has been the most difficult change to make for me, it has also been the most valuable in every area of my life.
By learning to slow down I now find it enjoyable to relax with my horses. “Bucket sitting” has become one of my favorite past times. Slowing down has also taught me that I am better able to make accurate observations therefore leading to more effective solutions. I am seeing things that I never saw before and taking the time to enjoy the discoveries. Life seems more peaceful at the slower pace!
According to Tim Erickson, “time meant nothing to Tom Dorrance when he was working with a horse. He would work right through meals or late into the night until the horse came around.” I often now find myself forgetting about time completely when I am with my horses. It is unbelievable how fast the hours pass by when you leave your need to meet a goal, to compete and impress behind and replace it with the need to do what is best for your horse no matter what.
The horses that I encountered before natural horsemanship knew that no matter what, they were going to do it my way and now! It was all about me! I hope those horses will forgive my ignorance and selfishness. Now I hope that I will always have the attitude that no matter how much time it takes I will hang in there to the end with you, because it’s all about YOU, my sweet horse partner! TIMES ARE CHANGIN’!
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