Jasper the rescue horse
Oct 30th, 2008 by Carolyn Resnick Method
Hi. I was saying last week how many wonderful letters and emails I receive and here’s another one that I really wanted to put on the blog. It’s from a lady from Northern California with the lovely name of Indigo. The reason for putting it on the blog was twofold. One is to help people understand that they need to take more time on the relationship with their horse and that training is more than a 20 minute experience. Indigo’s story demonstrates this beautifully.
The second reason was that it also illustrates that there is this kind of field of dreams and connections, as you will see when you read the whole story.
*** To read the rest of this post, get Carolyn’s Blog Collection Volume 1 ***
Click the image above for more details
Related posts:
Whew! I meant to write a response a whole lot sooner than this, but the chaos of moving got in the way. I wanted to comment specifically on the concept of the shoulder yielding. It is my opinion that, while in some cases it is certainly so that fear is a factor in the guarding of a shoulder, I feel that it is not so simple as that. It seems much more to be about establishing hierarchy and communication. I call it the final frontier and to me it is a delicate matter to win the battle of wills in asking a proud horse to yield his shoulder to you, while preserving his dignity in the process. I am always thankful and respectful to a horse when he decides to concede and back down peacefully from the confrontation. It can be a fragile moment for the ego of a proud horse, especially an angry and maligned horse, to yield his shoulder and it (heh) behooves us to be conscientious of this.
Next, of course I wish that I could give Jasper all the time he needs to get in a trailer. Squishing a horse into a trailer is my absolute least favorite thing to do. Unfortunately, my life path turned in such a way as to have moved me four hours away from where Jasper lives. Fortunately, Margaret’s hubby took a liking to J and has been spending lots of time with him. I’m taking it as it comes and being thankful that J is getting attention and love.
I end as I started…Whew!
Dear Lynne,
I am very glad you took the time to write and let me know how much you are enjoying my blog. It is uplifting to see how I am able to guide people in their personal journey with their horse to make a true working bond. Through taking the time to connect and develop leadership ability brings well being to the horse.
Carolyn
What an amazing story. Patience, intertwined with love and passion are very powerful motivators to aid perseverence. I love even now discoering how my horse and I communicate – even after nine wonderful years. He is a domesticated horse. But to gain the trust of a wild horse must a once in a lifetime event – one to be treasured and as you said never taken for granted. What a priviledge you have had in your lifetime, but also Indigo has been priveledged as well. So thankyou for sharing that – I have read this at the beginning of my work day and spending just several minutes reading this has just settled me for what would be a rushed office day – but I am calmer already. Thats just the story, what must the horse in person be like – pretty special!!!
Many thanks
Shirley
Indigo,
margaret & Autumn
You’re patience, kindness and persistance with Jasper really shows. He is lucky to have you in his life and that his fate wasn’t stollen by some good old boy swinging a rope and being the boss. You’ll have him on a trailer in no time!
Thank you, Indigo, for writing down the story of your evolving relationship with Jasper. I was so moved by your words — I could feel the “heart connection” through the computer screen.
Wishing the two of you a long and joy-filled relationship.
Kris
Carolyn,
I tear up almost every time I read your blog and the sharing of experiences using your work with horses.
I’ve been away from horses for many years. They were life saving for me as a young girl living in the midst of a chaotic and troubled family. My horse was my solace and grounding place.
My adult life has been about doing emotional/spiritual mentoring work with people and I love it. Horses have taken a necessary back seat … but slowly I find myself being drawn back to the desire to share space again with a horse … . who knows?
I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your beautiful work with these magical creatures and your willingness to share it with folks like me.
Many blessings, Lynne
Thank you Indigo for your inspiring experiences, and bless your heart for loving Jasper and your self! RE: his shoulder. I believe that the shoulder is a very precious and guarded area in wild “prey” animals. this is the most vulnerable, unprotectable part of the body, the place the predator would take them down from. I suspect that is why he has not let you in there yet. Don’t hurry it though. Re: trailering, if you can, let
go of the “need to get him in the trailer” and take as long as it takes to get him comfortable with it. As well, he would
feel safer if two of his buddies came in the trailer, then they could ride back together to the original place. Failing that, any mellow and experienced horse as a companion would help him immensely.
I’m sure you know all of this already, but I sensed some tension in your sentence, “the trick is to get him in the trailer”
lots of love and good luck in your blessed journey!
What a beautiful letter! Indigo, you are amazing–and fortunate too. Yes, you have your work cut out for you. Jasper is sure to challenge you beyond anything you’ve ever experienced before, but the rewards will come back to you tenfold. Winning his heart is a testament to your patience and fine instincts. Please let us know how things progress. I think wild mustangs are glorious animals, and I truly hope to be in your shoes (boots?) one day soon.
I loved reading about Indigo and her horse. It reminds me so much of my abused horse Big Boy and the struggles I go through with him. Most days I can now get near him and give him scratches, but out of nowhere he will change and become aggressive. It used to be so upsetting to me and then I realized that I am just becoming a better horse person and it makes the times we are close more important. When he does that I go back to controlling his food just one time and it usually takes care of it.
My most incredible moment came with him recently when my Grandma went to the nursing home and I was very upset after talking to my Mom each day. I broke down crying one evening in the corral and he came up to me and put his nose on my heart and just kept it there for a bit. Just typing this makes my cry for the love he showed me.